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Thursday, August 7, 2025

A guide for cemetery meditation + 5 more

Baba

A guide for cemetery meditation

Namaskar,

As the tantric Guru, Baba has placed great emphasis on cemetery sadhana. He has personally stated that the cemetery is a good place for new people beginning their sadhana practice. And Baba has made it mandatory for our avadhutas / avadhutikas to perform sadhana in the cemetery on a regular basis. On one occasion of Shravanii Purnima, Parama Purusa Sadguru Baba performed His first initiation in the cemetery. Certainly then there is great value in cemetery sadhana. Here are a few Q & A’s about the many benefits of cemetery sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Benefits of cemetery sadhana

(Q: #1) Why is the cemetery a special place for sadhana?

REPLY: The path of tantra is marked by the victory of life over death - of light over darkness, of elevating tendencies over degrading ones. And Baba describes how by going to the cemetery for sadhana one is forced to confront and overcome their inherent fears and goad the mind towards Parama Purusa. This helps cultivate a sense of fearlessness and courage. Also, in His book - “A Guide to Human Conduct” - Baba guides us that by doing sincere sadhana in a lonely, isolated place, one can experience higher realisations and samadhi. Generally speaking, cemeteries are quiet, lonely places, as the general public tends to stay away from cemeteries. So for these reasons and more, cemeteries serve as excellent places for sadhana. And sincere Ananda Margiis should try this in their own personal life. For the sadhaka, the path of tantra is based upon practice, not theory. And every Ananda Margii is a tantrika and should be keen to do cemetery sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How human thoughts affect sadhana - positively or negatively

(Q: #2) There are plenty of lonely, isolated places, but why the cemetery in particular? How does one confront fears? Does this have to do with superstitions related to cemetery, that one is afraid there? Or is it something else?

REPLY: In the general society, people are involved in so many comings and goings and fulfilling so many desires, but when they go to the cemetery they leave all their mundane thoughts behind and focus on that which is eternal. They think about God, the importance of life, serving others, and other meaningful topics. Going to the cemetery has a sobering effect on the mind. Material pursuits are replaced by more sentient thinking. In such an environment, positive microvita get attracted to that place. And that makes sadhana easier for the aspirant. Yet again, only talking about this in theory will not suffice. Practical steps should be taken. So every sincere sadhaka should take time to practice meditation in the cemetery and realise first-hand the benefits. Then it will be clear why Sadguru Baba has recommended that we practice sadhana there.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Steps for starting and advancing cemetery sadhana

(Q: #3) What is the best way for a sadhaka to start doing cemetery sadhana?

REPLY:

- Begin by first going to a local cemetery in daylight hours and try doing 20 or 30 minutes of meditation.
- Going to a cemetery that is near an active church or near other public buildings will also be helpful when starting.
- The first cemetery you visit should not be in some remote, desolate location.
- Although your chosen cemetery is in a public location, try and visit when the cemetery is empty - i.e. devoid of people.
- By practicing regularly during the daytime, in a short while one will become comfortable being there. Any anxieties about being in the cemetery will wane.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

- The next phase is to go during the evening hours when the sun has set and it is dusk.
- Again, find days and times when the cemetery is empty and practice your evening meditation there.
- Increase the duration of your evening cemetery sadhana by 30% or 40%. And of course if sadhana is very good you may sit longer.
- Also at this point you can experiment with doing sadhana in cemeteries that are slightly more remote, and less cultivated etc.
- By regularly practicing evening meditation in a range of cemeteries, one will gradually feel very comfortable.

- Once adjusted with various cemeteries in this time frame, then one should mark one’s calendar for a date to go in the middle of the night - when it is pitch dark outside.
- The first time in complete darkness may be scary and one’s nerves might be on edge so begin with a cemetery that is well known to you.
- Here again, consistency is the key. By going regularly, slowly one will be adjusted with the surroundings - darkness, stillness, animal noises, etc - and it will not be scary, but rather a deeply inspiring place for sadhana.
- As far as possible, one should avoid going to cemeteries in crime-ridden areas etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
At His feet,
Satyadeva

Note: There are other places that are also very conducive for sadhana. So if a cemetery or burning ghat is not available in your area, then talk to local senior sadhakas / acaryas about alternative spots, such as a hilltop, river bank, or forest etc. 

How ghosts are just imagination of weak mind

(Q: #4) What about all the tales of ghosts, goblins, and “evil spirits” living in the cemetery?

