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Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts

Monday, October 5, 2026

Self-test: faith in Ista + 2 more

Baba
Self-test: faith in Ista

Namaskar,

One of the central tenets of Ananda Marga ideology is embedded within point #10 of Sixteen Points:

"Observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista."

But how can one practically and tangibly distinguish if they are properly adhering to this tenet of Ista? That is what this topic is all about. In comparison, if you attend the local dharmacakra each week then you can definitively state that you properly follow point #16 of Sixteen Points. Likewise if you do half-bath regularly according to the prescribed system then you can confidently say that you adhere to point #5 of Sixteen Points. Certainly, many or most of the Sixteen Points are empirically verifiable. At the outset, the point of Ista may seem more difficult to verify; however, there are some key factors that clearly delineate one's standing on the point of Ista.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Strictness in Ista means faith in Parama Purusa

In sadhana, there are two essential components: the sadhaka and Parama Purusa, i.e. the One being worshiped. Parama Purusa is always singular - never two or more. And, in spiritual parlance, that Parama Purusa, or God, is known as Ista. In turn, one may call that Ista by any epithet. But that Ista is the Divine Entity. And strictness in Ista means having firm faith and belief that the Divine Entity will solve all your problems and grant you eternal shelter. To the degree one harbors doubt in the Supreme Entity is the degree to which they are weak or lacking in Ista. The degree of trust one has in the Supreme Entity is the measure of faith one has in Ista.

Just as a child thinks that its mother will certainly solve all their problems, similarly a sadhaka holds firm that Parama Purusa will surely save them in all circumstances. That is strictness in Ista. Trust in God means having firm faith in Ista. And that Ista must be singular in nature. Those worshiping multiple gods cannot be strict in Ista.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Worshiping multiple deities = deficit in Ista

There are some sadhakas who perform Ananda Marga sadhana, do Guru Puja, and sing kiirtan etc, but when a problem arises they pray to some other for help and support. For instance, some sadhakas from a Hindu background who are struggling to find a suitable husband for their daughter may go to the Hindu temple and seek a boon from the mythological elephant god, Lord Ganesh. They think that Ganesh will help solve the problem by granting them a handsome, well-educated, wealthy husband for their daughter.

But this type of appeal to the so-called elephant god itself reveals that they do not have full faith and trust in Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. They do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Because if they had full faith in Ista then they would automatically feel that Baba is already doing what is best and there is no need to seek outside help from some other imaginary figure like Ganesh or any other god or goddess.

Those who fall in this category are lacking something in their sadhana. Whether one (a) appeals to the Semitic faiths, (b) prays to nature, or (c) any other kind of ritualistic worship, if one surrenders to something other than Parama Purusa Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, then one is deficient on the point of Ista. Keeping photos of other so-called gods and goddesses on the puja table or in the house, singing Prabhat Samgiita to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna during one's own spiritual practices, or honouring other deities in any way undermines one's ability to observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Faith in Ista brings courage

When one is strict and has faith in Ista then they naturally have a strong sense of courage. They feel that Parama Purusa Baba is the all-powerful Supreme Entity and that there is no force stronger than He in this universe. This inner link with Him makes one courageous, brave, and ready to stand tall in all situations.

So if anyone is lacking in courage and exhibits cowardly behaviours, that is the degree to which they are not adhering to the point of Ista. As with all these matters, one's strictness and faith in Parama Purusa (Ista) exists along a continuum. It is not all or nothing. For example, if one has 90% faith in Ista they will have 90% courage; and if one has less faith in Ista - such as 30% - then they will have only 30% courage and 70% cowardliness. That is the way it manifests: It varies in degree according to the level of one's faith in Parama Purusa Baba (Ista). Moreover, without faith in Ista, one’s spiritual progress will be compromised.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

Point #10 of Sixteen Points, i.e. “non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista”, is one of the key aspects of spiritual life. Every sadhaka should be keenly aware of their own standing on this tenet. By employing the following four factors, everyone can evaluate their own commitment and standing regarding their own strictness and faith in Ista.

