Wrong things in AMPS books: distortion + 4 more

Baba

Wrong things in AMPS books: distortion

Namaskar,

Our Ananda Marga books are for bringing Baba's great ideals to the general society. That is one of the chief aims of our printed publications. So our books are not just for senior Ananda Margiis; entirely new people will also read them.

Unfortunately, in the glossary section of some of our publications, like the English editions of Ananda Vacanamrtam part 12 (2008) and part 14 (2011), the definitions of many words are not up to the mark. More specifically, the definitions supplied by the publishers fail to explain to readers the contextual meaning of the term in view of Ananda Marga ideals. And that can create a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. Let's take a look at a few cases.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The term 'bhakti' means: 'love for God'

The term bhakti is one of the most important terms in Ananda Marga philosophy and one of the most prevalent as well. So understanding the contextual meaning of this word is quite integral for any reader. But in the glossary of Ananda Vacanamrtam 12, all it says in for the definition of “bhakti” is “devotion”. That is all that is listed - nothing else.

This definition of 'bhakti' is entirely lacking and even misleading because in the general society, the word “devotion” is commonly used in an entirely different manner from that in Ananda Marga teachings.

In Ananda Marga bhakti strictly means: 'love for God', 'longing for the Supreme', 'selfless service to God', etc, and is characterised by the shloka, Sa para'nuraktriishvare. Thus for us, bhakti is a highly spiritual term depicting one's intimate relation with God.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Bhakti signifies longing for the Supreme – Sa paránuraktriishvare...God is an object for Paránurakti. When the aspirant considers the Supreme Brahma to be his or her own, it is termed Bhajaná or Bhakti.” (1)
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba: bhakti & devotion are not same

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “भक्ति किसको कहते हैं ? अंग्रेज़ी में 'devotion' कहते हैं भक्ति को, लेकिन devotion और भक्ति एक चीज़ नहीं है |” (भक्ति किसको कहते हैं ?, Bhakti Kisko Kahate Haiṋ ?, NP, EGD 3 February 1987 Bhagalpur) (2)

Here is an English summary of Baba’s above Hindi teaching: Devotion and bhakti are not the same.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “One may have attachment towards physical objects as well as towards Parama Puruśa. The attachment to physicality is called ásakti or viśayánurakti, while the deep attachment to Parama Puruśa is called paránurakti or bhakti.” (3)

Bhakti term has no English synonym

Baba has guided us how the term devotion is unable to convey the meaning and spirit of the term bhakti. So in all possible circumstances we should use the word bhakti instead. Here is more about this topic.

• The term bhakt is derived from the root word “bhaj” which means yearning for the Supreme Entity

Ananda Marga states, “What is bhakti? The root word “bhaj” and the suffix “ktin” make the word “bhakti.” “Bhaj” means moving towards that Supreme Entity without any second thought. When all your sentiments, all your aspirations, move towards that Singular Entity without any second thought, then that psychic movement of yours if called “bhakti.”” (4)

• The term devotion is related with devote. And in materialistic societies the term devote is used in all kinds of worldly situations. So the term devotion is not the proper equivalent of bhakti.

• There are many instances where Baba has directed us that there are occasions where a single English term fails to properly convey the full meaning of a Samskrta term. For example the word initiation does not carry the meaning of the word diiksa; and incantation does not properly reflect the term mantra.

Here is more about the case of the glossary of Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12. In defining 'bhakti' as 'devotion', the glossary falls far short of the mark. Those in the Tiljala Publications Department must come forward to correct such errors. The aim is that Baba's books must be printed in the proper way.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Glossary AV-14: other mistakes as well

Now let's take a look at a few more terms. Because the term 'bhakti' is not the only poorly defined term in the glossary:

* RAMAYANA: In the Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14 glossary the Ramayana is defined as 'An epic poem of India. It is the story of King Rama, or Ramachandra'. But, this definition is also highly misleading, because one of the main teachings of Baba about the Ramayana is that it is a mythological story - i.e. it is not factual.

