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Saturday, June 9, 2018

Story: those lost discourses + News II + 3 more


Baba


Story: those lost discourses

Namaskar,

It is commonly known that many of the discourses delivered in 1978, just after the jail period, did not get recorded. Those present thought there was no reason to record since Baba was speaking only to them. This was their defective outlook.

Then on 15 October 1978, addressing the situation, Baba feigned anger, scolded them, and pretended to express His fury. (Be sure to read the in-depth study section appended below about feigned anger). During the scolding, Baba charge-sheeted the concerning in-charges by strongly accusing them, "Why were those discourses not recorded?"

Baba speaks for all - present and future

Then Baba told, "I'm not only speaking for those few sitting before Me. I speak for all."

The sense was that His talks on dharma are not limited by time, space, and person. These discourses are beyond the three relative factors. They are for all, up to eternity. They are absolute guidelines for all of humanity. So it is not that Baba was speaking only to those who were present that time. They are for all.

Thereafter, everyone became extremely serious and vigilant to record each and every discourse. This above incident happened just after the jail period, in October of 1978. Next we examine more of the history regarding the recording of Guru’s discourses.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Most discourses of that era were lost

The first DMC was held in Jamalpur in 1955. You may be aware that prior to 1970 many of the DMC discourses recorded, in one form or another. For instance, from 1955 - 1962, those DMC discourses were noted down via shorthand notes. This was done by sadhakas like Vijay Asthana ji, Shrii PK Chatterjee, Har Govind Mandal ji, Sushil Dhar ji, Shrii Sunil Kant Mukherjee, Anil Bhattacarya ji, Ram Kumar ji (for Ananda Doota magazine), Indradeva Gupta ji, Nagina ji, Ac Sujit ji, and Suresh ji engineer of Patna etc.

And then in 1962, audio recording was introduced using reels. But although the DMC discourses were recorded, not all could be preserved. Many Hindi discourses were lost or destroyed for various reasons: police raids during Emergency, humidity and environmental factors, improper storage, and just plain lack of care and overall disorganisation. Thus many of those DMC were recorded - via one media or another - but were lost. Only a fraction of the Hindi and English but most bangla recordings survived.

However, during that same time period of 1955 - 70, almost none of the general darshans were recorded, neither by notation nor by audio. This was due to the dogma that the darshans were only meant for those attendance that day. Where are the general darshan discourses from that time? Tragically, they are not available. They could not never recorded via any media. Alas, they are lost for humanity.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


What happened to those early discourse from 1955 - 70

Many may recall that 1969-70 was the year where Baba gave so many demonstrations in Ranchi. And every day He explained those demonstrations in lengthy discourses - daily. But nothing was recorded. Dada Vijayananda ji was noting down a few lines each day.

Those noted lines that Dada Vijayananda wrote were 1% of the discourse. And of those hundreds of discourses only a handful were printed in their miniature form in one of the Ananda Vacanamrtam books etc. The bulk of those hundreds of discourses were lost.

And those notes are only one or two paragraphs of one particular entire day's worth of darshans. So by seeing the size of the paragraph or discourse, one can see that this is just 1% of the real discourse of on day. And that's also not original, but just notes. Why did this happen? Because those days, people were not careful to record Baba's discourses. Many were thinking that Baba is just speaking for that very audience which is sitting before Him.


Conclusion: Coming on this earth will be useless

The advent of Mahasambhuti is not a regular affair. He takes advent in the transitional period when animal and human values become one. People forget their humanity and start living and thinking like beasts. That time Mahasambhuti comes in this quinquelemental world. And He graces and guides the society for as long as humanity exists on this earth and beyond. So His teachings are eternal - apta vakya. They are beyond the three relative factors. The main point is that whatever Baba has spoken should be documented “as is” and disseminated everywhere. That way, those present today will get the proper idea and those humans who take birth after thousands of years will also be benefited. If we forget this very fact and are not to protect and disseminate Guru’s teachings in their purest form then our coming on this earth will be useless.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Sarvajinana

~ In-depth study ~

All Baba's teachings on dharma are apta vakya

As we are aware, there are two types of knowledge. One is transitory in nature; that is called pra'pta va'kya. That is always changing according to time, space, and person. Today that type of knowledge is accurate, and tomorrow it may not be.