(a) Worshiping or relying upon multiple deities, i.e. not having singular, pointed bhakti for Parama Purusa Baba.
(b) Suffering from a lack of courage to follow dharmic principles.
(c) Taking shelter in some material, finite entity like money, not Parama Purusa.
(d) Giving credence to something functioning independently from Parama Purusa like fate (niyati) etc
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

If any sadhaka is susceptible or weak and gives value to any of the aforementioned factors, it means their strictness in Ista is not up to the proper standard. Remember, point #10 of Sixteen Points is the backbone of our sadhana.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Ananda

~ In-depth study ~

Examples why some lack courage in day to day life

(a) One sadhaka may be invited to a social party with their old friends or new associates etc. That sadhaka knows that there will be meat and alcohol etc at the party but they attend anyway because they do not have the courage to say, "Thank you, but I cannot attend." So they attend the party and compromise in all kinds of ways. In that case, we can say that sadhaka is lacking in strictness and faith in Ista. Firstly, because they do not have the requisite courage to kindly decline the invitation, and secondly because once on-site they failed to maintain a proper level of conduct.

(b) One sadhaka might return to their village and perform the dogmatic Hindu shraddha ceremony for their deceased great-grandfather just to please those local villagers. That margii does not have the strength of mind and requisite faith in Parama Purusa Baba (Ista) to stand on the Ananda Marga principles and state that, "We already performed the Ananda Marga shraddha ceremony for my respected great-grandfather." That person shudders to think how those villagers might respond. So he acquiesces to social pressure and performs their ritualistic death ceremony according to their local customs etc. Such a cowardly act is indicative of one who lacks faith in Ista.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

A related example might be the one who is called upon to attend a local shraddha ceremony (death ceremony) in his village and he is afraid to tell the organisers that he will not eat. Rather due to shyness and public pressure, that sadhaka violates Ananda Marga conduct rules and takes food at the shraddha ceremony. Such types of action reflects a lack of courage. And this stems from a lack of faith in Parama Purusa (Ista). And without strict faith in Ista, one’s spiritual progress will be hindered.

Without faith in Ista one cannot oppose wrongdoers

(c) Then there are some who see unideological activities going on in our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS) but they are scared to speak up and oppose those injustices for fear of losing their post and place. So instead of taking a dharmic stand and holding firm to the ideological fundamentals, those sadhakas compromise. Sadly, they accept those wrongdoings. Anyone acting in this way lacks faith and trust in Parama Purusa Baba.

(d) Then there are those margiis who disappeared during Emergency. In order to hide their identities and show they are not Ananda Margiis they began smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and eating onions and garlic. They literally ran from the battlefield when confronted by controversy and clash. And they did not return when Emergency was lifted either. By their lack of courage, anyone can understand that such persons had a low degree of faith in Parama Purusa Baba (Ista).
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(e) And verily there are so many other occasions where one might lack the courage to do the right thing, i.e. where one cannot stand up for their own principles or fight against injustice. All this speaks to a lack of strictness and faith in Parama Purusa Baba. Unfortunately, without faith in Ista, spiritual progress is not a possibility.


Strictness in Ista

Strictness in Ista, i.e. firm faith in the Divine Entity - brings tremendous strength and courage. Those lacking in this regard will not be able to uphold dharma in all circumstances.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "They will have to become dedicated to their Iśt́a; they will have to establish a relationship of exclusive devotion to Iśt́a. If there is not intense attachment to one’s Iśt́a in one’s heart, then one cannot do anything." (1)

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Parama Puruśa and His Creation


*        *        *

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 ==

I started calling You

"A'mi toma'y bhule kiser chale ka'l ka't'a'lum dhara'r buke..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2140)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, remaining forgetful about You, because of one excuse or another, I wasted my time on this earth and became completely captivated by one magical display: maya. And because of that, I did not hear the call of my Supreme Well-Wisher: Parama Purusa.

Baba, when those dark days descended in my life, nobody was there to give me hope; I was shelterless. It was only at that moment I started asking You to please come and protect me. In that very terrible situation, I started calling You, "Parama Purusa, please come, and rescue me! Prabhu, save me from this ghastly danger."

Earlier, when the proper opportune moment was there, I was intoxicated in the magical display of maya. In those days, I was in a deep slumber; I was not able to understand. So I did not call You until the situation became disastrous. Baba, even then, now I know in my heart that, “Parama Purusa, You belong to everyone, You belong to me." Please attract me, make me Your own, and remain with me always, in my pleasure and my pain - always.