Baba says, "Now, many of you are aware of the fact that Ramchandra was not an historical figure, but a fictional one: he was an imaginary character." (5)

Yet the Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14 glossary does not define the Ramayana as being mythological etc. Rather it calls it 'an epic poem', just like that same glossary calls the Mahabharata 'an epic poem'. So both are epic poems, according to the glossary, as if both are the same. But there is a grand difference between the two: The Mahabharata is historical and the Ramayana is fictional. Yet the villagers and general public are not aware about this distinction. Baba has made this important distinction. But, our publications personnel failed to highlight Baba's unique distinction when defining the term 'Ramayana' in the Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14 glossary. Hence, the general public will remain highly confused on this point. They will think it is a true story about King Rama.

Furthermore, in Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10, the term SITA is only defined as 'Wife of Rama', and that further supports the false impression that Rama and Sita are real people from the history. Because details are being given from an authoritarian source as would be done in the case of a historical fact, yet the main ingredient is being left out: Namely that Rama and Sita are mythological characters. So this only exacerbates the problem.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Other terms that are incorrectly defined or defined in a misleading manner in the Ananda Vacanamrtam series glossary are: asteya, bhajana, bhakta, Ganesha, kiirtana, kurma nadii, Sadguru, sadhu, sahasrara cakra, Sanskrit, Sita, tantra, etc. Baba has given the world a perfect library and we are to ensure that it is published properly.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The books in Ananda Marga philosophy are all absolute knowledge." (6)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Anirvacaniiy

Baba rejects the term devotion in favour of the word bhakti, and He wants His discourses updated accordingly. That is what He has described in a general darshan at Bhagalpur DMC in 1987.

~ In-depth study ~

Devotion means love for cat

In the general society, a person may have devotion for their work, devotion for their spouse, devotion for their country, devotion for their friend, devotion for their diet, or even devotion for their pet dog or cat. That is the way the term devotion is commonly used on a daily basis in the general society, especially in the west. Whereas in Ananda Marga philosophy, none of those meanings apply.

In the general society, the term 'devotion' is used in all kinds of mundane affairs, yet that is the very term - and the only term - which the publishers have used to define 'bhakti' in the glossary of our Ananda Marga books. So the whole affair is a misplay or flub. Because 'devotion' is a widely used word in the general society. Hence already most readers have a preconceived notion of what the word means - yet that understanding is vastly different from Baba's use of the term, 'bhakti'. That is why it is the critical need for our Ananda Marga glossary to highlight our AM ideal when defining bhakti or any other term, and not just give a commonly used word that will invariably be misunderstood.

Here is another way of looking at the difference between bhakti and devotion. For example, you may have devotion towards your spouse or pet, but it would be a gross mistake to say that one has bhakti for their spouse or pet. Unfortunately in India, due to lack of knowledge, people misuse the term bhakti, and they created the word desh-bhakti, meaning patriotism. But that is preposterous. Because the term bhakti means service to God. The root itself is spiritual. That is why it is wrong to use bhakti in the context of one’s motherland. Whereas the term devotion has a different origin. It means commitment and has no spiritual foundation. That is why Baba rejects the term devotion in favour of the word bhakti, and He wants His discourses updated accordingly. That is what He has described in a general darshan at Bhagalpur DMC in 1987.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


AV-10 Glossary pitfall: Sixteen Points term

* SIXTEEN POINTS: In the Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10 glossary, the term 'Sixteen Points' is defined as: 'The central pillar of Ananda Marga conduct rules: sixteen points of hygiene and conduct amid which are reiterated all other conduct rules.' Thus the glossary describes our Sixteen Points as being merely related with (a) hygiene and (b) conduct rules. Nothing else. When in fact, according to Baba, our Sixteen Points is so much more than that. It is related with all the spheres of life:

Sadguru Baba says, "...The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points." (A'nanda Va'nii #45)

So the publisher's glossary definition in Ananda Vacanamrtam - 10 is misleading and incomplete. Such a deficient definition does a disservice to what Sixteen Points truly is. And any new person reading that glossary definition will think that our Sixteen Points only touches on a few things and is wholly absent of spiritual practice etc. Because the lackluster definition of the term written by those publishers in the glossary leads in that false direction.

