Marriage invite: whether to attend + 4 more

Baba

Marriage invite: whether to attend

Namaskar,

Suppose the person inviting you to a wedding via a mass mailing was a friend / acquaintance from long ago. And you have had very little contact with them over the years. And now they are holding a local non-margii dogmatic marriage reception in your city. In that case, what should one sincere margii do?
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Please pay attention to the yellow highlighted phrases from Baba’s below stated conduct rules from Caraycarya part 2 Society chapter.

Find out if innocent ceremony or not

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “You may participate in all kinds of innocent ceremonies.” (1)

Again, please pay attention to the yellow highlighted phrases. The non-margii dogmatic marriage is not an innocent ceremony. Any marriage which is done in a dogmatic manner then the bride has a lowly status. According to those rituals, the bride is treated as a slave and that is why it is not an innocent ceremony. So one should not attend. The bride and groom are not equals in a typical Indian wedding so the way of solemnising the non-margii dogmatic marriage is against the neo-humanistic principle of equal rights. So it is a dogmatic ceremony.


Marriage: when to take food & when not

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “If dowry is demanded on behalf of either the bride or the bridegroom at a wedding, you can help out manually as required, and if you feel like it, you can give a present, but you must not take food there.”  (2)

Please pay attention to the yellow highlighted phrases. The spirit of this guideline about not taking food applies to any kind of non-margii, dogmatic ceremony. That means this guideline is not limited to dowry marriages only, but any ceremony that contains elements that are against Ananda Marga ideals. Thus if there is alcohol, or non-veg food, or the meal is being served by slaves etc, then in all such cases one must not take food at that ceremony. So the above point is universal.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Remember: Dharmic scriptures should not be read literally but rather one should understand the spirit. That is the standard protocol of Ananda Marga philosophy. So in Guru's above guideline about dowry, the spirit should be applied, not the literal meaning. Here Baba has given the example of dowry, but the spirit is any type of ceremony that contravenes Ananda Marga ideals. So if in the future there is a marriage ceremony where the groom belittles the bride, then this same rule applies. Thus this rule may take expression in countless ways - dowry is one such example. With the perspective of neo-humanism, this rule should be applied with any type of conduct or ritual that contravenes Ananda Marga ideals.


Marriage: loving feast vs donkey feast

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Priityanna: If a person wants to feed you out of genuine intimacy, you should take that food happily, even if it is just grains and vegetables. But if someone invites you only to make a show to people, never accept his/her food.” (3)

To understand the above rule first one should understand these terms:

• Prittyanna = priiti (love) + anna (food): To serve food to 1 or more persons with love and affection and a neo-humanistic feeling in the heart - not for any show or ego satisfaction.

• Priiti-bhoj = priiti (love) + bhoj (feast): To serve food to approximately 8 or more with love and affection and a neo-humanistic feeling in the heart - not for any show or ego satisfaction.

But we know that those who are wealthy and egocentric and organise feasts as being “priit-bhoj” then that is often just a false show or facade. Such persons are not doing this out of love and affection. In which case that food is not to be eaten. Now let’s apply this understanding to marriage ceremonies.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In the general society for non-margii dogmatic marriage ceremonies, people invite a maximum number of persons - even those whom they are not close with. A person cannot have hundreds & thousands of friends. If your close friend is hosting the non-margii marriage ceremony then one should go and eat if it is a dharmic ceremony. But if the person hosting the non-margii dogmatic marriage reception is not your close friend, then never eat at that marriage ceremony.

If someone is claiming to offer prittyanna [priiti-bhoj] and they have invited 20,000 people then it is not prittyanna. Because not all those 20,000 persons have a special relation with the host. Remember, the word “priiti” means love and affection; so priityanna is the food that is prepared  by one with whom you have a relation of love and affection.The central idea is that for priityanna one must have a special relation with the host. Otherwise it is not prittyanna. Sometimes in the newspaper it is announced that hundreds of thousands of people are invited for priiti-bhoj, but that food is not priityanna according to Ananda Marga because all those attendees do not have a close, loving, and intimate link with the person sponsoring that feast.

Dharma is collective affair, religion is individual affair

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Dharma (spirituality) is for all walks of individual and collective life. Those who think that dharma is a personal system of worship or that dharma is completely a personal affair are wrong, and their mistake: hurts collective progress.” (4)

Some people think that Ananda Marga is a way of life that is something personal so they think, “I can be a margii and have all kinds of friends who do not like Ananda Marga, or are even anti-Ananda Marga, and they can be my good friends.” But that is not the case. See the above point from Caryacarya. In His teaching Baba guides us that dharma (Ananda Marga) is not a personal affair - it is related with the entire society. Thus, anyone who contravenes Ananda Marga ideals is harming society. It is a collective matter that affects everyone, not an individual situation that can be overlooked.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

That is why we have the system that every Ananda Margii should bring others onto the path of Ananda Marga. As long as everyone has yet to understand and accept the ideals of Ananda Marga, then one must tirelessly propagate Ananda Marga ideals.