Baba, I frivolously spent the long span of my life indulging in negative deeds, remaining oblivious of You. Keeping myself distant, I squandered my life away. But now, in the end, You have lovingly lifted me from the dust and gently placed me on Your divine lap. Baba, You are so gracious. You are love-personified…


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Our dances

Ananda Marga ideology states, "You know Lalita Ma'rmika dance used during Kiirtana is a purely spiritual dance, and Kaos'ikii is a psycho-spiritual dance - it starts on the psychic level and culminates on the spiritual level. And Ta'n'd'ava is physico-psycho-spiritual."

"In Lalita Ma'rmika, the position of the arms is above 90 degrees. This denotes that it is a Mudra' - in Sam'skrta it is called a 'Mudra'. This mudra' means, 'O Supreme Creator, Thou art mine and I am Yours. I am Thine'." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrrtam - 12, A Purely Personal Entity


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Ways to improve trade unions

Prout philosophy states, "The necessity of the trade union movement, to safeguard the interests of workers, cannot be denied. To guide this movement along the proper path, appropriate steps must be taken."

"Generally it is observed that trade union leaders do nothing to make workers conscious of their responsibilities in comparison to the extent to which they try to create in workers an awareness of their rights and demands. The best way to rectify this situation is to clearly accept the right of workers to participate in the management of industrial, trade and commercial enterprises. In this regard idealistic sermons or moral preaching will not bring positive results."

"Another great defect in the trade union movement is that its leadership does not always remain in the hands of true manual labourers or other workers. Political leaders with party interests tend to dominate trade unions. Their primary objective is to promote the selfish interests of the party, not the welfare of the workers." (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, point #10


== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

Mighty task of saving the earth

Original Ananda Vanii states: “Today all over the world, a grim fight has started between the evil forces and the benevolent forces. Only those who possess the moral courage to fight against the evil forces, can give a soothing touch to the struggle-torn earth with the balm of peace. Remember you are  spiritual aspirants. Hence you alone shall have to undertake the mighty task of saving the earth.” (Ananda Vanii #27)

Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Yajiṋa and Karmaphala

== Section 4: Links ==


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Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Which songs to sing at paincajanya + 3 more

Baba

Which songs to sing at paincajanya 

Namaskar,

Everybody is aware that paincajanya is one very beautiful, dharmic, and spiritual program. Indeed, paincajanya is about oneness with Ista, Baba. So if someone is singing the Shivagiiti, i.e. about Lord Shiva, in the morning then that goes against our basic spiritual approach. The reason being that in the sweet, sentient mood of the early morning dawn, we should only remember our Parama Purusa Baba. He is our most loving and closest One. This is the common, sentimental feeling of the heart for every Ananda Margii: That Baba is our nearest and dearest One.

In that case, why would we want to wake up in the morning and sing: ‘Lord Shiva, victory is yours, Lord Shiva, victory is yours, Lord Shiva, victory is yours…’ Why should we sing like this when it goes against the basic inner feeling of the heart. All night we dream about Baba and then in the sweetness of the early dawn we want to sing exclusively for Him, a song related with Baba. Yet the Shivagiiti is something different.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

A sadhaka should have bhakti for Ista and ideate on Ista in sadhana. For Ananda Margiis, we lovingly call Ista as Baba. For Ananda Margiis, only Baba is Ista.

If all your life you have been calling your mother as mom, and then one day you call her by her legal name, Madam Elizabeth Walton, she will not feel comfortable and she will wonder why her own child is calling her in this way. Hearing this, the mother will feel annoyed and irritated – as she will prefer her own child to call her “maa” etc.

Similarly, we should be very keen to always call our Ista in a personal and intimate way as Baba. The yearning of the heart only knows One. For Ananda Margiis, that singular and most loving Entity is Baba. Hence, in the deeply personal mood of the early morning dawn during paincajanya, we should only sing songs that are for Him.

Story of great mythological bhakta Hanuman

Here is a very significant story that is highly related with this entire matter: Pointed ideation on Ista.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "When Hanuman was asked why he was so insistent on taking the name of Ráma and never taking the name Náráyańa, he promptly replied:

Shriináthe jánakiináthe cábheda Paramátmani
Tathápi mama sarvasvah Rámah kamalalocana.

