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Wednesday, December 18, 2019

MPD of Gorakhpur acarya

Baba

MPD of Gorakhpur acarya

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the mahaprayan of Ac.' Binod Bihariji of Gorakhpur. Respected Bihari ji's mahaprayan occurred today, 18 Dec 2019 at 5:30 pm at his home. In the months prior to his mahaprayan, Bihariji had been quite ill.

Ac.' Binod Bihariji was a longtime and dedicated Ananda Margii as he became a disciple of Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji very early on. And during those many decades he was perpetually involved in the dharmic ideal of sadhana, service, and sacrifice.

All knew that Bihari ji was a staunch adherent of AM teachings, and he was ever-ready to do anything and everything in service to Marga Guru. With his mahaprayan, our entire Ananda Marga society is losing a very dear and sincere elder brother.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com

The cremation will be held tomorrow (19th December) at 10am at Sahara Cremation Ground at the bank of Rapti river.

May we all take solace in the fact that Ac.' Binod Bihariji was a bhakta of Sadguru Baba. Certainly he will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His infinite grace.

in Him,
Haribhakti

Note: Alert for those cremating a dead body in India or Indian managed cremation homes around the world. Their custom is to put the burning 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 of doing it. 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 reader's mind. 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 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 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 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. 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 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 way. That is their hypocrisy.


== Section 2: Links ==




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Monday, December 9, 2019

Hypocrisy & dowry: AMPS + 3 more

Baba

Hypocrisy & dowry: AMPS



Namaskar,

The dowry is one of the most heinous dogmas in our human society as it denigrates females as second-class citizens and leads to a whole host of social ills including suicide and the murder of the female fetus. That is why Sadguru Baba has condemned and opposed this exploitative ritual.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "For marriage, neither party can demand a dowry." (1)

Even then, some cannot let go of this age-old dowry dogma and it rears its head in various, sneaky ways. Every Ananda Margii should be aware about this.

Huge demand from avaricious bridegroom

A dowry is any payment, gift, or economic burden that is forcibly imposed at the time of marriage. And while typically, the dowry has been associated with Indian females, in one form or another this type of social dogma has taken root around the globe. For simplicity and clarity, here we shall focus on the situation in India, though it is a more pervasive issue.

Generally, before the actual date of marriage, the groom’s family makes huge demands in order to proceed with the marriage. So there is an ongoing period of tense negotiation between the bride and bridegroom’s families. And those talks reach their culmination when the two sides meet and formally agree on how much the bride’s family will pay as a dowry. Once this is established then the marriage plans and wedding arrangements can be finalised. Here it should be noted that the dowry payment is usually an astronomical amount of money and expensive gifts (gold, automobiles etc) that can break the bank of the bride’s family.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Murder the new-born baby girl

That is why families in India do not want to give birth to girls. In turn they may kill the fetus if it is a female or even murder the new-born baby girl because of the severe financial burden associated with that female infant. Not only that, if a girl is born and reaches an age where she becomes aware of what a burden she is to her family, she may commit suicide.

The problem became so widespread that the Indian government was forced two issues two acts:
(a) The Dowry Prohibition Act
(b) Prohibition of Sex Selection Act

In response to the severe mistreatment of baby girls, the Indian government outlawed the dowry and testing for the sex of the child before birth. These acts (appended below) were done to protect girls. But sadly, the systemic problems did not subside. Still today, it is a raging issue, as it takes shape in new, and newer forms.

Deceitful ways: gold on daughters wedding

The most obvious form of a dowry is when the bride’s family directly pays the groom’s family. But in the modern era, this is not the only way that the dowry dogma takes shape. These days, at the time of marriage, the bride’s parents often give their own daughter huge amounts of gold on her wedding day. This is one sneaky approach because to the common eye it does not look like a dowry. But in all practicality it is a dowry. Because that girl will marry, leave her home, join the residence of the groom’s family, and take all her gold and wealth with her. The end result is that the gold is an indirect payment to the groom’s family as they take control of the bride’s finances etc.

Even then some may passionately defend that giving their own daughter gold on her wedding day is not a dowry. But the fact is that it is a dowry. Because if it was their son who was getting married they would not give him any gold. But when confronted about this, the bride’s family may outrightly deny it is a dowry and they may lay claim and justify that nowadays all do like this. But that does not resolve the matter. It just means that the ugly dowry dogma has taken new twists and turns to masquerade itself.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

The only solution to the dowry problem is to adhere to the teachings given in Caryacarya. That means that male and females must be given equal status. And there should not be any economic pressure at the time of marriage. Just as both males and females may freely walk into dharmacakra and participate on equal ground, the same should be the case with marriage. There should not be any economic burden to the bride’s family. That means no direct payment to the groom’s family, and no gifts of gold to the bride, as a means of indirect payment to the groom. About this every Ananda Margii should be honest and firm, and not capitulate to the social pressures of the day, otherwise the dowry dogma will persist. 