A few examples of this are: It is raining outside; Shyam is a small boy; my address is 102 Main Street etc. All of these statements are subject to change. And indeed all knowledge related with the mundane world is subject to change. Either that knowledge is going to change the very next day, or after 100,000 years, or one million years later. Everything is going to change and that is why this worldly knowledge is termed as prapta vakya or relative knowledge.

The other type of knowledge is absolute knowledge. That is a'pta va'kya; a'pta va'kya is eternal - unchangeable. Here below are some of the essential qualities and characteristics of apta vakya.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The proper mark of identity of absolute knowledge is that it must be universal, rational and psychological. Certain instances of absolute knowledge are as follows – the goal of human life is the attainment of Brahma; human beings are the progeny of Parama Puruśa; this universe is created by the macrocosmic conation; matter is the crudified form of the universal mind; by dint of sádhaná or spiritual practices human beings gradually become divine; whoever is born will have to die one day; liberation is the birth right of all living beings; human society is one and indivisible; diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." (1)

Absolute knowledge is universal, rational and psychological

Thus apta vakya must be rational, logical, and based on universal welfare. As we know there are many who claim that their prophet preaches apta vakya and that all should blindly follow those dictates. But upon examination, it is evident that those teachings are partial towards a particular community, or illogical, or against universal welfare etc. That is how we know those teachings are not apta vakya, despite what those followers proclaim.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The proper mark of identity of absolute knowledge is that it must be universal, rational and psychological." (1)

As Ananda Margiis, we should always ensure that any teachings purported to be apta vakya hold up to those aforementioned qualities.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "For a bhakta, only a'pta va'kya has value. What comes from Parama Purusa is a'pta va'kya....As devotees, you should follow only a'pta va'kya." (2)

The philosophical and spiritual treatises given by Sadguru Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji perfectly embody and represent the criteria of apta vakya. Any type of rational analysis proves this.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "A'pta va'kya" or "absolute knowledge". Absolute knowledge is the direct message from God...The books in A'nanda Ma'rga philosophy are all absolute knowledge." (3)

Thus Baba's teachings of darshan shastra (our philosophical treatise) and dharma shastra (oue spiritual treatise) are a'pta va'kya. These guidelines from Baba are eternal and ever-true. With the change of time, space, and person, they do not vary. It is permanent. All the discourses on dharma which Baba has given are eternal teachings - for everyone, i.e. all of humanity.


Baba’s display of feigned anger

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 He would feign anger or show as if He is angry in order to teach and impress upon others the severity of a particular situation. By this way He would express feigned anger. Only confused people say that Baba was ever furious or mad etc. Just He would display anger externally in order to lovingly guide His devotees.


Feigned anger vs tamasik krodha

When overcome by anger, one does not have control over their nerve cells and nerve fibres. Their face gets red and their body starts trembling and ultimately they lose control over their motor and sensory organs. In that case, they may succumb to an uncontrollable rage, talk in an irrational manner, and lose all their physical and intellectual strength. When a person is overpowered in this way, it is known as tamasik krodha.

In contrast, when you feign anger then you are not affected internally. Internally one does not lose their rationality - just they may use their voice to get their point across.

So in feigned anger you are in control - you are the master of your anger vrtti - and in real anger you are a slave to your anger vrtti. Those who are overwhelmed by this vrtti later repent, because they do nonsense things and harm others. That anger is very harmful, whereas feigned anger is not.

When protesting against injustice and fighting the exploiters, a dharmika must always employ feigned anger - never real anger. With feigned anger one will maintain their psychic composure and be more effective in their approach. They will easily be able to inspire good people and outduel the exploiters. Feigned anger is a way to show the sinners that you will not tolerate their injustices, but at the same time you will have your full rational mind in tact.

Whereas when one is overcome be true anger they will lose one's faculties and often hurt themselves or someone else unnecessarily.

One can usually analyse if one's anger was real or feigned by assessing the entire situation.

