Deceased Person Cannot Be Guru

~ Baba ~

DECEASED PERSON CANNOT BE GURU

Namaskar,
The top-most ideal in the life of any sadhaka is to realise that, "Parama Purusa is always with me." To live with this feeling firmly established in the mind is to be a true spiritualist. That is Baba's
teaching.

As we know, devotion is everything for an aspirant; and devotion means always feeling that "Parama Purusa is with me."

Sadguru says, "When devotion is there, Parama Purus'a is there." (1)

So cultivating devotion and feeling His loving internal presence is the central theme of our life. That is what we are to strive for.

BABA'S MAIN TEACHING ON THIS EARTH

If we take a moment to review Baba's physical presence on this earth, we can easily see that this is also one of the main things He wanted to teach us - that He is always with us.

Behind His reporting sessions, behind His loving scoldings & corrections, behind His pointing out, behind His Dharma Samiiksa, and behind His so many demonstrations was the inherent idea that, "I (Baba) am always with you." That was what Parama Purusa Baba was graciously showing us.

Because in all those circumstances, all-knowing Baba was practically teaching us that even when He was not physically next to us, even then He was aware of our each and every thought, word, and deed.

How many times would a margii arrive from Brazil or Hong Kong, or how often would a WT come from their posting in Bombay etc, and in step-wise fashion omniscient Baba would recount all the details of their long and arduous journey, or some other event in their life - that they felt only they knew.

This was all-knwoing Baba's unique way of saying, "I am not limited to this physical body, always I reside in your heart & mind. I am always with you-- caring for you."

This idea Baba has repeated in hundreds of discourses. And in His practical life, in countless ways Baba has taught this ideal: That He remains with us - wherever we go, in whatever circumstance we are in.

"Pure shete yah sah purus'ah, that is, 'The witness-ship that lies quiescent in every entity is the purus'a'." (2)

SOME REALISE & SOME NOT

Those who, by His grace, realise this ideal feel Baba's presence in sadhana and understand that His physical presence was just an external manifestation, and not the whole of who Baba is.

Naturally then when they sit for sadhana then they feel internally linked with Baba, by His grace.

Unfortunately, today there are some who claim, directly or indirectly, that omnipresent Baba is gone. This is a result of their thinking that Baba was just a physical person on this earth, like so many others. So they mistakenly conclude that since 1990 Baba is gone, just like every other person who left this earth.

But we must not support or encourage this false notion, as that undermines Parama Purusa Baba's magnanimous and eternal presence and is detrimental to one's own spiritual progress.

INHEREENT CONTRADICTION FOR FOLLOWERS OF MPD

For those who follow so-called mahaprayan, i.e. annual death ceremony, there is an inherent contradiction. On the one side they observe the death ceremony and think He is gone; and, on the other side, they think that Baba is Guru. But when an entity is non-existent & He is no more, then how can He guide others on path of liberation. Those who are followers of MPD should think again about what they are doing.

NOT JUST PHYSICAL

While Baba's physical advent on this earth is so historic and meaningful, it was never meant that we should take His physical body as the totality of His personality. That is why from the very beginning, sadhana was a mandatory practice. Even central workers who were with Baba from morning till night had to sit twice daily for silent meditation.

Indeed, all-knowing Baba's ongoing guidance was that we should seek Him and serve Him within.

For that reason He has given kiirtan, dhyana, first lesson, madhuvidya and so many other teachings and practices. To realise His presence inside.

Plus in Prabhat Samgiita Baba has described the sheer futility of trying to find Parama Purusa in the external world.

Vane upavane khu’nijiya’ khu’nijiya’
Kona kha’ne tava dekha’ na’ pa’i...
A'ja bujila'ma manete rayecho...
Ba'hira vishve khunjiya' khunjiya'
Ka’chera du’re pa't'ha'te ca'i (PS #1082)

O' Parama Purusa I am searching for You in the forest and in the gardens
I could not see you anywhere
O' Parama Purusa Baba, by Your exquisite grace, today I understand that You are remaining in my mind
Those searching You in the external world
Want to send You from close to far

So even when in physical form, Baba was describing that the only way to truly get Him was to seek Him within.

Furthermore, He put forth the warning those seeking Him externally would not only not find Him, but would push Him far, far away.

"Du'r'a't sudure: if people think that Parama Purus'a is far from them, then He is very, very far. Du'ra means far and sudu'ra means so far that the human mind cannot even imagine it." (3)

NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE 1990

Hence for those involved in sadhana, nothing has changed since 1990. Because the way to get Him has remained the same. He remains eternally in the heart and mind. In Ananda Marga, by His grace, sadhakas understand that it was just His liila that He physically manifested Himself on this earth. But always He is with us - in our the mind and heart of every bhakta.

That is why in Ananda Marga there is not a new Guru. On most paths a successor is named to be the new guru. But in Ananda Marga Parama Purusa Himself is the Guru; and when He is always with us, then there is no question of there being any second or third guru.

Thus the same inner link that was present before 1990 is the same as today and will be tomorrow. And it is this link - the devotional reality that He is always with us - that we should cultivate each and every breath, each and every moment we are alive. That is how we are to find Him.

Across so many discourses, reporting sessions, songs, and PC's, there is one main thing that Baba wants to teach us: That He is always with us and the path of devotion means to realise Him and live with the awareness that He resides eternally in our mind and heart.

HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU - WATCHING YOU - HELPING YOU

"He is the witness of all the worlds, all the deeds done in this universe. Nothing is secret for Him. You cannot do anything nor think anything without being witnessed by Him. If anyone says, 'I am not being witnessed by anybody,' He will be witnessing this utterance. So as the witnessing Entity He is always with you. This is the greatest assurance, because when you know that He is with you, your mental strength will increase a thousand-fold, because He is always with you to help you...you are never alone, you are never weak, you are never helpless. So the duty of a perfect human being, the duty of a spiritual aspirant is always to remember this supreme truth - that one is never alone, one is always with Supreme Father. He will always help you." (4)

"When your mind will develop the knowledge that Paramátmá is watching us all the time, you will be in dhruvá smrti. Here psycho-spiritual knowledge will be converted into spiritual knowledge." (5)

HE SEES YOU IN YOUR MEDITATION

"Parama Puruśa looks deep into the inner thoughts and feelings of human beings. He is omniscient, forever watching throughout the creation those who are meditating upon Him with undivided attention, and those who have been patiently waiting with an unwavering mind to realize Him." (6)

IDEATE ON HIM AND BECOME VAST

"The unit beings that have been in possession of the Cosmic Mind in part and that have been progressing within It, are also conscious of their smallness and this very sense of smallness is their individuality – unit-hood. Sádhaná or intuitional practice means an effort to break through the barrier of this smallness. " (7)

BABA'S BLESSING

"Parama Purus'a, the Supreme Father, is always with you and you are never alone." (8)

Do you really think that Baba is no more...

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Chandramohan Deva

OUR SANSKRIT NAMES & USE OF THE DEVA SUFFIX

"At the time of initiation or shortly afterwards, those who do not have a Sanskrit name should be given one by the ácárya/á. The word deva should be suffixed to the name...the more the usage of deva as a title, the better it is. The Sanskrit name should be used in all worldly dealings." (9)

   "Casteism is a burden on the Hindu society. All the year round they preach casteism but on the polling days they decry it. This is wholly undesirable. It is better to avoid all titles. Titles signify the caste. If casteism is to be wiped out, it is incumbent to discard the titles. It is commendable if everyone adopts uniformity on title – Deva. Persons using a particular word more often will influence their minds with the meaning of that word. People are reluctant to use the word dása because this word signifies slavery. Whenever the so-called low caste people catch an opportunity, they declare themselves as belonging to the so-called elevated caste, etc. It is an ideal to become deva and for this reason Deva title should be adopted."
   "Titles of the present society have undergone considerable changes during the past fifty years, the cause being that everyone aspires to pertain to an elevated caste. The so-called Shúdras also use the sacred thread. This is only an effort towards the concealment of one’s identity. By this means, they conceal only their disregarded status. This is to be regretted. It is consequent on social debility that they harbour the desire for changes in their situations. It is out and out purposeless to convene All-India Conferences or particular castes. All of them desire to assert and establish their rights. This is simply misuses of energy and money."
   "The consent of those embraced must be sought for before renaming them in Saḿskrta. Language has got nothing to do with religion and as such, there is no reason for anybody depreciating the use of Saḿskrta. In this connection it may be added that the great emperor Aurangzeb used the term sudhárasa (juice of nectar) for mango (original Saḿskrta term for mango is ámra) and saddharma for Islam." (10)


REFERENCES
1. (SS-20) 'Astitva and Shivatva'
2. Ananda Sutram, 1-1
3. SS-11, p. 65
4. Istanbul, 1979
5. SS-18, Knowledge and Human Progress
6. APH-5, Integral and Non-Integral Outlook
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 4
8. AV-12
9. Caryacarya-1
10. Tattvika Diipika, 5th part, Ánanda Púrńimá 1957

Why Only Billy-Goat

~ Baba ~

WHY ONLY BILLY-GOAT

(Note: This is in follow-up to an earlier letter titled, "Hindu Religious Pollution in AM". A link to that letter is appended below. - Eds)


Namaskar,
One respected reader wrote in with the following query with regards to offerings made during the shraddha ceremony:

In Caryacarya there is mention of giving a bull or billy goat. It escapes me for what purpose and what would we do in western countries instead? It seems to me some social service should be done, of course not for the deceased...This point [of offering] should be explained properly in my opinion.

