Baba
Only bhakta can understand
Namaskar,
All are aware that Prabhat Samgiita is a gift to help sadhakas develop a closer link with Him. Through the PS compositions, we learn new ways of calling Him and communicating our inner feelings to Him. The mystical lyrics of Prabhat Samgiita express the many ways a bhakta yearns for Parama Purusa.
So truly speaking, Prabhat Samgiita is a gleaming treasure that illuminates the pathway for sadhakas to make that inner connection with Parama Purusa. All have realised this truth in various ways, in their own relation with Him. Even then there are some days that the entire essence of Prabhat Samgiita totally eludes me.
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Practical vs theoretical understanding
One margii explained to me that on such occasions my understanding of Prabhat Samgiita is merely theoretical. And he said this is not due to the way the song is sung, just it is a consequence of my own mental state. Then the margii explained that the mind goes up and down. When it is up, one is more apt to realise the true essence of Prabhat Samgiita; and, when the mind is down - less bhakti and more dry - then one just has theoretical understanding of Prabhat Samgiita.
One step further down is when one does not like to even listen to Prabhat Samgiita. This also happens. It occurs when the mind is unable to make any link at all with the song and the whole thing seems out of reach. It is then that I understand just how out of the flow I really am.
This margii told the only way to overcome these latter two states is to do more sadhana and ask Baba for His grace. That is the only recourse in such circumstances. If one is sincere then by His grace the cultivation of genuine bhakti will again be aroused in the heart and mind, in which case one will continue to experience the joys and bliss of practically understanding Prabhat Samgiita. Then Prabhat Samgiita will be real. But, for that to happen, sadhana and mystical longing are needed. That is what the margii explained.
In my experiences since, I have found margii's guideline to be very helpful and accurate. When Prabhat Samgiita feels like a sweet extension of sadhana - i.e. when I have a practical understanding of Prabhat Samgiita - it is because, by Baba's grace, my mind is in a flow with bhakti. And when Prabhat Samgiita is a mere theoretical concept or totally out of reach, it is because my mind feels dry and out of the sadhana flow.
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Example
A sadhaka's understanding of Prabhat Samgiita can be thought of this way. When a child is young, that infant longs to always be held in the mother's arms and be tightly embraced. The child dreams day and night of mother's closeness and never tires of mother’s love and affection. The baby always wants to be held and caressed by its mother.
Yet 15, or 20, or 22 years later, that same child hardly wants its mother to come close. The child no longer wishes to be cradled in its mother's lap. Rather, that boy now wants to run free and wander in the world. The child does not wish to sit at home in mother's arms anymore. The child is the same child, and the mother is the same mother, yet the relation is different. All because the child's mind has changed.
Same then is the case with Prabhat Samgiita. The bhakta may listen to the same song sung by the same singer one day and the sadhaka may feel ensconced in the flow of Prabhat Samgiita; and, other days that same sadhaka may listen to the same song sung by the same singer and not feel any attraction at all. What has changed? Not the Prabhat Samgiita, not the musician, and still it is the same bhakta. So the only thing different in the formula is the psycho-spiritual flow of the sadhaka. Just like in the above example of the child, the bhakta's mind has changed and that alone accounts for one's interest and connection with Prabhat Samgiita.
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Conclusion: Baba story
It was the month of December and Baba was giving general darshan. While talking about Prabhat Samgiita Baba said that, “Prabhat Samgiita is the feeling of the heart, and the expression of the heart, and it has been written with the ink of the heart.”
I clearly recall when Baba spoke those memorable words; they struck a deep chord inside me-- back then and today also.
So when our heart feeling is filled to the brim with bhakti then we can best realise the loving communication between the bhakta and God in Prabhat Samgiita. Then when we listen to or sing Prabhat Samgiita we will have that very practical understanding of and requisite bhakti for these divine songs. Then they will not just be songs but the expression of our heart-felt longing for Baba. They will be an extension of our sadhana.
Namaskar,
In Him
Jaideva
Dhyana & Prabhat Samgiita
The whole essence of Prabhat Samgiita is based on one's dhyana, one's inner mental flow. Dhyana is that unique lesson of sadhana where the bhakta makes that very personal link with Parama Purusa. When dhyana is dry one may feel fearful of Parama Purusa or even worse, disinterested. Then surely one will think that Prabhat Samgiita is just one fairy tale type of song. Whereas, when one is in a good flow of dhyana the time will pass in sadhana as one yearns to go closer and closer in Him and delve deeper into His bliss. In that circumstance, in that mental state, Prabhat Samgiita will feel like a melodious expression of one's own heart feeling.
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To deepen one's link with Prabhat Samgiita one must deepen their sadhana. The two are inextricably interlinked. Because both Prabhat Samgiita and dhyana are based on having subtle feelings for Him - love for Him. Without that love, one cannot do dhyana, and one will not be attracted to Prabhat Samgiita. That is why te margii would tell me again and again that if one wishes to experience that golden world of Prabhat Samgiita then there has to be true spiritual yearning. And that intimate feeling of bhakti is a result of one's efforts in dhyana and asking for His grace. Hence, the margii's maxim, “Dhyana is the pre-requisite of Prabhat Samgiita.”
Best way of learning Prabhat Samgiita: word by word
Also I wanted to touch on how to go about learning Prabhat Samgiita. Because without knowing the song, then how is one going to make a link; it would be the same as doing sadhana without knowing the meaning of one's mantra. In that case, it is basically futile. So learning the meaning of the Prabhat Samgiita is essential.