REPLY: In Ananda Marga, not an iota of credence is given to the existence of ghosts.

Baba says, "Let me state at the very outset that I am not a believer in ghosts and spirits, demons and devils, or heaven and hell, because I have found no logic behind their existence. I know that whether ghosts and spirits or demons and devils, everything which bears the imprint of the supernatural is only the play of the mind. The appearance and disappearance of such things takes place in the various kos’as [layers] of the mind due to variations or possible variations in physical or mental circumstances." (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Do ghosts really exist? Ans.: – Those strange figures which we call ghosts are mainly figments of the imagination. When the mind is in a weak or vulnerable state, what was previously created in the imagination now appears to be real.” (2)

Baba says, "Ghosts do not exist." (3)

Clearly then there is no such thing as ghosts. So when going to the cemetery for sadhana one should not be worried - even in the slightest - about any so-called ghosts. These are just figments of the human imagination and have nothing to do with reality.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Siddha devayonis help sadhaka in meditation

(Q: #5) By which means and to what effect do devayonis make sadhana easier for the aspirant?

REPLY: Please read the below excerpts from Sadguru's discourse:

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “If one sits for meditation in that particular place where these devayonis exist in the form of stone or wood in ardent expectation of their emancipation, positive microvita will help a spiritual aspirant. As they are devayonis, they do not harm anyone – rather they assist spiritualists. You must have noticed that while meditating at some places the mind becomes concentrated very quickly. This usually happens due to the grace of the Guru. It also happens through the cooperation of those devayonis which have attained the state of prakrtiliina. If mental concentration comes with the help of devayonis, a spiritual aspirant will sense a light sweet smell in the nose, but if this happens due to the grace of the Guru, along with the sweet smell the spiritual aspirant will glimpse fragmented waves of effulgent light, like glittering poppy seeds, whether the eyes are opened or closed. Either by the cooperation of devayonis or by the grace of the Guru, both experiences are manifestations of divine grace. When spiritual aspirants experience the direct grace of Parama Puruśa during meditation, they perceive a kind of light smell which makes their minds intoxicated with joy. Simultaneously, they visualise fragments of effulgence and experience a state of intoxicated hilarity which makes them oblivious to all kinds of petty differences, and transports them into the realm of cosmic oneness. In that state of blissful communion, the Guru and Iishvara become one, producing a kind of sweet vibration in the spiritual aspirant who realizes:” (4)

Guru krpáhi kevalam. [The Guru’s grace is everything.] Brahmaeva Gurureva náparah. [Brahma alone is the Guru.]


Who becomes microvita

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Videhaliina. Those who continue their spiritual practices and at the same time seek liberation from the bondages of the solid and liquid factors pray, “O God, I am fed up with all these mundane problems, please grant me liberation. So many problems come and distract my mind. Why do I experience so many misfortunes? My son failed his examinations; my daughter fell seriously ill; the bank where I kept my savings closed down. How many more misfortunes are waiting for me? Enough of all this. Please grant me emancipation.” People with this type of psychology attain the state of videhaliina after their demise – an unbearable condition. After their reactive momenta are exhausted, they are reborn again. These videhaliina devayonis help living beings. They do not harm anyone because they are positive microvita.” (5)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Siddha. The best and most useful of all the devayonis are the siddhas. Those who continue their spiritual practices, crossing the various stages due to cosmic grace, develop occult powers in the process of their forward movement. The collection of the six types of occult powers are called “śaď aeshvarya”. The collection of the eight occult powers are called “aśt́a aeshvarya”. Some of these occult powers are not attainable by ordinary penance, but they may be attained due to unconditional cosmic grace. Some of these occult powers – which are nothing but the unconditional grace of Parama Puruśa – are parakáya- pravesha or entering into the body of others; sarvajiṋatvá or omniscience; vák siddhi or the power to make whatever one says come true; etc. By dint of sádhaná, when sádhakas are established in the supreme truth, theoretically one can attain these states, but practically omniscient intellect is attained only by unconditional cosmic grace. Some other occult powers – for instance to perform the work of one sense organ through another sense organ, or to express one indriya through another indriya – are not attainable through individual effort. Due to unconditional grace, Parama Puruśa does not distribute all these occult powers, and the reason why He does not is known only to Him. These powers are the exclusive powers of Parama Puruśa.” (6)