“I know by philosophical analysis that there is no difference between Náráyańa and Rama, and yet I will channelize my mind towards One Entity and not many. For me there is no Náráyańa, there is only Ráma.”

"Likewise for the genuine spiritual aspirants there is only One Entity, and they rush only towards that Supreme One. Their minds move only in one direction, not in a thousand directions." (1)

In that discourse, Baba's pointed teaching in this story is that a sadhaka's feelings of bhakti must be linked with one Ista - for Ananda Margiis that Ista is Baba Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. For non-margiis it may be Lord Krsna or Lord Shiva. But for Ananda Margiis it is Baba.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Without this idea firmly set in the mind, one cannot reach the Goal. Ananda Margiis should not say, "O' Lord Shiva come and grace me" - that will not help, rather hinder. The mind will be bifurcated or trifurcated. Some part of the mind will go to Lord Shiva, and another portion to Lord Krsna, and some portion to Baba. That mind is broken, retarded - it will go nowhere. There is one ista - that is our Guru's teaching.


One-pointed bhakti

If one margii is singing this song - Jaya shubhavajradhara shubhra kalevara (Prabhat Samgiita #2526) - it means you are paying homage to Lord Shiva, requesting Him to "please come in my meditation and come in my dhyana." But then when you conclude the song and start your actual meditation practice, you are pointing the mind towards your Guru, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. So that bifurcated approach is not at all good; it will not be helpful.

Why? Because you are addressing both Lord Shiva and Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji; the mind is not at all pointed, rather bifurcated. Yet sadhana can only be done with a pointed mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, "According to spiritual science the samádhi attained when the entire mind is pin-pointed." (2)

Sick father & medicine story

There was a father who had one son, and the father needed his help because he was sick. In fact, he called out to his son to bring his medicines. The son’s name was John, but that father did not call him that. Instead his father called him by his professional title, i.e. as inspector. And the father was calling and calling but his son did not respond as he was not even aware that he was being summoned. All because he expected his father to call him John. And when his father found that his son was not coming then he tried so many other epithets like sir, mister, friend etc, but all those were to no avail. The key word was John.

Similarly, in the field of spirituality, one must know how to call their Ista. And the name should be singular in nature, not many. And by that way the sadhaka can get success. So this same theory holds true in our spiritual lives: Worshiping multiple deities is not going to bring the proper outcome. How is one going to be graced when one's focus is divided and split in multiple directions. The mind must be pointed in one direction. In the field of spirituality, the sadhaka must be singular in approach.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

The conclusion of this entire letter is that the Shivagiiti song should not be sung at the time of paincajanya or for any spiritual gathering of Ananda Margiis. For Ananda Margiis, the Ista is Baba, and we should only sing for Him, our most-loving Baba.

Ananda Margiis should not sing those songs that directly address Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna. Those songs give way to this type of expression, "O' Lord Shiva, O' Lord Krsn, I salute Thee." Those songs are not for margiis but for non-margiis. Those singing such songs are not following 16 points - unfortunately. They are not following one of the points. They are contravening the point #10: Non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista.

There are many hundreds of inspiring Prabhat Samgiita that are not for Lord Krsna nor Lord Shiva that focus fully on Baba. Whereas, there are only a few compositions for Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva - other than that, so many songs are for Beloved Baba.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Dharmaraj

Choose from many hundreds of songs

An Ananda Margii should only sing those bhakti-oriented compositions that point the mind towards Baba; whereas those Prabhat Samgiita compositions about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva are for the general public. In spiritual life, a sadhaka of Ananda Marga is to choose from the many hundreds of songs about Baba and sing only those songs, and not sing or use compositions about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva during paincajanya etc. That does not mean we should discard those songs about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva, rather we are to learn them so we can teach to non-margiis. But, in one's own personal practice, a bhakta of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji (Baba) is to only sing songs about Him. That is the key guideline - and the pointed mandate to follow.