When society is bad then all will be affected

Whatever is good for individual and collective life has been incorporated into Ananda Marga ideology. So if someone is going against any point of Ananda Marga teachings then it means they are going against the fundamentals of humanity. That is why that person’s behaviour and manner should be changed and we should work toward that. We may or may not be able to change their behaviour but we should go on trying. The main thing is that we should not accept that what they are doing is ok and it does not matter. If society is bad then every individual will be affected. That is why society should be changed. It is just like if there is a pandemic then the well-being and safety of every individual is at stake. That is why adharmic (anti-Ananda Marga) activities must not be condoned.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Do not have any dealings with a party whose policies are opposed to those of the Marga.” (5)

In His above guideline, Baba is very strict that we must not interact or mix with those who are against Ananda Marga values and teachings. We cannot maintain any link or connection with such groups. So when anyone declares - by word or by deed - that they are against Ananda Marga ideology, then we must not enjoy feasting in ceremonies with such persons, even if it is the marriage of our laokik relatives.

Some think that if you do not go and attend negative marriages then how are you going to make them into Ananda Margiis. But this is a flawed argument and approach. Communists do like this - they sit and drink liquor and smoke cigarettes and make people their cadres. But in Ananda Marga our approach is different. We do not indulge in their vices like that. Best is to bring them to our Ananda Marga functions or communicate with them in any general occasion etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

The non-margii dogmatic marriage is not an innocent ceremony. Any marriage which is done in a dogmatic manner then the bride has a lowly status. In their ritual those brides are treated as a slave and that is why it is not an innocent ceremony and one should not attend. The bride and groom are not equals in a typical Indian wedding so the way of solemnising the non-margii dogmatic marriage is against the neo-humanistic principle of equal rights. So one should not attend a dogmatic ceremony.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Prabhu Deva

~ In-depth study ~

Marriage: history repeats itself - depraved status of females

  Ananda Marga philosophy says, “As I told you a little earlier, each clan used to live on a separate hill, and the leader of that clan was respected as rśi of the clan. The affiliations of the gotra people were indicated by the name of that particular rśi. After the patriarchal system was established, the members of one gotra would forcibly kidnap women from other gotras to their own gotra, their own hill. Thus immediately after the marriage, the woman’s gotra would change, because she was then a member of a different gotra, a separate hill.”
  “All this invariably led the different clans into bloody conflicts. Those who were defeated in battle were captured as slaves and the women were taken to the harems of the victors. The victorious clan would then occupy the hill, the gotra of the vanquished clan. Thus within one gotra, there were many sub-gotras, called pravaras.”
  “The women were forcibly carried away, their hands bound in iron chains. Even to this day, women in Bengal and some other areas wear iron bangles on their wrists after marriage – the symbols of their ancient servitude. One should clearly understand this. The males who would attack the neighbouring hills would tie up the women and carry them to their own hill. Even today, during the marriage ceremony in certain parts of India, the bride’s clothes are tied to the clothes of the bridegroom. This enslavement of the defeated gotra was a great humiliation, especially for the women. Sometimes, during the battle, the men would strike the heads of the women with an axe, causing blood to flow. Up until the present, at the time of marriage, women use a vermilion cosmetic mark on their foreheads – a symbol of blood. However, Shiva, by introducing the Shaeva system of marriage, brought an end to this shameful chapter of human history.” (6)

So this is the long and tortuous history and still today in some form or another this is going on in that the females are taken from the defeated party. The bridegroom is the victor and the female is the subordinate. The symbols remain firmly in place in today’s typical Indian non-margii dogmatic marriage ceremonies. There is a clear-cut winner (bridegroom) and a vanquished party (bride). On the one side there is the vanity ridden winner (bridegroom) party and on the other side the humiliated party (bride). This is the shameful history and painful chapter of dogmatic, Indian marriages.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Follow the spirit

Here is Guru’s teaching about how one must understand the inner spirit - not the literal word meaning:

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “It is not correct to always take the philological [literal] meaning of something; its inner meaning should be accepted. For example, a certain gentleman is walking along a path. Say his name is Paiṋcánan Jhá. We call him saying: “Mr. Paiṋcanan, come over here, please.” Does Paiṋcánan here mean a man with five faces? No, of course not. Paiṋcánan is the name of that man. Here one must not take the literal meaning but rather the inner meaning.” (7)

Note: This letter was related with a very peculiar situation. When you have a non-margii friend or relative - who is against Ananda Marga, and he invites you to a marriage ceremony and feast in his house, then what should you do.

References
1. Caryacarya, part 2, Society chapter, point #35
2. Caryacarya, part 2, Society chapter, point #36
3. Caryacarya, part 2, Society chapter, point #37
4. Caryacarya, part 2, Society chapter, point #30
5. Caryacarya, part 2, Society chapter, point #26b
6. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva – Both Severe and Tender (Discourse 2)
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, Vasu and Vásudeva

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Your sweet aroma

“Tumi ese chile varśár ráte, ketaki gandhe mátáte…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0322)

Purport: 

O’ Parama Purusa, You came to me on that rainy night when the ketakii flower was spreading its captivating aroma. You graciously arrived and poured the nectar of effulgence in that ink-smeared, pitch black, new moon night. 

In that wild atmosphere of intense thunderbolts and lightning, the newly formed leaves on those small branches of the niipa flower were shivering profusely. On that stormy night, from the veńuká arbor a raucous thunderbolt sound emanated. Seeing this, the rain-filled clouds were looming around in pain, shedding tears.

The charming little girls were indoors, smiling, beautifully braiding their hair. After threading and decorating the garlands of the jasmine and malati flowers, they were learning how to dance. O’ Parama Purusa, Your aroma of pandanas still remains embedded in my heart….

Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0322:

[1] Ketakii flower: The screw-pine flower or tree is part of the Pandanaceae family or genus Pandanus. This tree has dagger-like leaves and is commonly found throughout SE Asia. This flower is known for its charming fragrance. It flowers especially in the rainy season and the strong aroma permeates the air for miles around. In addition, the plant contains many thorns.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why some animals can do sadhana

Ananda Marga ideology says, "In certain animals like dogs and monkeys, the 'doer' I is a bit more expressed or developed than in other creatures. That is why in the future they may be in a position to do this spiritual practice." (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Cult, Inference and Propensity

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Rare dreams depict a true upcoming event

Ananda Marga ideology states, “In sleep if the flatulent gas moves upwards on account of stomach trouble or if there is some nervous disturbance, the brain and the sub-conscious mind will become agitated. Our previously imagined or felt objects reappear in our subconscious mind in a disjointed form. This we call a dream. Obviously such a dream is of no consequence. Not only that, the story formed therein will not be well-knit as it consists of merely the re-appearance of the objects, stored in the different parts of the brain. There is yet another type of dream. The Atimánas kośa (supramental mind) is the store-house of all knowledge. At times a premonition of a coming be great happiness or sorrow, which only the omniscient causal frame can visualize, is created during deep slumber in the subconscious mind of an individual, who is deeply concerned with that particular happiness or sorrow. Such dreams do not take place very often. Nevertheless such a dream does carry the prognosis of a true event.” (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 4

== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

Life and ideology 

“Life represents Ideology. Life should be sacrificed for Ideology.” (Ananda Vanii #15)

Note 1: True Ananda Vaniis have a number whereas Fake Ananda Vaniis do not - just as a fake car license plate has no number. By this way, you can easily recognise a Fake Ananda Vanii.

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

My PC with Baba: I had no shoes

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/09/baba-story-going-to-see-my-guru.html

Untold history of Sri Lanka

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/08/test.html

Dulce historia de rendición

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/02/dulce-historia-de-rendicion-ps-3811.html

Baba story: how I became sick

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/baba-story-promotion-assignment-sickness.html

Selecting a song: express your bhakti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/05/choosing-ps-3-more.html

Blissful days of 1970

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/08/those-early-days-4-more.html

My PC with Baba: I had no shoes + 3 more

Baba

My PC with Baba: I had no shoes

Namaskar,

In the 1950's, I went to see Baba in Jamalpur for personal contact (PC). Due to my religious upbringing, I thought that since I was going to meet my Guru, then I should not wear shoes as that would be disrespectful.

So I left my shoes at my home in Muzaffarpur, in order to show my reverence for Guru, and boarded the train for Jamalpur. I was barefoot the entire journey, which was several hours from my family home to Jamalpur, and all the way from the station to the jagrti. In the course of my travels, I stepped on so many pebbles and stones, and I walked through so much garbage and waste material on the streets. By the end, my feet were cut, scraped, soiled, and sore. Looking back now I can say it was a type of tapasya, or penance. But at the time, I did not think anything of it. Rather it seemed perfectly normal. I was only focused on one thing: I am going to meet my Guru. This was the sole thought in my mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Once I arrived, I was very eager to see Baba. I washed my feet and anxiously waited to get called for PC. No one seemed to notice that I was not wearing shoes. Actually, since my arrival in Jamalpur, not even one person remarked that I did not have shoes; nor was I thinking that it was anything unusual. Of course, when inside the ashram or when going into Baba's room, then every sadhaka would remove their shoes. But for moving around town and in between buildings, all were wearing shoes - except me.
 
But at the time, none of this was in my mind. Only I was ideating on Baba and thinking about what everyone had told me. They said that, "Baba knows everything, and He will bring up past misdeeds from your life which nobody knows except you, and scold you." So I was thinking again and again about what margiis had been telling me.

Most certainly I was feeling very inspired to see Him, but I also had some trepidation as well because everyone was warning me that Baba would point out my past mistakes and sins - all the way back to my childhood - and rebuke me. As I contemplated this, the time passed.


My personal contact with Baba

Soon I was called and entered Baba's room for PC. Immediately I did sastaunga pranam and lay prostrate before Him. When I completed my salutation and looked at Baba, He asked, "What is your name."

"Vaedyanath", I replied.

Then Baba inquired, "Where are your shoes?"

I was completely awestruck by Baba's question. I had not discussed this with anyone nor was this in my mind when I entered. Not only that, everyone enters His room barefoot - without shoes. So then how could Baba have known that I had not worn shoes on my journey to Jamalpur.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

I replied, "Out of reverence, I did not bring them. I left them at my house in Muzaffarpur."

Then Baba sweetly replied in my mother tongue of Maethili: "In the future when you come to see Me, then you must wear your shoes."

By His grace, I understood Baba's kind message that while taking the train and walking in town on my way to see Him, then I should wear my shoes. And when coming in His room for PC then I would enter in the same manner as every other sadhaka, i.e. without shoes.

"Yes, Baba", I responded.

Baba continued, "When you go to your house to see your parents, then do you follow all kinds of rules and regulations or do you just go and see them?"

I said, "I just go see them, Baba. When arriving at my parents' house I do not concern myself with the various formalities, customs, or codes.”

Baba said, "Yes, even if your clothes are dirty you will go visit them - you will not wait outside."

Baba continued, "Similarly when you come here to see Me, just come in your regular attire, wearing your shoes."

