Baba story: PS vs Rabindra Samgeeta + 4 more

Baba

Baba story: PS vs Rabindra Samgeeta

Namaskar,

Here following is one Baba story about the beauty, magnificence, and greatness of Prabhat Samgiita. Note: This letter also refers to Rabindra Sangeet, and as these are non-margii compositions we honoured their spelling of Sangeeta.


First program

Those days when Baba was living in Madhu Malainca - His residence at Lake Gardens (Kolkata) - He introduced the idea of holding Prabhat Samgiita cultural programs. Those days Prabhat Samgiita was quite new, so it was the need of the time to propagate Baba's divine gift of Prabhat Samgiita.
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Hence the then Central PRS dada T. was given the duty to organise the first-ever Prabhat Samgiita cultural program. And after coordinating the various affairs, the public Prabhat Samgiita program was held at a park in Central Kolkata in the evening time, around sunset. Directly afterwards Dada rushed back to Baba's Quarter to give the good news.

Thus, PRS Dada T. reported to Baba by passing all the various good news about the program. Certainly many of the workers were also curious to hear because not all could attend.


That reporting session

In particular PRS Dada T. was telling how in order to attract the Bengali public, first they performed a few Rabindra Sangeeta (i.e. songs by the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore). Those Rabindra Sangeeta went on for some time. Thereafter, a few Prabhat Samgiita were performed. All in all 60% percent of the time was given for Rabindra Sangeeta and 40% was allotted for Prabhat Samgiita. Altogether the public greatly appreciated the cultural program.

In this manner, PRS was telling the news. Hearing all this Baba took on His 'Rudra Rupa' form, i.e. His menacing form where He lovingly displays His feigned anger.
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Immediately in that reporting hall Baba feigned His fury and started rebuking him strongly. All workers present in the hall were shocked and unnerved by the magnitude and height of Baba's feigned anger.

Baba strongly feigned scolding and chastising PRS for highlighting Rabindra Sangeeta at our own Prabhat Samgiita cultural program:

"You are degrading Prabhat Samgiita - Coward...Animal...You do not have the courage to play Prabhat Samgiita at our own Prabhat Samgiita cultural program... What nonsense!"

In this way, Baba's feigned scolding went on. At the time, Baba was speaking in Bangla but the translation is as recounted above. We should also recall that all-loving Baba has tremendous affection for His disciples and His feigned scolding is a sign of His great blessing.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (1)


Dhik, dhik dhik-- shame, shame shame

Then in front of all, Baba lovingly scolded PRS Dada for his sin by ordering him to take punishment while all others stated: 'Dhik, dhik... dhik, dhik...dhik, dhik', which literally means 'shame, shame... shame, shame...shame, shame...'.

So, as a symbolic gesture of shame and humiliation, Dada T. had to pretend to rub his nose on the wall - while all workers present chanted 'Dhik, dhik... dhik, dhik...dhik, dhik'--  'shame, shame... shame, shame...shame, shame...'.

As this was a dramatization, it looked like harmful, painful things were going on, but Dada T was not really rubbing his nose etc. But he was acting like really he was rubbing it hard.
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But not only that, because of the extreme severity of his wrongdoing, Baba ordered PRS to do that punishment on the ground also. This heightened the effect of the dramatization.

In unison all workers recited 'Dhik, dhik... dhik, dhik...dhik, dhik','-- 'shame, shame... shame, shame...shame, shame...' while Dada rubbed his nose just above the ground as a show of humiliation and repentance.

Aside: When anybody did something outrageously negative then they got this type of punishment, i.e. 'Dhik, dhik' / 'shame, shame'.

By this entire scene, everyone understood in the deep core of their heart that Baba is adamantly against the use of Rabindra Sangeeta at our own Prabhat Samgiita cultural programs. Indeed that was the first and last time that it was done.

