#2 Re: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation

Baba

Respected Readers,

This email contains 2 distinct sections featuring letters from margiis around the globe.

1. Re: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation by Sukulji
2. Re: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation by Vasudevaji

at His lotus feet,
Ananda Marga News Bulletin Moderators


Subject: Re: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation
Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2013 10:03:35 +0530
From: tr sukul <trsukulsa.....il.com>
To: Ananda Marga News Bulletin

Re: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation

(Note: This is the second letter in this series - a link to the initial letter on this topic is appended below.)

Namaskar.

Kutti wrote: BABA wanted everything translated in bengali first, and then from bengali to other languages..... Is it true? Bhaskarananda ji also believes on this. One thing more some dada says that Baba has some special grace for Bengali language...

There is absolutely no logic or scientific reasoning behind the above statement.

Mahasambhuti Baba utilized His every moment for the all-round welfare of the world (Jagat Hitay) and upliftment of humanity. So how can anyone lay claim that He favoured any type of geo or linguistic sentiment like (Bengali) language. Baba has always warned us to beware of such sentiments that erect walls of separation between people.

I do not believe that this statement is given by Rev. Baba. Rather such a statement is wholly fabricated and propagated by those who want to employ geo-linguistic sentiment(s) for their own interests.

As regards Dada Bhaskaranandaji's belief, it has already been refuted in many angles by the earlier letters written by respected Pandaji.

As regards Baba's "special grace" on the Bengali language, let us simply remember His divine teaching that everyone should encourage and propagate their mother tongue. All the languages of the world should get the opportunity to grow and become rich mediums of expression.

By composing Prabhat Samgiita in Bengali, Baba is showing us that writers, artists, and poets should express themselves in their mother tongue. That is Baba's guideline and chief reason why He composed those songs in Bengali.

We should also bear in mind that in Prabhat Samgiita, Baba is also teaching devotees how to share the feeling of their heart with Parama Purusa - and go close to Him.

Those who are giving credence to any form of Bangalisation and stating that Baba advocated any type of geo-linguistic sentiment are recklessly accusing Guru of going against His own teachings and thus misleading the society. Such persons will face consequences.

It should be strongly condemned and opposed.

In Him,
Dr. T.R. Sukulji

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Subject: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:26:17 +0100
From: Vasudeva <harmon.....ne.no>
To: anandamarganewsbulletin

Re: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation

(Note: This is the third letter in this series - a link to the initial letter on this topic is appended below.)

Namaskar
Hinduism, Bengalism, Indiaism.
All are narrow in the light of universalism.
Vasudeva
Bnk

Note: LINK TO INITIAL LETTER ON THIS TOPIC

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2013/11/bengalism-is-just-like-colonial.html

Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation

Subject: Bengalism Is Just Like Colonial Exploitation
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:07:44 +0200
From: Amrit Lalloo <amrit.lal…..il.com>
To: Ananda Marga News Bulletin

BENGALISM IS JUST LIKE COLONIAL EXPLOITATION

Namaskar,

Margii Kutti wrote: BABA wanted everything translated in bengali first, and then from bengali to other language...Is it true? Bhaskarananda ji also believes on this.

Eds Note: Respected Kuttiji is suggesting that a discourse originally given by Baba in English should be translated into Bengali and then re-translated back to English and then printed. Another scenario is for that same English discourse to be translated into Bengali and then translate that Bengali into Spanish. Yet another case is if Baba has delivered His discourse originally in Hindi, then accordingly it is to be translated into Bengali which then becomes the so-called original language, or “master” text, from which it is translated into English and then finally into other languages. That is the essence of Kuttji’s proposal. Here below is the reply from Amrit Lallooji.

Except in the case of what Baba has written all other assertions need the application of rational intellect and wisdom.

Just check this out: Baba gives a discourse in English. Should this be translated into Bengali and then back into English? Never. Rather the original language Baba spoke should be transcribed and kept as is. And from there the discourse can be translated into all other languages. About this so much has already been written.

Of course, Bengalii is a beautiful language, as are all other languages. Local languages have to be encouraged and developed and if someone wants to learn another language that too should be encouraged.

According to history, colonialists firstly infused the idea of language superiority and inferiority. Local languages (that of the colonised) was considered inferior. Till today in previous French colonised countries like Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo etc the locals speak French and it is the same for the Portuguese colonies and so many countries across the planet that were colonized. Although de-colonised some while ago they still fail to appreciate their local languages. Rather sad!

Margii Kutti wrote: One thing more some dada says that Baba has some special grace for Bengali language…

Eds Note: Here below is Lallooji’s response.

Local languages are the backbone of the people and when this backbone is broken, people are robbed of their dignity. It is blasphemous to claim that Baba chose Bengalii to take precedent over any other language. What is being suggested is tantamount to Baba wanting to colonise the world by encouraging a narrow language sentiment.

Parama Purusa willingly and knowingly comes under the bondage of temporality (time, place, and person) and manifests Himself as Mahasambhuti and willingly accepts all natural laws – Though, in the spiritual realm He has no limitations. Even physically Baba can appear at more than one place at a time, if He so desires. His DMC discourses were given in Bengalii, Hindi and English. Plus in other regions Baba often spoke in the local language. Gracious Baba acknowledged the diversity of His devotees.

Baba is Parama Purusa and in this role He chose to express subtle ideas through Prabhat Samgeet in Bengali language because He was showing us that artists and poets should always use their mother tongue.

NEVER DID HE MENTION THAT OTHER LANGUAGES ARE LESS IMPORTANT.

In fact, when Baba was in another (say Bhojpuri) speaking vicinity, He spoke Bhogpuri and even praised the language for its richness and sweetness. He did likewise for all other languages. And in His discourses He verily appreciates and embraces all languages of the world and states that all have importance and value – no language is better than any other.

That some Dada is saying that Baba had some special grace for Bengali language is certainly dogmatic.

Devotees should endeavour to present Baba in the broader context and not confine Him within the scope of their limited minds. For this sadhana and svadhaya are extremely beneficial.

In Baba
Amrit

#1: Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part A

#2:  Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part B

#3: Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part C

#4: Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part D

#5: Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part E

#6: Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part F

#7: Meeting with Dada Bha'skara'nanda - Part G