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Tuesday, February 3, 2026

About upcoming festival + 5 more

Baba
About upcoming festival

Namaskar,

We all know that the observance of Niilakantha Divas stands as one highly important occasion in our Ananda Marga society. That marks the very significant day - 12 Feb 1973 - those sinful forces poisoned Beloved Baba when He was in jail.

Upon initial reflection, one might think this day of Niilakantha is a time to grieve or be sorrowful, and to solemnly recall the past. After all, this was the dark hour when a dreadful attack was done against our Sadguru because He is the nucleus of AM ideology. In those early years, many were thinking and observing the occasion in this way.
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They gave poison & we offer nectar

Specifically from 1973 - 1979, margiis were observing this date by fasting and engaging in protest. To clear the matter to one and all, in His divine way, Baba has guided us that Niilakantha Divas is the day to express our opposition to those sinful forces. And He has given unique guidelines for how to observe this occasion. Verily, Baba gave a full descriptive analysis about how to observe Niilakantha Divas. And everything included in this email is based on His guideline. 

We are to remember that we should protest and express our disgust against all types of exploitation both inside AMPS and in general society. And we are to point out those demonic forces who poisoned Baba by not giving in to their tactics - instead feeding the impoverished and needy people delicious food. They administered poison, and in response we are to offer nectar. This is our special approach. Our manner also entails pointing out wrongs and injustices in the society and staging Prout marches and rallies to raise awareness about exploitation wherever and whatever form it exists, both inside AMPS as well as in the society-at-large.
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More unique aspects of Niilakantha Divas

Here is another way that we should consider adding to the observance of Niilakantha Divas (12 Feb). Just as Diipavali (Light Festival) and Vijaya Dashami (Victory Day) have their historical significance as well as their present day value, we should do the same with Niilakantha Divas. We are to think of it not just as a point of history but as a day to oppose injustices both inside AMPS and in general society. We could take a strong resolution and vow to fight against wrongdoing and establish dharma.

It could be a day to oppose any and all sinful acts - wherever one may be, where we wholeheartedly raise our voice and take a staunch stand against all sorts of exploitation both inside AMPS and in general society committed by those terrible sinners. It is an occasion not only to serve and feed delicious food to the financially poorest people, but also a time to stage Prout rallies and protests against the injustices of the day.
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It could be a time to express our moral courage and forcibly create the necessary circumstantial pressure to make those unrighteous and wicked people give up their nasty activities and mend their unjust ways. It could be a time to bring negative elements onto the path of welfare. So just as other occasions have their own specific purposes likewise Niilkantha Divas could have its own special value both historical and contemporary.

Conclusion

Here is a brief summary of how we are to observe Niilakantha Divas.

Family margiis should buy and prepare food and create a delicious dish to serve to the neediest person. All must participate in this way, according to their economic means. Each individual in Ananda Marga must feed at least one financially impoverished person the best food available, within their budget. And a family must feed economically destitute persons a sumptuous meal as per their purchasing capacity. If a Wt does not have sufficient funds to buy food then they must beg for enough money to purchase food. Accordingly, they must prepare a delicious meal and serve that to a needy person. So everyone is involved: Wts and family margiis. A collective gathering of dharmacakra should also be organised. And cultural programs may also be held. In addition, this is a day when Ananda Margiis the world over are to stand up to all types of exploitation both inside AMPS and in general society.
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Remember our motto is: As enemies administered poison, in return we are to give nectar. In a phrase, we are to replace poison with nectar. Every margii and worker is to participate in this way.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Ananda

The key point: We are to stand up to and oppose all exploiters, whether they be inside the organisation (AMPS) or in the general society. 


*        *        *

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 ==

You showed me the direction

"Uttál sindhu utkrami, tumi ese chile mor ghare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1077)

Purport: 

Parama Purusa Baba, after crossing the stormy ocean with very high tidal waves, You came into my abode. You have come to my home. As the traveler of the straight path which goes from infinity up to eternity, You never pause due to any fear because You are the controller of everything.

Parama Purusa, that time at my home there was no preparation. I did not have any of the necessary arrangements for Your reception like a grand dais or a garland bouquet etc. So I could not receive You properly according to the standard protocol. I only had an aching heart filled with supreme attraction. When You came my mind was full of longing for You; it was grief-stricken, and my core was soaked with tears of divine love.