"Yes, Baba."


My secret which nobody knew, Baba knew

Thereafter, Baba began to explain so many other deeply personal aspects about my life, which no one else knew. In a very sweet and loving way, Baba spoke as if He was watching me all along. All I could think was how Baba knows everything, and that He loves me very much. He recounted so many events of my life that no one else knew except me. Internally, I felt and understood that He is with me always - whether I am sleeping or awake, always He is along with me and knows what I am thinking and how I am feeling.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

My entire PC with Sadguru Baba passed in a very blissful way. That day Baba told that, "You and I are very close - we have a very personal and intimate relation."

By His grace I also could feel in my heart how my connection with Him was very close, just like a family relation. That was the main feeling in my mind after PC: That Baba loves me very much and we have a personal relationship. This sweet and internal feeling was percolating in every cell of my being, by His grace. I felt completely blissful and light.


Conclusion

The most important point is that in our Ananda Marga the relation between God and the sadhaka is a personal relation just like that of unit family members. Whereas in the general society, followers have a very formal and distant relation with their guru. The relation with Sadguru Baba is not an official or formal relation, but a familial relation. That is why Baba told that, when coming to see Me there is no need for formal attire - just like when you see your laokik parents etc. In the same light, Baba also told others not to call Him Babaji but just Baba. Because just as one does not address their mother as madam, similarly with one’s Ista or Guru one must have a family relation. That is the lesson I got that day. And I followed it accordingly.

Namaskar,
In His service,
Ac. Vaedyanath


In PC Baba used to use...

Many times we have seen that in PC Baba often spoke in the mother tongue of the sadhaka. This created a more intimate and congenial setting. This was especially done with sadhakas from some part of northern India.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Taraka Brahma is Personal God of sadhakas

Ananda Marga teachings guides us, “Human dharma is one, and that is Bhágavata dharma. And iśt́a means the personal God with whom all unit beings can establish a relation of love and affection, to whom they can reveal their pains and pleasures, and surrender themselves and take the safest shelter in Him. That Parama Puruśa, that personal God is not the God of philosophy. Human beings cannot establish a very close relationship with something theoretical. If one closely follows Bhágavata dharma, the final result will be the realization of the Supreme, becoming one with one’s iśt́a. Some time ago I said yato dharma tato iśt́ah Yato ista tato jayah.” (1)

Sadguru Baba says, “What is really important is to meditate on the personal God and move towards Him. And this personal God is the Singular Entity, the Táraka Brahma. Táraka Brahma literally means a special manifestation of Parama Puruśa which ensures emancipation to the microcosms. The word Táraka means “liberator”, one who shows the correct way, one who loves as well as punishes, on who makes the microcosms His own. In this sense, Táraka Brahma is not only the liberator, the object of adoration, but also the loving Father. He is the eternal companion of unit beings in their joys and sorrows – not a God in the distant sky but an understanding Lord in the house where they dwell.” (2)


Parama Puruśa is not the God of philosophy

Here following Baba reminds us that we have a close, family relationship with Him.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "He is the Supreme Father. You have a family relation with that Supreme Entity, and not a relationship of external formality. He is yours, and you should also remember that nothing is external for Him. Everything is within, nothing is without. So you have been created by Him and you are in Him, and, because He is your supreme goal, finally you will be with Him, you will be one with Him. For this you require no special education, no knowledge of philosophy, and no other external attributions. Supreme love for the Supreme Universal Entity will make you one with Him." (3)


Taraka Brahma is the Eternal Companion in joys & sorrows

Here are more teachings from our Ananda Marga scriptures.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The Entity whom you are trying to attain – Parama Puruśa – is your own innermost self. Your relation with Him is not external, to be defined by courts, laws, or society. It is a family relationship. The desire in your mind to meet God is only born when He is inclined towards you. It is the result of His desire to meet you. Your meeting with God is not a unilateral affair, it is a mutual thing. You walk one step towards Him and He will come twenty towards you. When an infant starts walking, the parent first asks it and goads it to walk a little. It tries to walk, but falls. Then the parent advances and lifts it up onto his or her lap. God does the same. Make the slightest effort, and He will pick you up and place you on His lap. Your relation with God is personal. No one can sever this relationship. It is part of your being, your birthright." (4)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "The subtlest of this universe from which all waves, all expressions, emanate, is my Supreme Goal. And that Supreme Goal, that subtlest object, that perennial source of all inferences, is my goal, is my Parama Puruśa, is my Supreme Father. So a spiritual aspirant must always remember that his goal is not something physical or something psychic. His only goal is the hub of this universe, is the nucleus of this Cosmological order, is that Parama Puruśa, the Supreme Father." (5)

Ac Vaedyanath Jha of Muzaffarpur was a family acarya initiated in the 1950's.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, Ádarsha and Iśt́a
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 11,  A Devotee's Object of Ideation
3. Subhasita Samgraha-21, Human Life and Its Goal
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Your Personal Relationship with God
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, He Thinks and We Perceive

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.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Main thing: link with Parama Purusa

Ananda Marga ideology states, “What is it that is of utmost necessity for spiritual progress? The most important thing needed for spiritual progress, for uniting the individual self with Paramátmá, is bhakti.” (1)

Note: Knowing the text, Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy (AMEP), is not at all essential for becoming an Ananda Margii and following the path of dharma. Those who are intellectually trained, i.e. are highly educated and / or have an intellectual bent, hunger for the rational explanation of how this cosmological order works. And that is explained in the book AMEP. But, truly, if we think of the common person in the world, the ideas expressed in AMEP are above their ability to comprehend, or not of interest to them. And that does not at all mean that becoming an Ananda Margii is beyond them. The main teaching, ethic, and essence of Ananda Marga is: “Parama Purusa is with me and within me; He loves me and I love Him; He is not some distant God in the sky, but He is my personal God, and no one can take that away from me; and, I am to realize Him through the practice of sadhana.” This is the foundational concept for treading and advancing on the path of Ananda Marga. And this needs no formal education whatsoever. 

