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Friday, August 9, 2024

One-word guideline + 4 more

Baba
One-word guideline

Namaskar,

If one wants to bring an entire banyan tree to a distant land then the only option is to carry the seed. Uprooting and lugging a full-grown tree will not do. But by bringing the seed one can get the entire tree. Same then is the case with the seed teaching of Bha-vi-sa-ca. By following this seed guideline, one can incorporate the whole of our Ananda Marga conduct system, i.e. all the dos and don'ts.
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What does bhavisaca mean?

Baba emphasizes Bha-vi-sa-ca on introducing the topic of human conduct. A seed teaching like Bha-vi-sa-ca is quite helpful as it encapsulates some of the key components of a dharmic life in an abbreviated form. And there are numerous other aspects of this Bha-vi-sa-ca sutra that are important to bring into the realm of our knowledge. And those we will uncover step by step. Here then is the actual meaning and breakdown of the Bha-vi-sa-ca guideline.

Actually, Baba's seed teaching or sutra, Bha-vi-sa-ca, is the short form, abbreviation, or boiled down representation of 4 distinct points:

    (1) 'Bha' meaning 'Bhagavan' (God);
    (2) 'Vi' meaning 'Vinay' (modesty);
    (3) 'Sa' meaning 'Samyama' (self-restraint);
    (4) 'Ca' meaning 'Caritra' (conduct).

And each of these above components or branches has their own special import. Here then is the explanation of Bha-vi-sa-ca.


First aspect: “Bha” for Bhagavan (God)

'Bha' for 'Bhagavan': Ours is a God-centered approach to life: Parama Purusa is the nucleus and most charming Entity of this universe. Without His grace nothing can be done. And by our second lesson, i.e Guru mantra, madhuvidya, or brahmacarya, we think about Him before each and every action. So this first syllable or component of the Bha-vi-sa-ca sutra fits in neatly with our entire Ananda Marga philosophy. As by this teaching, Sadguru Baba is directing all sadhakas to think about Parama Purusa always. In all our daily works, big or small, we are to remember Him and seek His grace-compassion. By that way we get stamina to march ahead. That is the essence of 'Bha' in Bha-vi-sa-ca. And by this way one's ideation is sure to be pure; one's conduct is sure to be proper; and the result will be one of success.
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Second aspect: “Vi” for vinay (modesty)

'Vi' for 'vinay': In this world, we have many social service works to do. And for that, cooperation is needed; we have to work with others. For this reason modesty is a must. No one likes to work with or be around someone who is arrogant and boastful. That does not bring coordinated cooperation. Rather it repels and disgusts others. So modesty is needed. By this way others will be attracted to come forward and partake in our many social service projects. So vinay stands for humility or humbleness. Everyone always likes to be around a humble person. This gives you the opportunity to serve others; whereas if one is arrogant then others do not like to be around that person. In that case the opportunity to serve is lost. Vinay or modesty is one essential aspect of ideal human conduct, i.e. serving others.


Third aspect: “Sa” for samyama (self-restraint)

'Sa' for 'samyama': As humans, we are mind-oriented beings and we should not be guided by our motor and sensory organs. For this reason Baba strongly emphasizes control or self-restraint over these 10 indriyas. And that is the meaning of samyama, self-restraint. One way of thinking about samyama is simply equating it with our 'Cakuna samvaro' shloka or His teaching of indriyanigraha. In such guidelines, Baba is directing us to have control or restraint over our eyes, nose, and indeed control over all the ten motor and sensory organs. By such self-restraint our conduct will be proper as it will be the expression of a calm mind.
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Ananda Marga ideology states, "“Cakśuńá Saḿvaro Sádhu” O spiritual aspirant! O Bhikśu! O monk! O devotee! You should have proper control over your eyes; whatever will have bad effect on your mind, you must not see it. “Sádhu Sotena saḿvaro”. Whatever will have bad effect on your mind, O good man, you must not hear it. “Ghánena Saḿvaro Sádhu.” You should have control over your nose, “Sádhu Jibháya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your taste. “Káyena Saḿvaro Sádhu.” You should have control over your body. “Sádhu Vácáya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your language also; and “Savvatha Saḿvaro Bhikśu.” If you want emancipation, if you want liberation from worldly fetters, you must have all-round restraint." (1)


Fourth aspect: “Ca” for caritra (conduct)


'Ca' for 'caritra': Traditionally in India, caritra means not falling into 'lustful' or 'illicit sexual relations' etc. But in our Ananda Marga, caritra extends far beyond that as it deals with one's overall conduct. True enough, we are not to be goaded by the lower vrittis and sensual pleasures, and in addition Baba guides us that are to follow so many do's and don'ts such as sattvika food, no intoxicants, asanas, no groupism etc, etc. So caritra stands as one vast teaching that in all the realms our conduct should be proper-- i.e. along the lines of dharma.