You should not allow the instinct of anger to take control of you

Here are two of Baba's guidelines about feigned anger:

Ananda Marga ideology says, "You should not be misguided or swayed away or unduly influenced by krodha or anger. Anger means to remain under the influence of the nerve cells and fibres instead of under the influence of the subtler layers of mind. It is therefore very dangerous...you should not allow the instinct of anger to take control of you. If this happens it is called “static anger”." (4)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "“Akrodha”. Krodha means anger. Akrodha means “free from anger”. A dhármik person – and indeed an intelligent person – must be free from anger...Suppose you are free from anger, but your opponent is quite angry with you; so angry that his or her hands and feet are trembling and his or her faculty of judgment is paralysed. If you say something rational, he or she will be defeated because the mind has become restless and fails in any logical argument. He or she is sure to be defeated in argumentation. Even if it comes to a physical fight, he or she will surely be defeated because, with hands and feet trembling, he or she will fall down at the slightest push. So if you are clever you will avoid anger. Rather, you should make your opponent angry – that will surely make you victorious in the fight. Many experienced lawyers succeed in making the [[witnesses]] of the opposing party angry, and thus manage to extract much valuable information. So one of the criteria for a dhármika person is to be free from anger." (5)


Tamasik anger

Those who suffer from tamasik anger:
  • (a) they lose all their physical and intellectual strength
  • (b) they talk in an irrational manner
  • (c) they get flushed and red in the face
  • (d) their body starts trembling
  • (e) they do not have control over their nerve cells and nerve fibres
  • (f) their emotions are beyond their control
  • (g) their hands and feet are trembling
  • (h) they fall down at the slightest push
  • (i) their faculty of judgement is paralysed
  • (j) they become restless mentally
  • (k) they fail in any logical argument
  • (l) they are overpowered by anger

If you see anyone like this then it will be clear he is in the noose of tamasik anger.


Feigned anger

Those who display / feign anger:
  • (a) they do not lose all their physical and intellectual strength
  • (b) they do not talk in an irrational manner
  • (c) they do not get flushed and red in the face
  • (d) their body does not start trembling
  • (e) they have control over their nerve cells and nerve fibres
  • (f) they keep calm and keep their emotions in check
  • (g) their hands and feet are not trembling
  • (h) they do not fall down at the slightest push
  • (i) their faculty of judgement is not paralysed
  • (j) they do not become restless mentally
  • (k) they do not fail in any logical argument
  • (l) they are not overpowered by anger

If you see anyone like this then it will be clear he is not in the noose of tamasik anger; rather he is expressing feigned anger.


References
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 2, The Excellence of a Bhakta
3. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, The Ten Characteristics of Dharma
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, The Ten Characteristics of a Dhármik



== Section 2: News ==

Details about margiis' expulsion from H group​

~ Courtesy of WhatsApp Forum ~
🙏 एक अज्ञात नंबर से धमकी भरा फोन कॉल आना, की आप गैर संस्थागत हैं और आपका प्रवेश वर्जित है।
पहले उस पदाधिकारी को बतलाया जाय  कि आनंदमार्ग एक विश्व स्तरीय आध्यात्मिक संस्था है, कोई क्षेत्रीय संघ नही है। इसलिए अगर उस पद पे बैठे हैं तो पहले उस पद की गरिमा समझें और् संस्था के नियमों को समझें।

* विभिन्न सूत्रों से सस्पेंशन का प्राप्त समाचार :*

1. जैसा पता चला कि आनंदनगर में हमारे पदाधिकारी ने पुलिस को पांच मार्गियों का नाम दिया और बोला कि इन्हें संस्था से हटाया गया है इसलिए इनसे खतरा है।इन्हें घुसने नही दिया जाय।

2. वर्कर्स मीटिंग में दादा नभातितानंद, हरिशानंद और चित्स्वरूपानंद जी  एक एक करके अपने वर्कर्स के सामने बतलाये की इन पांच मार्गियों को संस्था से ससपेंड किया जाता है क्योकि इनके कारण संस्था में फाइनान्स नही आ पा रहा है। औरनए लोग अफवाह उड़ाते हैं।इसलिए कोई भी वर्कर अगर इनसे बात करते हुए पाया गया तो उसे शो कॉज किया जाएगा।तभी हमारी एक दीदी ने फोन किया और बोली भैया ऐसा पता चला है इसलिए मैं फोन कर रही हूं, मुझे लए लोग शो कॉज करें और मुक़्त करें इनके साथ रहने की अब इक्षा नही है।

3. फिर पता चला कि DMS के बाद PP दादा विश्वदेवानंद जी के सामने
जब हैप्पी न्यूज़ पढ़ा  गया तो उसमें सबसे पहला न्यूज़ था कि इन पांच लोगों को संस्था से ससपेंड कर दिया गया है।

