Baba
Upa-dharma
Namaskar,
To survive in this world everyone has to attend to certain secondary dharmas, or upadharmas. That is, everyone must arrange their food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and livelihood etc. All these things have to be done. But, according to Baba, a sadhaka should never forget the main goal, i.e. their main dharma of becoming one with Parama Purusa.
Upadharmas necessary but not the goal
In this present era, due to capitalism and materialism, the common mass has basically lost the goal of life and become submerged in their upadharmas. People are lusting after money, wealth, etc, but whether they realise it or not, they are doing this with one central idea in mind: To find happiness. As soon as they realise that a particular upadharma cannot give them lasting happiness, then they switch to another upadharma - such as food or money. But that also will not satisfy them. So they may try other mundane things to quench their yearning. But still that will not satiate one’s longing to find lasting happiness and peace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The irony is that a person’s inherent dharma is to find infinite happiness. They want to find and get Parama Purusa. Unknowingly, that is what is driving them in their daily pursuits. The problem is that in trying to find eternal happiness, instead of looking within for the Divine Entity, they seek out mundane allurements. In that way they get caught up in their upadharmas - primarily due to the harmful effects of materialism.
According to Ananda Marga ideology, full surrender means doing and pleasing for Him. But when one embraces material pursuits - money, prestige etc - then those things get projected onto one's mental plate. Then one's ideation is goaded toward the material sphere. That is what it means to get caught up in one's upadharma. And by that way one can never become truly happy. Because those limited things can never satisfy the infinite longing of the human mind.
Yet this is the tragedy that has befallen most of the humanity. Instead of using mundane things like money, food, as merely tools for serving others and living in this objective world, those worldly objects have become the goal of life. In that way, people are ideating on those secondary dharmas - like name, fame, gold, and prestige - all day long.
All are children of God that's why I serve all
All understand that surrender (prapatti) is one of the most important aspects of spiritual life as it leads one to the height of human glory. Yet there are many obstacles involved. In one way or another, people get caught up in their secondary dharmas or upadharmas - job, family life, eating, bathing etc - and forget the real goal of life, which is to serve and please Him all the 24hrs.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In theory, surrender may sound easy, but establishing oneself in this practice demands full commitment and dedication. True surrender is to have one-pointed ideation on Parama Purusa, in all circumstances. By Baba's grace, every sadhaka can attain this stance. Our true dharma is to surrender to the Supreme One, not any mundane object. To achieve this, both second lesson (thinking of Him throughout the day) and sadhana are key.
Firstly we are to be strict in doing all our meditation lessons regularly. By this process of repeating our personal siddha mantra, the mind becomes ensconced in His flow and directed towards Him. That is one aspect.
The second part is to remember Him in all we do throughout the day. Because while we may do sadhana for 1, 2 or 3 hours, we will be involved in mundane works for many times more than that. So rather than thinking that, 'I am earning money to serve my wife or for my own self-satisfaction', one should think that, 'I am earning money because He likes that I should serve others as they are also the children of Parama Purusa and by this way I am serving and pleasing Him.’
This type of ideation should be applied to each and every work, duty, and responsibility throughout the day: Always think that this action is for Him and that He is watching. Yet this is only possible with a strong sadhana practice. With theoretical knowledge alone, one cannot do it.
Keep hands busy in service & mind in God
So sadhana and service are highly interrelated. These two practices are complementary. The more established one is in sadhana, the more natural it will be to ideate on Baba throughout the course of the day; similarly, the more one thinks about Him during the day, the easier the mind will slip into His ideation in sadhana. So the two work hand in hand.
In contrast, if one side is lacking-- either sadhana or brahmacarya (ideating on Him throughout the day)-- then that will be detrimental in all regards. And one might just get caught up in all their upadharmas, i.e. those secondary mundane things, and not to Him.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Finally, by this dual approach of achieving full surrender in life, one great benefit results. When we attend to our upadharmas with the sole idea of serving and pleasing Him, and not for our own material gain etc, then we will be thinking of Him in which case the mind will be filled with infinite bliss. That is the true benefit human beings will get. Then and only then will one’s desire for lasting happiness be fulfilled. So true surrender, one-pointed ideation on Him, is the only way to achieve happiness in this world. All these teachings of Baba He has given again and again throughout His innumerable discourses.
Conclusion
As Ananda Margiis we should hold firm to our true dharma of realising Him, and not get swayed by the waters and allurements of materialism. All those secondary dharmas - money, prestige, post etc - are only simply tools for serving others. They are not meant to be taken as the goal of life. Yet in materialism, those secondary, transitory things (money, post, power etc) become the goal. Our duty is to bring people onto the path of bhagavad dharma, and not get lured by their faulty ways of materialism.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Mangalam
~ In-depth study ~
Now all over the globe, so many have drowned in a materialistic way of life. People are running after their career, food etc. This is the common flow - in so many places. People's ambitions and aspirations are aimed toward the mundane. Even some good sadhakas get pulled and dragged into that materialistic flow.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Indeed, the present-day materialistic society stands as a major blockade in developing a more spiritual outlook in life wherein one is able to cultivate a strong sense of surrender. Once a well-knit, Proutistic social order is created, that will help tremendously. Until that time, one will have to swim upstream against the current of materialism.
Always, we will have our own internal enemies (sa'dripus) and bondages (as't'apa'shas) to overcome, but the development of a healthy society order will be a boon for one’s spiritual progress. Yet, we cannot wait for such a time to begin the practice of surrender. Rather one should develop a pinpointed awareness of the problem and know the solution.
What a sa'dhaka is to do?
Human life is very short and only blessed people come in contact with the Sadguru. One should follow His each and every guideline and reach up to Him.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "What then will sa'dhakas do? What steps will they take to maintain the health of the society, to establish dharma, to maintain the speed of social progress? It may be said here that there is just one step to be taken, and that is a very simple and easy one. In the Giita' it has been said:
Sarvadharma'n parityajya Ma'mekam' sharan'am' vraja
[“Set aside all other dharmas and take shelter in Me alone”].
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “One basic element of human beings is their own pra'n'a dharma. Some people have one such quality, some two, and some twenty or twenty-five. Fire possesses not only its essential quality, the power to burn, it has some other qualities as well, such as keeping the environment clean, etc. All these are the dharma of fire. A human too has certain upadharmas [secondary properties or characteristics], as for instance his articular style of eating, particular style of laughing, style of bathing, etc. All these come within the category of upadharmas. Humans bathe regularly – not that they bathe on one particular day of the week; they bathe daily. All these are the especial qualities of human beings. It is in reference to these secondary properties that is has been said:” (1)
Sarvadharma'n parityajya Ma'mekam' sharan'am' vraja
Eat & attend your daily work, but remember Him always
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In other words, whatever other qualities and properties humans may have should all be considered secondary properties. That is, take your bath, eat your food, go on with your daily work, but remember that these are not your main vrtti [propensity]; do not take these to be your main propensity, but secondary propensities. Learn to follow only one thing as your main vrtti, your primary dharma, and that is Ma'mekam' sharan'am' vraja – “accept only Me as your refuge.”"
"Ma'mekam' sharan'am' vraja – “take refuge in Me alone.” Why this advice? The reason is simple. It is not possible to put one foot in one boat and the other foot in another boat and to sail in that way. If you try to do that, you will end up in the water, and perish. Worship the non-dual Parama Purus'a with a single name. “Just as you move towards the shelter of Parama Purus'a, I say from My side:"
Aham' tva'm' sarvapa'pebhyo moks'ayis'ya'mi ma' shucah.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Be you a sinner, lowly, fallen, a filthy mole, or even a worm from hell – whatever you may be – I assure you that I will always be with you. From your side you do your duty – take shelter in Me – and from My side I assure you of your liberation.”" (2)
What is this primary dharma?
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Sarvadharma'n parityajya [“Set aside all other dharmas”]. What is the meaning of dharma? It means “property” or “characteristic”. Jiivas maintain their existence through the expression of their inner characteristics in different spheres of creation. Every object in the universe has its own inherent characteristic: the characteristic of water is to make things wet, and that of fire is to burn. Centering around this fundamental characteristic, there are many secondary characteristics. For example, fire burns, but it does not burn the entirety of an object in the same way. It may burn one part of an object thoroughly and another part only partially. These different stages of burning are the secondary characteristics of the primary characteristic of fire, to burn. Water also has a number of secondary characteristics, and the collection of all these secondary characteristics is known as its dharma. To illustrate, when people eat, they do not mix all their food together and gulp it down voraciously, but follow a system of eating. For example, they may first eat bitter items, then semi-bitter ones, then sour ones, and finally sweet things. Sweets come at the end. The entire action of taking different items of food is called eating."
