Baba
Learn from dharma samiiksa
Namaskar,
One clear-cut example of Baba's dharmic method is dharma samiiksa. All know that Baba called thousands and thousands of people for dharma samiiksa. This was one great boon for society. And in dharma samiiksa, with great love and concern, all-knowing Baba would point out one's weaknesses and shortcomings. He would bring to the fore a person's most serious demerits such as lying, hypocrisy, cheating, laziness etc.
Oftentimes, in dharma samiiksa, Baba would very lovingly, yet strongly, review that person's character. That individual also had so many good qualities, yet Baba would not spend the precious time talking about those good qualities. Rather, with His supreme benevolence, He would graciously bless that sadhaka by rebuking that person for their misdeeds. In this way, they would grow, by His grace.
And we all know that Baba is our greatest well-wisher. Due to His mercy and kindness, we are all moving on the path of supreme veracity. Hence, no right-thinking person can accuse Baba of being unjust or negative because He has pointed out their defects. Instead, every true sadhaka recognises that out of His infinite love, Baba has carefully and lovingly reviewed our conduct so we may grow in the best way possible. This clearly shows that those who love someone or something will always be the first to point out the errors and problems.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Baba points out negative side to solve
Now let's see another of Baba's dharmic ways of leading humanity. In His Prout teachings, Baba points out countless defects in the society. He talks about the missteps in so many fields: science, religion, medicine, literature, education, politics, agriculture, and in every walk of life. Baba has so concerned Himself with the society's demerits that He even wrote an entire series of books titled, "A Few Problems Solved". Then there is another book titled, "Problems of the Day".
At the same time so many good things have happened in our society: excellent hospitals, good roads, space exploration, great inventions etc. But Baba does not spend much time in His discourses highlighting and praising all of society's achievements. Instead, He has invested thousands upon thousands of pages in talking about society's ills: religious dogma, crooked politics, faulty economic programs, disease, sickness, crimes, and war etc.
But who can then accuse Baba of being an enemy of society. Rather, He is the loving Father of all—this is His creation—and it is out of deep love and care that He has spoken about the problems in society. And because Parama Purusa Baba has graciously pointed out the defects, gradually everyone can understand what needs to be fixed, and then society will grow in the proper way. That is Baba's dharmic method. And it is all based out of deep, deep love.
To shed light on the above let's take a look at common, everyday examples from the general society.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Why newspapers always report problems
If in a town, a factory successfully meets its daily quota of production, then the local newspaper will not write a story about that good news. Because that is the expectation—everyday that factory meets its quota. However, if there is an explosion in that same factory and 20 workers die, then that newspaper will immediately send a reporter to the scene and they will print a big article about that disaster and include photos as well.
One cannot then blame the newspaper for only highlighting negative things. Rather the role of the newspaper is to alert the townspeople about the calamity and help initiate an investigation so that another explosion does not occur in the future. This example also denotes how those people who are most responsible and have the most concern will be the first to alert others if there is a problem. And their sole intention is to fix the situation and make everything alright. In contrast, those who do not care will keep mum. They may not even recognise that there is a problem.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Duty of doctor to find out the defect in the body
Visiting the Doctor: If a person is not feeling well then they will pay to go to the doctor with the expectation of finding out the problem and solving it. The patient wants to be cured and that is the doctor's job—i.e. to cure the patient. So if a person goes to the doctor and the doctor only tells him about the parts that are working and does not say anything about the ailment, then that patient will be very disappointed. That patient will not be pleased and will demand a proper medical report from the doctor. Because the doctor's job is to benevolently find out the diseased portion of the body and cure it. If the person was feeling fine to begin with then there was no need to go to the doctor.
Road Maintenance: If a particular road is washed out and the road maintenance department does not say anything to anyone and just gives the report that most of the roads are working fine, then that will be completely bogus. Rather that road maintenance department will be very keen to report again and again that Route 268 is washed out and everyone will have to take a detour. That is how a good road maintenance department will handle the situation. Here their aim is to keep everyone safe and alert them about the danger about the washed out road. Their intention is wholly benevolent.
So the point is that in all these cases those who have great concern and are in positions of responsibility will always point out the problem with the aim of solving it. That is the operative principle. If things are going smoothly then there is no need to bring the matter into view. But when a problem arises, then most definitely it must be identified and solved in the best way possible. This is the common approach that we see happening everyday all around the globe whenever a problem arises.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Who makes hue and cry, who doesn’t
The whole approach of neo-humanism is to look upon all with love and help them to grow by pointing out their defects. And that same approach when applied to Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha will lead to a brilliant and shining organisation, free from dogma and exploitation. This is what dharmikas are doing nowadays. Hence those who love Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha will always point out the problems and difficulties. That is our dharma—there is no other way.
