~Baba~
Namaskar,
It is with much sorrow that I share with you news of the mahaprayan* (death) of Shrii Mangal Bihariji which occurred at 0600hrs IST. At the time of his mahaprayan he was 90 years of age and had long served and dedicated in Ananda Marga.
All are aware of Shrii Mangal Bihariji’s history in Ananda Marga dating back to 1962 when he was initiated by Acarya Lalanji. And indeed in those early years Mangal Bijhariji was quite active.
In 1971, when clash first started, then Mangal Bihariji secured his own personal situation and kept Ananda Marga at bay. So even before Guru went to jail, then during those early jail years, throughout the entire era of martial law (i.e. Emergency), and even for a few years thereafter into the 1980's, Shrii M. Bihariji kept himself at arm's length from Ananda Marga. He did not even contribute funds for Baba's court case. Indeed, it was only in 1982, when the situation was completely relaxed, that slowly M. Bihariji began to join back wherein he took a safe position. It was a gradual process.
Overall, he was a good man and I cannot fault him because Parama Purusa does not make everybody brave. There are some who cannot stand in the face of adversity and difficulty. So I cannot attach any blame to Shrii M. Bihariji.
When he did rejoin in 1982, he rekindled his old friendships and ultimately remained close with Tiljala right up to the very end. Shrii Mangal Bihariji was a strong believer in the myth that Baba died. Because of his comfort with the so-called mahaprayan programme he liked going to the holy tomb etc.
Shrii Mangal Bihariji is survived by his many relations of a very large extended family, many of whom are Ananda Margiis.
May we all take solace in the fact that Shrii Mangal Bihariji was a devotee 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 Bhandari
Note: Shrii Mangal Bihari ji's cremation was done at noon time today. His Shraddha will be done on Tuesday in Jain Mandiir, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur. He wrote a book in Hindi named "Tumha'ra' Ka'ma ho gaya'."
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.
* 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 loving lap of eternity."
- "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.
MAHAPRAYAN (DEATH) OF SHRII MANGAL BIHARI JI
Namaskar,
It is with much sorrow that I share with you news of the mahaprayan* (death) of Shrii Mangal Bihariji which occurred at 0600hrs IST. At the time of his mahaprayan he was 90 years of age and had long served and dedicated in Ananda Marga.
All are aware of Shrii Mangal Bihariji’s history in Ananda Marga dating back to 1962 when he was initiated by Acarya Lalanji. And indeed in those early years Mangal Bijhariji was quite active.
In 1971, when clash first started, then Mangal Bihariji secured his own personal situation and kept Ananda Marga at bay. So even before Guru went to jail, then during those early jail years, throughout the entire era of martial law (i.e. Emergency), and even for a few years thereafter into the 1980's, Shrii M. Bihariji kept himself at arm's length from Ananda Marga. He did not even contribute funds for Baba's court case. Indeed, it was only in 1982, when the situation was completely relaxed, that slowly M. Bihariji began to join back wherein he took a safe position. It was a gradual process.
Overall, he was a good man and I cannot fault him because Parama Purusa does not make everybody brave. There are some who cannot stand in the face of adversity and difficulty. So I cannot attach any blame to Shrii M. Bihariji.
When he did rejoin in 1982, he rekindled his old friendships and ultimately remained close with Tiljala right up to the very end. Shrii Mangal Bihariji was a strong believer in the myth that Baba died. Because of his comfort with the so-called mahaprayan programme he liked going to the holy tomb etc.
Shrii Mangal Bihariji is survived by his many relations of a very large extended family, many of whom are Ananda Margiis.
May we all take solace in the fact that Shrii Mangal Bihariji was a devotee 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 Bhandari
Note: Shrii Mangal Bihari ji's cremation was done at noon time today. His Shraddha will be done on Tuesday in Jain Mandiir, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur. He wrote a book in Hindi named "Tumha'ra' Ka'ma ho gaya'."
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)
(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)
(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 loving lap of eternity."
- "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.