Baba wrote Shivagiiti for non-margiis

So Baba wrote the Shivagiiti song for non-margiis. We margiis are responsible for learning this Shivagiiti song in order to share with those non-margii sadhakas who have not yet come onto the path of Ananda Marga and are involved in worshipping Lord Shiva etc. So that song is Baba's gift to those non-margii aspirants. In Baba's divine kingdom no one is left out or forgotten.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Importance of Ista

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Spiritual aspirants should remember that they will have to become dedicated to their Is't'a. They will have to establish a relationship of exclusive bhakti to Is't'a. If there is not intense attachment to Is't'a in one's heart, then one cannot do anything". (3)

Here is another of Baba's key and colorful teachings on this matter.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "A person used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (4)

So although Baba has given 5,019 Prabhat Samgiita songs, one must have the required viveka to use the songs in the right way. We are only to sing those songs in our spiritual practices like paincajanya that focus on Baba, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Faulty approach of Semitic religions:
worshiping multiple godheads

In their day-to-day practical manner, the Semitic religions worship not one god but many. Those followers ask boons and grace from numerous godheads. In theory, they may try to deny this and give their own justification; but in their practical life that is what they do. It is quite evident.

Nowadays, most Christians and Muslims are in so-called 3rd world countries. And those believers follow multiple religions plus local gods and goddesses. They are involved in numerous belief systems. One single person might worship Allah, a Christian God, and their own local or native gods / goddesses and ritualistic deities. This is prevalent all around Africa and the Asian nations. Next is Buddhism which has adopted multiple deities. And the worst is Hinduism where there are countless gods and goddesses.

Those who come into Ananda Marga from such backgrounds often have a hard time understanding that Ista must be one, i.e. singular. Those who come into Ananda Marga at a young age easily understand. Age aside, those with adequate bhakti readily and absolutely understand.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Every bhakta in Ananda Marga must be singularly pointed on Ista and only ideate on Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. There is no other way.

References
1. Ananda Marga Way of Life - 11, Relativity and the Supreme Entity
2. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 21, Liberation of the Devotee
3. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 11, Parama Puruśa and His Creation
4. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 10, The Supreme Entity Transcends All Colours


*        *        *

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 ==

Intoxicates my heart

Note: Only those who sincerely practice the 6th lesson of sahaja yoga meditation can realise this song in the depths of their heart.

PS Intro: Here the bhakta is immersed in His infinite love and he is thinking to himself in the following way.

"A'ma'y d'a'k diye ja'y kon aja'na'y, kii snigdhata'r bha's'a'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2343)

Purport:

Which unknown Divine Entity is calling me in my core? What sweetness saturates His voice and intoxicates my heart with divine love. That Supreme Entity is coming and floating with His exquisite, attractive form, along with His infinite rhythm and melody.

I was hoping to get Him and go on doing His task. With His inspiration and grace, I will continue moving forward forgetting the pain and pleasure of this material world.    

In the deep corner of my mind, and in the sacred place of my being which holds all my inner desires and ideation, I only long for You. O’ Parama Purusa Baba, please come in my mental lotus and fill it with Your colour. Please come…


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Can purodhas act / dance on stage?

Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "An a'ca'raya or purodha' cannot actively participate in any acting." (1)
 
Note: Keeping Baba's above guideline in view, see the standard of certain Wts (acaryas and purodhas) who have acted on stage at various retreats and seminars. Every margii should be aware of the rules so that when something like this occurs they can come forward and help rectify the situation - thereby upholding Baba's teaching and the code of Caryacarya. Some purodhas were violating this rule in the past by singing and dancing rap music etc on stage at the annual overseas retreats etc - hopefully they have since mended their ways.
 
Reference
1. Caryacarya - 1, Social Relationship between Men and Women


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Racism explained

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "As human beings were not able to unravel the mystery of this diversity, they wrongly preached the doctrine of racial supremacy, resulting in hated of their fellow human beings and heartless cruelty, and indulged in savagery and bloody warfare - these were the darkest and the most lamented chapters in human history."

"Sometimes people are wrongly led to believe that the white people are perhaps superior to the black population, and that the blacks are only a little higher than our animal ancestors on the scale of evolution."

"Even today in Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal, and in the U.S.A., South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), one unmistakably notices the curse of this ignorance. But is racial supremacy..." (1)

Note: The same disease is working with caste dogma.  


Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 2, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 1

== Section 4: Links ==

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Saturday, September 26, 2026

Evolution of bhakti + 4 more

Baba
Evolution of bhakti

Namaskar,

What is the real meaning of bhakti? Many sadhakas have pondered this question, and that is what we explore here as we delve into Sadguru Baba's teachings.