Conclusion


This is the basic essence of the seed-teaching of Bha-vi-sa-ca. And by this way, Baba has given us some of the basic building blocks for an ideal and a pure way of life. A sadhaka’s individual and collective conduct will improve by following His divine guidelines given in the bha-vi-sa-ca sutra. By this way one will be sure to advance along the path of supreme fulfillment, by His grace.
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Namaskar,
in Him,
Gopii

Ananda Marga ideology says, "I advise each human being that as long as you are alive, you should try to build yourself in a nice way, in a complete way. But you should not only build yourselves, you should also build human society in the same way." (2)


Carrying seeds not the whole tree


In His discourse, Baba guides us that in His Bha-vi-sa-ca teaching He has given the recipe for good conduct - in seed form. That is part of the key. Because in a pointed, brief, or distilled manner He is outlining the whole of our Ananda Marga conduct rules etc. To explain this, in that Baba discourse, Baba likens the bhavisaca' sutra to carrying a tree to a distant land by carrying just the seeds.

Bhavisaca' is like ERAWS in that ERAWS is an abbreviated way of telling: Education, Relief, and Welfare Section. Similarly, bha-vi-sa-ca is an abbreviated way of telling: Bhagavan - Vinay - Samyama - Caritra.

Bhavisaca is a code word. By remembering it daylong one can see if they are following these teachings. At regular intervals one can check, “Bha-vi-sa-ca: am I following “bha”, am I following “vi”, am I following “sa”, and am I following “ca”.” So this is a very good tool for regular introspection and self-analysis throughout the day. If one does this consistently their personality will become ideal.
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References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, The Fundamental Principles of Life
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 17, Minimum Requirements and Maximum Amenities


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

It is just Your gift


Note: Those who don't try sincerely to do 6th lesson sadhana, they cannot understand this song.

"Tomári deoá sure tomári bháśá bhare,he prabhu tava tare geye gechi gán..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3192)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, in Your given tune and lyrics, I go on singing the blissful songs for You. It is Your grace. You have taught me the melody, rhythm, and language. I do not have anything to boast about. Only this much I feel: Each and every thing in my existence is expressed through Your energy; it is just Your gift - nothing else. 

When the magical net of avidya maya cast her influence, then I fell into the dungeon and trap of moha. At that time, my mind was enveloped by an intense ego. In that moment, You saved me and made me understand that ego related mundane gains are foolishness. You also told me that You are always there to help me so I need not worry.

Baba, You have filled my life with bhakti. It is like a flower garland of Your love divine. With melody and rhythm, You have showered Your endless blessing and taught me Sixteen Points and all conduct rules. This has brought a new colour and the resonance of the viina’ in my life. You told me that I should look for You within, not without. You whispered to me that Your karuna’ is always upon me, whether I look towards You or not. Baba, by Your grace, I go on singing the song of Supreme love with the tune and melody that has been blessed by You. 

You are ever-gracious....

Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3192:

[1] Moha: This is one of the six enemies or sadripus. Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The deceptive allurement of moha vrtti that [makes] people rush toward their objects of desire without any discrimination.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 8, The Acoustic Roots of the Indo-Aryan Alphabet


== Section: Errata from 2018 ==

Correction: In the below letter the line highlighted in yellow has been updated. - Eds

Re: Misuse & abuse of expressing gratitude


Namaskar,

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states: "Hypocrites are: Those who are ungrateful to their benefactors." (1)

This point is critically important yet so misused. If a bad person helps you then blindly supporting them in return is not good. Unfortunately, to express their gratitude some naive people end up start supporting those wrongdoers. By this below incident it will be very clear.

Karna was a great hero warrior in the Mahabharata. His only flaw was that he supported the sinful Duryodhana. He blindly supported all the unjust actions of Duryodhana because Duryodhana saved him in a very difficult situation. Karna could not understand the real spirit of this dharmic point. Ultimately Karna’s actions were a blow on dharma and in an untimely way he was killed.
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What to tell your notorious, old helper


Baba has stated that Karna should have politely requested Duryodhana, “O’ Duryodhana, you are my friend and you have helped me a lot in my times of difficulty. I feel gratitude for you and that is why I am advising you not to harass and malign innocent people. Do not do injustice with others. The harmful things you are doing will only invite a terrible catastrophe. For your welfare, I am requesting you to refrain from engaging in these evil misdeeds.”

