Baba
It is against Caryacarya
Note: This year (2026) Viajaya Dashamii falls on October 20 / 21.
Namaskar,
Diipavali is an official festival day as given by Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. And all Ananda Margiis should adhere to this as per His guidelines in Caryacarya.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Diipávalii / Kárttikii Amávasyá. [The new moon of Kárttika. As that night is the darkest night of the year, the celebration with fireworks and illumination symbolizes the forces of light or vidyá (knowledge) overcoming the forces of darkness or avidyá (ignorance).]” (1)
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Diipávalii: Once collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, illumination, collective merry celebrations, entertaining visitors at one’s residence, and procession with táńd́ava dance.” (2)
Unfortunately, some years they are disobeying Sadguru Baba’s guideline and instead observing the dogmatic occasion of so-called mahaprayan, which was created by Sarvatmananda. There is nothing dharmic about so-called mahaprayan.
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However, the day of Diipávalii is the festival which should be followed. If Baba had wished for us to observe so-called mahaprayan then that would have been allotted. But the fact that mahaprayan function may overlap with Diipávalii, as well as other AM functions given in Caryacarya like Vijaya Dashamii, proves that there is no place for so-called MPD in the life of a true Ananda Margii.
Same thing happens with Vijaya Dashamii (some years)
In Caryacarya, Ba’ba’ has given the system of observing Vijaya Dashamii as part of Sháradotsava from Śaśt́hii to Dashamii. And we are to follow His social code.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In a word, Ananda Marga’s social code fulfils all the conditions of an ideal social code – it is universal, rational and psychological. It is eminently suited to the development of a dynamic social structure in this rapidly-changing world. As it has been formulated in conformity with the physical, psychic and social needs of human beings, people from all walks of life fully support it and are enthusiastically engaged in its implementation." (3)
The social code of Ananda Marga is ideal in all respects and, every Ananda Margii knows that Caryacarya is our social treatise. As stated above, in Caryacarya it is given that we are to observe and celebrate (a) Children’s Day (Śaśt́hii), (b) Public Day (Saptamii), (c) Fine Arts Day (Aśt́amii), (d) Music Day (Navamii), and (e) Victory Day (Dashamii) or Vijayotsava. These are our Ananda Marga festivals as given by Baba as part of Sháradotsava. (Reference Caryacarya Part 1, Social Functions and Festivals)
And some years, these five days of festival coincide with so-called mahaprayan. Unfortunately, instead of observing the A’nanda Festivals related with Sháradotsava, from Śaśt́hii to Viyaha Dashamii, some persons observe the dogmatic function of so-called mahaprayan in Tiljala. And in the days preceding they either prepared for so-called mahaprayan observances or they used it as a travel day to get to Tiljala etc. In so doing, they went against Sadguru’s instruction of celebrating the five festival dates of Sháradotsava.
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Ba’ba’ taught us to follow - Mantramu’lam Guruva’kyam - but those MPD organisers are going against His instruction.
Festival of Victory Day discarded
Those who have bhakti towards Guru will follow Him; they will do what He says. When our Ananda Marga festival of Diipavalii (light festival) or Victory Day / Vijaya Otsava (Dashamii) - and the other dates of Sháradotsava from Śaśt́hii to Dashamii - or any festival from Caryacarya occur during the same time as so-called mahaprayan, then good people will follow Sadguru, whereas those who lack vivek will get drawn towards MPD dogma. Real sadhakas will follow the dharma of Ananda Marga, while those uninformed people will join the dogma of mahaprayan. Naturally, true bhaktas will surely follow Baba and His eternal dharma.
And indeed, this issue will arise again as Diipavalli or Vijaya Otsava (Dashamii) and the so-called mahaprayan program are going to coincide now and again. On some years, the so-called mahaprayan program coincides with Baba's given celebration of Diipavali, and other years with Vijay Dashamii.
Those who follow the real teachings of Ananda Marga will celebrate Vijaya Otsava & Diipavalii whereas those who cling to the skeletons of dogma will fall in the mahaprayan category. Obviously, best is to follow Sadguru and His shining ideals and that is what most in AMPS are doing.
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All bhaktas will always follow Baba and celebrate His given festivals like Vijaya Dashamii, or Diipavali, or related AM festivals as given in Caryacarya.
