Misery at gathering + 3 more

Baba

Misery at gathering

Namaskar,

Here is the announcement of the mahaprayan of President Hugo Chavez, a communist leader and kind of dictator of Venezuela. This mahaprayan news was printed in big, bold headings in the Bengal newspapers. Indeed, Chavez was a self-described Marxist. So through and through, in his personal and political life he was a tried and true communist.

So even those communists who do not follow any religion or believe in God or spirituality, even they get a mahaprayan in Bengal. This was announced in big, bold headlines in Bengal. Thus in the English speaking world, they wrote about the death of Chavez, and here in Bengal they wrote about the mahaprayan of Chavez. That is because mahaprayan is a death ceremony in Bengal. The two are synonymous - it is a regular phenomenon, not some great event.
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Wailing at Hugo Chavez mahaprayan

See here below how the concept of mahaprayan is used in our Bengali publication to mark Chavez's death. The Bangla term “mahaprayan” is the 4th Bangla word of the first line below the photo - it is outlined in red font. Using the term "mahaprayan" to signify the death of a human being is a common phenomenon in my Bengal. The concept of mahaprayan means the person is dead. That is why the person below holding the placard or banner with Chavez's photo is crying terribly - i.e. wailing. Because Chavez has died - i.e. mahaprayan.

The Bangla term mahaprayan is the 4th Bangla word of the first line in the above photo - it is outlined in red.

In the above newspaper article - as well as in its regular usage - the program of mahaprayan is used for the death of a human being who has made his departure from this world. So the entire concept of mahaprayan is not some lofty or extraordinary devotional ideal, rather it is something mundane and common that even gets used for communist dictators like Chavez. The concept of mahaprayan means that person is dead.
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That is why the mahaprayan program is not to be done for Sadguru because He did not depart - He is ever present.

How MPD harms bhaktas

Baba is not an ordinary human being - He is not mortal. He is the all-pervading Parama Purusa and Sadguru. If one is not keeping this ideal in their heart, then they are not even on the first step of Ananda Marga spirituality. The initial phase of Ananda Marga spirituality starts with the feeling that Sadguru is always present with me.

In Ananda Marga an annual shraddha ceremony / shraddhainjali  (annual death day commemoration) is not allowed. Unfortunately, even then some confused people are doing an annual death day ceremony for their Sadguru. The moment one thinks that Sadguru is no more with me, then their spiritual life will collapse. In the field of bhakti, one should never think that Baba is no more. Yet this is the overall message of the mahaprayan function.
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The annual mahaprayan gathering violates the code of Caryacarya. No aspect of Ananda Marga ideology supports the program of an annual death ceremony  observance.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days." (1)

Some Wts displaying hypocritical behaviour

When our avadhutas / acaryas / wts give initiation, or revise anyone’s lessons, or give further lessons of sadhana, our wts say, “I am just a medium - Sadguru Taraka Brahma Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji is teaching you and He is ever-present."

So in one breath our Wt dadas / didis say that Sadguru Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji is guiding you and in the next breath they say He is dead - mahaprayan. That is both hypocritical and sinful. Hypocritical because they are telling one thing and doing something else. They are telling that Guru is no more in their mahaprayan program, yet when teaching sadhana they are relying on Him. And it is sinful because it is abusive against Guru.

It is similar to your own children playing before you and talking among themselves that, “My mother is dead.” As a mother, how will you feel? And not only that, they go one step ahead, before your eyes they started commemorating your annual death day ceremony.
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How do you feel about their ignorance? True bhaktas never participate in the dogmatic annual death day ceremony / mahaprayan of the ever-present God. That is against pre-1990 Caryacarya.” How long will we allow Guru to be insulted and put down in this way.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Bibek Roy

Sadguru Baba is guiding you, and in the next breath they say He is dead - mahaprayan.

True bhaktas know that there is no such thing as mahaprayan for Sadguru Baba. As the Sadguru, He never passes away; He is omnipresent.

References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony

== Section: Video against Mahaprayan ==

The fundamental message in the below video is that the Supreme Entity Parama Purusa is ever-present, so the mahaprayan (annual death day dogma) is bogus.

• https://www.facebook.com/share/v/164Wkzbm8K/

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Family planning operation is bad for health

Prout philosophy states, "Vested interests do not favour population growth because this will mean sharing mundane property at the cost of their hoarding. Capitalism would like the extinction of the intellectual class as this would give it free scope for exploitation. The intellectual class usually belongs to the middle income group. Capitalists encourage family planning and birth control to check the growth of this middle class, thus these measures are a creation of the capitalist order."