Indeed, as stated in the above query, Guru has given the explicit option for a billy-goat or bull to be offered:

"At the end of the shráddha ceremony, a gift may be made of a bull, buffalo, ram, billy-goat, or any other male domestic animal of good breed for public welfare." (Caryacarya-1)

As Ananda Margiis, it is our responsibility to understand all Baba's teachings - including the above guideline. As we know, our Ananda Marga is wholly against the Hindu dogma of offering food / mass feeding, blankets, or other social offerings etc at the time of a shraddha ceremony. In that case, how are we to understand and interpret Guru's above mandate.

THE GIFTING OF A BILLY-GOAT APPLIES ONLY TO RURAL LIFE

Here all we can do is follow Guru's order and understand the spirit of His teaching.

Guru's above guideline means if anything is to be offered at the time of shraddha, it must be a goat or any male domestic animal - but only if a billy-goat is needed in that area. If there is no need and there was no utility of a goat in that region, then one should not offer anything at all. For instance, in rural Orissa, there may be great need for a billy-goat for agricultural purposes; so at the time of shradda that offering can be made. But in New York City there is no need for a billy-goat, thus this option of gifting a billy-goat does not apply and is not to be done.

Thus, this offering of a billy-goat is primarily relegated to village life, not modern living in any city nor in more economically developed regions where food production and farming is done on an industrial level etc. So the gifting of a billy-goat is an option that applies only to rural areas where there is a distinct need for such an animal. The offering of a billy-goat should not be done as some token gift or ritualistic practice.

DO NOT REPLACE THE BILLY-GOAT BY OFFERING SOMETHING ELSE

Here we have to remember that Caryacarya is our social shastra and is given to meet the demands of the day. So long as there is a need for a billy-goat in various villages then offering a billy-goat is fine; the moment that demand is no longer present then we need not offer that.

And we should not replace that offering with something else like blankets or food.

After all, in those early days also, people were suffering from the cold and from a lack of food, plus there was a severe shortage of clothing in India; but Baba did not give the option of offering blankets, clothing, and food during the shraddha ceremony. Veritably in those earlier days, there was a critical food shortage - even starvation - but even then Baba did not advise that narayan seva (food distribution / mass feeding) should be done on the occasion of the shraddha ceremony. Not only that, He strictly forbade eating during the shraddha ceremony.

                                    
 

SHRADDHANNA NOT TO BE TAKEN

"Shráddhánna: Shráddhánna (food offered at a memorial service) is neither priityanna nor ápadanna, hence it is not to be taken." (Caryacarya-2, pt #37)

So Guru's order of offering a male domesticated animal for public welfare is an option during the shraddha ceremony wherever village life is in vogue. At the same time, we cannot devise alternate options and insert those in Caryacarya. Here we have to follow the word of Guru. In the village area, one may offer a billy-goat to the collective, and in non-village areas, there is not an option to offer anything at all.

ANANDA MARGA SOCIAL FUNCTIONS:

THEY SHOULD NOT BE A FINANCIAL BURDEN

Plus, here following is the overall spirit of our Ananda Marga social functions.

Our social functions were designed in such a way that they should not become a liability or burden for the society. They should not become expensive, extravagant affairs that break the bank of the common person. People should not have to save money their whole life just to be able to perform a social function like a death ceremony. Already, the family is suffering due to the loss of their loved one. They should not also have to undergo terrible financial penance or bear the humiliation in society. Indeed if the main bread-winner dies, the family should not have to face the hardship of paying for a grand shraddha ceremony when their chief earning source has passed. Already they are grief-stricken, and for them to also face financial ruination is heartless and unspeakable. Indeed, Baba does not want this.

Rather His aim is to dismantle the dogmatic Hindu shraddha rituals that have shackled and plagued families for centuries. In the Hindu system - and in other religions also - often families have to bear huge loans & financial loss in order to perform the last rites of their loved one. To do away with this, Baba has mandated that all Ananda Marga social functions - including the shraddha ceremony - are to be simple affairs that are free of cost. The grieving family should not bear the burden of any type of offering or feast etc.

Thus the overall spirit of this directive is that no one should incur any type of loan for the shraddha ceremony. Plus, if an offering is made, then it must be a male domesticated animal where there is need of such a gift - i.e. a rural area. No one should come up with an alternative list of offerings. Rather, we should follow the exact teaching of Guru - word for word, and at the same time adhere to the overall spirit.

If anyone has any further thought or question on this key issue, please write in.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Dr. Veda Prakash

Note: LINK TO INITIAL LETTER ON THIS TOPIC

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/12/hindu-religious-pollution-in-am.html

Fake Is After All Fake

~ Baba ~

FAKE IS AFTER ALL FAKE

Namaskar,
Baba's original and true A'nanda Va'niis stand as one of the great traditions of Ananda Marga. This we all know.

Twice annually On New Year's & Ananda Purnima Baba would give a spirited message of a few lines that was entirely new in content, complete in expression, and eternal in nature. In that way, each Ananda Vanii is verily a discourse unto itself. So Baba's original and true Ananda Vaniis are really something unique and incomparable.

However, now in this post 1990 era, certain party leaders have taken it upon themselves to invent and issue Fake Ananda Vaniis for their own interests & political ends. These fake Ananda Vaniis are nothing but their own claim for power and legitimacy.

As Ananda Margiis, as disciples of Baba, we should be strict in adhering to Baba's divine system of Ananda Vaniis and use only those original Ananda Vaniis as our guiding light - not any fake version. Thus on the occasions of New Year's & Ananda Purnima, we should select one of Baba's original Ananda Vaniis. Already, this is what so many units are doing around the globe.

As New Year's Day 2014 is approaching, we should get organised and prepare ourselves accordingly.

MORE ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF BABA'S ORIGINAL A'NANDA VA'NIIS

Here below is a general discussion of this topic. As disciples of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji we are to be vigilant on this matter as it regards the authenticity and sanctity of His divine teachings.

ANANDA VANIIS ARE COMPLETE UNTO THEMSELVES

NOT PART OF ANY LARGER DISCOURSE

Baba's true Ananda Vanii messages are very precise and pointed like an arrow. They are complete discourses in and of themselves. They are not part of any larger discourse; and they are not just a quote or partial paragraph. Baba's true Ananda Vaniis are 100% full & complete and stand as is. They are unique and new in their own special way.

ANANDA VANIIS ARE POSITIVE MESSAGES OF ETERNAL TRUTH

One of the most recognisable and special attributes of Baba's original Ananda Vaniis is that they infuse prana (positive life-force) into even half-dead persons and give strength and vigor to all sadhakas. Infused with courageous spirit and indomitable nature, Baba's original Ananda Vaniis are 100% unique and stand apart from His other discourses. Only His original and true Ananda Vaniis have that unbridled energy to inspire one and all to move ahead.

BABA WROTE THEM WITH HIS OWN HAND

History bears testimony that Baba Himself wrote all those Ananda Vaniis in His own handwriting. And He did not just do one like this; but, time after time, for many years Baba continued to write His original Ananda Vaniis with His own hand. All senior margiis are aware about this. In contrast, with other discourses and book chapters, Baba never did like this. Countless discourses He has given and always He was speaking, and devotees were writing. Whereas Ananda Vaniis were written by His hand. This shows the personal and special quality of Ananda Vaniis.