Occult powers are mere trinkets

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The powers which are confined to Parama Puruśa alone are known as “vibhuti garimá”, not “garimá” alone. Garimá means “one of the occult powers of aśt́a aeshvarya”. As Shiva was endowed with all sorts of occult powers, one of the names of Shiva is “Vibhutinátha” or “Vibhutibhúśańa”. To Shiva, these occult powers were mere trinkets, so the common people called Shiva “Vibhutinátha”. Vi – bhú + ktin = Vibhutibhúśańa. One of its meanings is “any occult power”. Vibhuti also means “the final state of something”. As you know, the final state of anything is ashes – everything in this universe becomes ashes in the end. Vibhuti also means “ashes”.” (7)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Hence, if spiritual aspirants start practising meditation and in the process acquire a few occult powers, and thereafter these occult powers become the focal point of their efforts and Parama Puruśa becomes the secondary objective, such aspirants attain the state of siddha after their physical demise. A siddha is the highest state of devayoni. They help spiritual aspirants in various ways; their roles are primarily those of aids or guardians.” (8)

References
1. Strange Experiences, 'Preface'
2. Tattva Kaomudii - 1, Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy, #56
3. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 5, Matter and Spirit
4. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
5. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
6. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
7. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
8. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B


*        *        *

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 ==

I love You to get bliss

"Anek shuniá anek bháviá,tomákei bhálobesechi..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1041)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, Your tales are infinite. From the mouths of bhaktas I have heard endless, heart-touching stories how You have showered Your boundless love and compassion. As soon as I came to know-- all those recollections, I fell in love with only You and began to contemplate Your grandeur and glory, over and over again, and realised that You are inseparably linked with my entire existence. You are my most intimate One. In hopes of finding You, I have searched in each and every town and village, by the rivers and the oceans, in the hills and the valleys, in the mountains and the caves. I have sought You in the sky and earth, even in pa'ta'la - everywhere. By Your grace, in the end, You made me realise that You alone are that priceless jewel sitting in my heart forever. 

Parama Purusa, I do not have any explanation for why I have fallen in love with You. All I can say is that it is solely Your krpa. Prema knows no logic or reasoning. All I can mention is that You drew me near. My Supreme One, I do not love You in order to get mukti. I am not an A-grade bhakta so I love You to get bliss. This is the essence that I have come to realise in this stage of divine love. Although this is a lower stage of bhakti, this is the desire of my life: To love You so I may live blissfully. 

Baba, with whatever capacity I have I will execute the tasks which You have given me. I will go on doing Your work and following Your order, expending every ounce of energy to satisfy You. At the same time I will always remember that parabhakti is the highest level of spirituality; that is the greatest attainment in this universe. It is paramount; nothing is equal to parabhakti. If one is blessed with parabhakti they have received everything. In that pinpointed stage, the bhakta thinks, “I will love You to please You alone.” There is not an iota of selfishness to get bliss from sadhana. Rather one’s singular desire is to give You bliss. That is the ultimate treasure I realised, by Your grace...

Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #1041:

Those on the path of sadhana are all bhaktas of various gradations, from the lowest to the highest.
  • The lowest, i.e. D-grade sadhakas, do sadhana to harm their enemies. They request the Lord to kill others.
  • C-grade bhaktas do not want to hurt anyone, rather they have a strong penchant for mundane gains. They request God to grant them power, post, and worldly riches. That is why they do sadhana.
  • B-grade sadhakas do spiritual practices to remove their psychic tension and gain peace, tranquility, and bliss. They want to derive pleasure from the Lord. These are their selfish reasons and inner motives for doing sadhana.
  • A-grade or top grade sadhakas only want to make Parama Purusa happy and give Him bliss. Whatever small or big work they do in their life is done for the sole purpose of pleasing their Ista. They harbour no other desire. With this A-grade bhakti, in due course, the sadhaka becomes one with Parama Purusa.
By this mundane example it will be clear.  For instance, due to attachment to an infant the mother of a young baby takes on all sorts of troubles in order to make the infant happy. Those mothers have no other desire.

On the path of enlightenment all these aforesaid stages come, step by step. In the highest state one feels the sole yearning to please Parama Purusa. By knowing these grades of bhakti, one can understand how far along they are on the path. 