अब आते हैं बाबा के नियम पे,
अगर एक गृही कोई गलती करता है तो पहले उसे उस गलती के बारे में बतलाया जाएगा। नही सुधार होने पे उसका कंप्लेन सबसे पहले उसके गार्डियन को किया जाएगा। उसके बाद नही समझने पर उसके भुक्तिप्रधान को किया जाएगा। समाधान नही होने पे ट्रिब्यूनल बैठाया जाएगा।
न् की सीधे उसे गलत मानते हुए सजा सुना दिया जाएगा।और बादः में उसकी जांच की जाएगी ❓😊
कोई बतलाये की क्या कभी भी हमलोगों से बात की गई और हमें हमारी गलती से अवगत करवाया गया❓जबकि हमेशा 2nd संडे को कीर्तन में हमलोग उपस्थित रहते हैं।बाबा जन्मदिन में उपस्थित होकर सारे कार्यक्रम को हमलोगों ने सफल बनाया। UTC में उपस्थित रहे। एक बार भी किसी ने कोई गलती के लिए नही बोला। उल्टा सारे वर्कर्स दादा परमानंद जी, विमलानंद जी, सत्यव्रतानंद जी, परितोषानंद जी ,सिद्धविद्या नंद जी सारे लोगो से मुलाकात हुई।
लेकिन अचानक 3 -4 दिन में ऐसी क्या डेवलपमेंट हुई कि हम गैर संस्थागत हो गए❓❓❓😞😨😂🙏

List of expelled margiis
1. जितेंद्र, Jitendra Ranchi
2. हेमंत जी, Hemant Ranchi
3. अमर दरोगा जी, Amar Daroga, Purnia
4. अमर दादा की पत्नी, Wife of Amar Daroga
5. धर्मेंद्र जी, Dharmendra, Tatanagar
~ Courtesy of WhatsApp Forum ~

----

in Him,
Sambhuti


Note: Those who do not know Hindi, can get some idea about this letter by using the Google translate. Or any type of such electronic devices. Or they can take help from others. Those who can't get help from Google Translate, please contact us and we will provide you with the version translated by Google Translate. --Eds.


*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 3: Prabhat Samgiita==


This PS is for non sadhakas only

Prabhat Samgiita Intro: This following Prabhat Samgiita composition is for non-margiis. So we Ananda Margiis should learn these types of songs so that we can present and teach them. The Ista of Ananda Margiis is not Krsna. So committed and dedicated Ananda Margiis know that using these Krsna Prabhat Samgiita compositions for their own personal, spiritual practices is very detrimental and harmful. For a full review of this important issue, kindly refer to link #1 appended below in the links section.

"Kánu binu, tháká náhi jáy, se je marmer májhe jhalakáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3355)

Purport:

Without Kánu, Lord Krsna, my life is very miserable. I can’t live without Him anymore. He is that shining Entity of my heart, so when He is not present with me I suffer from the pain of melancholic longing for Him. Without Him, my existence has no charm.

Day and night, every moment, all the 24 hrs, I hear the sweet, melodious notes of Krsna’s divine bánshi [2] in my core. With the sound of that flute, Krsna is letting me know that He cares for me by telling me, “I love you - that is why I am calling you.” I hear His d́ák (call) [3] always. He is so gracious.

The river of my life, the Yamuna [4], the spiritual flow of my journey, is ensconced in Krsna’s ideation and it is fiercely fighting against the deep mist. It is rushing with the high tide in countless ways towards Krsna, by Krsna’s grace. In my mind there is nothing but Krsna.

My life is very painful and empty in the absence of my Lord Krsna…


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #3355:

[1] Kánu: This is one of the names of Lord Krsna.

