Baba
Asking for mundane things
Namaskar,
Here are some key reasons why one should never place mundane requests before Parama Purusa:
(a) Mundane things are temporary, i.e. just fleeting objects, which can never bring lasting happiness or permanent fulfillment.
(b) Whatever you ask for, He will grant. So if you request for something mundane then naturally you will receive that worldly request - not any spiritual gain.
(c) When approaching that Supreme Entity, one should ask for something great like bhakti. One should not ask for silly mundane or transitory things.
Here is one famous story that brings this entire teaching to light.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Story of a sage: what to ask for in life
Ananda Marga ideology states, "One day, Yájinávalkya fell seriously ill. His two wives, Maetreyii and Kátyáyanii, attended on him with due care and affection. It is a fact that some men are ordinary and some are extraordinary. Similarly, some women are ordinary and others are extraordinary.
After recovering from his illness, Yájinávalkya said to Kátyáyanii, “I would like to give you a present. What would you like?”
His wife replied, “Let me see I’d like some new clothes, some new jewellery, in fact, so many things.” And she made a long list of all the things she wanted.
Yájinávalkya bought everything she asked for and then asked Maetreyii, “What would you like? Clothes, jewellery, or any other valuable thing?”
Maetreyii remained silent.
Yájinávalkya continued, “Just a little while ago, Katyáyánii said she would like some new clothes, jewellery, and so many other things. What would you like?”
Maetreyii replied, Yenáham námrtasyáḿ tenáhaḿ kim kuryám. “What will I do with things which will not remain with me permanently? Of what use are the objects which will not establish me in immortality? The expensive clothes I wear today will be torn in a few days. The jewellery I wear today will no longer be fashionable tomorrow as the designs change from age to age. A certain design was fashionable in my grandmother’s day, another one in my mother’s day and yet another in the present day. No design is permanent forever. It’s nice of you to offer me such things, but none of them will remain with me. I will have to leave them all behind when I depart from this world; so what use are they, and why should you tempt me with them?”
Yájinávalkya then asked, “Please tell me what you would really like.”
“If you can,” she replied, “please give me that thing which will remain with me permanently, which I’ll be able to preserve forever, which will establish me in immortality. I don’t want anything else.”
Then Yájinávalkya gave her a number of instructions, upon which a major part of Rájá Yoga is based." (1)
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion: Only ask for bhakti - not anything else
Human beings do not know what they need. In that case, people wrongly ask Parama Purusa for mundane boons. Such is the case of Kátyáyanii in the above story. With that mindset, people ask for all kinds of worldly desires: marry a particular person, request a particular job, gain social status etc -- only to watch those things crumble into the sea. Doing thus, they only invite more problems for themselves. It is just like how a child desires to touch fire - having that desire fulfilled brings pain and suffering. Same is the case with those who put forth requests that are fleeting and transient in nature.
We should always set our aim toward the spiritual realm and ask for more and more bhakti. We should pursue the path towards moksa - permanent relief and salvation. That is neatly exemplified by Maetreyii's request in the above story. As sadhakas, we are to ask Parama Purusa for bhakti - not any other thing.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "What should we ask from Parama Puruśa? He already knows what the individual and collective needs are. He is associated with each individual through His “ota yoga” (yoga of association), and with the entire universe through His “prota yoga” (yoga of pervasive association). Remaining in the midst of all, He gives instructions to all. He knows better than anyone what their own needs are. So what should you ask from that entity who knows your needs better than you? In my opinion, nothing because He thinks about you more than you think about yourself. He understands you more than you understand yourself. However, if you do wish to say something, you should say, “Sha no buddhyá shubhayá saḿyunaktu.” “Let Him unite our intellect with the Supreme Benevolence because the moment we forget Him we move even further away from Him and virtually become animals in human form. And the moment we think about Him we become supreme in human form.” (2)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sarita’
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga ideology states, “In támasika aparábhakti: “O Parama Puruśa, that man is my enemy, Mr. X. Kill him.” In that case, Parama Puruśa may or may not kill that Mr. X. But it is sure that one will not get Parama Puruśa, because one did not say, “O Parama Puruśa, I want You.” In rájasika bhakti one says, “O Parama Puruśa, I want a job.” One may get it. One may or may not get a job; it depends upon the sweet will of Parama Puruśa. But it is sure that one will not get Parama Puruśa, because one did not say, “O Parama Puruśa, I want You.” In sáttvikii bhakti also one may get back one’s digestive power [laughter], but one may not, will not, get Parama Puruśa because one did not say, “O Parama Puruśa, I want You.” So for a bhakta, for a devotee, Parama Puruśa is more important than mukti.” (3)
In the dogmatic religions, they ask their god to (a) make our religion successful in battle, (b) grant our people wealth and prosperity, (c) make me great (d) get my daughter married, (e) help my son get accepted into law school, and (f) there are so many requests that dogmatic worshipers place upon their lord. This is called tamasik bhakti.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, Discourse 142
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Remain United with the Supreme Benevolence
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, Bhakti, Mukti and Parama Puruśa
* * *
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 ==
Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.