[1] Mukti: (Literally means 'liberation'). Just as the sadhaka in the above song is not doing sadhana to get mukti, similarly, in the below discourse  Ananda Marga ideological teachings guide us that one should not do sadhana to get mukti.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "While surrendering oneself at the altar of the Supreme, what is one to do? One must not ask for anything from Parama Purus'a. [For example,] for a bhakta, mukti has got no importance. A bhakta wants Parama Purus'a, and nothing from Him, not even mukti. Suppose Parama Purus'a says, 'O devotee, what do you want?' - his reply is, 'I want You'. One must not say, 'I want mukti', because suppose one says, 'I want mukti', one may get mukti, but one may not get Parama Purus´a. Which is more valuable - mukti or Parama Purus'a? Parama Purus'a!" (1)

So this is a good teaching: A sadhaka should not ask for anything, not even mukti. Even then some do sadhana for mukti; but in the above Prabhat Samgiita as well as in the above quotation, Ananda Marga ideology is instructing us that one should not do sadhana to get mukti. One should do sadhana so that one may please Him.

[2] A'nanda deva'r l'a'gi: (Literally means 'to give bliss'). The last stanza of this song describes the stance of ragatmika bhakti where one does sadhana to please Him-- to give Him bliss. That is the culmination of all bhakti.

Ananda Marga ideology  says, "The ra'ga'tmika' bhakta says: 'I love Parama Purus'a because I want to give Him a'nandam. I don't care whether or not I get a'nandam. My only desire is to give Him joy through my love. I shall perform, even at the cost of profuse sweat and difficulty, only those noble deeds which will give Him joy. I am ready to undergo any amount of pain and suffering to give Him joy." (2)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, 'Bhakti, Mukti and Parama Purusa'
2. Namami Krsnasundaram: Disc 25


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Beware of these demons

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “I have already said that the task of intellect is to properly utilize all the properties of the universe, of the expressed world. But there are some selfish people in the world who are not in favour of the maximum utilization of mundane wealth, because they fear the control of the developed intellect over the material forces; and selfish people do not like that. They do not want anyone except themselves or a handful of their own group to attain any progress. Rather they would be happy to see that the individual and collective progress of others gets jeopardized.” (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Self-seeking people do not want the collective intellect of the human race to be utilized for the welfare of the entire human race; rather they, in the name of humanity, want to perpetuate divisive tendencies in society, because if they succeed in creating a rift in human society, that will pave the way for their personal benefit or self-aggrandizement. Thus they concoct various so-called scriptures and formulate all kinds of logic. They maintain to humanity that the different races in this world are not equal. Thus instead of considering the interests of the entire human society, they give preference to the interests of a particular community. This loud-mouthed propaganda in favour of a particular community, this parading of irrational logic, this sort of fallacious argument, all combine to stifle the spontaneous growth of human intellect. This sort of mentality is called dogma." (2)


Key quality of a righteous person

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 against it. This is the greatest criterion of a truly righteous person." (3)

References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
2. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
3. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Do not be in awe of others

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "How one person sings melodious songs, how another dances beautiful rhythmic dances, how another delivers wonderful discourses, etc. But we cannot see the entity who pulls the strings from behind and runs the show. And the funniest thing is this: the speaker, the singer, the dancer thinks that he or she is the agent, the doer, and takes the entire credit for the performance. People do not care to think of the entity that pulls the strings from behind, or if they are even more foolish, they think that others see them alone, not the entity who pulls the strings from behind." (1)

Note 1: In the world, many people are in awe by seeing the work of others. But those who feel this way are very shortsighted. They think with their own merit XYZ is doing. But the reality is that on the world’s stage whatever people do, their energy comes from Parama Purusa. Those who have spiritual eyes see that nobody is doing anything. Rather, Parama Purusa is supplying the energy. So all credit goes to Parama Purusa. So they never get wonderstruck.

The worst among all are those who stand on the stage and brag about their own merits. They forget that if Parama Purusa does not give energy for even a millisecond they will cease to exist. Because of their extreme blindness, they glorify themselves up to the moon. Watch out for such ignorant people.

Note 2: Under the spell of avidya maya many persons think that all credit goes to them for their great deeds. The number of such persons is huge. But according to Baba's above guideline, in the spiritual way of thinking they are fools. We should be careful and save ourselves from falling into this category of fools.