ANANDA VANII:

TRUE AND ETERNAL ANANDA VANII

Here is one of His true and eternal Ananda Vaniis.

"The humans of today are possessed of spirited intellect and accomplished wisdom. They are keen to advance with rapid step shattering the shackles of dogmas. They will no longer be entrapped by the illusion of opportunism. The rays of the crimson dawn of a new humanity on the eastern horizon have started weaving textures of colours on their eyelids and in the subtle recesses of their minds. As for those who have been dreaming of keeping humanity imprisoned by dogmas, their days are numbered; their blissful dreams are being shattered to pieces. I call upon all enlightened people and say: “Go ahead with courage. The humanity has been awaiting you. Establish it in the excellence and grandeur of glory.”" (Ananda Vanii #53)

EVERY ANANDA VANII IS UNIQUE

In all, Baba has blessed us with 74 of these divine guidelines known as Ananda Vaniis. Each with their own inherent beauty; each with their own timeless message. And Baba has Himself specially collected them all together and marked them in His publication: Ananda Vanii Samgraha. These alone stand as those unparalleled and dharmic messages which Baba has so graciously blessed us with during the time of New Year's Day and Ananda Purnima gatherings. These alone are Ananda Vaniis.

WHAT THE GROUP CAMPS ARE DOING

However, nowadays various Fake A'nanda Vaniis are being created and passed around by the various groups.

Certainly, most margiis and field workers understand that any so-called Ananda Vanii created by one of the factions is a Fake A'nanda Va'nii. Strangely enough, they do not like to follow Baba's original Ananda Vaniis.

So the day is near, as more and more understand how & why these Fake Ananda Vaniis came into existence so that we can eliminate this dogma permanently.

"However dense the cimmerian darkness may be, the crimson dawn must follow. The fiends of hell may burst out in loud laughter, but all must fade in the void with the sunrise. The light of sádhaná shall dispel the thick darkness, notwithstanding the night of the pangs of humanity. Sunshine is destined in human life. " (Ananda Vanii #39)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Kalyanmurti

Note 1: MORE ORIGINAL AND TRUE ANANDA VANIIS

"That very irresistible aspiration which leads human beings towards their goal with tremendous speed, also builds all sorts of social structures and generates newer social consciousness. With all sincerity in thought, words and deeds you have to build that aspiration, you have to awaken the cognitive faculty latent in the innermost golden cavity of every microcosmic mind. For you have to work to bring about the well-being of every entity; no benevolent individual can neglect anyone."
(Ananda Vanii #63)


   "Human civilization now faces the final moment of a critical juncture. The dawn of a glorious new era is on its one side and the worn-out skeleton of the past on the other. People have to adopt either of these two."
   "You are the spiritual soldiers, you are the worshippers of Life Divine, hence I call upon you to adorn this crimson dawn deluged with glorious light."
   "Victory is surely yours." (Ananda Vanii #26)


"Marching ahead from cimmerian darkness to the stratum divine is the true spirit of life. Staticism, superstition and narrowness stand for cimmerian darkness. Ensconcing oneself in the Cosmic Soul is the life divine. Striving ahead, together with the entire universe, along the path of spirituality is verily the greatest task for humanity."
   "I hope, in the fresh dawn of the New Year’s day, you will all ponder anew this eternal and sacred Truth." (Ananda Vanii #32)


   "The Supreme recognition of the meaning of existence lies in the vigorous march from imperfection to perfection. This is as true in family, social and political life as it is in individual life. In individual life the movement from imperfection to perfection is easy to some extent due to the lack of diversity, but in family, social and political life it is comparatively difficult due to the extreme influence of staticity. On no account can one afford to stop moving in any sphere of existence, nor is it possible to do so."
   "Through clashes and conflicts one must move towards the Supreme Desideratum. One who has lost the very spirit of forward march has lost the inner vitality of life and reduced oneself to an inert skeleton. You must not allow such a thing to happen."
   "Keep moving onward, singing the song of the forward march." (Ananda Vanii #65)


"The despondent humanity, in the monumental task of searching for veracity, sees the beacon leading to the path of effulgence. This immense task makes humanity’s existence resplendent and illumines its path of movement with the blazing tenderness of humanism. You are the blessed travellers on that effulgent path. Let the unique blending of your profound wisdom and intense urge for action rend asunder the mists of sinful deeds and smash to dust the jagged rocks of hypocrisy, and establish you in the realm of supreme fulfilment. This is my wish for you on this auspicious New Year’s day." (Ananda Vanii #71)

Mahaprayan (Death) of Ac. Shankar Pradhan ji

~ Baba ~

MAHAPRAYANA (DEATH) OF Ac. Shankar Pradhan ji

Namaskar,
It is with much sorrow to share with you news of the mahaprayan* (death) of Family Ac Shankar Pradhanji which occurred at 0100hrs on 16 Dec 2013 after a long battle with cancer. Shrii Pradhanji was from the remote area of Talpadar, Bargarh Odisha. At the time of his mahaprayan he was 73 years of age and had long served and dedicated in Ananda Marga.

Acarya Pradhanji is survived by his laukika family members that include his three children. There were four children but one renounced family life and became a WT.

May we all take solace in the fact that Shrii Pradhanji was a devoted bhakta of the Lord. Certainly he will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His grace.

With deepest regards,
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Shankar Tripathi

Note 1: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL MAHAPRAYAN AND FAKE MPD

Here it should be qualified that there is both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan marks the death of any ordinary human being. This is the proper use of the term: To note a person's departure from this earth. That is the meaning of the mahaprayan term and that is the standard way the term is used in Indian languages.

Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan. That is when certain vested interests try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa Himself. This is grossly inappropriate because when Parama Purusa Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is entirely wrong to proclaim that He is gone.

That is why rational margiis are protesting; because the Oct 21st program is so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for some vested interests to declare "mahaprayan of Parama Purusa" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings, not Parama Purusa.

Note 2: ASTERISK NOTE ABOUT MAHAPRAYAN

* Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in Bengal to describe the death of an honoured or even ordinary person. In that way, the obituary columns of the newspapers of Bengal regularly cite the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' (death) is one extraordinarily devotional term to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no devotees ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).

Those who think that Baba is a mortal human being celebrate Mahaprayan on a particular day of the year related with Baba; but, in the true sense, Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary on page 742. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens.

Note 3: STORY- SITTING ON BABA'S LAP MEANS DIED?
(contributed by one margii)

Recently after dharmacakra, a senior margii was recounting his experiences of having dharma samiiksa with Baba.

He said, "After being punished by Baba, then He called me close and placed me on His lap - I remained there for some time soaking up His love - and He blessed me."

We all enjoyed hearing about his personal account with Baba during dharma samiiksa. When he finished telling his story, there was a call for questions. Various people posed their queries.

QUESTION BY A NEW MARGII

Towards the end, one new margii raised his hand and asked, "How did Baba bring you back to life?"

Everyone stared at the new margii in amazement. There was a look of astonishment all around - people were really shocked to hear him say this.

The new sadhaka sensed that something was awry.

He said very matter-of-factly, "I thought that sitting on Baba's Lap means that he (the margii) died - that is why I asked that question."

This was quite eye-opening for those of us in the room: Through our language and expression we had unknowingly taught someone to think that being on Baba's lap is the equivalent of death. Because it seems that nowadays people only use the phrase "Baba's lap" when a person has died, such as "Let him rest peacefully in Baba's lap", as if all who have died have accumulated there. Many emails have been written this way.

MUST NOT ONLY REFER TO DEATH

At that moment I thought that everyone, new and old, should be clear about the real and devotional meaning of this phrase, "being on Baba's lap." It should not become stigmatized such that it only means death. Because in its true sense, the phrase "being on Baba's lap" really does carry a highly devotional and sweet feeling.

It is just like how a small child sits on its parent's lap. In a similar way, a spiritual child (human being) sits on the lap of Parama Purusa. By Baba's grace this can happen anytime in one's sadhana, especially in dhyana. Such a phrase then should not become  stigmatized because too many people only use it at the time of death.