"Tumi biná ke bá krpá karite páre, ár káke máne sárá carácare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0350)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, Baba, who else can bless me except You - no one. Who else can I accept as my own in this entire mobile and immobile universe - only You.
Parama Purusa, all created beings are looking towards You for Your mercy and karuńá. Today the lyres of all the minds’ viinas harmonically resonate in a single melody: Baba "You are everything." All their sufferings and all their afflictions have drowned in the ocean of Your compassion. All the pain has been relieved; all their sorrows have been transformed into bliss, by Your grace.
Parama Purusa, Baba, You love all unconditionally, not judging anyone by their merits and demerits. You never hate anyone because they are foolish, dumb, or unintelligent etc. You wholly embrace all irrespective of their qualities. You are the most dear - the heart of hearts of all. Baba, You are the Goal of meditation, the anudhya'na of everybody; and the veritable Ista of all bhaktas. You are the final desideratum for everyone. All attain their eternal fulfillment satiation from You alone. Meditating on You, one gets moksa, by Your sweet wiil.
Who else can grace me except You - no one. Who else can I accept as my own in this universe - no one but You. O' Parama Purusa, no one else is mine but You…
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Harassed, not appreciated
Sadguru Baba says, “Great, Bha'skara'ca'rya was. People of his age didn't like it. Because you know, people who adhere to dogma, they do not like or they cannot tolerate ultra-modern ideas. They will say, "It is against the scripture; it is against the system"---they will say like this. And they won't tolerate it. It is the system of human society. And after their death, they appreciate their ideas. Galileo, Copernicus, Socrates---they were not honored during their time, in their lifetime. It is the norm.” (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us how revolutionary thinkers are never appreciated or honoured in their lifetime; rather, they are mocked, tortured, and exiled. All because their ideas are far beyond the narrow outlook of the common people. However, with the review of history, those thinkers are embraced as great luminaries and the true seers who brought society forward into a brand new era. The same is the case with those dharmikas bringing forth Ananda Marga ideology. Baba’s teachings are entirely new and light years ahead of the common mass. So as Ananda Margiis we do AM pracara to please Him and let His will be fulfilled. In the due course, society will look back and realise how AM dharmikas wiped out the existing dogmas and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity, by His grace.
Reference
1. NP, MGD 2 September 1971 Patna
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Islam feasted on forced conversions
Prout philosophy states, “The second inviolable principle is that people should not be forcibly converted from one religion to another. People will not leave a religion if it is able to guide them properly on the path of Dharma. However, if a religion has a narrow outlook or contains some defective teachings, such as supporting the caste system or oppressing the poor, then people will naturally become disillusioned with it. The followers of other religions will take advantage of these defects and forcibly convert them.”
“In the past there were many instances when large numbers of Hindus were forcibly converted to another religion. Hindus were fed onions or beef without their knowledge and women were abducted, compelling them to transgress their religious beliefs. As a result, they were excommunicated by the Hindu priests. They were declared outcastes. When those who had instigated the transgressions observed this development, they escalate their campaign of forcible conversion.” (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
== Section: Important Teaching ==
This disease is rampant today
Prout philosophy states, "The ambition to become rich by exploiting others is a type of psychic disease. In fact, if the infinite longing of the human mind does not find the proper path leading to psychic and spiritual fulfilment, it becomes engaged in accumulating excessive physical wealth by depriving others. If any member of a joint family appropriates food from the family food store by using physical or intellectual force, he or she becomes the cause of misery to others. Similarly, when capitalists declare, “We have amassed wealth by our talent and labour. If others have the capacity and diligence, let them also do the same; nobody prevents them,” they do not care to realize that the volume of commodities on the earth is limited, whereas the requirement is common to all. Excessive individual affluence, in most cases, deprives others of the minimum requirements of life." (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day #4
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Kite example: Obvious mistake by AM Publications
In our Ananda Marga books there are so many errors and flaws made by Tiljala Publication. Here is one example: Read the below and pay particular attention to the words in red. This is how they printed it in the actual book.