As many may be aware, Baba Himself has pointed out that there is too much of an emphasis on melancholic themes which are prevalent throughout Rabindra Sangeeta. On so many occasions He told like this.


Why not Rabindra Sangeeta

Furthermore proof is that Baba told on various occasions that, "If Rabindra Sangeeta was okay then there would not have been any need to create new songs. But because Rabindra Sangeeta is not perfect that is why Prabhat Samgiita was composed."

The overarching point is that we should not give undue importance to Rabindra Sangeeta. Before Prabhat Samgiita had been given, that was different. But now that we have Prabhat Samgiita then Rabindra Sangeeta should not be propagated.
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On countless occasions, senior margiis have seen that in His presence - at annual DMC, General Darshan, in all such programs - Baba emphasized for everybody to sing Prabhat Samgiita. Even at DMC if someone was not singing then Baba would lovingly flash His feigned anger.

So you can understand how much stress Baba placed on Prabhat Samgiita. Otherwise, it was not easy for margiis to forget about those other songs. By this approach, everybody came to understand the grand importance of Prabhat Samgiita.

From all around the globe it was propagated that Prabhat Samgiita is something completely unique and we should realise its significance.


Only Prabhat Samgiita on such programs

Since that very reporting session, no Rabindra Sangeeta has been performed at our cultural programs. Rather it has become the standard that in our Prabhat Samgiita cultural programs only Prabhat Samgiita are performed.

As we all know, Baba has blessed us with this divine collection of Prabhat Samgiita. And these songs are the spiritual treasures which uniquely express the inner heart feeling between the bhakta and Lord. That is the specialty of Prabhat Samgiita.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Plus, His Prabhat Samgiita compositions contain all the teachings of Ananda Marga, in seed form. So Prabhat Samgiita beautifully guides us in all the spheres of life. Hence it is our duty to highlight this divine gift of Prabhat Samgiita and please Him by performing only His Prabhat Samgiita compositions in our cultural programs - and not any other type of song.


Conclusion

All Ananda Marga cultural programs express a dynamic combination of song, dance, and instrumental music etc. So our cultural programs are not just simplistic affairs. They consist of grand performances that incorporate music, dance, drama, and many of the visual and fine arts. In that light, this first-ever Prabhat Samgiita cultural program was supposed to be a dynamic presentation of Baba's divine Prabhat Samgiita. But because PRS Dada featured Rabindra Sangeeta, then the whole program went astray.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Rasamay Ghosh

~ In-depth study ~

First learn AM ideology

In Acarya Diary Baba guides us that human life is short and that it is our first and foremost duty to understand all the aspects of Ananda Marga ideology. As Ananda Margiis first we are to engage in this endeavour. Then afterwards, once Ananda Marga ideology has been fully grasped & understood, we can study other philosophies & literatures for comparing and logically proving to others the superiority of Ananda Marga philosophy.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

But without proper knowledge of Ananda Marga ideology, some margiis read those other writings and their minds become polluted and dogmatic. Baba does not approve this approach.

First we should understand our Ananda Marga philosophy completely including Prabhat Samgiita. After that, when all 5019 Prabhat Samgiita songs are clearly understood, then we have full capacity and knowledge to understand which Rabindra Sangeeta compositions are good and which are bad. Without first studying Prabhat Samgiita, one will not have a basis by which to properly evaluate Rabindra Sangeeta.


Prabhat Samgiita is beyond comparison

If someone has never seen a watermelon and they only know about grapes, and they wrongly preach that grapes are the biggest fruit, they may quarrel with others about which is the biggest fruit. They will stand their ground that grapes are bigger. It is only when they gain a practical understanding about what a watermelon is that they will forget their tales about the greatness of grapes.

Here the point is that those who are not aware about Prabhat Samgiita - and only know about Rabindra Sangeeta - will wrongly preach about the greatness of Rabindra Sangeeta. That is the problem.  