We should be careful that we do not relegate "Baba's lap" only to the point of death. All these following terms and phrases also only refer to death:

ve bhagavan ko pya're ho gaye
(he has been loved by God)

ve svarga sidhar gaye
(he has gone to heaven )

ve guzar gaye
(he passed away)

mahaprayan hoyeche
(he died)

We should ensure that the same death connotation does not get attached to, "being on Baba's lap." Because the phrase - "being on Baba's lap" - is a devotional experience that can happen today itself in sadhana, and especially in dhyana. The phrase "being on Baba's lap" should not lose this quality and only mean death. It should not meet the same dark fate as happened with the term harijan.

MUST NOT MEET SAME FATE AS HARIJAN

As we all know, these days in India nobody uses the term harijan to mean "a devotee". Whereas 70 years ago it was used in that way. The term harijan did mean bhakta. But ever since the time of Gandhi when he glued the harijan term to the lowest so-called caste, i.e so-called untouchables, nobody uses the the harijan to mean devotee. Never. Because the term harijan has been stigmatized to mean "untouchable". Nobody uses it to mean "devotee", but that is the original and true meaning of the word.

The phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", should not meet a similar fate. It should not lose its devotional quality and just refer to one's death. That will be very negative.

A VERY DEVOTIONAL EXPRESSION

There are thousands of recorded stories by sadhakas where they use the phrase, "on Baba's lap", when describing their experiences of being with Baba: He used to bless them and bring them on His lap. People should understand the deeply devotional value of this expression, and not just think that Baba's lap means death, i.e. that you can only sit on His lap at the time of death. Still today there are thousands of margiis walking this earth who sat in Baba's lap. And not only that, there are countless more sadhakas who were blessed by Baba in dreams and dhyana wherein they sat in His lap. And still today this deeply devotional experience is attainable by sadhakas, by His grace.

There are so many ways an aspirant can reach unto Baba's lap including in sadhana and especially during dhyana. That is the main idea that should be preserved. Sadhana is a devotional practice and one can sit on Baba's lap in dhyana. We should make it cent-per-cent clear to one and all that the phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", does not mean death.

RECENT EXAMPLES

Here are quoted lines from recently posted emails on various forums, wherein the writer uses the phrase - "in Baba's lap" - with the occasion of death:

- "May he rest in His eternal lap." (16-12-13)

- "We are sure that Baba has taken him in His loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in Baba's lap forever."

- "Let her rest peacefully in Baba's Lap - which she always desired."

- "now he is in beloved Baba's lap"

- "May his soul get peaceful place in His lap"

- "He is now in BÁBÁ'S loving lap"

- "May Baba bless him with a seat in His lap."

- "May BABA accept him in HIS divine lap!"

- "May Baba take him in his eternal loving lap."

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

All of the above lines are commonly written in eulogizing the deceased. Of course, it is fine to write like that. Here the point is that this same phrase "in Baba's lap" should also be used when describing one's devotional practices and experiences. But these days mostly it is used in a eulogy and rarely used to recount one's devotional experiences - unfortunately. By this way, the phrase "in Baba's lap" is being misused and step by step the real meaning is being forgotten as now people more commonly use the phrase to eulogize those who have died, and much less so to express their devotional feeling. Unfortunately, the meaning and inner spirit of the phrase is getting lost.

Mandela: Messiah of Poor or Puppet of Exploiters? #2

~ Baba ~

MANDELA:

MESSIAH OF POOR OR PUPPET OF EXPLOITERS?

~ Part 2 ~

Note: If you are very emotional or very attached to a particular point of view, then you may want to pause before reading this, or not read it at all. If you easily become emotionally charged or have a tendency for knee-jerk reactions, here again you may want refrain from reading. Those who over-react and fail to keep calm demeanor will not be able to understand this subject matter. This posting presents an article by Reuters - a credible news agency that engages in investigative reporting, not hearsay. Before reading please think whether you can manage this sensitive issue or not. A rational and calm mind is needed; those who get reacted easily must have control over their emotions, otherwise they may not be able to manage these hard facts. Those who do not want to hear "the other side of the story" should not read.

We should not forget that these days the media is controlled by capitalists - so the media does not present the plight of the impoverished masses. It is very rare for the news media to take the side of the exploited people - rather they present the stance of the exploiters. As we know, Nelson Mandela is universally praised as a great hero and veritable saviour. One of the key reasons for this is that Mandela himself maintained the economic inequality in South Africa where white exploiters maintained sheer and utter domination of South Africa's natural and financial resources, including the vast gold-mining operations. In result, the capitalist owned media agencies presented Mandela as a great agent of peace and equality. When in fact the truth is that Mandela protected the advantages of the exploiters. This reality is not widely known because the capitalist media covers it up, but that is important for all to know about. Please read the following.

Mandela's legacy: peace, but poverty for many blacks

Thu Dec 5, 2013
By Ed Cropley

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – In the 10 years after he withdrew from public life, Nelson Mandela divided his time between a mansion in one of Johannesburg’s wealthiest suburbs and his ancestral home in Qunu, a village in South Africa’s impoverished eastern Cape.

The contrast could not have been starker.

In one, his neighbours were cast in the image of the white “Rand Lords”, the mining magnates and bankers who built the sprawling city – and Africa’s biggest economy – from the vast gold reserves in the rock beneath their feet.

In the other, they were black peasant farmers living in thatched “rondavel” huts and eking out a living on windswept hillsides in scenes that have hardly changed in centuries, let alone the two decades since the end of apartheid.

While few query Mandela’s achievement in dragging South Africa back from the brink of civil war in the early 1990s and brokering a peaceful end to three centuries of white dominance, tougher questions are being asked of the country he leaves behind.

Despite more than 10 years of affirmative action to redress the balance under the banner of “black economic empowerment”, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies and whites still control huge swathes of the economy.

In the words of leading trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi, its structure is akin to an Irish coffee – black at the bottom, with some white froth and a sprinkling of chocolate on the top.

On average, a white household earns six times more than a black one, and nearly one in three blacks is unemployed, compared with one in 20 whites.

Such ratios are fodder for critics of the 1994 settlement that brought the curtain down on nearly half a century of institutionalised white-minority rule and saw Mandela anointed South Africa’s first black president.

The numbers also support the anecdotal evidence from wealthy urban neighbourhoods – including Mandela’s Houghton – where, 19 years after the birth of his “Rainbow Nation”, most of the black people to be seen are housemaids, security guards or gardeners.

“Mandela has gone a bit too far in doing good to the non-black communities, really in some cases at the expense of (blacks),” Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said in a documentary aired on South African television in May 2013.

“That’s being too saintly, too good.”

POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC POWER?

The defenders of Mandela’s settlement note that Mugabe’s violent seizure of white-owned farms in neighbouring Zimbabwe from 2000 triggered an eight-year economic collapse and confirmed his fall in the eyes of outsiders from respected liberation hero to international pariah.

Yet his criticism of Mandela finds echoes in some corners of the African National Congress (ANC), the 101-year-old liberation movement that joined forces with the unions and the Communist Party to topple apartheid.

In a 2010 interview with the wife of British author V.S. Naipaul, the anti-apartheid firebrand and “Mother of the Nation” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela accused her former husband of selling out after being broken by his 27 years in apartheid prisons.

“Mandela did go to prison and he went in there as a burning young revolutionary. But look what came out,” she was quoted as saying.

“Mandela let us down. He agreed to a bad deal for the blacks. Economically, we are still on the outside. The economy is very much ‘white’. It has a few token blacks, but so many who gave their life in the struggle have died unrewarded.”

Even among academics, there is broad acceptance that in its sparring with then-president FW de Klerk in the early 1990s, the ANC under Mandela, a self-confessed economic novice, focused too much on the quest for political rather than economic power.

In less polite terms, the ANC’s stance translated into a quip popular at the dinner parties of wealthy whites: “We’ll give them the vote but keep the banks.”

William Gumede, a professor at Wits Business School in Johannesburg, said it was wrong to argue that Mandela sold out.

“However, the economic negotiations were not as robust as the political ones,” he said.

“There was a glib acceptance among most in the ANC that all they needed to do was capture political power, and then they could transform the economy. It was a simplistic argument, and it was also the Mandela argument.”

South Africa and the world watched in awe when, on February 11, 1990, Mandela left Cape Town’s Victor Verster prison and raised his fist in salute to the crowds as he stepped out on his and the nation’s “Long Walk to Freedom” – the title of his subsequent autobiography.

The start of a momentous political transition, it was also a key moment in the evolution of a cult of Mandela both at home and abroad.