Baba, I have done nothing for You, neither sadhana, nor Sixteen Points, nor service. In vain, I wasted my life running after mirages, mundane achievements. My life was diverted towards useless pursuits. But You forgave me. And now in the new dawn with a loving heart and a loud trumpet sound, You came to me and by holding my hand, You showed me the direction and path of sadhana and bhakti. I have not done anything for You, but You have done everything for me. Baba, You are grace personified.

Baba, You are ever-gracious….


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Societal guidelines on art

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:
  • "Agriculture, arts, commerce and other developmental work should, as far as possible, be carried out on a cooperative basis."
  • "Fine arts lead human beings to the trans-sensory realm; hence sádhakas should not discourage fine arts; rather they should support them, directly or indirectly."
  • "Artists are great benefactors of society, hence take active steps for their protection. For example, before enacting a drama or its translation, enough money for a day's maintenance must be given to the author."
  • "If a drama or other art performance is staged and a charge is made for tickets, after deducting the incidental expenditure, the remaining money should be distributed among the artists, half on the basis of labour and half on the basis of merit." (1)

Reference
1. Caryacarya, Society, Points #15 - #18


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Prout’s standard for economic viability

Prout philosophy states, “According to PROUT, increases in per capita income are not a sufficiently reliable and scientific index to determine the standard and progress of a particular socio-economic unit. Rather, this approach is misleading and deceitful, because it refers to a simple mathematical calculation of total national income divided by total population. This does not give the correct picture of the standard of living of the people of a particular socio-economic unit as the wealth disparity in society is concealed. Per capita income shows the mean and not the variation of income distribution. If inflation is also considered, the reliability of per capita income is further reduced."

"Purchasing capacity, on the other hand, is the real index of how people's economic needs can be met by their income. All PROUT's plans and programmes in the socio-economic sphere should be aimed at increasing the purchasing capacity of the people. PROUT stresses increasing purchasing capacity and not per capita income."

"Per capita income is not a proper indication of the increase in the standard of living of the people because while people may have very high incomes they may not be able to purchase the necessities of life. If the per capita income is low and people have great purchasing capacity they are much better off. So, purchasing capacity and not per capita income is the true measure of economic prosperity. Everyone's requirements should be within their pecuniary periphery or purchasing capacity." (1)

Reference
1. Proutist Economics, Questions and Answers on Economics – Excerpt A


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Nuances of spiritual surrender

Some think surrender means doing nothing and depending on God. How far is this correct?

Answer: It is not correct. Here in this following teaching Baba has given the explanation.

   "Párthasárathi says, Má karmaphalaheturbhúmá te saungostvakarmańi [“You must not do actions that will bind you, but you must not be averse to action, either”]. Do your duty, your karma. Now, is this karma in conformity with prapatti or is it antagonistic to prapatti? The teachings of Vraja Krśńa are clearly consistent with prapatti. His existence, His actions, the music of His flute, the way in which He attracts people and gives them shelter – all these are in perfect harmony with prapatti, because an individual feels free after surrendering everything to the Macrocosmic Entity. Here Párthasárathi says, “Do your karma, for you have an inalienable right to your karma.” Karma is defined as Karma Brahmeti karma bahu kurviita – “You are human. Simply look upon karma as a veritable expression of Brahma [Supreme Entity] and do as much karma as you can.”
   "Is this in agreement with prapatti or at variance with prapatti? It seems to be opposed to prapatti but in actuality it is not. If we go deeper into the subject, we see that this quinquelemental body, this body of flesh and bones, this mind made of ectoplasmic stuff, this reflecting plate that acts as the witnessing entity (known as átman or puruśa in philosophy) – all these have their origin in Parama Puruśa. It is the Cosmic desire that is the source of the creation of the human body, mind and soul. If we utilize this body, mind and jiivátmá [soul, self, unit consciousness], we are only following the path of prapatti. That is, we are utilizing the things given to us by Parama Puruśa. All these things, the body, mind and self, are His gifts. Had He willed otherwise, they would not have existed. Without Cosmic desire, nothing can exist, nothing can move, not even a blade of grass. So in accordance with the spirit of prapatti, that the body is a machine, we can say that He has been kind enough to provide the body and mind, to be utilized for work only. Hence I follow the spirit of prapatti in using them."
   "In the beginning, karma seemed to be against prapatti, but karma is not antithetical to prapatti. It is definitely in conformity with prapatti. So a boy or a girl who does work is surely following the path of prapatti. Even if there is any room for indolence while enjoying the flute of Vraja Krśńa, there is not the least room for inaction in the clarion call of the karma yoga of Párthasárathi Krśńa." (1)