There are many Margiis in the villages of India who are very, very simple and not educated in the formal sense; they do not care about AMEP. They never read it, and they never will. But when Baba gives the truths about bhakti in a brief discourse in the Ananda Vacanamrtam series that speaks to their inner heart and they feel that, "Yes, Baba is Parama Purusa, and He is mine." That is the most important and essential quality about being an Ananda Margii, and that is the central message of the Ananda Vacanamrtam and Subhasita Samgraha series of discourses. 

In AMEP, there is no discussion of bhakti. Whereas bhakti is the main teaching of Ananda Marga ideology. That is why the discourses given in Ananda Vacanamrtam and Subhasita Samgraha are AM ideology. AMEP is an elucidation of ontology and cosmology: Baba's teachings on (1) personal existence, and (2) the origin and organization of the universe, and on the purpose of these two aspects, i.e. what is the meaning of our existence in this universe. So for intellectually inclined people around the world, the teachings in AMEP are deeply meaningful and fulfilling. But for those very same people, as well as for the rest of the people in the world, i.e. as a common denominator for all, the discourses in Ananda Vacanamrtam and Subhasita Samgraha provide the seed teachings which give sustenance and provide the spark for embarking on, as well as continuing, the spiritual journey.

Reference
1. Discourses on Krsna & The Giita, “Prańipátena Pariprashnena Sevayá” – 2

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Measuring scale of bhakti

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Parama Puruśa looks deep into the inner thoughts and feelings of human beings. He is omniscient, forever watching throughout the creation those who are meditating upon Him with undivided attention, and those who have been patiently waiting with an unwavering mind to realize Him. These are expressions of those with an integral outlook. Only such people, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, community, national or geographical barrier, etc. can look upon each and every human being as their own kith and kin. They are free of all discrimination. They even treat the animals and plants as being intimately related to themselves.” (1)

Parama Puruśa looks deep into the inner thoughts and feelings of human beings. He is omniscient, forever watching throughout the creation those who are meditating upon Him with undivided attention, and those who have been patiently waiting with an unwavering mind to realize Him. These are expressions of those with an integral outlook. Only such people, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, community, national or geographical barrier, etc. can look upon each and every human being as their own kith and kin. They are free of all discrimination. They even treat the animals and plants as being intimately related to themselves.

Note: In His original Hindi discourse of this above teaching, it is explained how Parama Purusa only evaluates a person based on their degree of bhakti. That is the chief criteria for judging a sadhaka.

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 5, Integral and Non-Integral Outlook

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Not hurting other’s religious sentiment

Ananda Marga philosophy states says, "You should be careful not to hurt the religious sentiments of others, even if in the future most people become A'nanda Ma'rgiis. Deities should be preserved in museums, and temples should be restored to maintain the cultural and historical heritage of the country." (1)

Note: With the coming rise of our Ananda Marga way of life we should not suppress or eliminate the various legacies and traditions of any people or community etc. All should be honoured and respected and taught the ways of neo-humanism.

Reference

1. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Buffaloes pull entire cart into the water

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “It is worth pointing out that the buffalo came under mans control a few thousand years after the cow was domesticated. The pure bison variety of buffalo is resistant to domestication, but the water buffalo, because of its lack of speed, has accepted man’s dominion for the sake of self-preservation. Since fondness for water is inherent in this variety of bison, their original instinctive tendencies awaken if they see water nearby. In the burning heat of summer, cart-pulling buffalo also will forget their sense of responsibility and take a dip, cart and all, if they see a pond – such happenings are not rare.” (1)

Reference

1. Shabda Cayanika, part 3, Disc: 15

== Section ==

কমিউনিস্ট দর্শন ভ্রান্তি পূর্ণ

“কোনও দুজন কি হুৰহু এক রঙা ?

[মার্গী---"না |"]

দুজন পাশাপাশি এক রাঙা নয় | আৰার এক জনেরও সর্বাঙ্গ এক রঙা নয় | তাকিয়ে দেখো না |

[মার্গীরা---”হ্যাঁ, ৰাৰা |”]

কি অদ্ভুত ! কি, মানুষের হাতের প্রতিটি আঙ্গুল যে সত্য, ও সমান নয় | এ কথাটাও যত সত্য, তেমনি কোনও দুটো entity, কোনও দুটো মানে even iota of two existences are not the same, not the equal | Here in the expressed world, diversity is the law of nature | Here, diversity is the law of nature |

তাই যারা ৰলে “সৰকে equal করে দৰ”, তারাও ভুল ৰলে | তাদের, ৰুদ্ধিমান মানুষ ৰলৰে---Let them live with their diversities and let me serve everybody according to their requirement, according to the requirement of each and every entity | And that’s the proper ideal, that’s the proper philosophy | “[1]

Reference
1. অপ্রকাশিত, ১৯৮৯ দিঘা 

== Section ==

पशुओं की तरह केवल खाने पीने और सोने में जीवन नष्ट मत करो,
अब ज़िन्दगी का जो कुछ थोड़ा सा समय बचा है उसे सत्कर्मों में लगाओ 

प्रभात संगीत 2182: केनो बोसे आछो ,काज कि सेरेछो....