Reference
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Vrajagopála and Bhaktitattva (Discourse 21)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Non-sadhakas cannot lead Prout

Prout philosophy states, “Those who have a correct philosophy and a correct spiritual sádhaná based on the principles of Yama and Niyama will be the guiding personalities in the society of tomorrow. It is the duty of conscious people to snatch away the physical power and the intellectual leadership from the hands of political hypocrites. Politicians are of no use to society because they are engaged in the business of mudslinging and nothing else. If sadvipras [spiritual revolutionaries who follow Yama and Niyama] get active mass support, revolution is bound to come. In case a government adopts the ideals of Prout, the rule of sadvipras will prevail. If the same is not adopted by the government, a physical revolution is sure to come, and ultimately power will be transferred to the sadvipras.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 5, Discourses on Prout, Point #4


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita==

उस नव्यमानवता के देश में लोग एक दूसरे की हत्या कर खून की नदी नहीं बहाते

प्रभात संगीत 1455 एक स्वप्नेर देशे  आमि मायाभरा जोछनाय...

भावार्थ

हे परममपुरुष ! मैं  मन को मोह लेने वाली  चाॅंदनी में डूबे उस सपनों के संसार  अर्थात " नव्य मानवता " के देश में था | बिलकुल अकेले बैठा मैं आनन्दपूर्वक तुम्हारे लिये तुम्हारे ही गीत गा रहा था। हे दिव्य सत्ता ! तुम कितने कृपालु हो।

उस सपनों के संसार  में, किसी भी  स्थान पर कोई भूख से नहीं मरता है।  वहाॅं  उस नव्य मानवता के देश में, अज्ञानता भी नहीं है। वहाॅं नीच विचारों और तुच्छ भावनाओं  अर्थात जड़ता की ओर ले जाने वाली  तरंगे नहीं बहती। उस भूमि, उस सपनों के संसार  में सभी आदमी  अपने को एक ही विशाल  परिवार का अंग मानते हैं। वे एक दूसरे से मारपीट कर लड़ते नहीं, और न ही वे एक दूसरे की हत्या कर खून की नदी बहने देते हैं।


हे बाबा! वहाॅं उस  लोक में, नव्यमानवता के देश में, मनुष्यों की  बुद्धि भावजड़ता से धुंधली नहीं होती, वह तो अपने  विवेक से   अच्छी से अच्छी पुस्तको में बताये गए ज्ञान की  चर्चा  में डूबी रहती है, और ह्रदय की सच्चाई  प्रकट करती है। उस स्थान पर  उस लोक में, कोई भी व्यक्ति घमंड और अभिमान  के अंधेरे को, अपने पास में नहीं फटकने देता |  न ही कोई एक दूसरे का शोषण करता है। वह  सपनो का संसार  नव्य मानवतावाद की भूमि है। मैं मोहक चाॅंदनी में डूबे उसी स्वप्न संसार  में  था।

हे मेरे प्रभु! हे बाबा! मैं उस दिव्य स्वप्न संसार  में था, और तुम्हारे लिये गीत गा रहा था। 


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Women, veil, exploitation by unprincpled men

When women will develop a sense of self-respect....

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A handful of unprincipled, power-hungry men propagated these [religious] doctrines in order to paralyse women’s reasoning, and to inflate men’s vanity. This doctrine is against nature and we have only to look out into this wide world to find numerous proofs against it. Can anybody drape a burka over a tigress? Is there anyone with enough courage to do it? Can anyone dictate to a tigress, “You cannot cross this boundary,” or “You cannot take part in games and sports, for this is prohibited to women”? Those who propagated these doctrines were not only unprincipled, they were also well aware of the inherent loopholes in their arguments. That is why they did not propagate their ideas directly in their own name. On the contrary, they propagated all those ideas in the name of God. They proclaimed them as the gospels of God; no one shall dispute it; one has to accept it without a murmur. When women will develop a sense of self-respect and be like other spirited creatures, they will cast aside the burkas and veils of servitude. They will then be enabled to expand their role in serving society in a balanced and consolidated way.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 9, from “Kaomára”


== Section 3: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Shravanii Purnima - 09 Aug 2025
#6: AM: unique starting point
#5: Celebrating Shravanii Purnima
#4: Festival: the path of advancement
#3: Margiis also tantrikas
#2: Upcoming festival Shravanii Purnima
#1: Meaning behind Shravanii Purnima
Postings to Read
Failure of hunger strikes
The worst bondage: blind attachment
For all sadhakas: the gunas
Realizing your spiritual power
Story: new bhakta hiding from Baba

Labels: , ,

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Failure of hunger strikes + 2 more

Baba
Failure of hunger strikes

Namaskar,

Hunger strikes are a common phenomena in India. What is the reason behind this and why do such strikes occur especially in India? What is the history?