[2] Bánshi: literally meaning flute: Bánshi / Flute: Ananda Marga Ideology states, “The rhythm in which the vibrational flow of the cosmic mind vibrates the annamáya kośa of individual microcosms – veins, nerves, arteries, blood, lymph, etc. – is the initial stage of the divine cosmic sound. When this sound is heard in the anamáya kośa it resembles that of a cricket. When this cosmic sound vibrates the kámamaya kośa it resembles the sound of ankle bells. In the manomaya kośa it resembles a flute; ... in atimánasa kośa, the resonance of a gong; in vijiṋánamaya kośa the buzzing of bees or the rolling of ocean waves; and in hirańmaya kośa, a prolonged oṋḿ sound. Thus the cosmic sound is expressed in various ways according to the degrees of crudity or subtlety in relation to the fundamental factors. There are various physical and psychic expressions centring around the various degrees of cosmic sound. When one’s mind is confined to a particular stratum one hears the sound peculiar to that stratum only. A person who lacks concentration of mind cannot hear any expression of the cosmic sound. In the field of spiritual practice the divine sound is expressed in a spontaneous way.” (1)

[3] d́ák: This refers to the call of the Supreme.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “O human beings, you are fortunate. The clarion call of the Universal has reached you. Not only has the call come, but you are hearing it and it is vibrating in every cell of your body. Will you now lie in the corner of your house as an inert being and waste your time by clinging to old skeletons and bemoaning them? The Supreme Being is calling you in the roar of the ocean, in the thunder of the clouds, in the speed of lightning, in the meteor’s flaming fires. Nothing good will come from idleness. Get up and awake the clouded chivalry of your dormant youth. It may be that the path is not strewn with flowers and that inferiority complex will be attempting to hold fast your each advancing step, but even then you have to proceed onwards tearing the shroud of darkness. You will tear the thick darkness of despair as you advance in the racing chariot radiant with the Sun’s brilliance towards the attainment of the Supreme state.” (2)

[4] Yamuna: Here Baba guides us how the Yamuna river does not just mean one physical river in India. But in Prabhat Samgiita the Yamuna river represents that flow of mind where one is blessed to come in contact with Parama Purus'a.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Yamuná. Just as there is a Yamuna River in the physical sphere, in the subtle psychic sphere also there is a certain flow which leads microcosms towards Parama Puruśa." (3)

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 6, The Expansion of the Microcosm
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, The Call of the Supreme
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Appendix



== Section 4: Links ==


More about Lord Shiva & Lord Krsna songs

Recent postings

Other topics of interest



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This email contains four sections:
1. Posting: Story: those lost discourses
2. News: Details about margiis' expulsion from H group​
3. PS #3355: This PS is for non sadhakas only

4. Links

Thursday, June 7, 2018

For better sadhana + 4 more

Baba

For better sadhana

Namaskar,

All the practices in the Ananda Marga tantrika system have their special purpose - including our yoga asana practice. Asanas are a key element of 16 Points as well as instrumental in balancing the glandular system and preparing the mind for meditation. Thus asanas are invaluable for our physical, psychic and spiritual advancement. In the vast world of yoga there are more than 50,000 known asanas. And among those 50,000, Baba has compiled approximately 42 which we use in our Ananda Marga system.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "There are more than 50,000 ásanas; among them a few are named here which are most necessary for the path of meditation." (1)

Two asanas that cure all diseases


In particular, in Ananda Marga yoga, there are two asanas Baba has given which cure all the diseases.

(a) The first one is sarvaungasana [shoulderstand]. As the derivation of its name denotes sarvaungasana purifies the entire body. 'Sarva' means all; 'aunga' means limbs and organs; and 'asana' means position comfortably held. So by performing this asana the whole body-- all the limbs and organs - gets rejuvenated and cured from all types of diseases and ailments.
       
(b)  The second asana with this cure-all quality is matsyendrasana [spinal twist].  As noted, in sarvaungasana the name itself denotes that it is beneficial for all the organs etc. But the same is not the case with the name - matsyendrasana. Reason is that matsyendrasana is named after one prince who became a great yogi. That prince's name was Matsyendranath. And since he was the one who created this asana, that asana was named: matsyendrasana.
       
(c) But it should be clearly known that both these asanas positively affect the entire body. But the name of one asana expresses this idea whereas the other asana does not. Even then, the all-round benefits of these two asanas are nearly identical.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Both asanas exercise & revitalise entire body

       
(d) In sarvaungasana even the eyes get proper exercise by focusing up towards the big toe. Similarly, in matsyendrasana, the eyes derive tremendous benefits from looking to the far left and far right during the twisting motion.
       
(e) So both these asanas exercise & revitalise the entire body from head to foot. Specifically these asanas benefit the arms, legs, mouth, nose, eyes, head, ear, tongue as well as all the cakras of the body.
       
