Baba
AM ádarsha: stricter the better
Namaskar,
Because of the rhetoric in the general society about fanaticism and being extreme and harmful, some get confused and think, "Taking Baba's guidelines to the extreme is neither favourable nor beneficial; there should be some laxness."
However, the above outlook is wholly defective and harmful to human society. Being fanatical in adhering to Baba's teachings / Ananda Marga ideology will yield a most positive outcome - beneficial to all.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Strict adherence in morality & discipline
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Proper karma sádhaná means the strict observance of yama and niyama. The meaning of tapah is to bring comfort to others even by enduring hardship." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "To take leadership in society you must be established in Yama and Niyama in just such a strict way." (2)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "For progress in entitative flow, one is to lead a pure life, a moralistic life, a life based on moral principles. Do not do anything bad. What is bad? Bad is that which depraves human existence. Follow a strict code of morality. Live a pure life, a neat and clean life. Be strict in 16 Points. What will happen? Your entitative flow will get purified and will be in parallelism with your psychic wave." (3)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The path of Tantra is one of strict discipline; the disciple will have to go through strict anushásana." (4)
When fanaticism is best
Here is the overall gist, or English summary, of Baba’s original Hindi teaching of General Darshan, 30 December 1970 Patna.
Every work needs determination, not only good works but bad also. Those who are determined in doing bad work become dangerous and create terror for the world. In contrast, those who are dogged in doing good work become treasures for the world; no one can prevent their progress. Hence, there should also be a resoluteness to attain Parama Purusa: "I will get Him, certainly I will get Him," like this you will get success. So, one should have this type of determination, this is a type of spiritual fanaticism, not religious fanaticism. Religious fanaticism is bad as it leads to the formation of groups. Spiritual fanaticism (teaches), "I will do everything for the sake of ideology. Whether I live or to die for my ideology, it is the same to me. The most precious thing for me is my ideology." So, remember, only this type of determination is necessary. (English summary)
In His discourses, 16 Points, and His many guidelines, Baba says we must be strict in our ideal and never deviate from Ista or adarsha. And by this way, we will be able to do great works on this earth and serve everyone. Those who are strict and pointed in Ananda Marga are able to inspire and guide countless people. Whatever else may happen in this world, so long as we are firm in Ananda Marga teachings then everything will be proper. This we must always remember.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
at His lotus feet,
Indrajit
~ In-depth study ~
Being strict in religion is deadly
Fanaticism in religion is deadly, but fanaticism in dharma is very good. In religion, moderation is less poisonous otherwise one will end up harming or even slaughtering others in the name of their dogmatic teaching. That is why moderation is needed in religion but moderation is harmful on the path of dharma i.e. Ananda Marga.
Being strict in bhagavad dharma is an asset
Think of it this way: If one is fanatical about taking a walk every day, or not smoking, or following a sentient diet, or exercising regularly, then that is very good. Because all those practices are healthy and beneficial. The basic rule is that fanaticism is good if the endeavor is just and noble. So when everything in our Ananda Marga is dharmic and righteous, then being fanatical about Ananda Marga practices is very beneficial.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Only by being ultra-strict in following bhagavad dharma can we bring relief and justice in society. The stricter the better - there is nothing to be lost in being more vigilant. Only there is something to be gained. The more strict we are in helping the needy or eliminating exploitation, the greater the result. There is no drawback by being fanatical in following the dharma of Ananda Marga. It will make the society pure and the sadhaka divine.
Strictness in Ananda Marga ideal is merit
In many discourses and in various ways, Baba has emphatically emphasized that we must be strict in dharma, uncompromising in following Ista and adarsha, and that we must be 100% faithful to our ideal.
Svadharme nidhanam' shreyah paradharmo bhaya'vahah
Ananda Marga philosophy, "It is better to die as a human being [following bhagavad dharma] than to live as an animal." (5)
Nindantu niitinpun'a'h....
Ananda Marga ideology says, "The Sha'stras say that a person must stick to his ideals irrespective of whether he receives praise or abuse, whether wealth comes or wealth goes, whether he lives a thousand years or suffers death the next moment. Such a person is called “dhiira”. My direction to you is to be Dhiira. You must stick to your ideals in spite to everything. In this lies your spiritual growth." (6)
Ananda Vanii states, "Fight for your Ideology. Be one with your Ideology. Live for your Ideology. Die for your Ideology." (7)
Strictness in adarsha greatly benefits society
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The ácárya should give direction and guidance in every work, big or small. When he or she is to impart any duty to anyone, he should be strict, strong and exact, like a diamond." (8)
Caryacarya says, "Observing uncompromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Iśt́a, Ádarsha, the Supreme Command and the Conduct Rules." (9)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Those who live according to His systematic vibrational flow, and with one-pointed, uncompromising mental attitudes accelerate towards their goal of merging with Him, will have an ever-increasing reflection of Parama Puruśa on them as they approach the source of His ideation." (10)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "A person who wants to promote others' welfare, a person who wants to serve the entire humanity, must keep away from dogma. In addition to that, he or she will have to staunchly resist dogma. It is not enough to keep away from something which is considered a veritable sin, it is not enough to lodge only verbal protest against sin – one will have to wage an uncompromising fight against it. This is the greatest criterion of a truly righteous person." (11)
Caryacarya states, "You should always bear in mind that you should not try to convince by argument anyone who criticizes your Iśt́a (Goal), Ádarsha (ideology), Supreme Command or Conduct Rules. If this occurs you should adopt a hard and uncompromising attitude." (12)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "An employer and a worker may compromise after a struggle. But Ananda Marga is fighting for Satya (Absolute Truth) and unless and until we get total victory in both individual and collective life we must not stop the struggle. Compromising with injustice during battle is asatya [untruth]." (13)
Firmness of resolve makes one great
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "For proper progress and right movement, we need a proper ideology and firm resolve. Establishing your goal, with firm determination to realize it, is saḿkalpa."
"When Lord Buddha first sat in contemplation, his goal was not fixed. There was doubt and confusion in his mind. He was not certain of what he wanted. And so, whatever he wanted, he was not certain of getting it. But later, when Buddha sat in contemplation... he took a complete saḿkalpa. He fixed his goal and made a firm determination to achieve it. He resolved that he would not get up from his contemplation until he attained spiritual realization, even if his body perished. Then he succeeded in attaining his goal." (14)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The firmness of a person's resolve makes him great. However lowly a person may be, he can become great by his determination. If you have a firm resolve to realize your goal, you shall become great. Without a firm resolution, you cannot achieve anything." (15)
Here below is an English summary of Baba’s original teachings given in Hindi:
There is no other vow. The vow is only one, the great vow - to get Parama Purusa. This is the vow of life: I do not know anything else. Therefore, for this I have expressed the need for a type of spiritual fanaticism. My aim is Paramatma, my goal is Parama Purusa - not anything else. I will address Parama Purusa by a single word not two.
Surgeon analogy
Suppose a surgeon is not strict in following the codes of conduct and protocol for medical procedures. That surgeon is not fanatical - i.e. he is not strict but rather sloppy in his medical procedures. Then will you like to go to him for open heart surgery? No, never. Because you want a doctor who is fanatical in his medical work - very accurate and strict. That is the reason for fanaticism in Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha also: because Ananda Marga teachings are rational. The followers of Ananda Marga are very strict in rational ideas whereby they, as well as the society at large, will be greatly benefited.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Baba story: A bag of money
For further clarification about this we need look no further than one real incident with Baba.
One time, in the 1960's when Ananda Marga was in need of money for schools, jagrtis and service projects, one wealthy capitalist named Hanuman Prasad Poddar who owned the famous Giita Press in Gorakhpur came to see Baba.
At the time Baba was in Bettiah and Hanuman Prasad arrived there and insisted that he should be initiated by Baba, not by any Wt or family acarya. The margiis and Wts were reluctant but ultimately agreed since they felt they would need to get money from this wealthy man to support our schools etc.
So they brought Hanuman Prasad to Baba's door and he was allowed to enter. Hanuman Prasad approached Baba with a large bag of money in his hand which he promptly offered to Baba. Baba immediately called His PA and ordered PA Dada to take the bag of money over to the window, and drop the entire bag of money outside.
Seeing this Hanuman Prasad ran out of the room to go get the money. Immediately, Baba ordered PA Dada to go over to the door and lock it. And Hanuman Prasad was never allowed inside again. Baba then scolded all the margiis and warned them to never compromise and be purchased by any wrongdoer ever again.
By this above incident - we can understand that no amount of money should ever divert us from our ideal.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
As Ananda Margiis, we must value ideology above all else - then and then only can something great be done on this earth.
References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Ways of Life - 7, The Highest Category of Devotion
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, The Conduct of an Ácárya
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, Man and His Ideological Desideratum
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, Don't Be Misguided
5. Discourses on Krśńa and the Giita, Svadharma and Paradharma – 3
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, What Do You Want?
7. A'nanda Va'nii #14
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, The Conduct of an Ácárya
9. Caryacarya-2, Conduct Rules For Sadhakas, point #3
10. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B
11. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
12. Caryacarya-2, Sadhana, point #21
13. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, The Conduct of an Ácárya
14. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Be Firm
15. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Be Firm
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Patience to remain calm in all situations
"Ámi to tomáre bhávini jiivane, tumi mor kathá bhevecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0643)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, throughout my entire life I never thought, ideated, or meditated upon You properly, yet with affection You think about me always. Your arrival into my life is just Your causeless grace. In my narrow, shallow, and dry heart, in the deep corner of my mind, You have secretly come and made Your place, making my unhappy life full of bliss. Now You are showering Your compassion; it is Your causeless grace upon me.
Baba, the accumulated clouds of uncertainty and dilemma which were overcasting my mind since ages due to my own ego, vanity, ignorance, and asmitá etc, all that gloom was removed in a flash. With spiritual vibration You pulled me close to You, showering Your causeless grace abundantly. You have done so much.
Parama Purusa Baba, You are the heavenly refulgence of the spiritual world and the life of the lifeless. You are the heart of my heart as well as my most intimate One. Please accept my surrender - my sastaunga pranam. You have showered Your spiritual brilliance and opened my eyes so I may see right from wrong. You have graciously given me patience to remain calm in all situations and lovingly bestowed samvit so that my unit consciousness can merge into Cosmic Consciousness. What have You not done - You have done everything.
Parama Purusa, in my life I never thought of You, nor did I do proper meditation. But even then You have loved me so much. Baba, You are ever-gracious...
Note For Prabhat Samgiita #0643:
[1] Asmita': Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Drkdarshanashaktyorekátmatevásmitá [“When people at the height of their foolishness forget the distinction between the subjective and objective counterparts, or confuse one with the other and say completely nonsensical things, that mental defect is known as asmitá”]. As asmitá is devoid of any discrimination, people with this mental defect lose their power of discrimination. First, they think that since they are so great, there is no need for them to learn anything from others. As a result of this, their further progress comes to a halt. Secondly, the arrogant attitude of this asmitá banishes from their minds the humble psychology of the learner. They lose interest in learning anything useful; so not only in the world of knowledge, but also in the world of practicality, they become misfits in life because of their mountainous accumulated ignorance."
"It is not that arrogance of this sort simply obstructs their progress. The human mind, like the human body, is dynamic. No one has come to remain here; everyone is moving – for movement is a must. Now, the mind whose further progress is blocked will also have to move this way or that; so when one must move, but the path of progress is blocked, one is compelled to move along the path of degradation. Thus the arrogance born of this asmitá will lead people towards their downfall. This arrogance, which makes them want to display themselves, forgetting all other things, is termed ahaḿkára [vanity]. The predominant vrtti behind it is aham [ego]: “I am everything, there is nothing beyond and outside me.”" (1)
[2] Samvit: Ananda Marga ideology states, "Samvit means spiritual consciousness, spiritual awakening. A man engaged in bad things all of a sudden feels that “No, I shouldn’t do all these things. No, I should be a good man henceforward.” Such an idea all of a sudden comes in his mind. And this thing, this change of mental tendency, is brought about by samvit shakti of Vidyámáyá. Do you follow? This is what is called samvit shakti. “No, henceforward I must be a good man. No, henceforward I must be a spiritualist. I must not encourage any depraving idea.” Samvit shakti." (2)
References
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 10
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Brahma Cakra
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Contentment is not at all possible if the individual is running after carnal pleasures like a beast. As a result of extroversial analysis, the objects of enjoyments go on increasing both in number and abstraction and that is why one’s mental flow never gets any rest. Under such circumstances how can one attain perfect peace of mind?" (1)
Note: Here Baba is warning us how those involved in the sensual pursuits of materialism will never find satisfaction in life. Nowadays in materialistic communities, people are plunged in pornography, gay / lesbian living, and other sex-oriented pursuits. The gay community is particularly notorious - and in some places they even indulge in group sex at night in the public parks. Seeing this, impressionable youths get misdirected. Through films, advertisements, and everyday circumstances, youths are indoctrinated into the false notion that they can find fulfillment and happiness through sensual pleasures. In the end, so many get degraded, contract diseases, and live of life of frustration and suffering, and undergo a premature death. This is the tragedy nowadays. People are not taught how to truly satisfy their human longing - how to achieve a real state of contentment and bliss. They never learn how to goad the mind towards Parama Purusa and instead drown in the mire and wasteland of animalistic sensuality.
Reference
1. A Guide to Human Conduct, Santos'a
== Section: Important Teaching ==
When you can achieve absolute freedomAnanda Marga philosophy states, "Q. 24 – Is the freedom that human beings possess absolute or is it something like “Dominion Status”?"
"Ans.: – You cannot call it absolute freedom. The reason is that humans are dependent on the grace of Parama Puruśa each and every moment of their lives. All their activities, whether noble or ignoble, are confined to a limited sphere. Absolute freedom is impossible without the unification of unit consciousness with Cosmic Consciousness." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B, #24
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हेे परमपुरुष! मैं तुम्हारी याद में दिन रात लगातार
प्रभात संगीत 3114 तोमाय डाकी दिने राते, तुमि कि पाओ न शुनिते ...
परिचय
इस गीत में प्रथम श्रेणी के भक्त का हृदयोद्गार प्रदर्शित किया गया है , यहाॅं भक्त परमपुरुष पर प्यार भरा दोषारोपण करता है। यह तब होता है जब भक्त को अपने इष्ट के प्रति अत्यधिक अपनापन, एककेन्द्रित प्रेम और भक्ति होती है। इस स्थिति में भक्त अनुभव करता है कि अब अपने प्रभु के चरणों में, अपनी माॅंग रखते हुए, उनसे शिकायत करने का अधिकार है। भक्त ने परमपुरुष को बहुत पुकारा, परंतु परमपुरुष नहीं आये, इससे भक्त परमपुरुष से शिकायत करता है, कि वे क्यों मेरे पास नहीं आये । परंतु इस पर यहाॅं यह ध्यान देने की बात है, कि भक्त ने प्रभु से कोई भौतिक वस्तुयें , धन, शक्ति , पद आदि नहीं माॅंगे हैं, वरन् केवल उनकी प्रेम ही माॅंगा है । यदि भौतिक जगत की वस्तुओं के देने के लिये भक्त ने कहा होता, तो यह बहुत ही स्वार्थी संबंध प्रकट करता । इसलिये परमपुरुष से निकटता की माॅंग, प्रथम श्रेणी की भक्ति को प्रकट करती है, जो भक्त के परमपुरुष के प्रति गहरे प्रेम के फलस्वरूप ही होती है ।
भावार्थ
हेे परमपुरुष! मैं तुम्हारी याद में दिन रात लगातार रो रो कर पुकार रहा हॅूं, शायद मेरी पुकार तुम तक नहीं पहुंच पा रही है। मैं तो अंधेरे में , दिन में ,रात में, सोते जागते, हर समय रोते रोते तुम्हें पुकार रहा हॅूं। मैं तुम्हारी चाह में हमेशा रो रहा हूँ ।
बाबा! दिन रात आते हैं और चले जाते हैं। मैंने अनेक रातें अकेले बिता दीं, तुम्हें साधना, जप और ध्यान में पुकारते पुकारते। आशा की मृगतृष्णा में अभी भी मैं तुम्हारे आगमन की प्रतीक्षा करते तुम्हारे पथ को बार बार निहारता रहता हॅूं।
बाबा! हे मेरे परमप्रिय! ग्रीष्म, वर्षा, शीत और बसंत सभी ऋतुओं में मैं हमेशा, मूर्ख की तरह तुम्हारे आने की उत्साह पूर्वक प्रतीक्षा करता रहता हॅूं। पर हाय, मेरी निराशा ! तुम आये ही नहीं। पहले जब तुम मुझे मिले थे, तब से अब तक बहुत ही लम्बा अन्तराल बीत गया है, मुझे अब भी आशा है कि इस बसंत में तुम मुझे अवश्य मिलोगे।
प्रभात संगीत 3114 तोमाय डाकी दिने राते, तुमि कि पाओ न शुनिते ...