We have to remember that 'Sixteen Points' is totally unique to Ananda Marga. No one outside the Marga will have any idea what it is. So naturally they will refer to the glossary to find out about this term. And sadly, the definition they will get there will be very poor and will not properly reflect the real dynamism of AM life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


AV-14 Glossary blunder: Upanishad term

* UPANISHAD: In the Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14 glossary this term is defined as, “Literally, 'that which brings one near'; certain philosophical teachings of the Vedas.”

But here again that definition provided by the publishers is incomplete and ambiguous. Surely, one need not write the entire Upanishad scripture in the glossary, but at the very least the glossary definition should describe what the Upanishad takes one near to.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "That which takes human beings to Parama Purus'a is called upanis'ad." (7)

So the meaning of Upanishad is that which takes one near God. That is what Baba clearly tells us. Yet the glossary in AV 9-10 fails to state that. The incomplete definition given by the publishers merely says, 'near' without defining what it is near to. Hence readers in this grossly materialistic era may think that the Upanishads take one near to a financial institution, or near to the Olympics, or near to one's friend, or near to the stock market, or near to McDonald's, etc. Thus this definition also needs to be corrected in order to reflect our Ananda Marga standard.

That is the literal meaning of the Upanishads and the practical meaning refers to those ancient scriptures that document the realisation of elevated sages. There are so many books of the main 108 Upanishads.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


The need of a glossary

To help the public and newly initiated people understand Baba's ideas, a glossary section has been added to many of our publications. This glossary - written by the publishers - is intended to bridge the gap of knowledge: Clarifying points which the public may not know about our Ananda Marga terminology. That way readers can garner a clearer understanding when going through our Ananda Marga literature.


English fails

Ananda Marga ideology states, “We have no proper word for diikśá in English or any other language, we have no alternative but to use the word “initiation” for diikśá. The actual Sanskrit word for the English term “initiation” is abhiśeka, not diikśá.” (8)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “What is incantation? “Incantation” is a Latin term. It means “repeating a particular word”...But the Sanskrit term for incantation is mantra. The rudimental meanings of “incantation” and [mantra are not the same]. Mananát tárayet yastu sah mantrah parikiirttitah – “The sanctified word that helps one in attaining salvation [is a mantra].” So they are not the same, but because of the fact that there is no proper Latin term for mantra, I find no alternative but to use the word “incantation” for mantra.” (9)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Bhaktitattva
2. भक्ति किसको कहते हैं ?, Bhakti Kisko Kahate Haiṋ ?, NP, EGD 3 February 1987 Bhagalpur
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, Bhaktitattva
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Pleasing the Lord
5. Namah Shivaaya Shantaya, Disc: 6
6. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya
7. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 7, Disc: 11
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, Diikśá and Initiation
9. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, Incantation and Human Progress

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

It is impossible to forget You

"Práńer pradiip saunge niye, ke go ele ei dharáytomáy, bhulate náhi párá jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2205)

Purport:

Who are You who has taken advent on this earth, with the effulgence of infinite love and affection, carrying the lamp of warmth and compassion and has completely captivated my mind; now I cannot think of anything else. O' Supreme One; it is impossible to forget You. Because of Your august arrival, with each and every expression, in every rhythm, You are exuding beauty and sweetness in all directions - everywhere. I can’t stop thinking of You.

By Your melodious voice and heartfelt attraction, with love You are drawing everyone near You by Your mamata', feeling all as Your own. You are vibrating in Your glory yet remaining hidden in the deep core of my mind – always. I ever remember You.

O' my Innermost, at some unknown time in the past You came and poured forth the pot of love, saturated and showered Your incomparable grace, and created a big stir - a revolution - in the world of ideas and thinking. And after that You hid Yourself from this world and were not visible to the crude eye. You came as Mahasambhuti and now You are ever-present with everyone as Taraka Brahma in their heart and mind.