(f) For sarvaungasana, a complementary asana also needs to be done. That is matsyamudra, a.k.a fish posture. So first one should do sarvaungasana, then one should rest for 15 seconds by doing shavasana (corpse pose), and then one should do matsyamudra. In general, sarvaungasana will be done twice as long as matsyamudra. Directly after completing matsyamudra one can again begin sarvaungasana. But each time in between Sarvaungasana and Matsyamudra, shavasana should be performed.
       
(g) Those suffering from high blood pressure should refrain from doing sarvaungasana.
       
(h) In our Ananda Marga system, asanas have not been selected just on the basis of physical exercise only. Rather Baba has perfectly selected those asanas which are helpful in maintaining good health as well as proper glandular secretions - which help make the body fit for spiritual practice. Such types of asanas have primarily been included in our Ananda Marga system. That is why Baba has included and approved only 42 asanas for Ananda Margiis.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Two of the asanas Baba has given - sarvaungasna and matsyendrasana - are beneficial to the entire body. This shows what a dynamic effect the asana practice has. So every Ananda Margii aim to perform their yoga asanas on a regular basis, ideally twice daily. That will help keep the body healthy and the mind ready to perform sadhana.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Harideva

~ In-depth study ~


How to perform these asanas:

Here are Baba's guidelines directly from Caryacarya:
(I) Sarva'unga'sana (all-limbs posture):

(a) Lie down on your back. Gradually raise the entire body and keep it straight, resting its weight on your shoulders. The chin must be in contact with the chest. Support both sides of your trunk with your hands. The toes must remain together; the eyes must be directed at the toes.

(b) Lie down in padma'sana. Gradually raise the body and rest its weight on your shoulders. Support both sides with the hands. This a'sana is also known as u'rdhvapadma'sana (inverted lotus posture)'.

Practise three rounds, up to five minutes.

(II) Matsyamudra' (fish posture): Lie down in padma'sana. Rest the crown of the head on the floor and grasp both the big toes with the hands. Practise three times. Maximum time for practice is two-and-a-half minutes.

(III) Matsyendra'sana (Matsyendra's posture): generally for males:

(a) Press the mu'la'dha'ra cakra with the right heel. Cross the left foot over the right thigh and keep it to the right of the thigh. Grasp the left big toe with the right hand, keeping the right arm along the left side of the left knee. Reach backwards from the left side with the left hand and touch the navel. Turn the neck to the left as far as possible.

(b) Then press the mu'la'dha'ra with the left heel and reverse the process. One round means completing the process on both sides.
       
Practise four rounds, half a minute each time. (2)

(The above italicised writing is from Carayacarya)

Important questions and answers on asanas
       
The following are Baba's direct teachings from His book, Yoga Psychology:       
Question: What is the definition of ásanas?
       
Answer: Sthirasukham ásanam (Patanjali). Ásanas are calm, quiet and easy postures which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation. They exercise the nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body. While practising ásanas one enjoys physical comfort and mental composure.
       
The regular practice of ásanas keeps the body healthy and cures many diseases. Ásanas control the glands, the glands control the secretion of hormones, and the secretion of hormones controls the propensities. So ásanas help a sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to balance the body and concentrate the mind.


Question: Why do we practise ásanas?
       
Answer: We perform ásanas for the following reasons:
To increase the flexibility of the body.
To rectify glandular defects and balance hormonal secretions in order to control the vrttis [propensities].
To balance the body and mind.
To withdraw the mind from undesirable thinking.
To prepare the mind for subtler and higher sádhaná [spiritual practices].


Question: How do we name ásanas?
       
Answer: We name ásanas as follows:
(1) Some ásanas are similar to animal movements so they are named after those animals; for example, matsyamudrá [fish posture], garud́ásana [bird posture], etc.
(2) Some ásanas have the characteristics of animal structures, so they are also named after those animals; for example, kúrmakásana [tortoise posture], etc.
(3) Some ásanas are named by the qualities of the ásana; for example, sarváuṋgásana [shoulder stand; literally “all-limbs posture”]. The entire body is benefited by this ásana.
           
Question: How many types of ásanas are there?
       
Answer: There are mainly two types of ásanas: svásthyásanas and dhyánásanas. Svásthyásanas are practised primarily for physical health and secondarily for spiritual elevation. Dhyánásanas are practised primarily for concentration of mind and meditation. Dhyánásanas include padmásana [lotus posture], baddha padmásana [bound-lotus posture], siddhásana [siddha posture, the posture of a perfected one] and viirásana [hero posture].