Reference
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Krśńa and Prapattiváda – 2 (Discourse 5)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

When we remember our past life

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "After death the disembodied mind floats in the vast space with its unexpressed saḿskáras. Later on, with the cooperation of the mutative principle, the disembodied mind finds a suitable physical base. The memory of its past life remains awake for approximately the first five years of its new life. Although the child remains in a new physical environment, mentally it continues to live the joys and sorrows of its previous life. That is why children sometimes laugh and cry in their sleep, and their mothers often think they are talking with God. In colloquial Bengali this is called deola kát́á. In actual fact this laughter and crying is nothing but the reappearance of past memories. To re-experience past events one does not need the cooperation of the old brain. The newly-born mind has not yet had time to build a close relationship with the new brain. The revival of experiences of past lives is what we call “extra-cerebral memory”, and is principally the task of the causal mind." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Cerebral and Extra-Cerebral Memory


== Section: Important Teaching ==

“I am just like a tourist”

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Smara nitya anityatám. You should remember always that you have come here for a short span. You won't remain in this world for a long period. You may remain here, say, for ninety or a hundred years, or say for 150 years. Some saints like Traelauṋga Svámii lived here for 350 years. He lived in Varanasi in India and died in this twentieth century. But you are to live under certain limitations – limitations of time, space and person."

"So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span."

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short span and I won't remain here for a very long period. My home is elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent home, will not require a passport." (1)

Reference
1. 25 May 1979 evening, Rotterdam


== Section 4: Links ==


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Sunday, February 1, 2026

Pracara: hurdles & successes + 3 more

Baba
Pracara: hurdles & successes

Namaskar,

There are many sincere Margiis who do pracara of Ananda Marga on a regular basis. But oftentimes they face a number of difficulties and challenges when doing pracara. Let us explore why this is so.
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Difficulties introducing AM to new people

When one goes out to do AM pracara, they talk about Ananda Marga ideology, various practices, and the overall goal of life. Hearing this, new people think that AM is very tough and difficult to follow. For instance, there are restrictions on food and numerous other conduct rules to follow. Most think that this is not possible. Typically, a reluctant listener thinks that the rules of AM are very strict and difficult to abide by. However, all the rules and codes in AM are based on logicas and rationality, and beneficial to all.


What to do

In contrast, some religions around the world have thousands of codes and rules that are so dogmatic and illogical that they cannot be followed in this present era. One religion says those who are promiscuous should be stoned to death, but one cannot uphold that rule in today’s world. The era has changed. Another religion says to kill non-believers or forcibly convert them.  Whilst other religions say that one should not wear clothing, or if your inborn enemies are attacking you then do not defend yourself or fight back. All religions have countless archaic rules. In that case, how can one follow them?

The goal of religions is matter; they are matter-centered as well as self-centered, especially the Semitic religions. Their entire code is based on that limited outlook. There is no scope for mercy towards non-believers or animals.
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Religious followers enjoy life by attaching themselves to crude physical objects such as food, money, etc. Many people know that it is good to be a vegetarian, but think that it is very difficult, and they will not be able to live with vegetarian food. By thinking so, they keep indulging themselves in non-vegetarian food. For example, a person who  was doing AM pracara found out that 99 out of 100 people thought that being a vegetarian would be very difficult, and that it would not be possible for them to lead such a life even knowing that vegetarian food is healthy and a vegetarian lifestyle has many benefits.  Even after listening to various aspects of AM ideology, those 99 people will not join Ananda Marga due to their dogmatic beliefs . We see that these types of people represent the majority in our society. So what should be done to bring such people to AM?

Gayatrii Mantra: a first step

 In Baba’s pravacan,  He discusses the Gayatrii Mantra which comes from the Rgveda. In the Gayatrii Mantra, the disciple requests and yearns to receive true knowledge. To come on the path of AM, one has to follow rules, regulations, and a strict code of conduct. And those who cannot follow AM conduct rules sincerely can also come to AM as there are certain guidelines  especially for them. So those people can also be on the path towards Paramatma. If they are not ready to follow AM guidelines, whatever their current habits are like eating meat for instance, they can continue to do so, but they must sit for some time and recite the Gayatrii Mantra to request Paramatma to show them the path.