भावार्थ

हे साधक ! तुम आलस्य में बैठे अपना समय नष्ट क्यों कर रहे हो? तुम ने कौन सा काम पूरा कर लिया है? क्या तुम मुझे अपने किये गये कार्यों का विवरण दोगे? उन कामों का क्या हुआ, बताओ तुमने क्या पाया और क्या खोया? इन सबके “आय और व्यय” का हिसाब मुझे दिखाओ? तुमने कितनी भक्ति अर्जित की और कितने संस्कारों को क्षय किया और कितने शेष रह गये हैं, बताओ? मुझे स्पष्ट लेखा बताओ कि इसमें कुछ धनात्मक भी है या ऋणात्मक?

हे साधक !  तुम्हारे जीवन का उषाकाल चला गया है और सूर्यास्त आ पहुंचा है। तुम लंबी अवधि से इस धरती पर हो और अनेक अवसर पा चुके हो, असंख्य श्वास और प्रश्वाश  पा चुके हो, और तुम्हें हर साॅंस में भागवद् धर्म का अभ्यास करने का अवसर दिया गया था। और अब, सघन काली रात्रि आने वाली है। इस घड़ी में तुम हिसाब दो कि अपने जीवन के उषाकाल से आज तक तुमने अपना समय किस प्रकार व्यतीत किया?

हे साधक ! जीवन के उषाकाल में तुमने अपना समय बच्चों के खेल में नाश  किया, इसके बाद का समय ज्ञानार्जन में नष्ट किया, फिर रोजी रोटी के चक्कर में उलझे रहे, इस प्रकार तुम्हारा पूरा जीवन कोई परमार्थ किये विना ही चला गया। और अब इस बुढ़ापे में तारे गिन गिन कर अपना समय नष्ट कर रहे हो। अब तुम बताओ तुम्हारा मन क्या करना चाहता है ? अभी तक तो तुमने अपना पूरा जीवन व्यर्थ ही नष्ट किया है।

मानव जीवन अमूल्य है, इसलिये पशुओं की तरह केवल खाने पीने और सोने में जीवन नष्ट कर देना बिलकुल भी उचित नहीं है। इसलिये, ओ मेरे शिष्य ! अब जो कुछ थोड़ा सा भी समय बचा है उसे सत्कर्मों में लगाकर सदुपयोग करो।

Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Untold history of Sri Lanka

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/08/test.html

Dulce historia de rendición

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/02/dulce-historia-de-rendicion-ps-3811.html

Baba story: how I became sick

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/baba-story-promotion-assignment-sickness.html

Selecting a song: express your bhakti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/05/choosing-ps-3-more.html

Blissful days of 1970

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/08/those-early-days-4-more.html

Sadhana: all lessons needed

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-to-control-lower-cakras-first.html
  

Untold history of Sri Lanka + 3 More

Baba

Untold history of Sri Lanka

Namaskar,

This Prout teaching reveals a previously unknown aspect of human history with regards to the historical undercurrents of the situation in Sri Lanka. Such as who was there first, whose land is it, as well as how did the present situation develop. Following is Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar's unprecedented historical account about the development and growth of Sri Lanka.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Prout philosophy states, "Around 534 BC, the prince of Rahr-- Vijay Singh-- reached Sri Lanka via waterway with 700 of his soldiers. Singhpur was the capital of Rarh those days. Nearby Singhpur there was a port also. Later on the name changed to Singhalpa'tan. This place is very close to Singhpur. Nowadays it is in Hooghly district. To continue with the history, the prince Vijay Singh was victorious in his offensive and captured Sri Lanka. And ultimately, Vijay Singh and his soldiers settled permanently in Sri Lanka. These are the ancestors of the modern Singhalii community. That is why Singhaliis are very close to Bengalis in their customs, manners, habits, and dealings. Their facial features are also like Bengalis. In fact, it is very difficult to differentiate between Singhaliis and Bengalis when one is speaking with them. Furthermore, the Singhalii language is part of the Indo-Aryan language group; hence it is quite similar to Bengali. The script is also the same. These days Singhaliis are primarily Buddhists. In spite of this, they have preserved their customs and manners so they are very similar to Bengal. The family name of Singhalis is Sena Na'yak, Jayvardhan, Gunatilak, Bhanda'r Na'yak, Desh Na'yak etc." (1)


Marginalised Tamils are native to Sri Lanka

1. Firstly, as per the above Prout teachings, it should be established that the Singhaliis are not the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka. Although they represent a 75% majority at this time and control the government etc, the Singhaliis came originally from the Rahr region. In His above description, Shrii Sarkar gives very specific details how the Singhaliis are closely linked with the people of Rahr - i.e. the Bengali people. And the reason behind this is that their roots are the same.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

2. As explained, around 2,500 years ago, the Indo-Aryan prince of Rahr, Vijay Singh, led his army of 700 onto the island of Sri Lanka via boat. The prince then launched an offensive to attack, kill, and rule the local inhabitants, i.e. the Tamils who are part of the indigenous Dravidian population.