It is just like how a frog in the well brags about the greatness of his well because he is wholly ignorant about anything outside that well.    
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Likewise all kinds of dogmatic things exist in the society and if we allow our minds to drift in that direction then we will never be able to understand the unparalleled glory of Ananda Marga philosophy and Prabhat Samgiita.       

So we should always follow Baba and highlight His teachings and compositions. And we should understand that when Parama Purusa has come then there is no comparison between Prabhat Samgiita and any other genre of poetry or song. Rabindranath is after all a human being so what can he compose in comparison with the Parama Purusa Himself.

Once someone tastes sentient food then they will no longer like to eat tamasik food. And once a person tastes the spiritual vibration of sadhana, then they will not like to engage in idol worship anymore. Similarly once a bhakta has tasted the divine songs of Prabhat Samgiita then they will not be attracted to any man-made songs.


Guru must love & feign scolding

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "To love is not the only work of the guru. One who only loves you is your enemy, and one who only punishes you is also your enemy. But the one who both loves and punishes in a balanced way is the real guru." (2)


Synopsis

The above story from that eventful reporting session leads in the direction that we should not encourage any other types of songs. We should follow our Guru, our Ista. To please Him and bask in His blissful teachings, we should propagate Prabhat Samgiita.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

His wish is that everybody should sing and learn Prabhat Samgiita; so our duty is to propagate those compositions.

We should take to heart that Parama Purusa has blessed us with His grand body of spiritual teachings. There is no comparison between His divine gifts and any other type of poetry or song. Rabindranath is after all a human being so what can he compose in comparison with Prabhat Samgiita.

Here below Baba guides us how top-grade bhaktas dedicate their everything to serve and please Ista.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "I act only to please You...I want all my actions to give You some joy. It's immaterial whether that brings joy or pain to me, it doesn't bother me at all. My only task is to give You some joy." (3)


About that blessing

Many are well aware that when Baba gave the punishment to rub the nose on the ground then the intention was that those disciples would keep their nose just a tiny bit off the ground and make the motion of rubbing the nose. This was the common way - the standard procedure. Because actually rubbing the nose on the ground would be quite painful. Here Baba's aim was not to create physical pain per se, but rather to lovingly cultivate a sense of shame for going against Dharma.
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Ananda Marga ideology states, "A spiritual guru must be well-acquainted with all the processes of sádhaná, must have the capacity to convince others, must possess complete knowledge of the scriptures, must know many languages, and must have comprehensive knowledge and intellect, plus some extra qualifications. What are those qualifications? Nigrahánugrahe shakto gururityabhidhiiyate – “the guru must possess the capacity both to punish, and to love, or bless, his disciples.” Punishment alone, without love, is not good. Love and punishment should go together, and the degree of punishment should never exceed the degree of love. Then only can one be called a real spiritual guru." (4)

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "One who only punishes a person is not a Guru, and one who only loves is also not a Guru. Rather he or she is an enemy, for excessive love and affection spoils a person. Only one who does both these things is a real Guru. That is why people should be trained with both love and punishment. Where love fails, punishment helps. Medicine is not necessarily always sweet; sometimes bitter medicines are necessary as well. Patients often refuse to swallow bitter medicines; they cry in protest. But the ideal physician will force the patient to swallow the medicine. This is the proper way." (5)


Baba is embodiment of dharma

The Propounder of Ananda Marga, Baba - Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is the embodiment of dharma. One of the characteristics of a dharmika is akrodha or non-anger. Baba perfectly embodies this quality. Those close to Baba understood that He never becomes angry. Only fools say that Baba was ever furious or mad etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Note: The name of the PRS dada in this story Dada Tryambakeshvarananda. 

References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #38c
2. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, “Ye Yathá Máḿ Prapadyante”
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 21, The Criteria of a Guru
5. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Eternal Entity

“Tumi ámár átmá, maner ádhár, priya sarvádhár..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4588)

Purport:

My Supreme One, You are my soul, the base of my mind, and my entire existence. You are my absolute foundation. Everything is depending upon You and revolving around You. In life as well as in death, You are existing all the time. In my daily existence, You are my Guide, and after my death also You remain with me eternally.