MAN AND MYTH

In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with de Klerk, and in 1995 he won over all but the most diehard right-wingers as he saluted the overwhelmingly white Springbok side that won the Rugby World Cup in Johannesburg.

He is immortalised in a stained glass window in Soweto’s giant Regina Mundi church; statues of him dancing, boxing or raising his fist are dotted across the country; and in 2012 the central bank issued a set of bank notes bearing his face.

The announcement about the notes came on February 11, the 22nd anniversary of his release from prison.

In such an atmosphere, it was perhaps inevitable that some episodes of his single five-year term as president are glossed over.

His close personal friendship with Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi drew criticism – and a fierce rebuttal from Mandela, who said: “Those who feel irritated by our friendship with President Gaddafi can go jump in the pool.”

The 2010 “blood diamonds” testimony of British supermodel Naomi Campbell at a Hague war crimes tribunal also shone an uncomfortable light on a dinner Mandela hosted in 1997 for Liberian warlord Charles Taylor, whose presence at the table called into question South Africa’s ‘ethical’ foreign policy.

Then there is the infamous ‘Arms Deal’, a $5 billion defence equipment contract that erupted into a massive scandal for Mandela’s successor, Thabo Mbeki, and remains the defining episode in the ANC’s slide from post-apartheid grace.

Amid fierce criticism of Mbeki and the current president, Jacob Zuma, also embroiled in the furore, many South Africans have chosen to forget that the deal was first announced in 1998, when Mandela was still in office.

On the streets of the sprawling black township of Soweto, where police and disgruntled unemployed youngsters still face off in sporadic, violent protests over poor housing and public services, there are plenty who do not buy the Mandela myth.

“Mandela kept on saying: ‘I am here for the people, I am the servant of the nation.’ What did he do? He signed papers that allowed white people to keep the mines and the farms,” said 49-year-old Majozi Pilane, who runs a roadside stall selling sweets and cigarettes.

“He did absolutely nothing for all the poor people of this country.”

(Additional reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

===

HERE BELOW ARE SOME OF BABA'S RELATED TEACHINGS:

DO NOT FORGIVE THOSE WHO DID COLLECTIVE HARM

"In collective life one has no right to forgive anyone; in individual life you can extend maximum forgiveness – rather, the more forgiveness, the better. Forgiveness is something personal; it is not a collective matter. Suppose you are an inhabitant of India. If someone harms the collective life of India, you must not forgive them. Likewise, as you belong to the entire human race, you must not forgive anyone who harms humanity." (AMIWL-11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle)

BLUNDER: MANDELA SOUGHT POLITICAL GAIN NOT ECONOMIC JUSTICE

JUST LIKE WITH INDIAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT

India’s Fight for Independence

In this fight for independence, the Indian leaders committed a blunder. They should have engaged themselves in an economic fight instead of starting a political movement. The British took advantage of this blunder of the Indian leaders...

leaders of India should have started a struggle for economic independence instead of launching a political movement. All Indians could have fought together unitedly, there being no Hindu, Muslim, Punjabi or Marathi feelings in this economic struggle, and as a result an anti-exploitation sentiment could have been developed in India. This sentiment could have made Indians stronger...

when India would have gained economic independence, Hindus and Muslims would have lived together as brothers and sisters in undivided India. The fight for economic independence would have brought political independence also. There might have been some delay in it, but political independence would have surely come...

Had they started a movement for economic independence instead of accepting the partition of India, it would have been possible to form a united and independent India...

The economic struggle could not have remained confined to British exploitation only, but would have extended to the Indian exploiters (social, economic, psychological). When the British would have realized that their exploitation was not going to continue, they would have been compelled to grant political independence to India, and with political independence exploitation by the local people would have come to an end also. But the Hindu and Muslim leaders came from the bourgeois class and so they did not like this idea. They wanted liberty keeping capitalism (social, economic, psychological, etc.) alive. For this reason they accepted the political independence of divided India. (To the Patriots)

ONE SHOULD NOT FORGET

We should not forget that Prout is the voice of those who are voiceless. Prout always supports the exploited mass - not the exploiters. The following article does just that - it gives voice to the voiceless, exploited mass. It reveals how the poor are suffering due to severe exploitation at the hands of the capitalist elite. The majority of people are living in dire poverty while a few wallow in absolute luxury. Still today, the native people are working for slave wages doing menial tasks for the exploiters. How can we overlook this situation. Mandela himself supported that status quo - he did nothing to end this economic tyranny.

The European exploiters reached South Africa, ruled for centuries, captured the abundant natural resources, and made native Africans their slaves by stripping them of their rights etc. Just recently, the native people achieved political freedom (1994) but not economic freedom. Prout demands economic justice as well as political freedom. That is why we are highlighting the hypocrisy of Mr. Mandela - who deceived his own, native peoples into thinking he was for them, when in fact he was upholding the status quo - i.e. the stance of those exploiters.

Namaskar,
Mahadeva
M.S. Wolcott (Cape Town)

Note 1: LINK TO EARLIER LETTER ON THIS TOPIC

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/12/mandela-messiah-of-poor-or-became.html

Reply on Fake MPD + Real Mahaprayan of One Margii

REPLY ON FAKE MPD + REAL MAHAPRAYAN OF ONE MARGII

Baba

Respected Readers,

Namaskar. Below please find two letters:

1. Reply on Fake MPD by Deveshji
2. Mahaprayan (Death) of Thakurji

In Him,
Candradeva
Moderators


Subject: Mahaprayan Vs Ananda Purnima celebration
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 21:03:36 +0530
From: Devesh Kumar <deveshkumar.....l.com>

Namaskar,

We have always written that kirtan is always better. Kirtan always creates devotional environment. No doubt at all. But we should not use devotional kirtan to mask / cover the dogmatic observation which is against Caryacarya. Kirtan should be arranged to support HIS presence, not to support that BABA has gone forever as it is the meaning of word “Mahaprayan”. Therefore, five days kirtan of Mahaprayan (Death Ceremony) should be shifted to Ananda Purnima. Let everyone enjoy devotional five days kirtan on Ananda Purnima. If you celebrate and arrange same five day kirtan on different dates, then certainly it will not be called “Death Ceremony”.

Baba said in CaryaCarya, "The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days." (CC part 1, p.65), Whereas Kolkata AMPS mourn every year between 21st Oct to 26th Oct which is totally against Caryacarya.

We have been protesting against the dogmatic occasion, not the kirtan. Please do not get misguided and confused. For last thousand years, people have been satisfying their selfish and hidden agenda in the name of religious functions.

Think of it this way (examples) Would you like to attend kiirtan when it is performed at a gay marriage ceremony or at one dogmatic temple where they are sacrificing a animal for some Puja. Do you want to attend that kiirtan - in either place. No, because they are simply using kiirtan to cover up their dogma. So a dharmika will not like to attend.

Before 1990, Kiirtans were arranged for happy days celebrations like "Naming ceremony of kids", "Birthdays", "Inauguration of New Residence", "Inaugurations of some business or offices", "Marriage Anniversaries", "Victory days", including Caryacarya festivals etc, etc. But kirtan was never organized on death anniversaries before Baba’s physical departure.

Now Margiis have learnt from "Mahaprayan Day" that kiirtan can be arranged on Death Anniversaries as well. This trend is wrong. This is the way Dogma begins. Baba never encouraged celebration of dogmatic occasions. To arrange kiirtan on death anniversaries is a part of "Death ceremony" which is against Caryacarya.

If BABA would have left physical body in Jamalpur or Patna or in Ranchi, Kolkata AMPS would have never observed Mahaprayan. Their only intention (hidden agenda) is to bring margis to Kolkata and highlight the importance of Kolkata through Mahaprayan function and nothing else. Kolkata AMPS allows margis to visit Baba’s museum only in Mahaprayan function. Why they do not allow margis to visit Baba’s museum throughout the year?

Kolkata AMPS mourn every year which is totally against Caryacarya. If we love Baba's words, Mahaprayan should never be observed.

Baba says, "I keep no ambiguity, I am clear, concrete, conclusive. My philosophy is a complete philosophy, a complete way of life. I am complete in myself...I am like an arrow-- clear, pointed." (Supreme Expression).

Baba says, "Absolute knowledge is the direct message from God...The books in A'nanda Ma'rga philosophy are all absolute knowledge." (PNS-part 18, page.10).