"Due to age-old superstitions the common people does not take help of these measures. It is the middle class intellectuals who adopt these practices and become the victims of them. A Proutistic order would vehemently oppose this move. There is immense potential for maintaining the population of the world. By scientific advancement it may be possible for human beings to live on tablets. The real glory of humanity lies in creating conditions for adjustment with natural processes rather than in curbing normal processes by artificial measures."

"Artificial sterilisation means making males or females artificially sterile. This has certain adverse effects on the mind and body of human beings. Sterilisation brings glandular changes and changes in the hormone secretion of the glands which ultimately affects mental expression. Due to these changes a man may become like a eunuch. According to PROUT only severely handicapped people and born criminals should be sterilised." (1)

Reference
1. Talks on Prout

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Animals and medicine

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Moonlight is not a medicine like sunlight is. Rather moonlight often overwhelms the mind with a different kind of emotion. However, the qualities of medicinal herbs and plants are affected according to the difference in moonlight, that is, in accordance with the lunar day and lunar fortnight. So there are rules for removing medicinal plants from the soil, preparation of medicines and their uses in accordance with the lunar day. The medicinal qualities undergo changes during the different periods of the day, so one should use medicines with that factor in mind; at least it is better if it is done so. Those medicinal herbs and plants or those medicines whose qualities are affected according to the difference in lunar day or planetary position are called kulyá. So you see, this also is a meaning of the word kulyá."
   "Not only have human beings used plant substances for medicines since ancient times, they have also prepared medicines extensively from animals. In the Ayurvedic, Vaidyaka and Unani systems of medicine, animal substances, such as the livers of different animals and partridge fat, were used extensively. Who is not familiar with the medicine prepared from the body of a goat and oil from the hornbill? Medicines used to be prepared from the livers, pancreases, etc., of different animals in the allopathic system of treatment. In recent times they have been used for insulin. Cod liver oil and shark oil are frequently used. They are used not only as oral medicines but also in injections. Medicines such as naja, cina, and apis in homeopathy are completely of animal origin. Killing an animal in order to save the life of a human being may not be a very good practice, but it can be done when there is no alternative. This is a universally accepted principle. But when medicines are prepared by killing animals, it should be done as far as possible from those animals which are the born enemies of human beings. Those who are not the born enemies of human beings but are their natural friends should not be killed." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika, Disc: 34

== Section 2: Links ==

Postings to read

Key guideline of longevity

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2021/11/alert-this-dada-is-misleading-about.html

Neo-humanist college president should have Samskrta name

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2026/10/neohumanist-college-president-should.html

How Commentary book missed the point

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/02/fake-guru-vs-sadguru.html

Dogma of Mahaprayan - Oct 26

#19: PC Story: Why no mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/09/baba-story-dogma-and-downfall.html

#18: Q & A on mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/10/question-answer-on-upcoming-program.html

#17: Why alluring non-margiis to campus

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/09/history-how-margiis-brought-to-mpd.html

#16: Annual Islamic mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/10/khan-saroyar-murshids-mahaprayan-tomb.html

#15: Bait kiirtana: drawing attendees

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2016/09/bait-kiirtana.html

#14: Annual program: adopted from Islam

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/10/mahaprayan-of-young-avt-52nd-mahaprayan.html

#13: Adding "mahaprayan" to AM books

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2019/11/b-group-befools-bangla-readers-3-more.html

#12: Personal experience: Baba's omnipresence

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/08/baba-story-changed-my-psyche-4-more.html

#11 Teaching from Acarya Diary

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2022/07/devoid-of-bhakti.html

Key guideline of longevity + 2 more

Baba

Key guideline of longevity

Namaskar, 

Sadguru Baba has given all the teachings for a dharmic life and also dispelled countless dogmas and myths. As His disciples, it is incumbent upon us to highlight Baba’s dharmic teachings and never fall prey to preaching dogma. Then we will best be able to guide others.
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Long standing dogma in India

In those old, bygone eras of ages ago, when good people had something beneficial to teach the masses then they would inject some type of fear complex or other sentiment in an attempt to coax people into adopting that good idea. Otherwise, those sages felt that the masses would just sit idle. Thus, in India, when yogic practices like pranayama were first taught to the general society, the sages felt that the common people would give way to lethargy and not do their practice of pranayama etc. 

So to incentivize things, those rishis injected a fear complex that, “Look everyone, you only get a certain number of breaths, and when those breaths are all used up, then you die - there is no escape. So if you want to live a long life you have to practise pranayama as that will slow down your rate of breathing.” By injecting this negative teaching, those good sages thought they could goad the masses into adopting the highly beneficial practice of pranayama. 
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com

So, although their overall intentions were good, along the way they introduced this dogma that everyone is born with a certain number of breaths. And that negative teaching has lived on and on for centuries. Unfortunately, while living and travelling in India, one Dada came across this negative teaching / dogma and took it to be some type of eternal truth. 