What is bhakti?

Baba says the root meaning of bhakti is “sa’ para’nurakti ishware”. That para’nurakti on Ishvara is called bhakti. Even many animals have sa’ma’nya’ bhakti. For example, some more developed animals are awed by looking at the mountains. They stop, look at the mountains and develop a feeling of surrender that they are in the presence of something greater than themselves. They bow and offer respect. When animals are even further developed, then this feeling of surrender becomes even more clear.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

If we take the example of domestic animals, they obey their masters. The reason is that they feel limited in front of their masters, and therefore follow the commands and orders, be it a horse, dog, cat, elephant, monkey etc. Domestic animals see that their masters are greater than them; that is why they follow those commands. A dog barks, runs, and does other things by the command of the master because the dog has a feeling of respect towards the master. If the situation arises, the dog will rescue the master. The dog does not know anything about the existence of Parama’tma’. But it knows this much that the master is greater than himself, and therefore develops respect and follows the commands and orders. If the dog knew of the existence of Parama’tma’ then it would have given top respect to Parama’tma’. So in this case, as the dog does not know of Parama’tma’, we will say that the dog’s bhakti is misplaced.


Child-mother analogy

Another example is that of a young child. For a child, their mother is everything, Hence, the child only knows the mother and loves her so much. Being a child, s/he does not know Parama’tma’. Had s/he known Parama’tma’, s/he would have had far more love for Parama’tma’ compared to the love that s/he now has for the mother. For a child, their mother is everything. When in a market, and the child cannot find its mother, then the child feels helpless and cries, as the shelter under which the child was living is no longer there.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Animals and human beings -- all have bhakti; the meaning behind this is that when one sees that something is greater than oneself, then they develop respect towards that entity. This feeling of respect, commitment and devoutness is referred to as sa’ma’nya’ bhakti. When this feeling becomes subtler then it is directed towards Parama’tma’. When such feeling towards Parama’tma’ arises, then the bhakta feels that Parama’tma’ is the nearest and dearest entity to him / her. As a result, the bhakta engages time in studying spiritual scriptures, in satsaunga, doing kirtan, meditation etc. In this way s/he engages in various activities by which s/he will come closer to Parama’tma’.

Confession of criminal

Whenever the bhakta is undergoing any physical hardship, then s/he will request Parama’tma’ for help, knowing that Parama’tma’ is the nearest and dearest Entity and Parama’tma’ knows everything. Even when the bhakta has made some mistakes, then s/he will try not to disclose his mistakes to others, but will ask Parama’tma’ for forgiveness and support, knowing that Parama’tma’ is omniscient. There is a feeling in the mind of the bhakta that Parama’tma’ is his/her well-wisher. Even a person with bad conduct knows that Parama’tma’ is omniscient and shares his/her feelings when in trouble. A criminal does not share such types of feelings even with friends and family members but shares with Parama’tma’. The atma situated in every human being knows what s/he has done, and is aware of the reality, even though s/he hides the wrongdoings from others, be they a court judge, friends, family etc. Within oneself satya only remains because the atma knows what is the truth. So when all the person’s capacities are utilized yet one still sees difficulties are surmounting, then one starts to ask Parama’tma’ for help.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Similarly, animals who live in a group generally follow their leader. Such animals are more clever than those who do not remain in a group. Wild animals have regard towards their animal leaders. Domestic animals have samanya bhakti for their master. Humans have bhakti towards Paramatman. Some people do rituals, others follow religions, and others have distinct ways of requesting Parama’tma’. Atheists do feel that something is greater than themselves, and they have respect for that. That is why Baba says that no one is an atheist. Everyone has bhakti.

When bhakti is pointed

When bhakti is more refined, it is for Parama’tma’ and only for Parama’tma’. In that stage, the bhakta feels the whole creation has originated from Parama’tma’ and s/he serves the creation out of love for that Creator, that Parama’tma’ whom they love.

Bhaktirbhagavato sevá bhakti prema svarúpińii;
Bhaktiránanda rúpá ca bhakti bhaktasya jiivanam.