Face the consequences, unfortunately
Sincere margiis adhere to the code of Caryacarya where it says to follow Diipavalii or Vijaya Dashamii as part of Sháradotsava from Śaśt́hii to Dashamii, not the so-called mahaprayan program invented by human beings. We should follow Diipavalii and vijaya dahasamii given by Mahasambhuti. Those supporting so-called mahaprayan should think again: Why are you going against Baba?
Idol worshipers get turned into stone for adhering to their dogma; similarly, those supporting so-called mahaprayan will face reactions as well. Remember, disobeying Sadguru is abominable; we all should be vigilant to follow Him. According to the laws of prakrti, they will have to face the consequences for their wrongful action.
Brotherly yours,
Narayana
~ In-depth study ~
I close this letter with these guidelines from Sadguru Baba:
[A] Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Ananda Marga wants to build up an ideal society such as this [moral society]. There should be a congenial environment where people will get the opportunity to enhance their physical, psychic and spiritual progress, and advance rhythmically and in unison towards Parama Puruśa. Hence, Ananda Marga has formulated a social treatise for the establishment of a congenial social structure." (4)
[B] Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Collective social functions. Many social problems arise due to lack of magnanimity, such as not properly understanding or respecting the views of others. This not only keeps people apart, but also makes them hostile to each other. People come together in different festivals and social functions which foster mutual bonds of unity. When they participate in such activities and remain engaged in the same type of collective action, they develop the feeling of temporary affinity. Ananda Marga encourages these types of social functions. Collective bathing and collective meditation on special occasions are as good as common social functions." (5)
[C] Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In a word, Ananda Marga’s social code fulfills all the conditions of an ideal social code – it is universal, rational and psychological. It is eminently suited to the development of a dynamic social structure in this rapidly-changing world. As it has been formulated in conformity with the physical, psychic and social needs of human beings, people from all walks of life fully support it and are enthusiastically engaged in its implementation." (6)
[D] Prout philosophy says, "Caryacarya contains the guidelines for how an individual can best contribute his efforts to the collective momentum. It also provides guidelines for how the collective body shall foster each individual’s physical and psychic welfare." (7)
~ Related teachings ~
How to establish unity
If we follow Ba’ba’s instructions there won’t be differences among us. The key point is that we have to bring ideological unity by following His instructions / guidelines given in black & white - not by following any groupist agenda like so-called mahaprayan. We are to abide by all His instructions.
Thus no one should fall prey to observing the dogmatic occasion of so-called mahaprayan. After all, so-called mahaprayan was prescribed by a few human beings, i.e. avadhu’tas / purodhas; whereas Vijaya Dashamii and the 5 festival dates of Sháradotsava was given by Mahasambhuti Baba Himself. I request one & all of our brothers / sisters to observe the festivals given in Carya’carya by Beloved Ba’ba’ & discard / reject the so-called commemoration invented by human beings like the members of the then central committee in the year 1990/91. Kindly scrap that appendix – "Mahaprayan Divas" - from Carya’carya without ifs & buts.
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The solution is to follow Baba including His given festival dates, not the dogmatic programs like so-called mahaprayan invented by human beings.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "We will not deviate an inch from our ideology, nor will we allow others to do so." (8)
References
1. Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions and Festivals
2. Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions and Festivals
3. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4,
4. Prout Nutshell - 16, Our Social Treatise
5. Prout Nutshell - 16, Our Social Treatise
6. Prout Nutshell - 16, Our Social Treatise
7. Prout Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt A
8. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings – 2: Disc 14
== Section 2: Links ==
Dogma of Mahaprayan - Oct 26
#21: Q & A on death day dogma
#20: Misery at gathering
#19: PC Story: Why no mahaprayan
#18: Q & A on mahaprayan
#17: Why alluring non-margiis to campus
#16: Annual Islamic mahaprayan
#15: Bait kiirtana: drawing attendees
#14: Annual program: adopted from Islam
#13: Adding "mahaprayan" to AM books
#12: Personal experience: Baba's omnipresence
#11 Teaching from Acarya Diary
Postings to read
Understanding svarasa and paramrasa
Key guideline of longevity
Neo-humanist college president should have Samskrta name
How Commentary book missed the point
