Baba
Story: blessed in dharma samiiksa
Namaskar,
Those days my government job was to guard against corruption. My duty was to perform surprise checks and inspections of transport vehicles to ensure all monies were accounted for. I was a member of the anti-corruption flying / floating squad. In that role, during the very early hours and other odd times in remote locations, we would do impromptu stops and check the buses to review their accounts.
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The dynamics and requirements of the job were highly unpredictable. Sometimes we headed north, other times south, or any other direction. There was a lot of traveling, and the schedule was always topsy-turvy. Plus we were often in remote, desolate areas. For all these reasons, it was difficult to get proper sentient food and keep my diet in order.
How I befooled myself
One time I was extremely hungry and on assignment in a very isolated area. At the local market / hotel, there was onion and garlic in the food - and nothing else to eat anywhere.
I told my staff, "No, I will not eat that food. It is not sattvika; it has onion and garlic."
Then my staff replied, "If you do not eat then you will die of starvation; there is nothing else around here to eat."
I was in a real quandary about what to do. On the one hand I wanted to follow a sentient diet; and, on the other, I was very hungry, and there were no other options. Plus I had not planned any proper alternative ahead of time. In that dire situation, my mind was clouded by avidya maya. With that mindset I convinced myself that, “I should eat something because, after all, I am just a family man. I am on a job in the middle of nowhere and there are not any proper food alternatives. So I can compromise with dharmic principles and eat something. In my home I will not do like this, but when I am on the road and traveling, then it is not so bad.” This was the way I reconciled the situation internally.
With that mindset, I ate and ingested a meal containing onion and garlic.
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Again, it was just because I was extremely hungry and felt there was no other way. Plus I reasoned that since I was a family man it would be okay. I did not tell anyone about this in Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha - not a single person. I knew eating onions and garlic was not appreciated so I did not tell any margii or Wt. Nobody knew.
Then when a similar situation arose on another tour I did the same thing. And I started doing this when needed. I thought this was one type of solution. And little by little, this became my ongoing approach. In the course of doing my job, over the years, there were numerous times where I compromised on Ananda Marga ideals and went against a sattvika diet by eating onions and / or garlic.
Dharma samiiksa with Baba
In 1980, during dharma samiiksa, Baba called me in front of Him and promptly recounted the entire initial episode of when I was all alone and ate non-sentient food. Omniscient Baba described the exact scene.
Not just that point. Baba recounted so many other old incidents - wrongdoings from my past - and lovingly punished me for those as well. In all, Baba softly gave me 14 canings. He gently hit me 12 times for various wrongdoings, and twice for all the numerous times I broke the rules by eating onion and garlic.
Internally I could feel His bliss and love as He was punishing me. Inside and out my whole existence was infused with His sweet touch. After all, in my life I experienced that Baba is the most loving One for me. He loves me more than anyone - I felt no one loved me the way Baba loves me.
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In a display of feigned anger, Baba lovingly and compassionately asked me, "Animal, why did you eat onion and garlic. You are a sadhaka, and you are not careful about what to eat. Now you must have control over your eating habits."
In front of Him, I accepted my mistakes and told, "I committed sin by going against 16 Points."
I said, "Baba, I will be strict from today forward and only take sentient food."
How Baba blessed me
Then something very beautiful happened. Omniscient Baba graciously called me very close to Him - quite near to His cot. I was in a seated-kneeling position on the ground, similar to viirasana. From His seated place up on His cot, Baba lovingly and gently extended His hand and placed it on my head. Then He began reciting some mantras and showered me with His blessing. I surrendered completely by placing my head on His feet. I could feel His inexplicable sweetness permeate every cell of my existence. My entire body and mind felt completely charged by His touch and blessing. Tears began streaming down - tears of indescribable bliss.
Baba softly spoke to me, "Today you have become burden-free so you can now serve the society with a pure mind." Then He gestured for me to go. I immediately did sastaunga pranama to Baba and arose with tears still rolling down. I slowly went out and sat for sadhana.
By His grace, I intuitively felt that this entire punishment was just an excuse for exhausting all my unrequited samskaras from so many past lives. I can only think how on that day Baba's expression was so beautiful and so loving. >From that moment, I understood in the depths of my heart that Baba looks after me in all kinds of ways. I felt so blessed.