At HIS FEET,
Devesh Kumar
Mumbai

===

Date: Sat 07 Dec 2013 11:05:37
From: Shankar Tripathi
Subject: Mahaprayan (Death) of Thakurji
To: ananda-marga-universal-forum-1@yogasamsthanam.net

Baba

MAHAPRAYAN (DEATH) OF THAKURJI

Namaskar,
It is with much sorrow to share with you news of the recent mahaprayan* (death) of Thankur ji which occurred the evening of 05 Dec 2013 in Tatanagar, Jamshedpur, India. At the time of his mahaprayan he was quite senior and respected, having served and dedicated in Ananda Marga.

The shraddha ceremony will be held on 09 Dec 2013. Contact the BP of Tatanagar for more details.

May we all take solace in the fact that Thakurji was a devoted bhakta of the Lord. Certainly he will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His grace.

With deepest regards,
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Shankar Tripathi

Note 1: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL MAHAPRAYAN AND FAKE MPD

Here it should be qualified that there is both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan marks the death of any ordinary human being. This is the proper use of the term: To note a person's departure from this earth. That is the meaning of the mahaprayan term and that is the standard way the term is used in Indian languages.

Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan. That is when certain vested interests try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa Himself. This is grossly inappropriate because when Parama Purusa Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is entirely wrong to proclaim that He is gone.

That is why rational margiis are protesting; because the Oct 21st program is so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for some vested interests to declare "mahaprayan of Parama Purusa" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings, not Parama Purusa.

Note 2: ASTERISK NOTE ABOUT MAHAPRAYAN

* Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in Bengal to describe the death of an honoured or even ordinary person. In that way, the obituary columns of the newspapers of Bengal regularly cite the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' (death) is one extraordinarily devotional term to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no devotees ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).

Those who think that Baba is a mortal human being celebrate Mahaprayan on a particular day of the year related with Baba; but, in the true sense, Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary on page 742. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens.

Note 3: STORY- SITTING ON BABA'S LAP MEANS DIED?
(contributed by one margii)

Recently after dharmacakra, a senior margii was recounting his experiences of having dharma samiiksa with Baba.

He said, "After being punished by Baba, then He called me close and placed me on His lap - I remained there for some time soaking up His love - and He blessed me."

We all enjoyed hearing about his personal account with Baba during dharma samiiksa. When he finished telling his story, there was a call for questions. Various people posed their queries.

QUESTION BY A NEW MARGII

Towards the end, one new margii raised his hand and asked, "How did Baba bring you back to life?"

Everyone stared at the new margii in amazement. There was a look of astonishment all around - people were really shocked to hear him say this.

The new sadhaka sensed that something was awry.

He said very matter-of-factly, "I thought that sitting on Baba's Lap means that he (the margii) died - that is why I asked that question."

This was quite eye-opening for those of us in the room: Through our language and expression we had unknowingly taught someone to think that being on Baba's lap is the equivalent of death. Because it seems that nowadays people only use the phrase "Baba's lap" when a person has died, such as "Let him rest peacefully in Baba's lap", as if all who have died have accumulated there. Many emails have been written this way.

MUST NOT ONLY REFER TO DEATH

At that moment I thought that everyone, new and old, should be clear about the real and devotional meaning of this phrase, "being on Baba's lap." It should not become stigmatized such that it only means death. Because in its true sense, the phrase "being on Baba's lap" really does carry a highly devotional and sweet feeling.

It is just like how a small child sits on its parent's lap. In a similar way, a spiritual child (human being) sits on the lap of Parama Purusa. By Baba's grace this can happen anytime in one's sadhana, especially in dhyana. Such a phrase then should not become  stigmatized because too many people only use it at the time of death.

We should be careful that we do not relegate "Baba's lap" only to the point of death. All these following terms and phrases also only refer to death:

ve bhagavan ko pya're ho gaye
(he has been loved by God)

ve svarga sidhar gaye
(he has gone to heaven )

ve guzar gaye
(he passed away)

mahaprayan hoyeche
(he died)

We should ensure that the same death connotation does not get attached to, "being on Baba's lap." Because the phrase - "being on Baba's lap" - is a devotional experience that can happen today itself in sadhana, and especially in dhyana. The phrase "being on Baba's lap" should not lose this quality and only mean death. It should not meet the same dark fate as happened with the term harijan.

MUST NOT MEET SAME FATE AS HARIJAN

As we all know, these days in India nobody uses the term harijan to mean "a devotee". Whereas 70 years ago it was used in that way. The term harijan did mean bhakta. But ever since the time of Gandhi when he glued the harijan term to the lowest so-called caste, i.e so-called untouchables, nobody uses the the harijan to mean devotee. Never. Because the term harijan has been stigmatized to mean "untouchable". Nobody uses it to mean "devotee", but that is the original and true meaning of the word.

The phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", should not meet a similar fate. It should not lose its devotional quality and just refer to one's death. That will be very negative.

A VERY DEVOTIONAL EXPRESSION

There are thousands of recorded stories by sadhakas where they use the phrase, "on Baba's lap", when describing their experiences of being with Baba: He used to bless them and bring them on His lap. People should understand the deeply devotional value of this expression, and not just think that Baba's lap means death, i.e. that you can only sit on His lap at the time of death. Still today there are thousands of margiis walking this earth who sat in Baba's lap. And not only that, there are countless more sadhakas who were blessed by Baba in dreams and dhyana wherein they sat in His lap. And still today this deeply devotional experience is attainable by sadhakas, by His grace.

There are so many ways an aspirant can reach unto Baba's lap including in sadhana and especially during dhyana. That is the main idea that should be preserved. Sadhana is a devotional practice and one can sit on Baba's lap in dhyana. We should make it cent-per-cent clear to one and all that the phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", does not mean death.

RECENT EXAMPLES

Here are quoted lines from recently posted emails on various forums, wherein the writer uses the phrase - "in Baba's lap" - with the occasion of death:

- "We are sure that Baba has taken him in His loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in Baba's lap forever."

- "Let her rest peacefully in Baba's Lap - which she always desired."

- "now he is in beloved Baba's lap"

- "May his soul get peaceful place in His lap"

- "He is now in BÁBÁ'S loving lap"

- "May Baba bless him with a seat in His lap."

- "May BABA accept him in HIS divine lap!"

- "May Baba take him in his eternal loving lap."

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

All of the above lines are commonly written in eulogizing the deceased. Of course, it is fine to write like that. Here the point is that this same phrase "in Baba's lap" should also be used when describing one's devotional practices and experiences. But these days mostly it is used in a eulogy and rarely used to recount one's devotional experiences - unfortunately. By this way, the phrase "in Baba's lap" is being misused and step by step the real meaning is being forgotten as now people more commonly use the phrase to eulogize those who have died, and much less so to express their devotional feeling. Unfortunately, the meaning and inner spirit of the phrase is getting lost.

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Mandela: Messiah of Poor or Became Puppet of Exploiters?

MANDELA:

MESSIAH OF POOR OR BECAME PUPPET OF EXPLOITERS?

Note: If you are very emotional or very attached to a particular point of view, then you may want to pause before reading this, or not read it at all. If you easily become emotionally charged or have a tendency for knee-jerk reactions, here again you may want refrain from reading. Those who over-react and fail to keep calm demeanor will not be able to understand this subject matter. This posting is a collection of articles based on Shrii PR Sarkar's Prout philosophy. Before reading please think whether you can manage this sensitive issue or not. A rational and calm mind is needed; those who get reacted easily must have control over their emotions, otherwise they may not be able to manage these hard facts. Those who do not want to hear "the other side of the story" should not not read.

======

EXCERPT #1

(Courtesy of: news24.com)

Dear Former President Nelson Mandela,

I was only about 5 years old when were released from prison. I come from a poor background as a black child and I was raised by my grandmother. In 1994 South Africa had its first democratic elections; I remember people around me including my grandma were excited to vote for you and the ANC government. Sadly my grandma passed away before she could vote in beginning of April in 1994.

I understand that you had meetings between 1985-1990 with P. W. Botha to have a negotiated settlement. Revered late ANC President, Oliver Reginald Tambo, referring to your meetings with the colonial-apartheid regime in the crucial 1980s, said “Prisoners can’t negotiate their freedom”.

I have read that according to aged ANC veterans, Tambo seemed disturbed about senior members of the leadership including you, who could have compromised the organisation. He seemed to question whom to trust. This, according to those veterans, eventually led to Tambo’s first stroke.

In 1990 before you were released from prison you assured your supporters that the nationalisation of mines, banks and minerals were on the cards. That belief had formed the core doctrine of the ANC and was enshrined in a document known as The Freedom Charter.

“The national wealth of our country, the heritage of South Africans, shall be restored to the people; the mineral wealth beneath the soil; the banks and monopoly industries shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole; all other industries and trade shall be controlled to assist the well-being of the people,” the charter states.

It later emerged that you and other ANC leaders were busily creatively re-interpreting the “Freedom Charter’s” commitment to nationalisation in order to comfort the monopoly white capitalists.


The nature of the sell out:

How Mandela sold out blacks

When you negotiated with the Nationalist had intended to oversee a settlement which guarantees the maintenance of a white capitalist South Africa and of the profits extracted from the exploited black masses, and leaves power firmly in the hands of the white capitalists for the foreseeable future. As De Klerk has insisted “I do not intend to negotiate myself out of power”. On the contrary, negotiations were intended to prevent the victory of the black masses. De Klerk had laid a trap for the blacks into which they were being led by you. Any so-called ‘deal’ made with devils MUST, by default, go wrong! Truth be told; you were out-negotiated by the Nationalists.


Failed transfer of power during negotiations

The negotiations focused on two aspects: one was political, the other economic. When you were negotiating with the Nationalists you choose to separate political and economic power. That was your biggest mistake and betrayal to black people. The transfer of ownership of wealth and land is at the heart of a transfer of power. Hence it was clearly stipulated in the Freedom Charter. But you chose to ignore that.

During the negotiations everyone was watching the political negotiations. You were too concerned that if the political negotiations didn’t go well there would be mass protest. People were not interested in the economic negotiations and when the economic negotiators would report back, people thought it was technical; no one was interested. (Lack of education) You should have known better. This is where we missed our freedom completely and you sold it to the Nationalists.


Failed economic negotiations and state ownership of the Reserve Bank

Mr Former President, your mandate from the people was to ensure that the values of the Freedom Charter were implemented including nationalisation of country’s assets. Instead of nationalising the mines you were meeting regularly with Harry Oppenheimer, former chairman of the mining giants Anglo-American and De Beers, the economic symbols of apartheid rule.

Shortly after the 1994 election, you even submitted the ANC’s economic program to Oppenheimer for approval and made several key revisions to address his concerns, as well as those of other top industrialists. Shame on you for selling out of minerals and land to the imperialists.

The outcomes of those meetings were that you could have the political power but the gold and diamonds would remain in the hands of the individuals that controlled it before. Have you forgotten what the Freedom Charter had said??

One of the most revealing aspects of the economic transition was the ownership of the Reserve Bank of South Africa. Arguably the most powerful institution in the country, its fate was explained by Durban businessman Vishnu Padaychee; asked to draft a document for the negotiating team on the on the pro’s and con’s of having an autonomous central bank, run with total autonomy from the elected government. Padayachee could not believe what he was hearing. He and his team drafted and submitted the document with a clear policy of not allowing the Reserve Bank to be autonomous.

He was later told by the negotiating team that, “We had to give that one up”.

The bank is privately owned and today has some 650 shareholders. Why did you let go of the Reserve Bank and let the imperialist whites take control of it Mandela?

During the negotiations you agreed that not only would the Reserve Bank be run as an autonomous entity within the South African state, with its independence enshrined in the SA constitution, but it would be headed by the same man who ran it under apartheid, Chris Stals. Another Apartheid era figure, finance minister Derek Keyes, also retained his position in the new administration. Mandela how could you allow the people who oppressed us to be in charge of the Reserve Bank?

Padayachee lamented that with the loss of the Reserve Bank, “everything would be lost in terms of economic transformation”. This is indeed true; everything was lost when YOU handed over the Reserve Bank!!!!! One of the Freedom Charter pledges is the redistribution of land; this became highly constrained with a new clause in the constitution which protected all private property.


Failed rainbow-nation coated myth

You have been preaching this rainbow-nation myth to the world that does not exist but only exists in your head. Reconciliation has meant nothing but black people `forgiving’ whites for 300+ years of dispossession, humiliation and suffering. I experience pain every time a white South African – at the shop; in a bar; on the Talk Radio 702 or online forums – says that “We need to forget the past, get over it.” It is like they are saying to us `forget your pain’. And that from someone who benefited at your expense! We have suffered racial abuse and our abusers are among us.

You and Desmond Tutu’s rainbow myth glossed over this pain – much to the relief of whites. Whites fail to acknowledge our pain and suffering – and their position as beneficiaries of our pain. But you were overly concerned with not rocking the boat as far as whites were concerned. That is why you are the subject of a personality cult in the white community than the black community.

Whites in this country believe that you are the only honourable black person while the rest of us blacks are corrupt, criminals, rapists, drunkards and uneducated buffoons.

The FREE & FAIR environment post-94 is another rainbow-coated myth. Black people are not free (unless you describe freedom as being able to vote and not having to carry ID’s 24/7). We are not FREE and very little is fair! All thanks to you Mandela.


The current state

Are you aware that blacks remain landless, underfed, houseless, under- employed, badly represented in senior managerial positions? The state of healthcare and education for black people remains as it was, if not worse than, under apartheid.

Vestiges of apartheid and colonial economic patterns, ownership and control remain intact despite the attainment of political freedom by you. Are you aware that political freedom without economic emancipation is meaningless?

The unemployment crisis is also defined along racial lines due to the fact that in the third quarter of 2010, 29.80% of blacks were officially unemployed, compared with 22.30% of coloureds, 8.60% of Asians and only 5.10% of whites. About 12 million of the population lives on less than R2.50 per day, whilst 16 million South Africans receive social grants.

In terms of racial distribution of per capita income, African and coloured income levels in 2008 were still only 13% and 22% respectively of white per capita income, compared to 10.9% and 19.3% in 1993. The income gap for Indians has narrowed, with Indian per capita income in 2008 standing at 60% of those of whites as against 42% in 1993.

In 1995, median per capita expenditure among Africans was R333 a month compared to whites at R3 443 a month. In 2008, median expenditure per capita for Africans was R454 a month compared to whites at R5 668 a month. Source: [Leibbrandt, M. et al. (2010), "Trends in South African Income Distribution and Poverty since the Fall of Apartheid"]

The economy has failed to create jobs at the pace necessary to reduce extremely high unemployment, and the education system has failed to ensure that equalised public spending on schooling translates into improved education for poor black children.


Final thoughts

The democracy has not brought what was promised, you as former president of the ANC and of the country is responsible for that misdirection.

Mr Former President what you have done for black people is that you have laid the final brick by selling out on the struggle to achieve your dream of political victory. Your dream which has become our worst nightmare as black people.

You sold us as black nation for a “Noble Peace Prize” and that is the reason for the service delivery demonstration and the lack of service delivery. Our Constitution hailed as the best in the world favours the Caucasians while it oppresses the Africans. Thanks for nothing Mandela. You understood the Kempton Park negotiations as a sell-out solution to rescue white capital and for the few in power, and that such a democracy would continue the suffering of the black majority.

I have a problem with people giving “Messianic status to Madiba” like a black Jesus when we all know that you have failed the black nation.

When I started out this letter I told you about my grandma who died before she could vote for you. Well, I am glad that she never voted for you as she would have voted for a traitor. What you have done is simply continued where the apartheid government left us off and dug the holes of poverty and oppression deeper.

Before you leave this earth I would like you to take responsibility and apologise for your actions and what you did to black people. You sold our land to the imperialists, if you fail to apologise before you die it simply means you are an accomplice to them.

When you eventually die and meet the likes of Dr Hendrink Verwoerd and P.W. Botha may you have good time with them and laugh at how blacks continue to suffer. I have nothing but hatred for what you have done to us.

Signing out from the deep dark hell hole of continued oppression you put us in.

Yours Sincerely,

Youngster

(Courtesy of: news24.com - How Mandela sold out blacks)

 

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EXCERPT #2 - He Did Nothing For All the Poor

(Courtesy of: dailymail, By Colin Fernandez)

Some South Africans accuse Mandela of selling out to the white minority in 1994 in his quest to forge a “Rainbow Nation” from the ashes of apartheid.