Those people should be taught the meaning of the Gayatrii Mantra, and those people should be ready to listen as they may or may not make any drastic changes to their lifestyle. They may or may not do asanas and sadhana as per AM rules, but they should sit quietly with their closed eyes and sincerely recite the Gayatrii Mantra understanding its meaning as per our AM scriptures. And even if one cannot recite the full mantra one should just keep the meaning in mind that, “O’ Supreme Entity, please show me the right path for enlightenment.” Since they know the meaning of the Gayatrii Mantra, in their prayers they will ask Paramatma for guidance. With constant practice, depending upon the intensity of one’s yearning, Paramatma will listen and respond to their prayers.
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Baba says that “Muktyákáuṋkśayá sadgurupráptih”. (1)

Without longing for mukti, one will not find Sadguru. So to increase longing for mukti one has to practice the Gayatrii Mantra, i.e. recite the mantra with its meaning, or just simply cultivate the meaning of the mantra.

Gayatrii Mantra used in vaedika diiksa

The way rsis (monks) used to initiate disciples in the past was by using this very method of vaedika diiksa. Likewise, those doing AM pracara should also give vaedika diiksa using the Gayatrii Mantra, especially to those people who do not want to follow AM practices yet have a number of existing habits and dogmas which they do not want to give up. In such types of people, there are a lot of obstacles. tThe Gayatrii Mantra is most suitable for those people, and they should be taught how to pronounce or chant the Gayatrii Mantra,   and the inner feeling they should have when reciting the mantra. Most importantly, they should sincerely recite the mantra every day.

Benefits of pracara

There are multiple of benefits  with doing pracara in this manner. First, these are some people who would not have known about AM due to various  struggles in their lives, but with such pracara efforts they come to know about AM and potentially follow AM practices  sincerely. Secondly, there are a number of people who are not willing to give up their bad habits or caste system, but they still like AM. These are the people who are well-wishers of AM, but they do not want to give up their bad habits. For such types of people, they can keep doing whatever they are doing, but at the very least they can participate in kiirtan. They should be given the kiirtan mantra, and they can do kiirtan and also sing while they are busy doing other things. Kiirtan is both for margiis and non-margiis. After doing kiirtan they can sit in meditation by feeling Brahma is everywhere.
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Using these three approaches - 1) the Gayattrii Mantra, 2) the feeling that Brahma is omnipresent, and 3) singing kiirtan - many people can be brought onto the spiritual path. Permanent change comes in humans only through spirituality. Other changes that come through self-determination or using other practices are only temporary. For example, one is taught only intellectually what is good and what is bad. One will understand for some time, but the change will not remain with one for long. Under certain circumstances, such intellectual people will compromise on principles and will not stick to the changes which they once resolved to make. The base of spirituality is much stronger, and other bases are fluid and will not be able to support stronger determination under circumstantial pressure.

Only spirituality can bring permanent change

Those people whose base is spirituality have firm determination. Those believing only in logical principles become loose.

For example, a person i traveling on a train thinks that they have the strong determination to eat only sattvika food. But when they realize that there is no sattvika food on the train, they think  they may die due to not taking food. Under such circumstances, they will start to take the food that is available on the train, even though it is not sáttvika. Then after coming home, that person will resume taking sáttvika food. But under certain situations such as when one is out with friends, during travel etc, one may take non-sáttvika food because one’s determination is not based on spirituality.
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Another example — when a person goes to their mother’s place, that person may start to eat food that the mother has prepared, even though it is not sáttvika.

Conclusion

Verily, a spiritual base is needed to bring permanent change in humans. Those not ready to follow AM practices can be taught the Gayatrii Mantra, or that Brahma is present everywhere, and also kiirtan, in order to bring them to AM. Even if they do not participate in our AM way of life they will develop a spiritual base and permanent positive changes. When sattvika vrttis develop, a lot of bad qualities will disappear as darkness vanishes with light. The darkness is avidya maya, and because of that some people do not follow AM. But with light, such as developing a spiritual base, more sentient qualities will  unfold, and t those people will learn AM sadhana. Even if they do not adopt our AM yogic lifestyle, those sentient qualities will bring a lot of positive changes in their lives.

