History of the Photo

Baba

This emails contains three sections:
1. Posting: History of the Photo
2. Links

HISTORY OF THE PHOTO

(Note: This is the third letter in this series - links to earlier postings are appended below. - Eds)

Namaskar,
   "On the Dedication page of his book, one dada has placed a photo of Baba, and  directly next to Baba, in the same exact type of chair, sits one dada – the very wt who wrote the book. So Sadguru Baba is sitting in one chair, and this dada is sitting next to Him on the exact same level.
   This makes it look like in Ananda Marga the Guru is just someone ordinary and it is common for one to sit next to Him – in the same type of seat, on the same level. This gives a very poor impression to the reader." (From Posting: In Guise of Baba Story: Self-Propaganda)

The photo that Dada T placed in his book is a shocking display. Yet, the full effect may not be readily apparent to those not familiar with the entire background and history. Here then is a wide-angle, panoramic view of the circumstances behind this photo.

THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN IN AN AIRPORT

First and foremost, this photo of Dada T sitting next to Baba was taken in the waiting room of an airport. This was purely a social scene where Baba has to compromise in all kinds of ways. Some in the waiting room were gossiping, babies were crying, still others were eating tamasik food etc. It is Baba's liila that most of the time He traveled among the common people and did not book chartered flights.

In a crowded airport lounge while waiting for a public flight, non-margiis like Tom, Shyam, Ram, Dick or Harry would also be in the vicinity around Baba. That does not mean that all the people around Him were great bhaktas or accomplished sadhakas. Just it was the liila of the day that ordinary folk were also around Taraka Brahma while waiting for their flight. Just like how all kinds of people lived in Baba's neighborhood in Jamalpur etc.

So none should think that the person - any person - sitting next to Baba in an airport waiting room is therefore a great spiritualist or had a special relationship with Baba. Just it was a mundane environment where people chose their spot to sit while waiting for their flight.

So that is one aspect of this photo that everyone should be aware about.

​

IN ANANDA MARGA DEVOTIONAL FUNCTIONS

GURU'S SEAT IS UNPARALLELED - NO ONE SAT NEXT TO BABA

The next thing to know about is how devotional venues were arranged those days in Ananda Marga. New margiis and those not present may not have a clear vision in their mind's eye about this. No one should think that those devotional gathering were casual affairs where bhaktas were sitting around Baba at the dinner table or that sadhakas used to lounge with Baba on lawn chairs in the open courtyard. Never.

In tantra, Sadguru's place in devotional functions is very specific and well-defined. His stature is unparalleled and no bhakta casually sits next to Baba. That is unheard of and against the ethic of tantra.

So those days, first Prabhat Samgiita and kiirtan were performed by so many bhaktas, then the Jai slogan was raised, and when there was maximum devotional fervor, Baba's car would arrive, His entourage carefully cleared and arranged the pathway, and then per His wish Sadguru Baba would graciously enter the pandal, blessing all with His divine presence. And He would slowly take His seat on the dais. All eyes were on Him.

Thus there was no question of anyone leaning in and sitting next to Baba. That would have been the height of indecency and disgrace. No bhakta could ever think of doing that - of spoiling the scene in that way.

Here the point is that with Sadguru Baba's presence, our Ananda Marga devotional gatherings were sanctified events where Guru's stature was unparalleled. There was nothing casual about those settings. The more devotion one had, the greater the desire to humbly sit at the feet of Guru.

So the photo of Dada T seated next to Baba in the airport runs in stark contradiction to the entire school and ethic of tantra. There is no place for such a photo in a Baba story book.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Laksman

Note 1: WHOSE BOOK IS THIS

The Dada who committed this blunder and displayed this photo in his story book is Dada Tapeshvaranandji.

== Section 2 ==

Links

Here are prior letters about the photo in Dada T's book:

#1: http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/07/mind-balanced-in-dangerous-situation.html

#2: http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/08/in-guise-of-baba-story-self.html


Here are three previous letters on Shravanii Purnima

#1: http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/our-auspicious-day.html

#2: http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/08/dogma-about-graveyard-sadhana.html

#3: http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-ananda-marga-started.html