Baba, You are love personified how can I forget You...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2205:

[1] Mamata': Mineness; In Sanskrit “mama” = mine, and the suffix ta’ = -ness; hence “mineness.” To have equal or more love for something / someone than one has for oneself.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "What is the meaning of “mamatá”? Mama + tá = mamatá. Mama means “mine” and thus mamatá is the inner idea of being mine, the feeling that something is my own." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "“Mamatá” means “mine-ness” – “Mama” means “one's own”, and the abstract noun derived from it is “mamatá” – meaning, thereby “mine-ness.”" (2)

For example, suppose you are suffering from a fever then naturally you will be concerned about your own health. You will try to cure yourself by going to the doctor and taking medicine etc. If you have mamata for someone else, then if they are sick with a fever you will have the same degree of care for their condition as your own. When one does sadhana then this sense of mamata grows and one ultimately has the feeling of mamata towards the entire created universe. Without sadhana, one’s sense of mamata will be extremely limited whereby one might only care about their own individual existence. So when the mind is extremely narrow one only has mamata for oneself. Those with a slightly broader mind have mamata towards their parents and family members. And as the circumference of mind expands one has mamata for other relatives and community members etc. However, it is only with sadhana that the periphery of mind can grow further and further wherein one’s sense of mamata includes all beings and expressions of this cosmos. Parama Purusa has mamata’ for each and every entity - this entire creation, all living and non-living expressions.

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The True Nature of Bhakti
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Pleasing the Lord

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Way to omniscience for humans

  Ananda Marga philosophy states, “On the practical level, what happens is that the unconscious mind is all-pervading, integral and immeasurably vast. Through spiritual practices the riches of the unconscious mind are brought down into the subconscious mind. The spiritual aspirant then understands everything; he discovers the secret signs of knowledge. Then, according to his or her needs, he or she is able to bring this acquired wealth of the subconscious mind into the conscious mind and use it in the external world.”
   “How much can book knowledge help a person! It goes in one ear and out the other. If, by means of sádhaná [spiritual practices], a person can bring into the subconscious mind the boundless knowledge that resides in the unconscious mind, then that becomes transformed into lasting riches which then are, or can be, employed extensively for the welfare of humanity.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Indukamala to Iyatta (Discourse 7)

== Section 4: Errata==

Worthless Wts addicted to phone

- Errata

~ Courtesy of WhatsApp Forum ~

ख़ैर आज का बड़ा ही सोचनीय प्रश्न है। जब एक आम इंसान के लिए ये व्हाट्स एप्प और फेसबुक इतना बड़ा बीमारी बन चुका है और क्रूड माइंड को इतना इफ़ेक्ट कर रहा है। तो ये तो और खतरनाक होगा एक सूक्ष्म मन को प्रभावित करने में।

एक व्यक्ति जिसे चारों टाइम साधना करना पड़ता है और वो भी एक एक सीटिंग डेढ़ डेढ़ घंटे का।क्योकि जो विशेष योगी हैं उनका साधना पद्धति और उनका रूटीन इतना व्यस्त  और आदर्शगत होता है कि उन्हें तो अपने लौकिक परिवार के लिए भी समय नही मिल पाता है। और बात जब WTs की आये तो एक साधारण WT की रूटीन भी बाबा इतना टाइट दिए हैं कि उनके पास भी आदर्शगत और संस्थागत कार्य को छोड़ किसी दूसरे कार्य के लिए समय नही होगा।

लेकिन दादा जी अभी जो मैं आपको बतलाने जा रहा हूं ववो  सुनकर आप हैरान हो जाएंगे कि आज की वर्तमान स्थिति में आपके जो पुरोधा जैसे आद्यतमिक पद पे बैठा दिए गए हैं, योग्यता नही होने पे भी। वो सारे के सारे एक सामान्य व्यक्ति से ज्यादा व्हाट्सएप्प का इस्तेमाल करते हैं। यहां तक कि जब कोई संस्थागत प्रोग्राम होता रहता है तब भी आपके चेयर पर्सन जो WTs है वो अपने मोबाइल को निहारते रहते हैं। यहां तक कि जब पंडाल में कार्यक्रम यानी स्पीच चल रहा होता है तो भी आपके उच्च पदाधिकारीगण अपने मोबाइल को निहारते नज़र आते हैं। आप खुद सोंच सकते हैं कि एक साधारण व्यक्ति के लिए ये नशा है और नुकसान करता है तो एक विशेष योगी के लिए ये वाकई में किसी परमाणु बम से कम नही है।