Baba’s guideline: cardio-vascular exercise beneficial for long life

To begin, let’s take a look at Baba’s teachings on this very matter. First and foremost, Sadguru Baba’s guideline is that one should vigorously dance tandava as that enhances one’s vitality and brings so many other benefits. 

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Why is it called táńd́ava? In Sanskrit tańd́ means “to jump”. Tańd́u means “of jumping habit”. Táńd́ava means “having the use of tańd́u, the use of jumping”. But jumping in the proper style, not in a disorderly manner. You should learn it properly in a disciplined way. And táńd́ava represents life; you know Tantra is a cult of life, it is not a cult of death. For Tantra you should be strong physically, mentally and spiritually. First in the present tense; Lord Shiva says all your expressions, all your manifestations, must be based on the present tense. So this táńd́ava is the starting phase of Tantra.” (1)

In His above guideline, Baba is describing the many benefits of the tandava dance, including how it increases one’s vitality and keeps death at bay. By this, we can easily conclude that the cardio-vascular exercise of dancing tandava, and thereby increasing one’s rate of respirations, is highly beneficial for a healthy and long life.
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Dada’s confusion: breathe less, live longer

Take a look at what Dada has written. 

Dada wrote: “Each person has a fixed number of breaths to their life. When you slow down the breathing during yogic practices, you extend the duration of your life.”

In his above statement, Dada is giving in to the dogmas of fate and predetermination that we have come into this world with a certain allotment of respirations - and when we use up that allotment we die. Based on this false notion, Dada ji is arguing that we should breathe more slowly because by that way we will extend the duration of our life. But this is plain wrong and goes 100% against Baba’s teachings. And also common sense tells us we don’t see runners die in their 30s because they used up all their breaths. 
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Misunderstanding

Tragically, Dada is stating the exact opposite of what Baba is telling. Dada says that if you do any physical engagement that increases your respiratory rate - where you breathe more frequently - then you are hastening your demise and inviting your death, i.e. shortening your life. Hence what Dada is saying is completely wrong and against AM teachings. And also common sense tells us we don’t see highly trained Olympic athletes like sprinters, marathoners, and swimmers etc die in their 30s because they used up all their breaths. 

Moreover, in the Appendix of Caryacarya Part 3, Sadguru Baba presents His nine secrets for a long life. Here is that first secret: 

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Proper physical labour.” (Secrets for a Long Life, Point #1)

So in His very first secret for a long life, Sadguru Baba guides us that we are to engage in proper physical labour, i.e. arduous manual work, or physical exercise. And in doing that physical work, naturally one’s respiratory rate will increase. That’s to say, one will breathe more quickly and take more breaths in a shorter amount of time. And, according to Baba, that will help lengthen one’s life. Again, Baba’s first guideline for a long life is “proper physical labour” as cardio-vascular exercise (i.e. increasing one’s rate of breathing) is healthy for the body and enhances one’s longevity. 
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In Him, 
Ragini
(Raquel Whitfield)

Here is the section from that article where Dada made that wrong teaching. 

Note: Here is the link to Dada ji's article - see point #5: 

• https://yogafasting.org/nine-secrets/

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Dance, Mudrá and Tantra
2. Namah Shivaya Shantaya,  Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 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 ==

Nectar of prema

Note: If you are at the dinner table talking to your close companion who is seated next to you and looking directly at you, already you have their full attention. In that case, you need not address them by saying “O”. If you say “O” they may get irritated. So prefacing an appellation for God with “O’” such as in O’ Lord is not appropriate in our Ananda Marga. Saying “O’ Lord” signifies that that Divine Entity is far away - i.e. in the 7th sky or heaven - and that one must cry out to reach them. And that goes against the spirit of bhakti.

In our Ananda Marga, we know that Parama Purusa is watching us always. He is never far - always He resides in the heart witnessing all we think, do, and say. Hence there is no need to call out to Him using the phrases, “O’ God”, “ O’ Lord etc.” One may simply address Him in a natural manner without the “O” preface and He will certainly listen to your call. Only in melancholic songs can the phrase O’ Lord etc be used.

"Ámár hiyáy bhúl kare háy, ese gecho prabhu tumi ájike..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0330)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, You have come in my heart - unintentionally and by mistake - without any plan. For ages and ages I was calling You. Today I see that in filling the earth with the spell of Your beauty You have graciously come to me. Prabhu, You have taken advent to spiritually intoxicate all and overflow everyone's heart with joyous, divine songs and dance.

Baba, I light a lamp at Your altar, and pour forth unto You all the nectar of prema of my heart. Your spiritual glow and refulgence alone has illumined my entire being.
 
The Yamuna (holy river) of my mind breaks into a flood tide - and begins going upstream. All the flows of my mind are pointedly rushing only towards You. Baba, Your surging waves of unending love have vibrated my whole existence. I don’t have any virtue; by mistake You have come, Lord, in my heart. It is Your causeless grace...