Politicians using false ideas for their own benefit

In elections today, we see many such types of inappropriate ideas being spread. Those ideas are typically narrow-minded and filled with a number of sentiments. Some politicians say that they are going to implement great ideas by which the country will move forward very fast, whereby everyone will be benefited, etc. By spreading such ideas, they get the majority of the votes and are elected to serve in political positions. While other politicians spread narrow ideas by creating division among people:  narrow ideas such as casteism, provincialism, racism, religion, etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For example, in western countries, politicians might use sentiments which appeal to those people with white skin or they might use arguments which promote white supremacy as a means of uniting people to win an election. By arousing such sentiments, politicians indulge the superiority complex of people with white skin. Sometimes, it is very hard to unite people with great ideas, but it is easy to influence people with a narrow sentiment. If one politician says that all humans are equal and tries to infuse a great idea in their minds, that politician will face a terrible uphill battle. Those with narrow sentiments will push back very strongly. It is the quality of human beings that their animalistic propensities are aroused very quickly, as humans are evolved from animals.

For example, a rich person is persuaded many times to donate but is hesitant to give food to a poor person because of his attachment to money and other material objects. But it is very easy to create anger in a person’s mind. The rich person can be persuaded to become angry by touching some of his weak sentiments. In the same situation, if the person is asked to understand the concepts of tya’ga, tapasya’, universal brotherhood, etc., it is difficult to motivate them. Politicians use various narrow sentiments to motivate rich people and others to unite them in political movements.

In India, during Gandhi’s time, the message that was spread was that communism was not good. In communism, people who have more wealth are being tortured in different ways, and their money is being snatched.


Divided India with two streams of ideas

To make India independent two primary forces were there: (a) garam dal (so-called tit-for-tat approach), (b) naram dal (so-called non-violence approach). The garam dal approach was the use of force as needed to fight the Britishers. The naram dal approach was refraining from the use of force against the British oppressors. Advocates of this latter approach started hunger strikes to show and demonstrate their demands. Anything they wanted was demonstrated by protesting in the form of hunger strikes.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Role of Gandhi & Nehru

One party was formed during that time: the Congress Party. Because of such an approach, the Congress party was divided into two parts. Subhash Chandra Bose was the president of the Congress party then, but he was withdrawn from his position because he was of the opinion that if someone is exploiting then we should be fighting against them. But Gandhi and Nehru were agents of the capitalists, and they did not want to rage a war against those exploiters. Both Gandhi and Nehru proposed that hunger strikes could be the mechanism to mold the mindset of exploiters thinking that then only will they change.

Business intent of British

Britishers did not come to India to take over the country, rather they came to India for business purposes. Ruling India was an act through which they could exploit natural resources. That is why they made roads, bridges, railway tracks, etc. Their primary intent was to exploit only, exploit resources, and not rule the country or to reside in the country. By the time they realized that it had become costly to exploit India, at that moment they went back.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Example: the landlord conundrum

Similar types of exploitation are found in rural India as well. There are landlords who exploit common people. First, by having an exploitative mindset and lending money  with the sole motive of charging huge monthly interest rates. In order to gain everyone’s respect, the landlord also gives money to other good causes such as the development of the village temple. So the opinion of villagers is divided regarding the landlord. Some think that he is an exploiter, and others think that he is a noble person. The landlord will continue to exist and exploit as long as the village is divided in opinions. But when a revolution against the landlord is anticipated, then, with fear, the landlord will go away from the village to keep himself alive, even without caring for his property.


Hunger strike movement

Gandhi was not supportive of fighting against Britishers with force. Rather, he called the attack against Britishers by Indian people a terrorist movement. Around the same time, there were communist movements at their peak in other parts of the world such as Russia and China.  One of the disciples of Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, initiated a movement called “bhu-daan”, “giving away land”.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

What is “giving away land” movement?

In India, there were a lot of landlords, and they occupied more than 90% of the land. For there are about 10,000 acres of land available in the village. All of the 10,000 acres were occupied by the landlord only while others in the village would work for the landlord. Gandhi started the “bhu-daan” movement to unite people so that common people can have more land while landlords can donate the extra land they possess. Land donation did happen in India, but landlords donated lands which were barren fields, not suitable for agriculture or anything productive. Newspapers did spread the word that landlords were donating lands just by protesting and not being engaged in any war. So what is the benefit of being involved in a war?  This was the initial movement in which Gandhi began to show people that there is no need of fighting wars, rather justice can be achieved with non-violence.