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That very moment it triggered in my mind that I could have easily resolved this issue if I had cooked food from my own home and taken it with me. Then I would not have had to eat tamasik food. That is why Baba was scolding me. Previously, I had made lame excuses - I hadn't tried hard to manage the situation when indeed there was a viable solution, i.e. bring cooked food from home and pack dried fruit, nuts, and other edibles. That was the reason for my punishment. Now I understood. Earlier I was thinking there was no option but now I could see there was a way. By His grace, I have been very strict ever since.
Another development from dharma samiiksa, was that thereafter I became completely healthy. For years I had suffered from various stomach disorders, and now suddenly all those problems were gone.
Note: The above is a first-hand account as told by Shrii Tarachand Jain, a very senior Ananda Margii, PU BP, of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Tarachand Dada worked in the Transportation Dept, Rajasthan State Roadways, as an Asst. General Manager. Here it should be noted that Tarachand ji always followed a sentient diet. He was quite strict with his food choices. Only in challenging situations, like the story above, was it difficult for him.
Conclusion
By this entire experience as told by Tarachand Dada, it is quite clear that as soon as anyone thinks anything then at that moment it is known to Parama Purusa. This demonstrates we really do reside within Him. There is nothing one can think that He does not know. He is aware - always. You cannot go against Sixteen Points without Baba knowing. He is watching carefully.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In dharma samiiksa / reporting sadhakas got comparatively very little punishment by Baba and their samskaras were exhausted. Now the situation is different. Baba has given the duty to the cosmic operative principle. If one is repentant they will get a little punishment and their samskaras will be exhausted. If however one is not repentant, then prakrti addresses the matter with a firm hand and that is harsh.
Baba does everything for our welfare and best is to follow Sixteen Points always.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Haridarshan
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Suppose a physician says, “As a human, you require animal protein for your health;” but suppose dharma says, “No, a human should not take carnal food;” then in that case you will have to follow dharma and not the physician, because the order of dharma is above all other orders. Dharma is the highest Lord, the highest authority." (1)
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Cells generally grow out of light, air, water and the food we eat. The nature of food and drink has its effect upon the cells, and consequently also influences the human mind. Obviously each and every sa'dhaka, or spiritual aspirant, should be very cautious in selecting food. Suppose a person takes ta'masika, or static, food. The result will be that after a certain period, static cells will grow and exercise a static influence on the aspirant’s mind. Human beings must select sa'ttvika, or sentient... This will lead to the birth of sentient cells, which in turn will produce a love for spiritual practice and help in attaining psychic equilibrium and equipoise, leading to immense spiritual elevation." (2)
Ananda Marga ideology states, “By gradual transformation their mind-stuff reaches a stage where they cannot be called human beings. Who can say that the fire-burnt cane has been transformed into the plantain tree, and the decomposed beef has been transformed into onion through natural changes, and that the rice-water has produced tańd́uleraka leaves? Likewise, no one will be able to recognize you as a human being in your degenerated condition.” (3)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
2. Yoga Psychology, 'Food, Cells, & Mental Development'
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Spiritual Practice and the Cosmic Science (Sádhaná and Madhuvidyá)
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.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
I want to please You
PS Intro: This below song is deeply devotional and can only be understood by those who have been blessed with the gift of devotion. Without that this song cannot be understood.
"Ei hrdayer ma'la'kha'ni toma'r tare genthe ra'kha'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1616)
Purport:
Baba, O' the Divine Entity, I love You so much. With all the tenderness and sweetness of my heart I have threaded this garland especially for You. By Your grace, I am offering [1] it at Your lotus feet, O' my Dearmost.
Baba, my only desire is to please You. So if You do not like this garland which I have prepared for You, then please do not accept it. And if You are not satisfied with this garland, then I request You not to look towards it. My sole desire is that You should be pleased. Baba, this mala (garland) is saturated with my heartfelt longing for You and is soaked with the showering of my tears of devotion. It is drenched with my love.
Baba, O' the Supreme One, I am meagre; I am just a small unit being. Yet I carry the great and distant hope of getting You. Because I am meagre and You are vast, my hope of getting You is nothing but an unrealistic plan and a far off dream. It is just a fantasy. Baba, if You do not want me, then why have You pulled me so close to You with Your loving bond.
Baba, please grace me by accepting my garland. Here I am offering it at Your lotus feet…
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #1616:
[1] Arghya': Here are some of the specifics about the term arghya', or offering, and its related terms: nirmalya, naevedya, and prasad. The following is an English summary from Baba's original teachings in Laghu Nirukta, page 9.
Thus when bhaktas offer delicacies and sweets to Parama Purusa that is called naevadya and when those sweets are partially or fully returned back to devotees with His special blessing then that is called prasad. So when devotees bring sweets etc to our AM kiirtan programs and place them under the puja table then those sweets are not prasad, they are naevadya. Only when the kiirtan program is over do they become prasad according to Baba's above guideline. So at our AM functions it should become our regular practice to use the proper vocabulary.
Secondly, those things offered in Guru Puja are known as arghya. That is why Guru Puja is called: varn (mental colour) + arghya (arrangements being offered) + dan (act of offering), varnarghyadan.
PS Intro: This below song is deeply devotional and can only be understood by those who have been blessed with the gift of devotion. Without that this song cannot be understood.
"Ei hrdayer ma'la'kha'ni toma'r tare genthe ra'kha'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1616)
Purport:
Baba, O' the Divine Entity, I love You so much. With all the tenderness and sweetness of my heart I have threaded this garland especially for You. By Your grace, I am offering [1] it at Your lotus feet, O' my Dearmost.
Baba, my only desire is to please You. So if You do not like this garland which I have prepared for You, then please do not accept it. And if You are not satisfied with this garland, then I request You not to look towards it. My sole desire is that You should be pleased. Baba, this mala (garland) is saturated with my heartfelt longing for You and is soaked with the showering of my tears of devotion. It is drenched with my love.
Baba, O' the Supreme One, I am meagre; I am just a small unit being. Yet I carry the great and distant hope of getting You. Because I am meagre and You are vast, my hope of getting You is nothing but an unrealistic plan and a far off dream. It is just a fantasy. Baba, if You do not want me, then why have You pulled me so close to You with Your loving bond.
Baba, please grace me by accepting my garland. Here I am offering it at Your lotus feet…
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #1616:
[1] Arghya': Here are some of the specifics about the term arghya', or offering, and its related terms: nirmalya, naevedya, and prasad. The following is an English summary from Baba's original teachings in Laghu Nirukta, page 9.
When any non-edible item is offered to gods and goddesses or great personalities then that is called arghya'. Those offered partially or completely full [non-edible] items which are returned back ]to the unit being] from those gods and goddesses or great personalities are called nirmalya. If any edible item is offered to gods or goddesses or great personalities then that is called naevedya. And that very naevedya when it is partially or fully returned from those gods and goddesses or great personalities then that is called prasad. (English summary, Laghu Nirukta, page 9)
Thus when bhaktas offer delicacies and sweets to Parama Purusa that is called naevadya and when those sweets are partially or fully returned back to devotees with His special blessing then that is called prasad. So when devotees bring sweets etc to our AM kiirtan programs and place them under the puja table then those sweets are not prasad, they are naevadya. Only when the kiirtan program is over do they become prasad according to Baba's above guideline. So at our AM functions it should become our regular practice to use the proper vocabulary.
Secondly, those things offered in Guru Puja are known as arghya. That is why Guru Puja is called: varn (mental colour) + arghya (arrangements being offered) + dan (act of offering), varnarghyadan.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The consent of those embraced must be sought for before renaming them in Saḿskrta. Language has got nothing to do with religion and as such, there is no reason for anybody depreciating the use of Saḿskrta. In this connection it may be added that the great emperor Aurangzeb used the term sudhárasa (juice of nectar) for mango (original Saḿskrta term for mango is ámra).” (1)
Reference
1. Táttvika Diipiká (Paiṋcama Parva)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to support artists
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
"Agriculture, arts, commerce and other developmental work should, as far as possible, be carried out on a cooperative basis.""Fine arts lead human beings to the trans-sensory realm; hence sádhakas should not discourage fine arts; rather they should support them, directly or indirectly.""Artists are great benefactors of society, hence take active steps for their protection. For example, before enacting a drama or its translation, enough money for a day's maintenance must be given to the author.""If a drama or other art performance is staged and a charge is made for tickets, after deducting the incidental expenditure, the remaining money should be distributed among the artists, half on the basis of labour and half on the basis of merit." (1)
Reference
1. Caryacarya, Society, Points #15 - #18
1. Caryacarya, Society, Points #15 - #18
== Section: Hindi Quote ==
Fanaticism
परमपुरुष की प्राप्ति के लिए भी, इसी तरह का एक ज़िद रहना चाहिए—“मैं अवश्य पाऊँगा, पा कर रहूँगा”—काम हो जाएगा | तो, यह ज़िद, ज़िद चाहिए | यह एक प्रकार का spiritual fanaticism, not religious fanaticism है | Religious fanaticism ख़राब है, group बनता है | Spiritual fanaticism? “आदर्श के लिए मैं सब कुछ करूँगा—जीना, मरना, मेरे लिए समान है | मेरे लिए सबसे क़ीमती चीज़ है आदर्श |” तो, यही याद रखोगे कि इस तरह की एक ज़िद की ज़रूरत है |
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] (1)
Reference
1. 30 December 1970 Patna
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हे बाबा! तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं आज समझ गया हूँ कि तुम मेरे हो
प्रभात संगीत 0236: घूमघोरे देखेछि गो, भावछो तुमि आमारकथा...
भावार्थ
हे मेरे परम प्रिय, हे परम पुरुष! तुम्हारी कृपा से मैंने अपनी प्रगाढ़ निद्रा की गहराई में देखा कि तुम मेरे बारे में सोच रहे हो। तुम कितने दयालु हो, अब तक मैं तुमको पाने के लिये तरस रहा था और सोचता था कि तुम अपने आप को मुझसे दूर किये हुए हो। अनेक युग आये और गये और पूरे समय मैं अपने दुख में डूबा सोचता रहा कि तुम मेरे बारे में जानते ही नहीं हो। उस निराशाजनक अवस्था में मुझे जैसा लग रहा था मेरे उस दुख के स्तर को कोई नहीं समझ सकता।
मेरे प्रभु ! दिन लगातार आ जा रहे थे और मैं अपने आॅंसुओं में डूबा हुआ सोचता रहता था कि मेरी चिंता करने वाला कोई नहीं है। परंतु ओह! आज देखा कि तुम मेरे बारे में सोच रहे हो। यह देख कर मेरा संपूर्ण अस्तित्व आनन्द से भर गया , तुम कितने कृपालु हो....।
हे अन्तर्यामी ! हे बाबा! तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं आज समझ गया हूँ कि तुम मेरे हो और तुम्हारा हृदय मेरे लिये प्यार से भरा हुआ है इसीलिये तुम मेरे बारे में सोचते हो । बाबा, मैं अपनी साधना, ध्यान और कीर्तन की सहायता से तुम्हारे अधिक निकट आता जाऊंगा, तुम्हारी ओर चलता जाऊंगा क्योंकि मैं जानता हूॅं कि आंतरिक रूप से तुम मेरे हो। तुम हृदय से मेरी चिंता करते हो। तुमने प्यार से अपने हृदय में एक विशेष स्थान मेरे लिये रख छोड़ा है, तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं यह जान गया हूँ कि हमारा बहुत निकटता का संबंध है।
बाबा, तुम प्रेमस्वरूप हो, करुणामय हो और दिन रात मेरी चिंता करते हो, तुम मेरे हृदय के सर्वाधिक प्रिय हो।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
“Whatever I get, that I will eat” is good or bad
Ananda Marga ideology states, "One must have a balanced diet. “Whatever I get, that I will eat” – this must not be the policy of a sane being. This human body is a composite of protoplasmic cells, and these protoplasmic cells are made of the food we take in. If the food and drink is defective, then the protoplasmic cells will also become defective, and the human mind, which is the collective mind of so many protoplasmic minds, will also become defective. That is why támasik or static food has a negative influence on the human mind." (1)
Reference
1. Physical Propulsion, Psychic Propensities and Spiritual Attainment
== Section 3: Links ==