In the highest stage of bhakti, the feeling develops that everyone is the progeny of Parama’tma’ and needs to be served. S/he will feel that everyone and everything in this creation is her/his own, and will feel love towards them. Then the life of the bhakta will be completely filled with love because in every step s/he will feel that Parama’tma’ is there to help and rescue them so there is no reason to fear. But one who feels that they themselves are the doer then their life will not be filled with bliss because the doer is limited.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Bhakti vs a’sakti

Bhakti is the longing which one has for Parama Purusa. Sometimes it is misdirected, and in other cases it is directed properly. For example, one who has love for money will feel disturbed when they lose their money, and sometimes they will even die from the shock of that loss, depending on the degree of their attachment to money. In this case, their love is misdirected, and so it is called a’sakti. But when affection and bhakti is pointed in the correct direction, then there is love for Parama’tma’, and the feeling extends to the creation of Parama’tma’ whom the bhakta serves and loves. That life is then filled with love only.

Slowly, bhakti becomes correctly directed to the One who is the Creator, and by this, bhakti is directed towards Parama’tma’. First the bhakta reads from scriptures, sings bhajans, kiirtans, and does meditation. Slowly, the feeling develops from the heart that Parama’tma’ is everything and there is nothing to fear. It doesn't matter how difficult the situation is, the bhakta feels that Parama’tma’ is there to take care of him/her and s/he never feels helpless. Rather life is filled with bliss because bhakti is properly directed.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In Him,
Nirakar


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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 ==

Longing for parabhakti

“Cakrera paridhite ámi, tumi cakrer kendra sthita...” (Prabhat Samgiita #0713)

Purport: 

Parama Purusa, You are the nucleus of this brahmacakra, cycle of creation. You are the Controller, and I am on the periphery. You are cosmic; I am unit. With sadhana and bhakti, and by reducing the radius, I will reach to You one day, by Your grace. Now I am an ordinary living being undergoing mundane pleasure and pain, happiness and sorrow, laughter and tears. But You are beyond all these ups and downs. You are eternally in bliss. 

In my life, there is a feeling of love and sometimes melancholic longing for You. On some occasions I cry, and other times I laugh. When I receive anything I become happy, and when I lose then I shed tears of sadness. But Your seat is above all these comings and goings. Incidents do not affect You. You remain unassailed by any sort of happenings. You are nitya, eternal. 

Baba, I am an ordinary human being. The things which I have, I always fear I will lose. That which I do not have, I harbour a strong desire to get. By Your krpa, I have the longing to have parabhakti. Sometimes my mind runs towards materialism, and other times it goes to the spiritual realm, divine world. In this way, my mental deer is bifurcated in its flow. Sometimes it aspires towards crude objects and sensual satisfaction, and other times it rushes headlong towards the Supreme Entity. But You are always in nitya bhava. You are bliss personified - established in anandam. 

Baba, You are everything in this great universe. I salute You in full prostration….


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Continued practice in sadhana needed

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Most people are well acquainted with the fourth state of mind (eka'gra). In this state the human mind sometimes becomes exalted with divine sweetness; and sometimes becomes as debased as an infernal creature. Sometimes it keeps company with good people and takes a resolve never to tell lies, accept bribes, get intoxicated, or become characterless; and sometimes it thinks that honesty and virtue are sheer folly, for happiness lies in falsehood, taking bribes, stealing, promiscuity, and the like. The mind is continuously tossed between good and bad. But when the practice of sa'dhana' inspires one to accept shreya (path of benevolence) as one’s ideology, one attains the true state of eka'gra bhu'mi. In this state waves upon waves of citta emerge." 

Sha'ntaditao tulyapratyayao cittasyaeka'girata'parin'a'ma 

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Every newcomer to the path of sa'dhana' suffers from a lack of concentration of mind. After repeating the is't'a mantra a couple of times hundreds of undesirable thoughts flood the mind. The newcomer thinks, “I am unable to attain the One on whom I meditate, and instead am pestered by those objects I do not want.” The hand counts the beads, the lips mutter the name of the is't'a, but the mind roams in the filth of hell. When all the undesirable waves are removed from the mind, one blissful wave begins to flow, and the sa'dhaka attains the state of eka'gra bhu'mi." (1) 

Note: If in sadhana a person is not one-pointed (eka'gra means "one-pointed") it means they are not repeating their mantra in a proper manner. It means they are lacking sincerity and regularity of practice.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 9, Cognitive Force and Psychic Practice


== Section 4: Links ==

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