3. Since that time the Tamils have been pushed aside, marginalised, and treated as outsiders. When in fact they are the original inhabitants of that land. And side by side, over the centuries their aggressors, the Singhaliis, have become the clear-cut dominant people of Sri Lanka.

4. It only makes sense however that the Tamils are the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka since the state of Tamil Nadu is directly across the water from Sri Lanka. Plus the Tamil community has been intact for more than 5000 years. So the Tamils have a long history and possess a language that is distinctly different from the Sanskrit based languages of the north. This all leads to the fact that the Tamils are part of the indigenous Dravidian population that inhabited South India including Sri Lanka.


Singhaliis came from Bengal / Rarh

5. Even then, the Singhaliis wrongly think of themselves as being the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka, and they claim that the Tamils came only afterwards. But that is not true. Per the above Prout guideline, the Singhaliis came from Rarh. So either the Singhaliis are concealing the fact that they are from Rarh; or the Singhaliis really do not know where they have come from. Whatever the case may be, this fact should be disseminated that the Tamils are the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 
6. But even though the Tamils are the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka and even though that land is rightfully theirs, the Tamils have long been subjected to ridicule and torture by the ruling Singhaliis. Over time, the Singhaliis have built up a huge population in Sri Lanka and they control the ruling government and all the major sectors of Sri Lankan society. In that process, the Tamils have lost many of their basic and fundamental rights, and they have suffered untold injustices.


Just like other native peoples exploited by outside aggressors

7. All in all, the situation in Sri Lanka can be likened to the tragedy that befell the Native American tribes when the European settlers arrived. Or it can be likened to the disaster that happened to the aboriginal people of Australia. Or it can be compared with the situation in South Africa. Or it can be compared with the Inuit / Eskimo population of Alaska, or with the demolition that happened in the Fiji islands. In all these cases, the local native peoples were tossed aside, ousted, and subjected to a near genocide at the hands of the opportunist white explorers etc. Tragically, the Tamils of Sri Lanka have suffered a near similar plight at the hands of the invading Bengalis.

8. Up through 2009, the people of Tamil were trying desperately to get back their land. Toward this end they formed such fighting groups as the Tamil Tigers etc, in hopes of getting equal rights in the land in which they live. But they could not get real success. Still they are treated as third class citizens.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

9. Ultimately, the Singhaliis have strongly held onto the majority and they have not given proper status to the Tamils. Even though the chief demand of the Tamils was equality and not a takeover of Sri Lanka, the Singhaliis spread propaganda about how the active Tamil groups are just terrorist goons who want complete control. Whereas the simple fact remains that the vast majority of the Tamil people are not terrorists or secessionists etc, just they wanted their due rights, i.e. their God-given rights.


Solutions to the tragedy in Sri Lanka

Even though the Civil War ended in 2009, going forward here are some ways to bring justice to the war-torn land of Sri Lanka.

A. Both parties, the Singhaliis and the Tamils, should get scope to live in Sri Lanka. Both have been there for thousands of years and both have a right to equal membership of that land.

B. Unfortunately, problems always arise when one group does not recognise another. So the only way out is to cultivate love for other human beings and recognise their existential rights. This demand of equal rights should be put forth and at the very least tolerance should be promoted.

C. During His meetings with the Proutist Tamil samaj leaders, Shrii Sarkar again and again guided that the duty of the Tamil samaj is to propagate the idea that Sri Lanka is home of the Tamil people and that therefore the Tamil samaj of India must fight for rights of the local ethnic people of Sri Lanka. In the case of Sri Lanka, the answer is that the native Tamil population should get their due land and rights, and not be tortured or victimised.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Prout's overall policy is to help suffering humanity and watch out for the welfare of all native peoples.

Prout philosophy says, "In accordance with this trend, PROUT advocates [that]...the interests of all local people will be guaranteed and gain proper recognition." (2)

The Proutistic view is to help the common Tamil population of Sri Lanka since they are the original inhabitants and it is they who have been victimised and tortured all these years. So the rights and essential freedoms of the Tamil people must be granted and secured; and, all the while the Singhaliis should also be encouraged and allowed to live there peacefully.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Govardhan Reddy

~ In-depth study ~

Long history of exploitation of native people

All in all there is a long history of exploitation of the native people in India.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga Philosophy states, "The mutual relations between the original inhabitants of India and the outsiders, the Aryans, were by no means cordial. The Aryans, out of deep-rooted contempt for the indigenous people of India, used to call them sometimes asuras, sometimes da'navas, sometimes da'sas, sometimes shu'dras. The Aryans did not accept these people in their society; rather, they declared them to be outcastes." (3)


Treated as legend or myth

Baba's teaching that the Sinhaliis (Sinhalese) have come from the Rahr area is documented in Buddhist scripture but due to political reasons this history was branded as being mere legend only.