This has been quite a challenge, but, fortunately, by Baba's grace, many have given me some excellent guidance along the way. And certainly the most significant aspect is developing a word by word understanding of each line of the song. That way one will have pointed understanding of the song and be able to link with the inner spirit of the song. Without word by word understanding, the song remains mostly an unsolved mystery.
So when approaching any song, try and get a word by word translation, and then listen to the song again and again until the understanding of each word and each line is clear in the mind. Once this occurs, one will easily be able to apply one's feeling of bhakti and immerse in the real spirit of the Prabhat Samgiita.
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Personal link with Parama Purusa
We are all extremely blessed to have a Sadguru who has given the pathway for coming closer and closer to Him in a personal way through the world of songs. That is truly His unfathomable grace.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "One feels kinship to those with whom there is a relation of mutual love and affection, a relation of close intimacy. Where there is lack of intimacy, we call a person as Mr. X, Mrs. Y, etc.; but where there is a feeling of intimacy, the relationship of brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, etc. grows. Obviously where there is no close intimacy between human beings and the Impersonal Entity, no kinship can grow at all...Human beings want a personal God who will understand their joys and sorrows, who will have love for them, and to whom they can express love and feel kinship...They want an Entity who will sympathize with them cent per cent in their prosperity and adversity alike... He [Parama Purusa] is the eternal companion of unit beings in their joys and sorrows – not a God in the distant sky but an understanding Lord in the house where they dwell." (1)
Practical vs theoretical understanding (cont)
By Baba's grace, there are times when each and every word and expression of Prabhat Samgiita resonates in the deep core of my heart. When the phrase, “Tumi esecho”, resounds, then I really feel that Parama Purusa has come close. By His grace, I feel His vibration overflowing throughout my whole being and my mind drifts effortlessly in His flow. And in that state, when I sing, tears of bhakti gently roll down my cheeks and I feel so fortunate to dance tenderly in His bliss. This sweet experience happens on my best days, due to His grace.
When I explained this to the margii while I was in Ananda Nagar, then he said that this is the practical understanding or practical realisation of Prabhat Samgiita. When the song actually reflects one's state of mind and one feels that what is being described in the song is a reflection of one's own sadhana and longing. The margii told me that this type of experience is exclusively Baba's grace and comes on those special occasions due to one's genuine love for Parama Purusa.
When the margii told me this, I felt especially blessed and fortunate. And now I can understand how really those blissful occasions were all due to Baba's grace, because there are times when I listen to or sing Prabhat Samgiita and the song feels quite abstract and theoretical.
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On those occasions, when I listen to Prabhat Samgiita it is merely an intellectual exercise. I can understand what the song is saying, but I do not feel the essence of the song inside my heart. The song does not feel like an extension of my own sadhana; just it becomes something that is outside me. Many times when I listen to Prabhat Samgiita or sing Prabhat Samgiita, this is my experience.
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, A Devotee's Object of Ideation
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
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 ==
Please do not go away
"Jeo ná ogo prabhu, anek kathá áche bákii..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0683)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, Prabhu please do not go away. Remain with me - I have many a tale to tell You. Come to my home and understand this unique opportunity: I am all alone in the house. Nobody is here, so please come back. We will share our heart together.
Prabhu, in pleasure and pain, during both negative and positive situations, all the time I am calling You. And always I am remembering Your name. During all the 24 hours, whatever I do, my hands are always busy in work; but, my mind is at Your lotus feet, thinking of You; it is Your grace. Even if I risk losing everything I want You to my heart's content.
Parama Purusa, by keeping me distant, I am suffering. You never console me, nor do You give me happiness - only You keep me in pitch darkness. I do not want anything from You, only this much I ask: come close and become my own. The doors and windows of my mental abode are always open in longing for You, waiting for Your arrival. I don’t have any other thoughts in my mind. With a pin-pointed intellect I am calling You.
Baba, my Lord, please do not go away leaving me deserted. Always remain in my heart…
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #0683:
Just like a small child who lovingly and sweetly complains to its mother, in the same manner here the bhakta is lovingly placing his complaint before Parama Purusa - the nearest and dearest One. This type of very close and intimate relation is characterized by tremendous sweetness and love. That is what is depicted in this song.
Above average bhakti is needed to understand this song. This type of feeling develops when one’s sadhana is of a very high standard - by His grace. Those with lower sadhana will not understand this song. Strong bhakti is needed and when that is present then the feelings expressed in this song are very natural.
In contrast, if that mind-set is not there - if one is not experiencing high sadhana - then one will think the feelings expressed in this song are odd or peculiar. It is just like when a child is young then it has a tremendous degree of love for the mother and will cry when she is not present. As the one ages though that degree of love steadily declines such that older children will think it is strange how a young child is crying for its mother. Because that older child does not have that high degree of love for mother. Similarly, to understand this song, above average bhakti for the Parama Purusa is needed.
This type of bhakti is not just some theoretical notion. In Ananda Marga there are many sadhakas who have this feeling in their practical life - even today. They are fortunate; their life has become successful. Because this type of ardent love towards Parama Purusa is bhakti. And when one has bhakti one has everything. There is nothing left to gain. With bhakti surely one is going to attain Parama Purusa, by His grace. It just depends upon the degree of one’s sincerity.
What to speak of a sadhaka, if an ordinary, or even a degraded person, does sadhana sincerely, and from the deep core of their heart they request, “O’ Parama Purusa, I want nothing else, please grace me with the highest bhakti”, then the afore-described deep inner love will quickly develop, by His grace.
The following Prabhat Samgiita composition carries this idea. Yet, those not practicing anudhyana properly cannot really understand this song, unfortunately.
== Section 3: Links ==
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