परिचय
इस गीत में प्रथम श्रेणी के भक्त का हृदयोद्गार प्रदर्शित किया गया है , यहाॅं भक्त परमपुरुष पर प्यार भरा दोषारोपण करता है। यह तब होता है जब भक्त को अपने इष्ट के प्रति अत्यधिक अपनापन, एककेन्द्रित प्रेम और भक्ति होती है। इस स्थिति में भक्त अनुभव करता है कि अब अपने प्रभु के चरणों में, अपनी माॅंग रखते हुए, उनसे शिकायत करने का अधिकार है। भक्त ने परमपुरुष को बहुत पुकारा, परंतु परमपुरुष नहीं आये, इससे भक्त परमपुरुष से शिकायत करता है, कि वे क्यों मेरे पास नहीं आये । परंतु इस पर यहाॅं यह ध्यान देने की बात है, कि भक्त ने प्रभु से कोई भौतिक वस्तुयें , धन, शक्ति , पद आदि नहीं माॅंगे हैं, वरन् केवल उनकी प्रेम ही माॅंगा है । यदि भौतिक जगत की वस्तुओं के देने के लिये भक्त ने कहा होता, तो यह बहुत ही स्वार्थी संबंध प्रकट करता । इसलिये परमपुरुष से निकटता की माॅंग, प्रथम श्रेणी की भक्ति को प्रकट करती है, जो भक्त के परमपुरुष के प्रति गहरे प्रेम के फलस्वरूप ही होती है ।
भावार्थ
हेे परमपुरुष! मैं तुम्हारी याद में दिन रात लगातार रो रो कर पुकार रहा हॅूं, शायद मेरी पुकार तुम तक नहीं पहुंच पा रही है। मैं तो अंधेरे में , दिन में ,रात में, सोते जागते, हर समय रोते रोते तुम्हें पुकार रहा हॅूं। मैं तुम्हारी चाह में हमेशा रो रहा हूँ ।
बाबा! दिन रात आते हैं और चले जाते हैं। मैंने अनेक रातें अकेले बिता दीं, तुम्हें साधना, जप और ध्यान में पुकारते पुकारते। आशा की मृगतृष्णा में अभी भी मैं तुम्हारे आगमन की प्रतीक्षा करते तुम्हारे पथ को बार बार निहारता रहता हॅूं।
बाबा! हे मेरे परमप्रिय! ग्रीष्म, वर्षा, शीत और बसंत सभी ऋतुओं में मैं हमेशा, मूर्ख की तरह तुम्हारे आने की उत्साह पूर्वक प्रतीक्षा करता रहता हॅूं। पर हाय, मेरी निराशा ! तुम आये ही नहीं। पहले जब तुम मुझे मिले थे, तब से अब तक बहुत ही लम्बा अन्तराल बीत गया है, मुझे अब भी आशा है कि इस बसंत में तुम मुझे अवश्य मिलोगे।
== Section 4: Links ==