In Him,
Nira'ka'ra

~ In-depth study ~

People should be taught meditation and be advised that, without any goal, meditation is not meaningful, and whatever one thinks during meditation, one becomes that. If one is thinking about materialistic things in meditation, then one becomes that, and as a result, there will not be any progress in the spiritual sphere.

How to develop spirituality in self-proclaimed agnostics?

There are other types of people who would like to learn AM meditation, but they are self-proclaimed agnostics. Baba says that no one is a confirmed atheist so even one who does not actively believe in the Supreme Entity can be taught meditation using the notion of an impersonal Entity. That is, they can sit and ideate how they are surrounded by the infinite Supreme Entity in all directions.
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How should pracara be done?

The teaching should be done on a one-on-one basis. These people should close their eyes, sit in meditation, and imagine that Brahma is everywhere. While doing meditation they should sit in padma’san, and when their legs become stiff then in normal cross-legged posture, so that they can continue their meditation. There is no limit on the length of meditation. They can do it for one minute to twenty minutes, or longer. But they should definitely do it at least for one minute. By practicing meditation regularly they will slowly find ways to make progress in life. Those who say that they do not have time, they must do it at least for one minute, at least twice a day--- once in the morning, once in the evening, before food. If someone can do it four times a day including upon waking up and before going to sleep that would be ideal. If one does more meditation, that is even better. Slowly they can increase the duration of the meditation. The more one does meditation for a longer period of time, the more quickly one advances on the path of spirituality.

Sadhana: visualize surrounded by Brahma

The following sadhana technique given by Baba can be taught to those not fully ready to commit to following AM codes of conduct etc.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “They should be taught to sit in padmásana [lotus posture]...and keep the spine erect. They will then be instructed to feel or imagine that everything around them, and whatever they visualize, is Brahma.” (2)

References
1. Ananda Sutram, 3 - 8
2. Caryacarya -1, The Process of Initiation


*        *        *

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 ==

Prout’s view: best language

Prout philosophy guides us, “In the past undeveloped persons used to express their thoughts through gestures and postures. A time will come when there will be no language. With the advancement of science human beings may again adopt new types of postures and gestures, and they may think of using the energy saved by minimizing the use of spoken language for higher pursuits.”

“Intelligent people will evolve a common world language and will not be guided by false, narrow sentiments. Like all other mundane property, languages are the common property of the Cosmic Father. We should love all these languages, hate none, and adopt one of these languages as the world language. As all languages are our common property, we should not oppose the existence of other languages. We should not brand any language as foreign or national.”

Prout philosophy says, “In the present system the English language deserves to be the world language because it is scientific and widely spoken. It would be a great folly for any government to deny this fact. With the change of time future generations may select any other language as the world language. Thus we should adopt a common lingua franca for the mutual exchange of ideas. For this purpose English may be accepted as the world lingua franca for some time more. We should however feel that all the languages of the world are our own languages. No language should be treated as indigenous, foreign or national, and nobody should treat the world language as a foreign language and discourage its propagation.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, What is the best language according to Prout


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Basic cause of cancer

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "Causes: Cancer is a disease of the whole body as well as a tridośaja disease [involving disturbances of váyu, pitta and kapha]. This disease is a combined effect of many different factors. It is ordinarily observed that persons who suffer from constipation as a result of violating the health rules, and who likewise are lazy, lack self-restraint, sleep during the day and keep late nights, are most likely to be attacked by cancer."

"When due to constipation, the blood and the muscle-fibre become worn out by the contaminated digestive fluids of the body and the contaminated air produced by them, cancer sets in. Parts of the internal organs of people who are extremely self-indulgent become weak. As a result of the attrition of shukra, their body loses its vitality. When such people eat too large a quantity of non-vegetarian food, their blood turns acidic and the disease gradually breaks out in the weaker parts of their bodies."

"With those people who shun physical labour but take acidic food, chillies, or intoxicants and especially tobacco and similar things – there is every possibility that the disease will attack." (1)

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "Dos and Don'ts: Sleeping during the day, staying awake at night, chillies, non-vegetarian food, and sexual relations are to be strictly avoided. Walking in open places as the strength allows, and, for those who are lazy by nature, doing some physical labour, are also necessary. Eating a piece of myrobalan after a meal is always helpful to clear the bowels. Patients should go to bed every night by 8:30 or 9 p.m so that they may get up very early the next morning." (2)

References
1. Yogic Treatments, Cancer
2. Yogic Treatments, Cancer


== Section 3: Links ==





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