"Let me try to explain the nature of the mutual relationship between the microcosm and universal rhythms with a simple analogy. Suppose a young boy is flying a kite high in the sky. It seems the kite has an apparent link with someone on earth, but that is not the fact. The kite has a link with the spindle in the hands of the boy through a thin thread. The kite flies at a certain altitude according to the sweet will of the boy. The microcosm and universal rhythm also are linked by an invisible spiritual bond in exactly the same way. That’s why it is said that microcosms are only granted "dominion status"; whereas a complete independence is vested with the universal rhythm." (1)
Corrected version: Fix your copy
The publishers should have printed the paragraph like this (see below) - please pay particular attention to the words in blue:
"Let me try to explain the nature of the mutual relationship between the microcosm and universal rhythms with a simple analogy. Suppose a young boy is flying a kite high in the sky. It seems the kite has no an apparent link with someone on earth, but that is not the fact. The kite has a link with the spindle in the hands of the boy through a thin thread. The kite flies at a certain altitude according to the sweet will of the boy. The microcosm and universal rhythm also are linked by an invisible spiritual bond in exactly the same way. That’s why it is said that microcosms are only granted "dominion status"; whereas a complete independence is vested with the universal rhythm."
This dominion state means that humans are not fully free but somewhat free. And that is what Baba is explaining by the above kite example. In other discourses, Baba has given the analogy of a cow or goat tied on a 100’ rope. That cow or goat has freedom to go wherever it wishes within that dominion of 100'. The cow does not have the ability to go beyond the length of that rope. So it has freedom up to a certain point - not beyond. That is what is meant by dominion state.
The mistake made is quite clear. The publishers wrote, "It seems like the kite has an apparent link with someone on earth." This is completely wrong. It should be, "It seems like the kite has no an apparent link with someone on earth." Sadly these types of publication errors are rampant.
If still this is not clear then write us. Those who apply themselves will easily understand.
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy-4, Individual Rhythm and Universal Rhythm
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
कृपा कर इस ग़रीब की कुटिया में आओ
हे मेरे परम प्रिय बाबा ! यदि तुम मुझे सचमुच प्यार करते हो तो कृपा कर इस ग़रीब की कुटिया में आओ ।
प्रभात सङ्गीत 2619 भालो वासो जदि ताबे ऐशो …
हे मेरे परम प्रिय बाबा ! यदि तुम मुझे सचमुच प्यार करते हो तो कृपा कर इस ग़रीब की कुटिया में आओ । तुमको मैं अपने हृदय की गहराई से रचे हुए प्रेम गीत सुनाना चाहता हॅूं। इसीलिए मैंने अपनी हृदय की वीणा में अनेक स्वर और तानों का खूब अभ्यास कर रखा है।
हे बाबा ! मेरे पास किसी भी प्रकार का ज्ञान, बुद्धि जैसे सदगुण नहीं है। मान, नाम ,यश कुछ भी तो नहीं है। मेरे पास तो केवल एक ही चीज है वह है अपने मन में बसा तुम्हारा प्यार। मेरा पूरा हृदय तुम्हारे प्यार से भर गया है। तुम्हारी कृपा से मैं उसे तुमको ही सौंपकर तुम्हें सन्तुष्ठ करना चाहता हूँ ।
बाबा ! मेरा कोई स्तर, मान या सम्मान नहीं है। न ही मेरे दिल में इतना प्रेम है कि तुम्हारे न आने से उसे ठेस पहुँचे। हे बाबा ! मैं तो उसी से धन्य हो गया हॅूं जो चीजें तुमने मुझे कृपा पूर्वक दी हैं। अब तो केवल तुम, बिना कारण ही मुझ पर कृपा की वर्षा कर दो और जल्दी ही आ जाओ ।
हे बाबा ! यदि तुम मुझे सचमुच प्यार करते हो तो मेरे हृदय में और अधिक पास आ जाओ। तुम्हारे लिए मैंने अपना मन गुरुचक्र में सजाकर तैयार कर रखा है। कृपया और पास आकर धन्य कर दीजिए ।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Religions became tools in the hand of vested interests
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Religion is practiced for the fulfilment of mundane aspirations. This is the reason why a class of clergymen emerged centring around the religion. Ultimately the adherents of these religions become mere tools in the hands of vested interests. With the awakening of nityánitya viveka in human minds and the opening of the door of scientific knowledge, it will not be possible to deceive the people in the name of religion or by holding out the lure of happiness in the next world. The vested interests are quite aware of this fact and hence strive to keep the masses lost in the darkness of ignorance. Like parasites, they manoeuvre themselves to misappropriate, by injecting fear and inferiority complexes, a lion's share of what the ignorant masses earn with their sweat and blood." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 7, The Five Kinds of Conscience
== Section 4: Links ==
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