The Buddhist Review states, "According to local legend, the Sinhalese are descended from the exiled Prince Vijaya and his party of several hundred who arrived on the island between 543 to 483 BCE after having been made to leave their native regions of Orissa, Bengal and elsewhere in India. The recorded history of the Buddhist Sinhalese can be found in two large chronicles, the Mahavamsa, written in Pali roughly around the 4th century BCE, and the much later Chulavamsa." (Courtesy of Buddhist Review)


Link between Bengal, Sri Lanka, & Kerala

And back to the above Varna Vicitra discourse which is cited up above in the main letter, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar says that the descendants of the Singhaliis went to the state of Kerala from Sri Lanka and established a kingdom there. That is why the language of Kerala - Malaya'lam - is 75% Sanskrit and that is why the manners and customs of the people of Kerala are similar to those of the people of Bengal. For all these reasons the Bengalis, Singhaliis, and Nayar people of Kerala are all similar.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Buddhism came to Sri Lanka and Bengal at just about the same time. So on this point there is also a shared history between the Singhaliis who went to Sri Lanka and the people of Bengal. Ultimately, Bengal reverted back to Hinduism whereas in Sri Lanka, Buddhism remained.


Prout gives better understanding

Over the years, and especially since 2009 when the civil war ended, there has been a lot of talk and heated debate about the situation in Sri Lanka. All are aware of this history of extreme tension and heavy fighting in Sri Lanka between the majority Singhalii (Sinhale) population and the minority Tamils. To this very day, international attempts to resolve suspected human rights abuses, including possible war crimes, have been rebuffed by the nation. So it is extremely important to understand Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar's historical account and apply His Proutistic solutions to come up with a better understanding of what transpired in Sri Lanka.

References
1. Varna Vicitra, Part 1, 20th Nov 1983, Kolkata
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Some Specialities of Prout's Economic System
3. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc 4

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Come emancipate all

“Eta din pare bandhuá eseche, ándhár gharete álo jharáte…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0386)

Purport: 

After so long, my cherished Bandhuá, my Lord, has graciously come, showering light and illuminating my dark cottage. All the deep despair has vanished, as He has infused this world with unparalleled hope and jubilation. He has come to win the hearts of all with His exuberant joy and intoxicating dance. His form shatters all limitations, and the beauty of this formless Bandhu overflows into the ocean of form.  

I can't understand His divine liila. By the mere mention of His name, He inundates this dry, dusty earth with blissful nectar. His grace touches each and every pore of this cosmos. There is no place that it does not reach. 

His compassionate and loving heart overflows and spreads everywhere. My Bandhuá is the base of all life. Every expression stems from Him. His form is boundless.

The Lord of music has come to emancipate all with the sweet rhythmic, melodious tunes of the heart. Baba, Your exquisite presence has transformed everything….


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0386

(1) Bandhuá: বঁধু, বঁধুয়া - ban̐dhu, ban̐dhuẏa - [ban̐dhu, ban̐dhuẏā] n (poet.) 

In the above song, the bhakta is expressing how his Divine Entity has come. The bhakta is referring to Parama Purusa as Bandhua - a very intimate relation.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Short life & waiting room analogy

Ananda Marga ideology states, "People come to this world for a short time for some fun and games, and then they go. So for human beings the earth is like a traveller's inn, where they will not stay for long. Or it might be compared to a railway waiting room, where passengers from different places come and sit together for a while. The moment the train whistle blows, they forget each other, pick up their bags, and set off for the train. They do not look to right or left. Parama Puruśa is that train, and this world is the waiting room." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Puńya All Twenty-Four Hours

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Quality of true sadhaka

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The mind of the man whose consciousness or discriminating judgement is awakened-- whose power of judgment is intense, always remains wedded to the 'Buddhi'. That is to say, his rein (mind) remains constantly under the control of the charioteer (Buddhi or discriminating intellect), and so, quite naturally, his organs remain loyal to the Buddhi. Random rambles of the organ-like horses (organs) will cut no ice with him. But in a case like this if the horses (organs) be bad and untrained, i.e. the organs are faulty, it becomes impossible for the charioteer (discriminating intellect) to get the desired result. Hence for the right functioning of the chariot (body), well-trained horses (organs) are indispensable. A sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) also should train himself likewise. His mind, body, intellect, and organs should be directed towards the Blissful Spirit (Shreya)." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 5 , The Chariot and the Charioteer

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How and why of sleep

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Sleep: Due to excessive physical and mental labour, the nerve-cells and nerve-fibres become fatigued and demand relaxation, forcing the conscious mind to cease functioning and producing the state of sleep. Often the subconscious ceases also, leaving only the unconscious to continue the work of the brain.” (1)

About dreams

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, ‘However, sometimes the nerve-cells begin functioning during the latter part of the night, due to sudden heat in the back portion of the cranium or to an upward movement of gastric wind. The subconscious mind accordingly starts thinking or remembering, producing dreams. In the absence of the functioning of the conscious mind, these products of the subconscious are accepted as true and practical. Sometimes the dreamer actually believes that he is flying, for the non-functioning of the conscious mind prevents him from perceiving this idea to be pure imagination. Some people become extremely frightened by their dreams and produce inarticulate mutterings of fear; at times dreamers even die of heart failure. To assist a person out of a disturbing dream it helps to bring the person's hands or feet into contact with the ground, for this aids the conscious mind in beginning to function again." (1)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, Samádhi, Senselessness and Sleep

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Dulce historia de rendición

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/02/dulce-historia-de-rendicion-ps-3811.html

Baba story: how I became sick

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/baba-story-promotion-assignment-sickness.html

Selecting a song: express your bhakti

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/05/choosing-ps-3-more.html

Blissful days of 1970

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2023/08/those-early-days-4-more.html

Sadhana: all lessons needed

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-to-control-lower-cakras-first.html