If Karna would have advised Duryodhana in this manner that would have been real gratitude towards his well-wisher. By hearing Karna’s dharmic expression the evil-minded Duryodhana might have gotten very reacted and tried to retaliate. But regardless, that was the only way. Instead, Karna openly supported whatever sinful dealings Duryodhana did. In result they both met their untimely death. And Karna’s life became a negative example and the epitome of the misuse of the above point from Caryacarya.

A similar turn of events is unfolding these days in our AMPS. Many margiis feel gratitude towards certain dadas / dids , and, in result, those margiis support the wrongdoings of those Wts. By this way they are causing terrible harm to dharma and AMPS at large.

Some key examples are:
  • (a) Dharmendra Sinha and Sunil Ananda of Tatanagar who blindly support H group / Rudrananda;
  • (b) Bibhanshu Maiti & Tapan Biswas of Delhi, and Nirmal Biswas of Mumbai who blindly support B group / Sarvatmananda;
  • (c) Narada (Suva), Dhruva (NY), Dhyanesh (Mumbai) who blindly support H group Rudrananda;
  • (d) Kewal Sinha, Kishan Singh Sood, and Dr Bhaskar of Patna who blindly support B group Sarvatmananda.
And list of such types of persons is very, very long; due to a lack of space we cannot list them all here.

These aforementioned people in their delusional way think they are properly following this below point from Caryacarya. But that is wholly wrong. These people got support from their factional party leaders; and to return the favour they outrightly ignore their sinful misdeeds and lick their feet to express their gratitude for their help.
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Ananda Marga Caryacarya states: "Hypocrites are: Those who are ungrateful to their benefactors." (2)

In Him,
Ramdhan

References
1. Caryacarya, part 2, Society, point #5b
2. Caryacarya, part 2, Society, point #5b


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How locking the kitchen harms a child’s personality

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Antisocial behaviour is not always caused by lack of money. Where the parents or guardians are evil by nature, they try to infect the other members of their family with their disease. A few days ago I read in the newspaper that an upper-middle-class lady used to encourage her son to steal clothes, etc., from her neighbours by offering him money for cinema tickets if he did – in other words, by applying indirect pressure. When the incident became public, it was discovered that her family was not in financial difficulty. By putting pressure on her son, the lady was infecting him with her own mental disease.”

“There are many parents who, due to miserliness or whatever reason, deprive their children of delicious food and drink. (If there is some reason for this deprivation, they do not explain it to their children.) They serve such food and drink to others in the presence of their children without explaining to them why they are being deprived. As a result, the children, under the pressure of circumstance, steal to try to satisfy their natural desires.” (1)

Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Justice


== Section: Important Teaching  ==

Why not to run after money

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The characteristic (dharma) of the mind is to seek the infinite. The mind attains this goal by concentrating on a particular ideation. As material objects are finite, those who accept them as the aim of life eventually feel frustrated. They fail to attain bliss because neither wealth nor material objects can be enjoyed infinitely. Moreover, those who make material objects their aim in life find their self-interests in conflict with those of other people. They try to deprive others, to protect their own endless greed for wealth and material objects. There will have to be a continuous pressure on the minds of these people to keep them away from material objects. People cannot tolerate such imposition and, on becoming disgruntled, take the path of revolution or counter-revolution against those who pressurize them.”

“Materialism functions by imposing social pressure on people to enjoy material objects; and accepts that as the only mode of operation. Thus, in materialistic countries or societies, people look at one another with suspicion and act according to the information given by the intelligence agencies. In the absence of spiritual ideas, firmness of morality cannot be established. The apparent morality in a materialistic society is nothing but an immoral alliance to protect self-interests.”

Reference
1. Tattva Kaomudii, Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy #45


== Section 4: Links ==

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Relationship: morality & spirituality + 3 more

Baba

Relationship: morality & spirituality

Namaskar,

In today’s society, educated people think that dharma and spiritual life are not needed. Their premise is just to live in the society, do good work, do not disturb anybody, do not do himsa, do not take bribes, but we do not need to do sa’dhana’ or attain Parama Purus’a. 
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Goody-goody way of life is not enough


There would be a lot of people we can find in today’s society such as professors, engineers, or others who are in big positions. Such people say that religion and spiritual organizations are useless. So instead of being involved in such needless organizations, they should get involved in good work, eat good food, and not disturb anybody. They feel that is the recipe for a good way of life. 