Here is an English summary of Sadguru Baba’s Hindi teaching from, EGD 25 November 1978 Bombay, Taking Shelter in Satya is the Essence of Sadhana:
If our own person, family member, or anyone deviates from the truth or is lacking sincerity, oppose them. Do not tolerate them. It does not matter if they are our own family member. If our own person is dishonest and insincere then they are more dangerous. Why? If a snake is living outside the house in the wild it is dangerous, but if that snake enters inside the house then it is more dangerous. Therefore they [our close persons] should be opposed more strongly. (English summary of Hindi: EGD 25 November 1978 Bombay)
In His above guideline Baba explains that bad elements in society are dangerous, but bad elements inside your house - inside your organisation - are more dangerous. Do not tolerate them, benevolently oppose them. So they can rectify their ways and become an asset to our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
In His above guideline Baba explains that bad elements in society are dangerous, but bad elements inside your house - inside your organisation - are more dangerous. Do not tolerate them, benevolently oppose them. So they can rectify their ways and become an asset to our Ananda Marga society. That’s why whistleblowing is very important for true sadhakas.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Parimal
~ In-depth study ~
Question: Will you find any sane human being in this world who will not yell and scream if their house catches on fire?
Answer: No, you will not.
So every sadvipra has the duty of being a whistleblower. If some catastrophe happened and someone saw it but did not raise a hue and cry, it means that person is not a human being let alone a sadvipra. He or she is an earthworm.
* * *
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 ==
PS Intro: The relationship between the bhakta and Parama Purusa is eternal - it has been going on since the very dawn of creation. However, the devotee was not always aware of this truth. Ages and ages passed when the sadhaka did not realise his unique and intimate connection with Parama Purusa. So when any sadhaka does get initiated and starts doing strong sadhana and becomes linked with Parama Purusa and feels His divine love and becomes drenched in His bliss, then that sadhaka feels repentant for not developing his relationship with Parama Purusa sooner. This song expresses this very notion of repentance and wishful thinking. Because in this song the sadhaka is expressing the following directly to Parama Purusa:
'In the past I was not aware about my relation with You. So now, when I have been blessed to come in Your contact and feel in my heart that You are my nearest and dearest One, then I feel sad that why did I not call You before, in the past - long, long back. Because even when I was a non-margii then that very time also You were with me. But I never look towards You those days and I never called You back then. Why did I not do so. Why did I not recognise You back then, it would have been so blissful to have had Your proximity all these years, but instead so much time passed in vain.'
So this song expresses the feeling of repentance of each and every devotee who has become linked with Parama Purusa as they reflect back on their life before becoming a margii. They wonder, 'Why did I remain oblivious of You - it would have been blissful if I had deep intimacy with You sooner'.
“Tumi a'ma'r kata a'pan a'ge bujhi ni…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0241)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, You are very close to me; You are my Dearest One. Before, in the past, I was oblivious to this sacred truth: That You are my eternal Companion. All along, You were side by side with me - near me always and with me wherever I was, in all endeavours. But it was so unfortunate that I remained unaware of Your divine presence. I never thought that You love me somuch. My Dearmost, why did I not talk to You and have Your intimate closeness.
Baba, since time immemorial You have been with me in all my works - small or big, meaningful and meaningless. But unfortunately that time I did not look towards You. Baba, You were with me in my song, rhythm, and tune. There was never any occasion when You were not there right by my side. And the string of that viina was vibrating then and resonates even today. And now I can hear it. But it is so sad and painful how that time in the past I remained oblivious of You. I did not pay heed to the call of Your viina, so I did not hear it. My Dearmost, Alas, it would have been so blissful if I had known that You love me so much, and You are with me always.
Divine Entity, You were with me on this journey of life, even when I was submerged in the deep cimmerian darkness. And now that very memory remains awake in my mind always. It comes again and again in my mind that You are my close and You are always by my side, in my heart. But alas, for so long I remained oblivious and did not call You. I remained distant; on the point of bhakti I could not come close, although You were always accompanying me. Only now do I realize You are present and I can call and talk to You. Today I understand this truth; but, in the past I did know. O’ Supreme One, why did my spiritual life not start at the very outset. I feel so repentant that I did not beckon You in those early days. Due to neglect, You went away, leaving me alone in isolation in an unknown place and distant land. That time, why did I not keep You in my heart and hold Your feet. How come did I not wipe away all my dilemmas and hold You in dhyana and make You mine. To this day I still wonder about this. It is so sad that time passed, and You remained distant. No doubt today we are close, yet I repent how my life would have been so blissful having Your proximity earlier. This pain I carry in my heart, O' my Dearmost…
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Important for every sadhaka to know
Ananda Marga ideology says, "It is a fact that the force of Avidyá disturbs a spiritualist more than it disturbs an ordinary person. Various situations arise in life such as material difficulties, family unrest, abundant wealth, tremendous reputation, acute financial distress, or extreme humiliation. Sádhakas will have to bravely confront these mundane situations....They must never think in terms of retreat – it would be fatal, for the Avidyá force would stab them as soon as their backs were turned. In all circumstances one must continue the process of sádhaná to gradually enhance one's latent psychic and spiritual power.” (1)
Note: In this world, if you do bad things, then vidya maya will come and try and disturb you. If a new thief tries to commit a robbery, the vidya create fear in your mind that you will be arrested and sentenced to jail. And if you do good things, then avidya maya will come and disturb you more fiercely. If you do sadhana then avidya maya will become furious and attack you in one or more of the below mentioned ways:
- material difficulties
- family unrest
- abundant wealth
- tremendous reputation
- acute financial distress
- extreme humiliation
The work of avidya is not limited to the above listed points. There are numerous ways in which it can attack you. Avidya maya wants that you should give up your sadhana. That is why we see that in the aforesaid situation, 99% margiis run from the field of battle and avidya maya stabs them in the back, i.e. they leave their sadhana. Verily they are defeated by avidya maya.