       
Question: What is the difference between sarváuṋgásana and vipariitakaranii mudrá?
       
Answer: While practising sarváuṋgásana the mind is fixed at the point between the tip of the two big toes, whereas in vipariitakaranii mudrá the mind is fixed at the tip of the nose or at the navel.
       
       
Question: What are mudrás, bandhas and vedhas?
       
Answer: Mudrás are postures which exercise the nerves and muscles. Mudrá literally means “externalization of internal bháva [ideation]”. There are only a few spiritual mudrás where the internal ideation is not externalized. The practitioner of mudrá may or may not enjoy physical comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudrás one has to continue one’s conscious endeavour to remain in that posture, but in the case of ásanas one need not. Bandhas are also postures of a special type which exercise the nerves only. The practitioner may or may not derive physical comfort and mental composure. In bandha also one has to continue one’s conscious endeavour to remain in the particular posture. Bandhas also influence the váyus [vital-energy currents] in the body. Vedhas are almost the same as bandhas. Vedhas exert some influence on both the nerves and the vital airs [vital-energy currents]. (3)

Sadhana is more easily done
       
Here below are a few of Baba's direct guidelines regarding asanas.
       
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "'A'sana' means 'a position in which one feels comfortable' -'Stirasukhama'sanam'." (4)
       
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "A'sanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured." (5)
       
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "[Specifically] those diseases which create trouble in the path of meditation may be cured by the help of specific a'sanas, so that sa'dhana' may more easily be done." (6)
   

Rules for ásanas
       
Here are Baba's rules for performing yoga asanas from Caryacarya.
(1) Before practising ásanas, do vyápaka shaoca or take a full bath. Vyápaka shaoca must also be done before daily meditation; if ásanas are done with daily meditation then it is not necessary to do vyápaka shaoca separately.
       
(2) Do not practise ásanas in an open place, because it may result in sudden exposure and thereby you may catch cold. While practising ásanas indoors, attention should be paid to keep the windows open so that air can pass through.
       
(3) No smoke should be allowed to enter the room. The less smoke the better.
       
(4) Males must wear a Kaopiina (laungot́á), and there should be no other clothing on the body. Females must wear tight-fitting underwear and a bra.
       
(5) Practise ásanas on a blanket or a mat. Do not do ásanas on the bare ground, because you may catch cold, and some secretions which come from the body while practising ásanas may be destroyed.
       
(6) Practise ásanas only while breath is flowing through the left nostril or both nostrils; do not practise ásanas when the breath flows only through the right nostril.
       
(7) Take sáttvika food. But a person for whom it is difficult to give up rájasika food can for the time being take a small piece of myrobalan (it is better to use the small type of myrobalan), or something of a similar nature, after meals. However, this procedure does not apply in cold countries.
       
(8) Do not cut the hair of the joints of the body.
       
(9) The nails of the fingers and toes must be kept cut short.
       
(10) Do not practise ásanas on a full belly. It is prohibited to perform ásanas for two-and-a-half to three hours after a meal.
       
(11) After practising ásanas, you should massage your arms, legs and entire body, especially the joints, very well.
       
(12) After the massage is finished, remain in shavásana (corpse posture) for at least two minutes.
       
(13) After shavásana do not come in direct contact with water for at least ten minutes.
       
(14) A practitioner of ásanas should not massage his or her body with oil. If you like you may rub oil lightly over the body.
       
(15) After practising ásanas, it is desirable to walk in a solitary place for some time.
       
(16) Just after ásanas práńáyáma is prohibited.
       
(17) If it is necessary to go outdoors after practising ásanas and if at that time the body temperature has not come down to a normal level, or if there is any difference between the room temperature and the outside temperature, you must cover your body when going out. If possible, inhale a deep breath inside the room and exhale it after coming outside. In that way there will be no chance of catching cold.
       
(18) It is not prohibited for the practitioner of ásanas to practise free-hand exercise, running or sports, but just after ásanas all these are prohibited.
       
(19) There is no restriction of nostril for the following ásanas: padmásana (lotus posture), siddhásana (siddha posture), ardhasiddhásana (half siddha posture), bhojanásana (cross-legged sitting posture), viirásana (viira posture), diirgha prańáma (long bowing posture), yogásana (yoga posture) and bhújauṋgásana (snake posture).
       
(20) For all those ásanas where there is no restriction of nostrils, there is no restriction on food either.
       
(21) During menstruation, pregnancy and within one month of delivery, women must not practise ásanas or any other exercise. The ásanas for dhyána can be done under all conditions – padmásana, siddhásana and viirásana are the proper ásanas for dhyána and dhárańá. (7)
       
(The above italicised writing is from Carayacarya)
       
Sentient food
       
Baba clearly guides us that a practitioner of yoga asanas should be strict in following a sentient diet. As as reminder, here below are Baba's guidelines on sentient food.
       
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Sáttvika Áhára: All the staple food-grains such as rice, wheat, barley, etc.; all the pulses except masúr [an orange-coloured lentil] and khesári; all fruits and roots; all kinds of vegetables except violet-coloured carrots, white brinjals [white eggplants], onions, garlic and mushrooms; milk and milk products; all green and leafy vegetables except red puni and mustard. All varieties of spices except garam masalá and all kinds of sweets, can be taken. A sáttvika diet is required for those who practise ásanas. Those who find it difficult to give up the habit of rájasika food all of a sudden may eat a piece of haritakii [myrobalan] after the meal. Those who take sáttvika food should avoid taking a large quantity of mustard or mustard products. Rájasika food-eaters should gradually try to change over to sáttvika food and támasika food-eaters should try to give up such food as early as possible." (8)
       
Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, "Sentient food: Food which produces sentient cells and is thus conducive to physical and mental well-being is sentient. Examples of sentient food are rice, wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, fruit, milk and milk products." (9)
       

References
1. Caryacarya, part 3
2. Caryacarya, part 3
3. Yoga Psychology, Questions & Answers On Meditation
4. Caryacarya, part 3
5. Caryacarya, part 3
6. Caryacarya, part 3
7. Caryacarya, part 3
8. Caryacarya, part 3
9. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development


*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

We shall serve all

"Jiirńa vishiirńa jiiver karibo sevá, árte kśudhárte báincábe natuvá ke bá..."  (Prabhat Samgiita 3714)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, we will help all, using the strength of mind which You have blessed us with, and serve all those living beings who are suffering. This is our vow. After all, if we do not rescue the hungry with food, the sick with medicine, the homeless with shelter, the illiterate with education, and the impoverished with clothing, and give love and care to all distressed people, then who shall save and look after them. We cannot allow our universal family of humans, animals, and plants to wallow in want and neglect.

Baba, by Your blessing, we are here to look after all those who are undergoing various physical and psychic ailments. We are here for all those sick, distressed human beings and animals, birds, and plants - all flora & fauna. Creepers and shrubs bushes trees are also living beings; they too have their lives. We are thinking about them and all animate and inanimate entities. We have to watch over them also - not one shall be left aside.

Parama Purusa Baba, by Your mercy, I pull all those who were distant close to my heart and embrace them all as my close. Everyone is kith kin - not a single person is alien; all are my family members. We wholeheartedly accept that the property of Parama Purusa has been given for the prosperity and well-being of all. The wealth of the universe has not been exclusively reserved for a few greedy rich individuals. We shall selflessly assist all those living beings who are in distress...


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==


How to be established in immortality

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Ya'jinavalkya asked, 'What would you like?'" "Maetreyii replied: 'Yena'ham' na'mrtasya'm' tena'ham' kim kurya'm'" "'What will I do with things which will not remain with me permanently? Of what use are the objects which will not establish me in immortality?...'Please give me that thing which will remain with me permanently, which I'll be able to preserve forever, which will establish me in immortality. I don't want anything else.'" "Then Ya'jinavalkya gave her a number of instructions, upon which a major part of Raja Yoga is based'." (1)

Note: As described in the above teaching, worldly things do not remain with us very long. That is why ideal people goad their mind towards Parama Purusa. Being Parama Purusa and Guru, Baba has given us the path. On this point, we are extremely fortunate. Now our main duty is to follow His ideological teachings, i.e the path to Supreme fulfillment.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The Place of Women in the Spiritual World


== Section 4: Links ==

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This email contains four sections:
1. PS #3714: We shall serve all
2. Posting: For better sadhana
3. IT: How to be established in immortality
4. Links


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