There was another disciple of Gandhi named Jayprakash Narayan. His movement was named  “Sarvodaya”, which means that rich people are going to help the poor so that the whole society will move forward. In reality, these people were agents of capitalists and had no intention of bringing welfare to the society. These movements were only to misguide common people so that they would not create a revolutionary movement.

Moreover, to hoodwink the common people, Gandhi said that everyone should spin their own cotton, and not purchase garments from outside. Even children in schools were taught how to use the spinning wheel. And Gandhi himself used to spend a couple of hours per day generating cotton. His point was everyone should be self-sufficient; everyone should know everything so that there would not be any dependence on others. That was his viewpoint of society which stands in stark contrast to our  Ananda Marga’s viewpoint for building an organized society where coordinated cooperation is integral.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

What is an organized society- AM View

Baba says that in an organized society each person should not be doing everything by oneself. Each person’s specialty is different. For example, if one is a doctor, then he should continue to practice medical service and not take up other jobs. If a common person is suffering from any disease then s/he can go to the doctor, and since the doctor knows the profession very well, he can serve them better. In this way, the doctor is able to do his work, and the patient gets benefitted. If everyone is a doctor, if everyone is a farmer, if everyone is a lawyer, this will not work in forming an organized society.

A sequence of similar pre-independence events in India

In India, several movements such as donate land, hunger strike, helping the poor were created during the Gandhian era. The motive of all such movements was to use a non-violence approach assuming that the exploiter also has a heart and by showing non-violence protest the exploiter will eventually understand what is right and will do what the protestors are demanding. But Baba’s approach is different to deal with exploiters. Baba says that exploiters do have a heart, but their heart is corrupted by bad thoughts. A corrupt businessman plans to build a factory, and how to utilize poor labourers with minimal hourly wage so that they will remain as labourers for generations. In this way only the businessman will make a profit. Exploitation becomes a habit of such businessmen and such habits do not go away easily.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Dogma continues to exist for thousands of years

In Bihar, there is a ceremony called “Chhath puja”, which is more than 20,000 years old. People used to worship the sun as a female God to bestow rain to help farmers grow crops. Even today, people in Bihar, worship the sun as a female God for blessings. In Bihar, irrespective of religion, being Hindu or Muslim, everyone is involved in this worship at the time of growing crops. Such worship does not make any sense. The point here is that once a dogma is created, it spreads quite fast, and continues to exist for a very long period of time.

Hunger strikes continue to happen in India

In India, though the number of hunger strikes has reduced compared to the past, still today people use hunger strikes as a weapon to fulfill their demands. With the advancement of medical science, doctors can easily find out cheaters in the name of sitting in a hunger strike who take food behind the scenes. But still, to some extent, some true hunger strikes do take place. If hunger strikes go on for more than two days or so, then the government is under pressure just to ensure that no one should die because of such strikes. There are some people who are cheaters in the name of hunger strike, just to show off, but still, there are people in India who continue to fast for multiple days for the purpose of protesting a certain cause.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Baba says that such hunger strikes are not useful and are outdated in today’s society. Without having proper Ananda Marga knowledge, some wrongly become sympathetic to such hunger strikes or even embark on them themselves. But this is wrong.


Conclusion

Hunger strikes were created by Gandhi as a means to fulfill the demands of common people without physically harming the exploiter. This principle misguided the people in fulfilling their demands. Such protests do not end exploitation. For example, if a mosquito bites, then pray to the mosquito, and it will stop biting? This type of approach does not work. In religion, such types of approaches exist. Much worship exists in India in anticipation of not being affected by natural phenomena, or by exploitation etc.

Baba says that one has to do sadhana, which is fighting against avidya, then only one can make progress, and overcome hurdles. Baba says that such approaches of non-violence and ritualistic worshipping are anti-revolution, and do not provide any way of growth. Only time is wasted with such approaches, exploitation, and the pain of common people increases without any progress. To stop exploitation, dharmic revolution is needed. Hunger strikes and other approaches created during Gandhian times are not successful approaches. And verily, hunger strikes are rarely done in other parts of the world.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In Him,
Nirakar

Peak days of communism

When communism was expanding in the world, people all over the world were thinking that communism was created to diminish the inequity between the wealthy and the  poor. In many societies, wealthy people were the ones amassing wealth and had access to everything whereas the general mass was suffering from the lack of basic needs. Communism was first seen in Russia, then in China, and slowly spread into other countries such as Vietnam, Cuba and more.