Parama Purusa, in the daytime, the sun rises and sets according to Your command. And in the nighttime the moon ascends and descends by Your order. All the galaxies and celestial bodies like the Milky Way, nebulae, and stars move according to Your wish. In the universe, You control every single expression.

Baba, the first time I experienced You and realised Your exquisite refulgence in my life, I lost myself completely. Parama Purusa, with Your supreme resplendence, please remove all my samskaras and stains, and make my life successful. Baba, You are my Soul of souls, Heart of hearts - You are my everything. I surrender myself completely unto You...

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to deal with blind people

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Never attack the religious beliefs of anyone. Make the person understand gradually with logic. If you attack a person’s religious beliefs, it means you have attacked Ananda Marga.” (1)

This yellow-highlighted quote is only used in the following types of scenarios:

• During our Ananda Marga seminars, it is fine and well to discuss the loopholes of various religious philosophies. 
  
• In our seminars, our internal networks, and when talking with margiis, we can discuss the philosophical and shortcomings and inherent defects of such religions.  

This above quote should never be used in the following circumstances:

• When dealing directly, face to face, with a dogmatic person who adheres to illogical religious rituals then we should be very psychological and speak in a measured, calculated manner. 
  
• So if someone is doing idol worship then do not exclaim, “You are wasting your time because you are just worshipping a monkey - you stupid. Don’t you know that due to idol worship you will be converted into stone or reborn as a monkey.”

Conclusion: If this yellow highlighted teaching is used in the wrong way the result will be very bad. Those who are uninformed have no idea about this above guideline. They apply it in the wrong manner. 

In Him,
Suniiti

Reference
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, point #9

== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

Example - True Ananda Vanii

Here is the example of a true Ananda Vanii, #38:

(38) The entire humankind of the universe constitutes one singular people. All humanity is bound together; those who are apt to remain oblivious of this very simple truth, those who are prone to distort it, are the deadliest enemies of humanity. Today people should identify these foes very well and build up a healthy human society, totally ignoring all obstacles and difficulties.

It must be borne in mind that so long as a magnificent, healthy and universalistic human society is not well established, humanity’s entire culture, and civilization, its sacrifice, service and spiritual endeavour, shall not carry any worth whatsoever.* (Ananda Vanii #38)

- - - - - - - - - - -

Example - Fake Ananda Vanii New Year 2017

Here is the example of the fake Ananda Vanii for 1st January 2017, of Ranchi faction. You see, it is obvious this below yellow sentence does not have any Ananda Vanii number.

“You are never helpless, never alone. You are always with Him and so you should never entertain pessimism or any inferiority complex.”**

Reference:

*Ananda Vanii #38

**AV-2 ---"The Role of The Cognitive Faculty

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Moulding our children into margiis

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/06/harming-vs-helping-child.html

Today's educational standard

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/11/solution-youth-suicide.html

Sign of fake bhakta

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-recognise-true-fake-bhaktas-2.html

Degradation of cultural programs + 3 more

Baba

Degradation of cultural programs

Namaskar,

When some attended DMS, in the past, they were very surprised to see the teenage girls dancing in programs at a religious function. It is unusual to have a young girl dance at a dharmic program. To understand this we have to look back at history. These days in the general society dance is usually associated with crude and lewd displays that excite the lower cakras. So people were very surprised to see this going on at dharmic gatherings. Their reaction and comments are very meaningful because in the general society mostly sensual things are done in the name of dance and drama.
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Cultural programs: past & present

Thousands of years ago, Lord Shiva introduced music, dance, and dramas purely for spiritual occasions. That tradition continued for thousands of years, but recently in the last few hundred years it became terribly degenerated. When done in a proper way, song, dance, and drama will enhance the mind; but, if done in a tamasik manner it will degrade the mind. Ananda Marga philosophy is expansive and all-inclusive. That is why Baba has prescribed numerous avenues to goad the mind towards the Supreme Goal. And that comes within the field of aesthetic science. Our cultural programs are a part of aesthetic science.

According to Ananda Marga philosophy, the science of music should only be used for psycho-spiritual development, not any other reason. Otherwise, it is just a case of misuse. The problem is that professional artists from the general society are immersed in pseudo-culture and lewd dealings. And when they come onto the platform of AMPS, they carry their pseudo-culture baggage with them into our RAWA programs, sometimes. That is why in AMPS functions also, sometimes those watching the programs felt their lower cakras were getting stimulated. We should be watchful that such programs are condemned as they defeat the original purpose of RAWA programs. Such artists should be banned from performing on our AMPS stage. But that is not happening, and that is disgraceful.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Judge for yourself

You can watch and judge for yourself how far it is ok or not. And, at the end of the cultural program, if your mind became more spiritually inclined, then that was a good cultural program. And if the mind remained as is then it was a waste of time. And if the mind went down and the lower propensities were stimulated, then that was a toxic, harmful affair as you got degraded. In this way you can evaluate the calibre of the program. If many sincere margiis do this then this problem will be solved forever.

“Create a taste for spirituality”

At grand functions like VSS camp, ETC camp, DMS, retreats and other big occasions, cultural programs are always held. Unfortunately, sometimes these presentations have been called cultural programs when in reality they are not up to the proper standard. On this point, before calculating things by our own way, let's see what Sadguru Baba says:

"Your physico-psychic activities are architecture, literature, dance, music – they are all your physico-psychic movement. And this movement is from crude to subtle, starting from the cruder arena and moving towards the subtler arena. That’s why in Ananda Marga I encourage this physico-psychic movement: because it will help you in moving towards the subtler world, in moving towards the supreme spiritual goal...For physico-psychic movement, I encourage boys and girls to start work in the RAWA [Renaissance Artists’ and Writers’ Association] movement." (1)

According to Baba's above guideline when dance or music goads the mind to a sentient and spiritual outlook and the mind starts thinking about Parama Purusa, then that type of dance and song is called a cultural program. Whereas, if any dance, music, or song does not goad the mind toward divinity and instead goads the mind towards the lower cakras, i.e. carnal and worldly attractions or animal propensities, then that is not a cultural program. This is our standard according to Ananda Marga philosophy.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Cultural programs are for pleasing the Divine Entity

In many parts of the world, bhaktas sacrifice animals in front of their chosen idol / deity and think that Parama Purusa is pleased by their action. But Parama Purusa is not pleased by such heinous acts. Similarly, we must evaluate how far today's "cultural programs" are pleasing to Baba.

Before 1990, cultural programs at DMC were presented in a very sentient manner. The girls dancing in cultural programs were below puberty and the music was always well suited. So the mind was always goaded towards the higher cakras. Unfortunately, after 1990, similar thought and care were not always applied to the cultural programs. Due to alluring, provocative, and sensual displays, some of the post-1990 cultural programs have directed the mind towards the lower cakras. The onus is on us to have to critically evaluate whether our cultural programs are according to His strict standard.

Even then, certain so-called top Wt organisers of cultural programs are giving the logic that the programs since 1990 have all been in accordance with the appropriate standard. But such organisers are not being truthful with themselves. Remember, a cultural program means goading the mind towards divinity, otherwise it is an exposé of pseudo-culture.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

How idol worshipers fall prey to self-befoolery

On various occasions, we Ananda Margiis are called upon to arrange or attend cultural programs. So we should carefully evaluate whether such dance and music programs are up to the mark. Do they truly goad the mind toward the thought of the Supreme, or are they just a mundane show, or even worse do those so-called cultural programs degrade the mind. So we have to give an open and fair estimate.

We should not befool ourselves as idol worshipers dupe themselves and degenerate, ultimately turning to stone. Those followers think they are worshiping God, but because they are concentrating on a piece of stone their mind gets degenerated. In their heart of hearts no idol worshiper wants to become stone, but ultimately it happens. Similarly, no Ananda Margii wants to degenerate themselves by participating in some "cultural program". But degrading cultural programs will goad the mind in the wrong direction.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Your honesty and support are needed

Think about a recent cultural program at some organisational function. Or perhaps you may have seen or heard about a program at DMS in the post 1990-era wherein 14 - 25 year old girls and boys dance together. Then honestly ask yourself if seeing that dance - you can ask yourself, no need to tell anybody - goaded your mind towards Parama Purusa or somewhere else. If it was going somewhere else, then do not attend or support such programs. Otherwise, you are merely befooling yourself.

Not only that, even if your mind was ensconced in Parama Purusa by His grace, then even then you should come forward and join those who oppose such so-called cultural programs. Because over the years some have complained about these so-called cultural programs and how they do not goad the mind towards the Supreme but rather push the mind in the other direction. Many people are not elevated like you, so you should be sympathetic and support their cause.

Up to 1990, cultural programs were done regularly. But then the girls were below 8 years of age and all aspects of the program were very sentient. So the programs achieved the goal: The mind was led in a proper direction, not a negative one.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

We should be honest with ourselves. We go to DMS not for carnal satiation or to satisfy our lower propensities, nor for all kinds of TV channel delights or Holly / Bollywood movie scenes. Going to a dharmic ceremony should entail strict adherence to a code of discipline and not any negative encouragement of the mind.


A few guidelines for our cultural programs

Here are a few guidelines to ensure our cultural programs at AMPS functions server the right purpose:

(a) Girls below puberty should dance for a co-ed audience, whereas those girls above puberty can dance to an all female audience.

(b) When any drama or dance occurs that requires boys and girls to dance together, then similar aged girls should play the role of boys. And they too should be below the age of puberty.

(c) Even then small girls should not wear revealing or Hollywood type of dress. The music also carries a vibration, positive or negative microvita. So we should be sure it is sentient.

(d) If the song or dance degrades the mind then the entire cultural program is a complete failure and a danger for society.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "If someone makes a sound like 'ra, ra, ra -- cha, cha, cha' or if someone sings, 'Follow my song! Let us sing and dance our way to hell', these are sound inferences, but they carry a very crude idea." (2)

(e) One thing we should never forget is that the purpose of such cultural programs is to elevate the mind of the entire audience toward the thought of the Supreme and drench the mind in bhakti. If any such program fails to do so it is not worth being called a cultural program; rather it should be called a pseudo-culture display.We should not let such scenes unfold in our own Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha cultural programs.


Conclusion

We are to ensure that all our cultural programs are done with the right idea in mind and goad the mind unto Him, Parama Purusa. That will be a culture program in the real sense of the term. Not only that, they help elevate our standard and invariably more people will be drawn to attend.

In Him,
Pramila’ Devii

We should be honest with ourselves. Baba is our greatest Self. He is our greater "I". We should not try and hide behind any hypocrisy. We should only support those cultural programs that goad the mind toward the higher cakras. And He knows if that is happening or not. He knows the truth. If you watch something that is degrading to the mind - and you know it is wrong - but you have a stake or personal interest in the program and you do not want to admit it is wrong, then you should be honest and not lie to yourself. Otherwise Baba will know as He sees and watches everything.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


~ In-depth study ~

Giving a voice to the voiceless

This letter is not based on a single ETC or DMS or ERAWS or other such cultural programs. This is a general trend and this comment is related with all recent cultural programs. It is a wide-spread issue related with all cultural programs.

I have personally talked with so many margiis and wts and I am writing with their voice in mind. Because they are not in direct control of the program so they do not have a voice per se. So this is their voice - I am speaking on their behalf. That is why when such programs are being held many sadhakas of the Marga do not like to participate. They wish to keep their mind pure.

RAWA programs and cultural programs can be held for all kinds of venues, not just huge occasions. They are also appropriate for any local or unit gatherings, functions or festivals etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Impressionable youths affected by artists

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The youth of a country are attracted to artists; it is therefore the duty of society and the state to monitor these artists’ ideals and character. Otherwise they may exert a harmful influence on young men and women who are the future hope of society. For this reason it is essential for artists to have impeccable conduct, a healthy lifestyle and strength of character. If those whom youths respect as ideal men and women possess an ideal character, the characters of those whom they influence will no doubt also be positively affected. In addition, ideal artists and actors who have a strong character will be able to express their artistic brilliance more sweetly and completely. Characterless, drunken or greedy artists will be considered liabilities by their fans and society.” (3)


Artists must goad the mind towards the Supreme

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The nature of art is such that in order to develop it subtle intellect and appreciation as well as deep sensitivity is required. Thus, during that time that artists do not devote to their artistic efforts, they often feel compelled to express their subtle intellect, appreciation and deep sensitivity in a demeaning way. Due to this psychological tendency, we generally find that artists whose singing, dancing, acting or other artistic achievements earn the unstinting praise of hundreds of spectators express their subtle artistic power in quite opposite ways in private life through the pursuit of material gratification. Thus we hear obscene language from devotional singers and observe a strong worldly attachment in detached spiritual aspirants. Those who are fanatically sanctimonious in their youth become immoral lechers in middle age. Actors are no exception. The only way to save oneself from this kind of psychological degradation is to keep one’s mind constantly engaged in the thought of the Great and to always look upon the world with sweet, benevolent sentiments. Artists and actors must never forget this even for a moment because they have a great responsibility to society and an immeasurable influence over it.” (4)


Debauched artists not allowed

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Unlike in the past, people today do not want to establish separate theatrical societies for artists because of immoral conduct. Actors are now a part of society and this will continue. This is necessary in the greater interest of society. Although actors are not fully accepted in Indian society today, in practice they are becoming or are in the process of becoming fully accepted. So under these circumstances strict vigilance should be kept over the purity of their individual conduct. They should not become the cause of a disease which invades the whole social body like a cancer. If actors and actresses fail to acquire a basic level of personal purity or are reluctant to acquire it, it will be the duty of society and the state to compel them to lead good lives by creating circumstantial pressure. No matter how talented they may be, immoral actors and actresses will have to be deprived of their right to exhibit their artistic talents, and sent to reform schools.” (5)

Importance of RAWA cultural programs

Ananda Marga ideology states, “You are not merely an animal: simply eating, drinking and sleeping is not everything for a human. A human has a subtler life, a more charming life, a more fascinating life, so your physical existence moves towards your psychic existence, and this movement is your [quest] for higher life, your [quest] for subtler life, that is, your physico-psychic movement, starting from the physical level and moving towards the psychic level. Your physico-psychic activities are architecture, literature, dance, music – they are all your physico-psychic movement. And this movement is from crude to subtle, starting from the cruder arena and moving towards the subtler arena. That’s why in Ananda Marga I encourage this physico-psychic movement: because it will help you in moving towards the subtler world, in moving towards the supreme spiritual goal...For physico-psychic movement, I encourage boys and girls to start work in the RAWA [Renaissance Artists’ and Writers’ Association] movement.” (6)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Human Expressions and Human Movements
2. Microvita in a Nutshell, Smell and Microvita – Excerpt C
3. Human Society - part 1, Various Occupations
4. Human Society - part 1, Various Occupations
5. Human Society - part 1, Various Occupations
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Human Expressions and Human Movements

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Whisper in Your ear

"Toma'ri deoya' pra'n'e, toma'ri deoya' mane..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3624)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, You are the Giver of Life. This very existence of mine has been bestowed upon me by You. This very mind of mine has been given to me by You. Now, by Your grace, my whole mind and heart, which have been given to me by You, are focused solely on Your meditation - ideating on You. O' my Lord, You are my Goal, and my sadhana revolves around You. I am thinking only about You. By Your grace, I understand that everything belongs to You. Except You, nothing exists. You are everything. 

O' unkind One, I love You so much and am crying for You. I have so much longing for You and want that You should come close to me - in my sadhana, in my dhyana. Besides You, there is no one who is mine. I do not have anyone. But You are not coming close. Why do You remain far away, O' Heartless One. Why do You remain forgetful of me? Why are You not coming near and instead going to some far distant place? O' Parama Purusa, please come close; those thoughts and feelings which I have kept in the casket of the inner core of my heart I want to whisper in Your ear. And among them, one is my intense desire to get You. I have so many intimate things to tell You. I have so many thoughts to share with You. My only request is that I should get You.

O' Parama Purusa Baba, due to my crude mind, for ages and ages I remained oblivious about You. I was not keeping You in my mind. Baba, I do not know how long it has been that I have forgotten You. During that time, I just danced in the rhythm of this mundane, crude material world. I was just infatuated, intoxicated, and engrossed with the fleeting allurements of the relative sphere. O' my Dearmost, today You made me understand that I am only Yours. By Your infinite compassion, all my thoughts, plans, programs, aspirations, sorrows, happiness, desires - everything revolves only around You. Baba, You are my Polestar; You are my everything, I surrender at Your lotus feet...

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to keep avidya maya away

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Sometimes it may happen that a man was a degenerated man. When he was a bad man, he was eating, drinking, and making merry, but as soon as he starts sádhaná, he is to face so many obstacles, so many hardships. He has become good, but be has to undergo so many troubles, so many problems. What is this? Why? Do you follow what I said? Why? The reason is that the pendulum moves. When it starts coming in the opposite side when its upward movement ends and the downward movement starts. The moment he becomes a good boy, becomes a sádhaka, the reaction of his bad actions starts.” (1)

Note: Avidya maya does not harass you for no reason at all. Avidya maya applies the arsenal from the collection of your previously accumulated negative samskaras, which have yet to be requited. Suppose you did some sin or wrongdoing in the past and never faced the reaction of that bad action. In that case, that samskara is still part of the arsenal of avidya maya. And you will have to face that reaction. But in spite of such retaliation if you continue doing your sadhana then avidya maya will walk away and will not bother you anymore due to your sincerity in sadhana.  

Reference
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 14, Action and Reaction

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Baba’s teaching about future became reality

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Human beings will definitely be able to increase human longevity by scientific techniques. In certain special cases they will even be able to restore life to dead bodies. The endeavour to expedite the advent of that auspicious day of science is certainly an important part of social service.”

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “One day human beings will also learn how to produce human babes in science laboratories. Perhaps then it will be possible for human beings to place an order for their children and to get children according to their choice. Why should these laboratory babes lag behind modern humans with respect to intellectual and spiritual wealth! Those opposed to science today challenge, “Let human beings demonstrate that they can produce living entities!” By producing laboratory babes, the human beings of the future will give a befitting reply to this challenge.”

“The development of intuition will make human beings more spiritually inclined. What Saguńa Brahma [the Qualified Supreme Entity] is directly doing today will be done increasingly by the human beings of tomorrow. In that age the reproductive capacity of the human body will gradually cease to exist.” (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #25, 1959

== Section 3: Links ==

Recent Postings

• Avarta kiirtana history

• Horrendous fictitious story

• For sadhakas only

• Elderly woman's Baba dream

• Warning of vrttis

Other topics of interest

• How to advance your dhyana
  

• Those early days
  

• Altered photo ruining dhyana