So the only way is to fight back. If a sadhaka gets a lot of money or prestige, or undergoes acute financial distress, then they should be vigilant and pointedly understand that this is the trap of avidya maya. And they should be more strict in Sixteen Points. But we see before our very eyes that so many sadhakas after facing the above situations become pseudo-margiis or leave the path of Ananda Marga entirely. If you watch carefully, you will see that various people get the Sadguru and the path of tantra only to run away due to material difficulties, family unrest, abundant wealth, tremendous reputation, acute financial distress, or extreme humiliation, as well as other related reasons.
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, The Supreme Question – 1
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हे प्रभु! इस फूलमाला को नीचे धूल में गिर कर विखरने न दीजिये
प्रभात संगीत 3270 फुलेर मालाय एइ अवेलाय, धूलाय झरिते दियो ना...
भावार्थ-
हेे परमपुरुष! अपने हृदय में प्रेम भर कर, मैंने बड़ी व्याकुलता से यह फूलमाला विशेष रूप से तुम्हारेे लिये ही तैयार की है, यह फिर भी अनछुई ही रखी है। बाबा, कृपा कर यह फूलमाला स्वीकार कर लीजिये। इतना लंबा समय निकल गया है, कृपा कर अब तो इस आखिरी समय में इसे स्वीकार कर लीजिये, इसे नीचे धूल में गिर कर विखरने न दीजिये। हे प्रभु! तुम्हारे प्रति मेरे अतुलनीय प्रेम, और मेरे मन की मधुर भावनाओं की, इस प्रकार उपेक्षा मत कीजिये।
हे मेरे परमप्रिय बाबा ! मैंने अपने मानसिक बगीचे का हर कोना छानकर सुंदरतम फूल एकत्रित किया है । बड़ी व्याकुलता और सावधानी से मैंने इन्हें धागे में गॅूंथकर तुम्हारे लिये ही माला बनाई है, बाबा कृपा कर इसे स्वीकार कर लीजिये, व्यर्थ न जाने दीजिये। मैं अपने मन और हृदय की सभी मधुर भावनाये, प्रेम और आकर्षण तुम्हारे चरणों में अर्पित करता हॅूं, कृपा कर स्वीकार कर लीजिये।
हे बाबा! हे परम पुरुष! तुम इस संसार के परम नियंत्रक हो, तुम्हारा घर तो रत्नों और मूल्यवान वस्तुओं से भरा हुआ है । मैं जानता हूूं कि यह माला उन सबकी तुलना में तुच्छ है, परंतु इसमें मेरा प्रेम गुंथा हुआ है, कृपा कर इसे स्वीकार कर लीजिये।
बाबा, मैं तुम्हारी शरण में आया हॅूं कृपा कर मेरा सर्वस्व स्वीकार कर लीजिये।
टिप्पणी- इस गीत में आये कुछ शब्दों के गूढ़ार्थ:-
1. माला- यहाॅं फूलमाला से तात्पर्य है अपने सभी प्रकार के अच्छे कर्मोंसहित साधना के फल को उन्हें अर्पित करना।
2. माला को स्वीकारना- व्यक्तिगत भक्ति भाव में इसका अर्थ है कि हे परमपुरुष मेरा मन स्वीकार कीजिये, मैं अपना मन तुम्हें भेंट करता हॅूं।
3. तुम्हारा घर तो रत्नों से भरा है- परमपुरुष ने सभी भौतिक वस्तुओं को बनाया है और वे ही उन सबके स्वामीं हैं इसलिये भौतिक वस्तुओं, रत्न आभूषणों को भेट कर कोई भी व्यक्ति उन्हें इनसे संतुष्ठ नहीं कर सकता। वे केवल भक्तों के प्रेम के ही भूखे हैं। इससे यह भी स्पष्ट है कि बाहरी कर्मकाॅंड की विधियाॅं उचित नहीं हैं। (1)
Reference
1. Trans: Dr. T.R.S.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Such artists are blot on society
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Here it must be noted that artists must seek to exhibit to people the simple form of truth, sweetened with the sweetness of their hearts. But it is a matter of great regret that a class of modern artists, in the realms of poetry, novels, cinema, drama, etc., employ all their artistic talents for the sole purpose of kindling people’s crude sensuality, instead of portraying human propensities with the idealistic outlook of a true artist – what to speak of portraying their subtle human feelings. Without supporting conservatism, I would say that this class of artists is truly a blot on society." (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved -1, The Practice of Art & Literature
== Section 4: Links ==
Recent postings