How simple morality fails


On this point Ananda Marga philosophy says that when such people call themselves moral, to establish in their simple morality they have to struggle hard. For struggle, one needs shakti (power). In simple morality that power is not there. For one who has not established one’s life on spirituality, it is not possible to live up to the standards of simple morality. How it is not possible, let us take some examples.
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Example #1: When there are injustices happening around a simple moralist, then a moral person thinks that he/she will object or fight against such injustices. In the first scenario, let us say that in an office environment someone is taking a bribe, then the simple moralist thinks that he/she should notify the higher administration (or anti-corruption department) about the person who is taking the bribe as such inappropriate things should not happen. He tries one meagre step but due to fear of retaliation he backs down and keeps quiet.

Without spiritual backing simple morality is weak


Example #2: Now let us take a second example, where the struggle is a little bit tougher, where one is in a situation to arrange marriage of one’s daughter and one does not want to be transferred to another location at the same time (as transfer to different locations is common in public services). But the person in charge of transfer decisions takes the bribe to manipulate personnel being transferred. Since this is a tough situation a simple moralist may fall in the trap of bribing the person (or not speaking against the person who is taking bribe) for not being transferred to another location so that the daughter’s marriage can be arranged smoothly. So in this tough situation a simple moralist is not able to hold the ground in ideal moralism as the power needed to be ideal moral is not based on spirituality.

Simple moralists know that so many injustices happen in the world, but do not have the courage to say anything. The simple moralists are good people in one sense since they do not do any harm to other people, but they do not speak out against any injustice as they lack courage to raise their voice. If they do not raise their voice they may do some sort of compromise to settle the matter.
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Example #3: Let us take another example, one simple moralist (let us say CEO) is a chief of a department. Now the department has a vacancy and a new position is being opened for hiring. A senator in the area gives a call to the CEO mentioning to favor one candidate. The CEO knows that if he/she does not keep the orders of the senator he/she may be in trouble not only in profession but also in social life as senators are well connected. In this tough situation a simple moralist may fail to establish oneself in “morality”.


Courage comes from spirituality


Example #4: Baba says that a ‘moral’ person may not take any bribe for $1, or $2, but when there is a matter of $1 million or $1 billion then it is very easy for the simple moralist to be trapped and fall from being a simple moral to an immoral person. Such types of things typically happen in society as simple moralists lack courage in tough situations. Courage comes from spirituality. One needs support from God to have courage. As a simple moralist one cannot be an ideal moral person, will not remain ideal moral in tough situations. Either one will fall or will compromise, no matter how much of a simple moralist one is.

Example #5: If a simple moral person is a professor in a university. The head of the department says that on a special occasion we all drink alcohol. Now a new professor who is in the probationary period and does not drink is a simple moral person. But this is a tough situation as the chair is saying to drink alcohol and if his orders are not obeyed then the new professor’s job is in danger. So the new professor who is a simple moralist ends up drinking alcohol to make a good impression on the chair. But in this situation, the spiritualist is never going to bend and will not even touch alcohol, as one is established in spirituality and the code of conduct is of paramount importance. 
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How to establish in spiritual morality


One individual does not possess power by oneself. For example, is a heavyweight boxing champion is mentally depressed, his punching power will be severely diminished. The body derives its power from the mind; without a well-guided mind, the body cannot do anything. There are so many people in the world who are healthy physically, but mentally are so depressed that they do not get the energy to get up from the bed.

The mind gets its power from the a’tma’, and the a’tma’ gets its power from the Parama’tma’. Sa’dhana’ is needed to have a strong mind. Mind needs inspiration and power from a source that is more powerful. So one needs to do sa’dhana’. Baba has given “A Guide to Human Conduct” to say that simple moralists should go beyond their moral principles to become spiritualists and establish themselves strongly on principles of life based on spirituality where spiritual morality is already included.

When one is fully grounded in spirituality then the desire of taking bribe no matter how big it is dies by itself (where as a simple moralist may fall in trap when the amount of bribe is bigger), as the person’s life is based on yama and niyama. Similar sentient principles also can be applied for food. When one takes sa’ttvik food then any type of smoking products will not have any allurement for the person as one does not have any fascination towards smoking. Same notions can be extended to meat as well. One will have no attraction towards meat when one is taking sa’ttvik food and established in yama and niyama.
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So one will have to do sadhana. One cannot become an ideal moralist without becoming spiritualist. A simple moralist can do small moral things, but not anything big; as we saw in many examples, a simple moralist can easily fall from moral principles as one is lacking courage and power. So if one would like to do bigger moral activities in one’s life then one will have to be established in spirituality so that one does not fall from one’s path and does not fall from human conduct, yama and niyama.