अब आते हैं फेस बुक.....में, आपके ज्यादातर पदाधिकारीगण हमेशा फेसबुक में ऑनलाइन मिल जाएंगे।आज एक विशेष योगी या WTs के लिये फेस बुक से ज्यादा गंदा कुछ हो ही नही सकता है। क्योकि उसमें एक से एक रंगीन विज्ञापन का भी बौछार रहता है।और आपके एक से एक पदाधिकारी और पुरोधा उस फेसबुक की दुनिया में इतने लिप्त हो चुके हैं कि वो कुछ भी कमेंट करते हैं और अपना किसी भी स्थिति के फोटो को अपलोड करते हैं। यहां तक कि संस्था के इंटरनल प्रोग्राम की तस्वीर भी डालते हैं। अपने अपने प्रोफाइल में न् लौकिक जानकारियां डालते हैं यहां तक कि स्टेटस में बहुत कुछ डालते हैं।अपना प्रोफाइल pic  बड़े style से डालते हैं। एक अवधूत के लिए उंसके गुरु के दिये नाम का बहुत महत्व होता है लेकिन style के चक्कर में अपना नया नामकरण कर डालते हैं।

दादा कभी इन लोगो को समझाने का प्रयास करें, आप बड़े हैं।आपको बेहतर पता है कि बाबा के समय किसी WT की जानकारी सार्वजनिक नही कि जाती थी, क्यों ❓❓❓आपसे बेहतर कोई नही जानता।  

ये भी एक कारण है आपके पदधिकारियों की नाराजगी का हम लोगो से। क्योकि बहुत बार हमलोगों ने आपके पदाधिकारियों को व्यक्तिगत रूप से समझाने का प्रयास किया, नही समझने पर आपके GS चित्स्वरूपानंद जी को बतलाया गया, लेकिन इसे पॉजिटिव न् लेकर इसे व्यक्तिगत दुश्मनी का रूप दे दिया गया।

इसलिए और भी बातें जो खुलकर नह लिखा सकता है।इसलिए कौन दोस्त है कौन चापलूस इसमें फ़र्क़ समझाइये अपने पदधिकारियों को।🙏

~ Courtesy of WhatsApp Forum ~

- Here is a link to the initial letter on this topic: Clowns are exposing their colour

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

बाबा, मैं तुम्हें गलियों, पगडंडियों, मार्गों ,जंगलों पर्वतों और नदियों के

प्रभात संगीत 2569 आमि, पथे पथे खुंजी तोमारे, वने पर्वते नदी तीरे...

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष! बाबा, मैं तुम्हें गलियों, पगडंडियों, मार्गों ,जंगलों पर्वतों और नदियों के किनारों पर खोजता रहा हॅूं। इतना ही नहीं, मैं ने तुम्हें तीर्थों और ज्ञान तथा कर्म योग के आधार पर भी तलाशा । हे प्रभु! मैं तुम्हें अपने हृदय की परिपूर्णता में देखने की इच्छा रखता हॅूं।

परंतु ओह! तुम तो मुझे कहीं भी नहीं मिले। मेरे मन में संवित की लहर कभी भी नहीं आती। मशीन की तरह लगातार चलते हुए कर्मकाॅंडों में बेमन ही लगा रहता  हॅूं और तुम्हें सतत झरते आॅंसुओं के निर्झर के साथ पुकारता रहता हॅूं।

लगातार क्रन्दन से मेरी दशा  दयनीय हो गई है, अपनी आॅंखों को कपड़े से ढंके मैंने व्रत, उपवास और धार्मिक कर्मकाॅंड किये पर अपार दुख है कि जिस सत्ता के लिये मैंने यह सब किया ,इन कर्मकाॅंडों को सम्पन्न किया, उसे मैंने अपने मन के भीतर कभी नहीं तलाशा । (1)

Reference
1. Trans: Dr. T.R.S.

== Section 5: Links ==

Recent postings

• Confused people
  

• Magic of thoughts

• Story: those lost discourses
  

• Anti-Prout things in Prout magazine
  

Other topics of interest

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Reply to: anandamargauniversal1@yogasamsthanam.net

This email contains five sections:

1. Posting: Wrong things in AMPS books: distortion

2. PS #2205: It is impossible to forget You

3. IT: Way to omniscience

4. Errata: Worthless Wts addicted to phone

5. Links