In Him,
Gaorii

Sadguru Baba states, “The dowry system is yet another glaring example of social injustice. In my book Human Society [Part 1], I have already mentioned that the dowry system has two major causes: the first is economic, and the second is the numerical disparity between women and men. With the decreasing economic dependence of women on men, the inequity of the dowry system will cease to exist. But to expedite this process, it is essential to propagate high ideals among young men and women. Our sons and daughters are not commodities like rice, pulse, salt, oil or cattle that they can be haggled over in the marketplace.” (2)


~ In-depth study ~

Governmental laws to protect girls

Here below are two acts by the Indian government aimed at curtailing and eliminating the injustices and harm done to girls because of the dowry dogma. By prohibiting the testing of the sex before birth, then families will be less inclined to abort or murder the fetus if they do not know for sure that it is a girl. Secondly, the Indian government bans giving a dowry in all its forms and ways. Both governmental orders have been pasted directly below.





References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Marriage Ceremony, A Few Instructions, point #6
2. Problems of the Day, Point #14



*        *        *

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 ==

Ever-present with all

“Se sujan tháke kotháy, tháke kotháy…” (Prabhat Samgiita #4309)

Purport:

Where does that very Charming Entity reside - where does He live? In the anthocephalus indicus flower garden, the peacock goes on telling that it is difficult to understand His liila.

That very Entity smiles like the golden hue of the crimson dawn in the eastern horizon. With great love and affection He is conveying the divine message of spiritual life in every ear - He is telling everybody, without differentiating between caste, creed, colour, or any barriers. He is giving His special teachings to one and all about how to lead a dharmic life.

Age after age, He comes and goes and is known as Taraka Brahma; He takes advent and lives within the reach of human beings, by accepting the bondage of time and space. Even then He remains beyond the limitation of those relative factors always. He comes on this earth by taking human form yet acts beyond time and space eternally and is ever-present with all...



== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Festivals are for young & old

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Every human being likes utsava [festival]. It is the desire of all that they will rejoice unitedly. In Europe Puritanism failed in the end, only because the Puritans failed to care for the desires of the general public. They preached their theory only to a handful of devotees of knowledge.”
   “Ananda Marga is for the general public. So, considering the necessity of the general mass, proper importance has to be given to the utsava in social life. Excitement in a utsava is the greatest in the children, in the tender aged boys, in the youths and last of all in grown ups. In the programmes of a utsava, therefore, you shall think for the children first. Their sweet stammering noises ensure the success of the utsava. But whatever arrangements you may make for the children, the youngsters, youths, or for the grown-ups, make that there is no dearth of discipline even to the minutest extent anywhere. Let there be complete harmony. ” (1)

Reference
1. Táttvika Diipiká (Dvitiiya Parva), Point #4 - Utsava



== Section: Important Teaching ==

Suicide and our moral duty

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those who commit suicide, do it when their mind is in a negative state. It is unnatural.” (1)

Note: Those in a balanced state of mind never commit suicide or opt for euthanasia (assisted suicide). The only people who commit suicide are those (a) in a poor emotional state, (b) affected by dogma, or (c) suffering from a severe mental ailment. If a person attempts or actually commits suicide it means their mind is not working properly. To prevent this social ill and personal tragedy, those with a balanced mind who are near the patient have the moral duty to intervene. They must save those mental patients who are planning or trying to commit suicide or euthanasia.

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, The Three Causes of Sin


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to overcome gossiping

WT conduct rule says, "You will cultivate the practice of maonbrata (vow of silence) at least half an hour every day during working hours." (1)

Note: In the above conduct rule Baba is giving the solution of one common problem. Because many suffer from the mental disease of gossiping needlessly. It can happen to anyone but certain Wts are more indulged because they talk all day long. Even if a kiirtan program is going on then still they are sitting and talking non-stop. So this is the bad habit of some Wts.

To stop this Baba has given the aforementioned conduct rule. So if anyone is not following Baba's above guideline then they should be encouraged (or pressurized) to practice it. And by that way they will gain control over their negative habit of talking uselessly. Indeed by that way one can make the extroverted mind introverted. 

References
1. Fourteen Points: Point #9
== Section 4: Links ==















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