Conclusion


In summary, moral principles are very limited in nature. Whereas spirituality can provide stronger power to simple morality so that one can do noble causes and higher moral pursuits and move ahead in life. Sa’dhana’ is a must so that one can become a strong ideal moralist; otherwise the path of simple morality is dangerous as one’s progress is short-lived—and one may do harm to oneself and to the society as well. Human conduct is only a medium. One’s goal should not be to become a simple moralist (goal should not be to speak rta), rather to attain parama’tma’.

In Him,
Nirakar Dev


So-called moralists can all too easily degrade themselves


Ananda Marga ideology says, “The ensconcement in the Macrocosmic stance is not possible through [simple] morality alone. “I will speak the truth, I will not harm anyone” – This simple morality alone cannot take human beings very far along the path of progress. So-called moralists can all too easily degrade themselves under the nefarious influence of evil company. The only way to advance is to follow the path of vigorous spiritual practice. To repeat high-sounding words of [simple] morality like a parrot, while cherishing narrow sentiments within one’s mind, will not take one far.”
“To effect psycho-spiritual expansion constant spiritual practice is a must. I have called this spiritual practice “attraction of the Great”. Through physical or psychic clash absolute self expansion is not possible; even the awakening of hiranmaya kośa is not possible. Of course physical clash can take a person a certain distance, but not to the final destination. I have already said that only when attraction of the Great is supreme can the centrifugal force within the microcosm become strong enough to lead an entity to liberation or salvation. Where there is no attraction for the Great, no matter how intellectual or moral a person might be, his or her entire existence will be dominated by the kamamaya kośa. Out of narrow self interest, such a person will betray low morals at every step in live. Those who have no love for the Supreme may be considered as humans today, but tomorrow will surely degenerate into animals like dogs, and the day after into inert bricks or stones.” (1)

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 8, Struggle and Progress


*        *        *

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 ==

Unique terms: pa’pa & bhakti

Namaskar,

 In the following teachings noted below, Baba is talking about patakiis [ordinary sinners].

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Someone might have committed a pátaka [ordinary sin], but after that wrong action feels repentance, and compensates for the harm his or her action caused. After such repentance and compensation, the action is no longer a sin. Suppose someone has stolen a thousand rupees from someone else. If after this theft the thief feels compunction and returns the money – better, however, with the inclusion of interest thereon – and begs forgiveness, that will mean that the person’s sin has been washed away. The person should no longer be called a sinner." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "If, knowingly or unknowingly, you have committed any mistake or any sin [mental sin], then your repentance and your singing kiirtana, wholeheartedly, will free you from all sins. So, your future is always bright, never dark, never dark." (2)

In Him,
Devaprakash

Devotion & bhakti are not same


Sin and pa’pa are not the same thing. Sin means going against the fundamentals of the Bible, and pa’pa means those actions which harm others. So sin and pa’pa are not the same. However, as the term pa’pa is not so well known, in certain cases, Baba uses the term sin. But He has given the direction that step by step over time the term sin should be changed to pa’pa in Ananda Marga philosophy.

This is similar to the case of bhakti and devotion. For example, you may have devotion towards your spouse or pet, but it would be a gross mistake to say that one has bhakti for their spouse or pet. Unfortunately in India, due to lack of knowledge, people misuse the term bhakti, and they created the word desh-bhakti, meaning patriotism. But that is preposterous. Because the term bhakti means service to God. The root itself is spiritual. That is why it is wrong to use bhakti in the context of one’s motherland. Whereas the term devotion has a different origin. It means commitment and has no spiritual foundation. That is why Baba rejects the term devotion in favour of the word bhakti, and He wants His discourses updated accordingly. That is what He has described in a general darshan at Bhagalpur DMC in 1987.

With the fire of sadhana, i.e. practicing regular meditation, one’s sin is burned, bit by bit. The rate depends upon how committed one is in their sadhana. Those who are very sincere in sadhana can exhaust all their samskaras in approximately 20 years. That is what Baba has described in one discourse.

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, "Take Refuge in Parama Puruśa with Unswerving Attention"
2. Ananda Vacanartam - 12, The Real Value of the Human Entity


== Section: Important Teaching ==

A few holistic remedies

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Aloe juice is a medicine. Dried aloe sap is called musabbar in Arabic. A type of rasa'injana also used to be prepared out of aloe sap, or musabbar, which was used as medicine -- it was used to treat blood pressure and insanity due to gallbladder disorder." (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The retention-of-urine ailment that results when the movement of the urine is obstructed is also called kabandha. The water from soaked fenugreek, fresh date juice, palm juice, and sha'nkha'lu [a conch-shaped esculent] are medicines for this disease." (2)   

References
1. Shabda Cayanika - 3, p.109
2. Shabda Cayanika - 3, p.109


== Section 3: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS