Mahaprayan of mother Shiila

Baba

Mahaprayan of mother Shiila

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the mahaprayan of Smt. Shiila Didi, the elder sister of Dharmendra Sinha jii and daughter of the late Ac Chandradeo jii. Didi jii's mahaprayan occurred on 5th June 2020. She had been sick in the ICU and was 70 years old.

Shiila Didi was a great bhakta - an ardent disciple of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. She was very keen in her sadhana and related spiritual practices, and lived the life of an exemplary sadhaka. Sweet and humble to the core, all were attracted by her magnanimous character. She gave respect and care to one and all - a real neo-humanist.

May we all take solace in the fact that Smt. Shiila Didi was a bhakta of Sadguru Baba. Certainly she will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His infinite grace.

in Him,
Caetanya Deva 

Note: Here is an alert for those cremating a dead body in India or Indian managed cremation homes around the world. Their custom is to put the fire in the mouth of the deceased to initiate the burning of the body. This is prohibited in AM as it is uncivilised. So watch out; do not allow this. If you are not careful, they will end up cremating the body in this manner. Make them aware ahead of time. 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The practice of putting fire into the mouth of the dead body is repulsive, it should not be encouraged." (Caryacarya - 1, Disposal of the Dead Body)

~ In-depth study ~

We have seen that when somebody dies then in offering their condolences people say now Mr So-and-so is sitting on Baba's lap. On other occasions when telling a Baba story people also say, "Such and such person sat on Baba's lap." But these days the trend is that "sitting on Baba's lap" is used more in connection with death. And that causes some confusion in reader's mind. To unknot the situation please read below.

Dogma: if "on Baba's lap" only used for death

Here are quoted lines from recently posted emails on various forums, wherein the writer uses the phrase - "in Baba's lap" - with the occasion of death:

- "May Parama Purusa Baba accept her in HIS divine lap"

- "We pray to Baba - please give him shelter in his lap... "

- "May his soul rest in the lap of our beloved BABA"

- "Now she is taking rest in Baba's Lap."

- "May Baba accept him in HIS divine lap....."

- "May he rest in HIS loving lap of eternity."

- "We are sure that Baba has taken him in His loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in Baba's lap forever."

- "Let her rest peacefully in Baba's Lap - which she always desired."

- "now he is in beloved Baba's lap"

- "May his soul get peaceful place in His lap"

- "He is now in Bábá's loving lap"

- "May Baba bless him with a seat in His lap."

- "May BABA accept him in HIS divine lap!"

- "May Baba take him in his eternal loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in peace taking shelter in Baba's lap."

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

- "We all collectively pray to Baba to take him on Baba's divine lap forever.”

All of the above lines are commonly written in eulogizing the deceased. These days mostly it is used in a eulogy and rarely used to recount one's intimate spiritual experiences - unfortunately. By this way, the phrase "in Baba's lap" is being misused and step by step the real meaning is being forgotten as now people more commonly use the phrase to eulogize those who have died, and much less so to express their inner feelings of bhakti. Unfortunately, the meaning and inner spirit of the phrase is getting lost.

Baba story: "sitting on Baba's lap"

Some time ago after dharmacakra, a senior margii was recounting his experiences of having dharma samiiksa with Baba. He said, "After being lovingly scolded by Baba for my wrongdoings, then He called me close and placed me on His lap - I remained there for some time soaking up His love - and He blessed me."

We all enjoyed hearing about his personal account with Baba during dharma samiiksa. When he finished telling his factual and historical event, there was a call for questions. Various people posed their queries. Towards the end, one new margii raised his hand and asked, "How did Baba bring you back to life?"

Everyone stared at the new margii in amazement. There was a look of astonishment all around - people were really shocked to hear him say this. The new sadhaka sensed that something was wrong He said very matter-of-factly, "I thought that sitting on Baba's Lap means that he (the margii) died - that is why I asked that question."

This was quite eye-opening for those of us in the room: Through our language and expression we had unknowingly taught someone to think that being on Baba's lap is the equivalent of death. Because it seems that nowadays people only use the phrase "Baba's lap" when a person has died, such as "Let him rest peacefully in Baba's lap", as if in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like a child need not die in order to sit on his father’s lap.

The idea is that this phrase - Baba's lap - has been linked with death due to extreme overuse. So for some time if sadhakas use this phrase exclusively for spiritual purposes, that will be best. The phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", should not meet a similar fate. It should not lose its pure spiritual quality and just refer to one's death. That will be very negative.

Baba would bless bhaktas and place them on His lap

There are tens of thousands of recorded stories by sadhakas where they use the phrase, "on Baba's lap", when describing their experiences of being with Baba: He used to bless them and bring them on His lap. People should understand the deeply mystical value of this expression, and not just think that Baba's lap means death, i.e. that you can only sit on His lap at the time of death. Still today there are thousands of margiis walking this earth who sat in Baba's lap. And not only that, there are countless more sadhakas who were blessed by Baba in dreams and sadhana wherein they sat in His lap. And still today this deeply intimate experience is attainable by sadhakas, by His grace.

There are so many ways an aspirant can reach unto Baba's lap including in sadhana. That is the main idea that should be preserved. Sadhana is a spiritual practice and one can sit on Baba's lap in sadhana. We should make it cent-per-cent clear to one and all that the phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", does not mean death.

"Mahaprayan" means death of mortals - confirm for yourself
from the Samsad Bengali-English Dictionary

Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in our Bengal to describe the death of any human being, even ordinary people. In that way, the obituary columns of the newspapers of Bengal regularly cite the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' (death) is one extraordinarily term of bhakti to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no bhaktas ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by the leader of a particular group in AMPS. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary 3rd edition on page 848. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it is used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens. And that is the case in this letter also. The term mahaprayan means death and this is the ideal term for this purpose.

Mahaprayan is only for humans not for Sadguru

Here it should be qualified that there is both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan marks the death of any ordinary human being, just like the aforesaid news. This is the proper use of the term: To note a person's departure from this earth. That is the meaning of the mahaprayan term and that is the standard way the term is used in Indian languages.

Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan. That is when certain vested interests try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa. This is grossly inappropriate because when Parama Purusa Sadguru Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is entirely wrong to proclaim that He is gone.

That is why rational margiis are protesting; because the Oct 21st program is so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for some vested interests to declare "mahaprayan of Parama Purusa" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings, not Parama Purusa. Those doing mahaprayan for Sadguru are hypocrites. On the one side in meditation they ask His grace thinking that He is ever-present, and on the other side they think that Baba has passed away. That is their hypocrisy.

== Section 2: Links ==

Recent postings

• Margii’s death ceremony tainted

• Dead but alive
  

• Riding coattails of deceased family acarya
  

Other topics of interest

• New BP manual by B group

• Bad way to pay respect

More important letters

• Rudrananda with his main henchmen

• Pranavatmakananda spread false things in book

• Why abortion is sinful in AM

• Coward avadhuta don't prefix or capitalize

• Trick to get top post

Lowly standard of family acaryas + 3 more

Baba

Lowly standard of family acaryas

Namaskar,

I attended several annual DMC's from 1970 onwards. DMC was always such an important and blissful gathering for all Ananda Margiis. In particular, it was a special occasion for family margiis, as this was the time for everyone to come together.

People from my village would arrive in full with 10 - 15 of their family members. Even their relatives from thousands of kilometers away would come from South India, as well as from very distant areas like Jammu / Kashmir etc. So all were living together for one week at the DMC. This was the common experience because all Ananda Margiis were bringing their laokika family members onto the path of Ananda Marga. Thus, DMC was always a huge occasion.

Yet the sons and daughters of most so-called family acaryas remained away. If you research the matter you will find that a good number of youths from non-margii families joined our WT cadre those days. There are fine examples of margiis who encouraged and supported their children's decision to dedicate their lives and become a Wt. This was the general trend. But with family acaryas, the situation was very different.https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conduct of so-called family acaryas

What to speak of not spreading Ananda Marga across the planet, so-called family acaryas do not even spread it to their own children. Here the concern is not just about so-called acaryas nowadays of Delhi sector. In overseas areas, the situation is even more colourful. For instance, some overseas so-called family acaryas are often very neglectful in adhering to yogic practices; and, with regards to raising their children, most of their kids are kept far, far away from Ananda Marga.

Family acaryas should be the lamp bearers of Ananda Marga ideology. If they are proper in their dealing, the whole society will be strong; whereas, if most of them are just so-called family acaryas riddled by weaknesses then those faults will get magnified and rebounded throughout the whole society. The point being that acaryas are to lead by their conduct and that affects the society, positively or negatively. That is why Baba is more stern and serious with so-called family acaryas in comparison to general margiis.https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those who have the responsibility to show the path to others should be of superlative character with the most refined conduct. They and their followers must move constantly towards all-round development and shreya [ultimate spiritual attainment]. Persons who teach such well-regulated behaviour to others by their own conduct are called ácáryas. Bear in mind that people may be harmed or misled by even a small weakness or defect in the conduct of an ácárya." (1)

In His above guideline, Baba is directing us that those who lead by their own example are acaryas; moreover, Baba warns that even a small defect in the conduct of an acarya can be devastating for society. So becoming a family acarya is not like getting a degree in a university whereby automatically you have a title that lasts a lifetime. The position and title of acarya is wholly based on one's continued exemplary conduct according to the tenets of Ananda Marga ideology.https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
In Him,
Vidya’

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Conduct of an Acarya

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Dangerous pranayama

Note: These days hatha yoga / fake yoga pranayama is becoming quite popular. Yet by this way the common people are getting harmed. Because the philosophy of mind is: As one thinks so they become. So if their practice of pranayama is devoid of spiritual ideation, the mind will be submerged in mundane thoughts. Because the mind has to think of something; it cannot remain completely idle. Also bear in mind that pranayama multiplies the effect of one’s thinking. So if one is involved in mundane or degrading thoughts during their pranayama practice, that will be very harmful. Then those lower propensities will become more dominant. And that will bring about one’s demise. Unfortunately Buddhist pranayama and fake yoga pranayama is mostly like that - i.e. devoid of spiritual ideation. So beware. As sadhakas of Ananda Marga, we should always keenly apply the proper ideation when doing this lesson and bring more onto the path so they can save themselves from the ill effects of bogus pranayama.

Ananda Marga philosophy states: “Question: What is práńáyáma?”

“Answer: Práńáyáma is defined as: Tasmin sati shvása prashvásayoh gativicchedah práńáyáma. That is, “Práńáyáma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness.” It helps the mind in concentration and meditation.

“Question: What is the spirit of práńáyáma?”

“Answer: Pránán yamayati eśah práńáyámah. That is, the word práńáyáma literally means “controlling the práńáh [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of práńáyáma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the práńendriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness.”

“Question: How many types of práńáyáma are there?”

“Answer: There are two main types of práńáyáma: hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma and Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. When práńáyáma is done without fixing the mind on a particular point of concentration, and without imbibing Cosmic ideation, it is called hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma. But when práńáyáma is performed with the mind fixed at a particular point along with Cosmic ideation, it is called Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. [The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthira, was the first person to popularize práńáyáma according to this method.]” (1)

Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #11-13

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Survey of scripts of the world

Prout philosophy states, "In the present world there are four types of scripts – Indo Aryan, Semitic, Occido-Aryan and Mongolo-Chinese scripts."

"The Mongolo-Chinese scripts are pictorial scripts – all the letters of the scripts are pictures. They contain about 1055 letters. In the Occido-Aryan scripts there are 20 to 35 letters. In the Indo-Aryan scripts there are about 50 letters, and in the Semitic scripts there are 20 to 30 letters."

"The Chinese and Japanese practice of using Romanized Mongolo-Chinese script is unscientific."

"Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sindhi, Kashmiri, etc. come under the Semitic scripts and are written from right to left. This is difficult to write and takes a long time to print. Malaya has abandoned Arabic script and adopted Roman script to overcome this difficulty."

"The scripts of Tibet and South-East Asia come under the Indo-Aryan scripts. They are quite good but difficulties arise in joining letters. Through practice it has been experienced that Roman script is the best script. It is the most scientific. Those who oppose it do so out of local sentiments. Proutists won't go against any local script, but they will encourage the most scientific script as the world script. At present Roman script is the most scientific script. Future generations may evolve a new script." (1)

Reference

1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

बाबा! तुम्हारे आगमन से आज इस धूल की
धरती की प्रत्येक वस्तु मुझे मधुर

प्रभातसंगीत 3183 इ धूलिर धरनीते शुधु भालो लागा आर भालो बासा ...

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष! बाबा, तुमने कृपा करके मेरा मन सुधार दिया है। सभी आलस्य और नैराश्य, आनन्द और माधुर्य में बदल गया है। तुम्हारे आगमन से अब इस धूल की धरती की प्रत्येक वस्तु मुझे मधुर और आकर्षक लगने लगी है, प्रत्येक वस्तु में केवल आनन्द और केवल प्रेम भरा है । तुम आनन्द स्वरूप हो, आनन्द के दूत हो । मेरा सुख-दुःख हँसना-रोना तुमको लेकर है । सब कुछ आनन्ददायी है । तुमने सभी को आश्रय दिया है।

हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम सभी के मनों में कृपा-प्रभा की वर्षा करते जाते हो । आज फूलों के बगीचे के सभी फूल अमृत से भरी मधुर सुगंध चारों ओर फैला रहेे हैं। हे परमपुरुष! तुम मुझ मे ही हो। मेरे हृदय में आकर्षक मुस्कान लिये तुमने मेरे पूरे अस्तित्व को आशा और आनन्द से भर दिया है। तुम हंसते हुए आगे आगे चलते जा रहे हो।

हे अजाना पथिक! हे बाबा! तुम अपने सोने के रथ पर सवार होकर उड़ते जा रहे हो। मधुरता के साथ तुम अपनी सर्वव्यापी यात्रा पर हो। तुम अपनी कृपा वृष्टि से गूंगे को बोलने की शक्ति देते जा रहे हो। जो मूक और डरपोक हैं तुम उन्हें तुम्हाराआशीर्वाद मिला है।

बाबा! तुम्हारी कृपा से यह धूल भरी धरती, अमृत के समान बहुत ही आनन्ददायी हो  गई है।

== Section 3: Links ==

Recent postings

• Margii’s death ceremony tainted

• Dead but alive
  

• Riding coattails of deceased family acarya
  

Other topics of interest

• New BP manual by B group

• Bad way to pay respect

More important letters

• Rudrananda with his main henchmen

• Pranavatmakananda spread false things in book

• Why abortion is sinful in AM

• Coward avadhuta don't prefix or capitalize

• Trick to get top post