Despite strong economic growth in the two decades since white rule ended, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies with white households enjoying incomes six times higher on average than black ones.

“Mandela kept on saying, ‘I am here for the people, I am the servant of the nation.’ What did he do? He signed papers that allowed white people to keep the mines and the farms,” said 49-year-old Majozi Pilane, who runs a stall selling fruits, sweets and cigarettes in the heart of the black township of Soweto.

“He did absolutely nothing for all the poor people of this country.”

(Courtesy of: dailymail, By Colin Fernandez)

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EXCERPT #3 - Accuses Nelson Of 'Betraying' The Blacks Of South Africa

(Courtesy of: The Star, By: Tiisetso Motsoeneng Reuters)

Nelson Mandela has been accused by his former wife of betraying South Africa’s black population.

In a savage attack, Winnie Mandela said he had done nothing for the poor and should not have accepted the Nobel peace prize with the man who jailed him, FW de Klerk.

The 73-year-old said her ex-husband had become a ‘corporate foundation’ who was ‘wheeled out’ only to raise money for the ANC party he once led.

She said Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a cretin and claimed the sacrifices of Steve Biko and others in the fight against apartheid were being overlooked.

The comments were made in an interview yesterday with Nadira Naipaul, the wife of novelist V S Naipaul.

Mrs Mandela became notorious in 1991 when she was jailed for six years for the kidnap of Stompie Moeketsi – a sentence later cut to a fine.

Stompie, 14, had been murdered three years earlier by members of Mrs Mandela’s bodyguard, the Mandela United Football Club.

She also caused outrage by endorsing the punishment of apartheid collaborators with ‘necklacing’ – putting burning tyres around their necks.

Yesterday she said: ‘This name Mandela is an albatross around the necks of my family.

’You all must realise that Mandela was not the only man who suffered. There were many others, hundreds who languished in prison and died.

’Mandela did go to prison and he went in there as a young revolutionary but look what came out.

’Mandela let us down. He agreed to a bad deal for the blacks. Economically we are still on the outside. The economy is very much “white”.

’I cannot forgive him for going to receive the Nobel with his jailer de Klerk. Hand in hand they went. Do you think de Klerk released him from the goodness of his heart?

’He had to. The times dictated it, the world had changed.’

The Mandelas, who divorced in 1996, were married for 38 years – although together for only five.

Mrs Mandela criticised her country’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee – which she appeared before in 1997 and which implicated her in gross violations of human rights.

She said: ‘What good does the truth do? How does it help to anyone to know where and how their loved ones are killed or buried?

’That Bishop Tutu who turned it all into a religious circus came here. He had a cheek to tell me to appear.

’I told him that he and his other like-minded cretins were only sitting there because of our struggle and me. Look what they make him do. The great Mandela. He has no control or say any more.

’They put that huge statue of him right in the middle of the most affluent white area of Johannesburg. Not here [in Soweto] where we spilled our blood.

’Mandela is now like a corporate foundation. He is wheeled out globally to collect the money.’

She said her daughters, Zenani, 51, and Zindzi, 50, had to struggle through red tape to speak to their 91-year-old father, who led South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

(Courtesy of: The Star, By: Tiisetso Motsoeneng Reuters)

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EXCERPT #4 - What Did He Actually Do To Help And Benefit His Own People

(Courtesy of: ukcoalition...)

Can someone tell me what Nelson Mandela actually did to be such a venerated international god like person with statues being put up to him. As I see it, he did not have anything to do with the ending of apartheid, that was President Van Klerk. When Mandela became President he went on an international campaign to be seen as a wonderful world statesman whilst he did nothing in South Africa to progress his own people, crime spiralled out of control, witch doctors said that raping babies would cure aids so baby rape became a major crime and Mandela refused to condemn it, poverty amongst the indiginous black population worsened considerably under his regime. He refused to acknowledge that aids was a problem, now one in every six babies born to women under the age 27 are HIV positive.

So what did he actually do to help and benefit his own people. and be such a god like creature? Please advise

All you smart ars..s don’t know anything. When Mandela came to power first thing that happened was they shut my school. They wanted us all to go to the previously white only schools. Except we couldn’t afford the uniform so they would not let me in. The my parents worked for went to live in England and got the papers so that we could also go. So I was educated here, am proud to be here, and consider myself as English because this country gave me what Mandela’s South Africa could not give me. You people sitting in your little worlds, have never been in South Africa, listen to all the propoganda about Mandela. He did nothing for his people. He went on an international crusade, dressed in his expensive Saville Row suits, to be a big deal international statesmen, while poverty in SA went from bad to worse. One country in Africa that did not have children with blown up bellies from starvation, to a country with hundreds of thousands of starving children

(Courtesy of: ukcoalition...)

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HERE BELOW ARE SOME OF BABA'S RELATED TEACHINGS:


DO NOT FORGIVE THOSE WHO DID COLLECTIVE HARM

"In collective life one has no right to forgive anyone; in individual life you can extend maximum forgiveness – rather, the more forgiveness, the better. Forgiveness is something personal; it is not a collective matter. Suppose you are an inhabitant of India. If someone harms the collective life of India, you must not forgive them. Likewise, as you belong to the entire human race, you must not forgive anyone who harms humanity." (AMIWL-11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle)

BLUNDER: MANDELA SOUGHT POLITICAL GAIN NOT ECONOMIC JUSTICE

JUST LIKE WITH INDIAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT

India’s Fight for Independence

In this fight for independence, the Indian leaders committed a blunder. They should have engaged themselves in an economic fight instead of starting a political movement. The British took advantage of this blunder of the Indian leaders...

leaders of India should have started a struggle for economic independence instead of launching a political movement. All Indians could have fought together unitedly, there being no Hindu, Muslim, Punjabi or Marathi feelings in this economic struggle, and as a result an anti-exploitation sentiment could have been developed in India. This sentiment could have made Indians stronger...

when India would have gained economic independence, Hindus and Muslims would have lived together as brothers and sisters in undivided India. The fight for economic independence would have brought political independence also. There might have been some delay in it, but political independence would have surely come...

Had they started a movement for economic independence instead of accepting the partition of India, it would have been possible to form a united and independent India...

The economic struggle could not have remained confined to British exploitation only, but would have extended to the Indian exploiters (social, economic, psychological). When the British would have realized that their exploitation was not going to continue, they would have been compelled to grant political independence to India, and with political independence exploitation by the local people would have come to an end also. But the Hindu and Muslim leaders came from the bourgeois class and so they did not like this idea. They wanted liberty keeping capitalism (social, economic, psychological, etc.) alive. For this reason they accepted the political independence of divided India. (To the Patriots)

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Namaskar,
in Him,
Satyendra Dalton
(Johannesburg)

Supreme Court Decision About Murder Case

PRESS RELEASE ~ 28 Nov 2013

SUPREME COURT DECISION ABOUT MURDER CASE

The below statement is related with this letter...click here

The Supreme Court of India dismissed the Special Leave Petition no: 9308/2013 on 25/11/2013 against the order of Kolkata High Court which had rejected Criminal Revision Petition no: 368/2005.

Sarvatmananda Avadhuta and seven others viz Bhaveshananda Avadhuta, Mantreshananda Avadhuta, Viitamohananda Avadhuta, Haratmananda Avadhuta, Ravishananda Avadhuta, Tanmayananda Avadhuta and Sarvesananda Avadhuta against whom warrant of arrest order was issued by the learned Sub-divisional judicial Magistrate, Purulia (WB) in G.R case no: 520/2003 on 15/01/2005 evaded arrest and managed with the investigating police officer who let off the above persons from the chargesheet. But the S.D.J.M Purulia rejecting the prayer of the I.O ordered process of warrant of arrest against all the 19 accused persons including Sarvatamananda Avadhuta and other seven above mentioned persons. The above mentioned persons preferred a criminal revision in the High Court of Kolkata in 2005. The hearing of the case was inordinately delayed in the High Court by the petitioners on one pretext or the other. Ultimately justice was done and the above revision petition was rejected.

The case relates to the murder of Ac. Abhipremananda Avadhuta and brutal assault and attempt to murder of Ac. Dayashekhrananda Avadhuta and other Sanyasins of Ananda Marga.

Summary:

The Supreme Court ordered for the aforementioned eight (8) B group Dadas led by Sarvatmnandji to to stand trial for murder in the Sessions Court of Purulia. The case is expected to start in a few months.