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Effort of sadhana is needed

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Bábá demonstrated these basic points by touching and sending into samádhi four persons. He also showed that through the grace of the Almighty as represented by guru krpá (the guru's grace), the evolutionary rise through sádhaná can be accelerated, and the slow walk can be maximized into a gallop. In this way samádhi can be induced from any cakra. But a success easily gained may not be fully appreciated and valued. Therefore, normally the sádhaka should be allowed to work out his success through the hard way of diligent sádhaná.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, Sálokya, Sámiipya, Sáyujya, Sárúpya, Sárśt́hi

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to read

Neo-humanist college president should have Samskrta name

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2026/10/neohumanist-college-president-should.html

How Commentary book missed the point

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/02/fake-guru-vs-sadguru.html

From fearful to fearless

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2018/05/bhakti-fearful-vs-fearless-4-more.html

Famous family acarya

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2026/09/famous-family-acarya-3-more.html

Demise of AM Mexico: all properties lost

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2026/09/demise-of-am-mexico-all-properties-lost.html

Dogma of Mahaprayan - Oct 26

#19: PC Story: Why no mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/09/baba-story-dogma-and-downfall.html

#18: Q & A on mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/10/question-answer-on-upcoming-program.html

#17: Why alluring non-margiis to campus

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/09/history-how-margiis-brought-to-mpd.html

#16: Annual Islamic mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/10/khan-saroyar-murshids-mahaprayan-tomb.html

#15: Bait kiirtana: drawing attendees

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2016/09/bait-kiirtana.html

#14: Annual program: adopted from Islam

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/10/mahaprayan-of-young-avt-52nd-mahaprayan.html

#13: Adding "mahaprayan" to AM books

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2019/11/b-group-befools-bangla-readers-3-more.html

#12: Personal experience: Baba's omnipresence

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/08/baba-story-changed-my-psyche-4-more.html

#11 Teaching from Acarya Diary

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2022/07/devoid-of-bhakti.html

Neohumanist College president should have Samskrta name

 Baba

Neohumanist College president should have Samskrta name

Namaskar, 

In this era of stark materialism, Baba's teachings on neo-humanism are a soothing balm for seekers yearning for a new outlook. And it is wonderful to see the great strides Wts and margiis are making on a daily basis in advancing those ideals. At the same time, there is always room for some improvement; by this way, we can become even better pracarakas of Baba's teachings. 

Our Samskrta names carry great spiritual meaning; they are not just mundane terms. That is why Baba guides us to use them in all circumstances - not just at dharmacakra and our AM gatherings. 
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Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The Sanskrit name should be used in all worldly dealings." (1)

At the Neohumanist College of Asheville (NC, USA), the young man acting as president and CEO works hard to ensure the institution properly manifests its stated ideals. So it would be a big plus if he would use / be given a Samskrta name as the top representative of this college. 

So instead of using his birth / worldly name of Ricky Peterson, it would be a great step if he used a Samskrta name. That would help convey the idea that our neo-humanistic philosophy is truly something different from the materialistic norms in vogue nowadays; and, verily, using a Samskrta name is 100% in line with Guru's teachings. 
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com

Our gratitude to Mr. Peterson for his work, and, simultaneously, we invite our dear brother to implement this simple yet fundamental change. We thank him ahead of time for his understanding and cooperation. 

in Him, 
Sanjaya Deva

Reference
1. Caryacarya 1, The Process of Initiation

== Section 2: Links ==

Dogma of Mahaprayan - Oct 26

#18: Q & A on mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/10/question-answer-on-upcoming-program.html

#17: Why alluring non-margiis to campus

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/09/history-how-margiis-brought-to-mpd.html

#16: Annual Islamic mahaprayan

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/10/khan-saroyar-murshids-mahaprayan-tomb.html

#15: Bait kiirtana: drawing attendees

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2016/09/bait-kiirtana.html

#14: Annual program: adopted from Islam

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/10/mahaprayan-of-young-avt-52nd-mahaprayan.html

#13: Adding "mahaprayan" to AM books

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2019/11/b-group-befools-bangla-readers-3-more.html

#12: Personal experience: Baba's omnipresence

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/08/baba-story-changed-my-psyche-4-more.html

#11 Teaching from Acarya Diary

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2022/07/devoid-of-bhakti.html

Posting to read

How Commentary book missed the point

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/02/fake-guru-vs-sadguru.html

From fearful to fearless

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2018/05/bhakti-fearful-vs-fearless-4-more.html

Famous family acarya

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2026/09/famous-family-acarya-3-more.html

Demise of AM Mexico: all properties lost

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2026/09/demise-of-am-mexico-all-properties-lost.html