*        *        *

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

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== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why not pray

Note: This letter is for those who understand Ananda Marga philosophy or those who have a keen interest to know Ananda Marga philosophy. If someone is not in either of these categories, then for them this letter is useless.

Namaskar,

Here is Guru's teaching from Ananda Sutram: Prárthanárcaná mátraeva bhramamúlam.

“Purport: It is useless to pray to God for something, for He is sure to give what is necessary. Solicitation or importunity in the name of worship is nothing but toadyism and flattery.” (1)

In His above teaching of Ananda Sutram, Guru guides us that any type of prayer to Parama Purusa is useless and hinders one’s progress on the path. In our Ananda Marga we do not pray to Parama Purusa because He is all-knowing and all-benevolent so naturally He knows more about our needs than we do.

Anyone who has studied even the basics of Ananda Marga philosophy understands this fact: A true sadhaka will never pray to the Lord. By mere use of the word “pray” - it is evident that a person is unaware about this fundamental aspect of Ananda Marga philosophy. And if such a person is an avadhuta or senior person in AMPS, he is leading others astray. 

Praying to God means accusing Him of partiality

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Prayer is the act of asking for a favour with earnestness. It also means a solemn petition addressed to the Supreme Being for certain benefits. One prays to God for something which one does not possess or thinks one does not possess. One asks God for these favours with the faith that He alone can bestow everything and by His mere wish all wants can be satisfied. By prayer or by begging one wants to awaken His wish so that one may be granted the things one lacks. Does not one’s attempt to rouse the wish of God to fulfil these needs, upon careful and rational thinking, appear to be a reminder to God to give one something of which God has kept one deprived? It would otherwise not be necessary to remind Him in prayer of that thing or to try to arouse His wish to give. For instance, if one is in need of money, one would, with the faith that God alone can give, pray to Him for the favour of giving one money. Does not this request show God’s fault in keeping one in want of money, when He alone can give it? God alone is blamed for it, and by praying to Him for money one is precisely pointing out to Him His partiality in not giving one the money one needed. Therefore, prayer or asking for favours from God is only pointing out to the Sole Giver His mistakes in the distribution of His favours. It only presumes lack of impartiality in Him, and that is why He is blamed for making some very rich and others very poor. Praying to God for favours is only to bring to His notice the charge of partiality levelled against Him. When prayer leads to such a conclusion, it is only ignorance to ask for favours.” (2)

In brief, prayer undermines His supreme stature and blatantly exposes that seeker as selfish, ignorant, and arrogant. 

As disciples of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji it is our duty to stay true to the path of pure spirituality and not get caught up in any type of dogmatic or ritualistic prayer. We are to propagate the ideals of dharma sadhana and bhakti, i.e. love for Parama Purusa. 

Namaskar,
Sanjay
Sam Woods

References
1. Ananda Sutram 3-11
2. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, How Should Human Beings Live In This World?



== Section 2: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Shravanii Purnima - 09 Aug 2025
#6: AM: unique starting point
#5: Celebrating Shravanii Purnima
#4: Festival: the path of advancement
#3: Margiis also tantrikas
#2: Upcoming festival Shravanii Purnima
#1: Meaning behind Shravanii Purnima
Postings to Read
The worst bondage: blind attachment
For all sadhakas: the gunas
Realizing your spiritual power
Story: new bhakta hiding from Baba



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Sunday, August 3, 2025

Mahaprayan of Ac. Sushantananda Avt, 88-years-old

Baba

Mahaprayan of Ac. Sushantananda Avt, 88-years-old

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the mahaprayan of Ac Sushantananda Avt. Dada ji was 88-years-old.  

May we all take solace in the fact that Baba will lovingly bestow His infinite grace.

in Him,
Harideva

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

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


~ In-depth study ~

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- "He is now in Bábá's loving lap"

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

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

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

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

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

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

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


Baba story: "sitting on Baba's lap"

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

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

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

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

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

Baba would bless bhaktas and place them on His lap

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mahaprayan is only for humans not for Sadguru

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

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

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

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


== Section 2: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Shravanii Purnima - 09 Aug 2025
#5: Celebrating Shravanii Purnima
#4: Festival: the path of advancement
#3: Margiis also tantrikas
#2: Upcoming festival Shravanii Purnima
#1: Meaning behind Shravanii Purnima
Postings to Read
The worst bondage: blind attachment
For all sadhakas: the gunas
Realizing your spiritual power
Story: new bhakta hiding from Baba



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