""All dharmas have upadharmas [secondary characteristics]. Human life is no exception. For example, to provide for your family you require some sort of employment – be it agriculture, trading or business – you have to keep the house clean, feed everyone, and so on. These are the secondary characteristics included within the fundamental human dharma. What normally happens in human life? People get caught up in the secondary characteristics. For instance, when eating delicious food people often say “How good it tastes! But if it only had a bit more spice in it, then it would taste even better.” Being engrossed in the secondary dharma, people all too easily deviate from their main dharma. In ancient India, the usual custom was to offer a part of one’s meal to God before eating it. The spirit was, “May I remember You with every bit of food.” In Ananda Marga there is a system of applying guru mantra before commencing any action. The psycho-philosophy behind guru mantra is to transform the secondary dharma into the primary dharma at the psychic level. If this were not done then one’s secondary dharma would predominate. Much precious time is wasted by those who follow their secondary dharmas." (3)
Do not let your mind be diverted to secondary dharmas
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "“Give up secondary dharmas and accept Me as your supreme goal. Do not let your mind be diverted to those countless secondary dharmas, but concentrate it on the fundamental primary dharma. Only then will every moment of your life be properly utilized.” Now, what is this primary dharma? Ma'mekam' sharan'am' vraja [“take shelter in Me alone”]. Earlier I said that vraja means to move with Cosmic ideation in a state of bliss.
"The movement of human beings in this universe is not movement for movement’s sake, but is comparable to a vraja parikrama' [joyous pilgrimage]. No one moves even one step without any purpose. What does vraja parikrama' signify? We all know that just as the historical Krs'n'a lived in the Vrindavana of this world, our spiritual Krs'n'a lives in the Vrindavana of our heart. He is the nucleus around which individuals move."
Ma'mekam' sharan'am' vraja
"Do not run after name, power, position or wealth. Try to become one with Parama Purus'a." (4)
References
1. Discourses on Krsna and the Giita, Svadharma and Paradharma – 3
2. Discourses on Krsna and the Giita, Svadharma and Paradharma – 3
3. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 18
4. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 18
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
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 ==
Your auspicious arrival
“Tomári ásári áshe, kata ráti geche jege…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3136)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, in the hope of Your auspicious arrival, so many sleepless nights have passed. I long for Your presence in the very depths of my heart. With this yearning and anticipation, innumerable days have floated away, counting each and every moment of Your absence with floral fragrance.
O’ Parama Purusa, You are the source of all the guńas. All qualities reside within You. You are anádi, ananta, and limitless. You are beginningless, endless, and infinite. Whereas, I, as a unit being, am finite. I have both a beginning and an end, birth and death. Baba, I am spiritually and divinely intoxicated in Your love. O’ Parama Purusa, in the hope of Your arrival, so many days have passed, countless seasons have come and gone.
O’ Supreme Entity, with Your divine effulgence, please blossom in my mind in new and newer forms, each and every moment. In the flow of Your magical spell, I dance with Your tune and melody, by Your grace. I am completely vibrated by Your cosmic rhythm. O’ Parama Purusa, in the great hope of Your imminent arrival, so many days have passed. Baba, please come close. You are the focal point of my existence; without You, my life is meaningless…
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Worldly things cannot remain with us very long
Worldly things cannot remain with us very long
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 quote: Really, worldly things cannot remain with us very long. That is why ideal people run towards Parama Purusa. Being Parama Purusa and Guru, Baba has guided us the path. On this point, we are extremely fortunate to at least have gotten the path. Now our main duty is to follow it.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The Place of Women in the Spiritual World
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Foolish outlook: Doing fine by myself
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us "You will hear many a vain and assuming person say, “I don’t need anyone’s help, I’m doing very well by myself. I don’t want to concern myself with anyone else’s affairs and I don’t expect anyone else to bother about mine.” Nothing could be more foolish than this statement. Medicine and nursing are necessary to cure diseases; the neighbours’ help is needed to cremate a dead body; and for the regular supply of food and cloth the cooperation of farmers and spinners is essential. Remember, no created being in this universe is independent. No one can exist alone, everyone has a supra-cosmic relationship with the whole, at times prominent, at times indistinguishable. In this scheme of mutual relationships, even the slightest mistake or discord will raise a furious furor in the universe. In this mighty creation, the brilliantly luminous sun and the tiny ant have the same existential value, having combined together to make the universal family. Similarly, in human society, the importance of a powerful and eminent person is no less than that of a disabled and dying patient. None can be ignored. The least injustice done to anyone will cause the breakdown of the entire social framework." (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved Part 6, The Spirit of Society
== Section 4: Links ==
Other topics of interest
