Three Kinds Of Devotees and Tests + 2 More

Baba

This email contains three sections:
1. PS #1843; This Morning, In The Stream Of Your Tune, I Have Threaded A Garland
2. End Quote: Three Kinds Of Devotees and Tests
3. Links

Three Kinds of Devotees & Tests:

It Is Sinful To Blame Baba

By Stating He Gives Tests, Harasses, & Puts Thorns On The Path

Ananda Marga Scripture says, “Karttrtva karma karmaphala ["Doership, action, result of the action"]. Human beings do the actions, and the results come according to the law of nature — the Lord has nothing to do with it. So when people are in trouble, they say: “Oh God, what have You done to me? What put this into Your mind?” But the fact is that Na’ra’yan’a, God, has done nothing, and had nothing in His mind. You have done something and are suffering the consequences. You are in trouble and you are crying out. Many people are like this. But Na’ra’yan’a has done nothing. As you have sown, so you now reap. This is the plain truth.” (Discourses on Krsna & the Giita, “You Have the Right to Action Only”)

Some people unfortunately do not like to admit their own sins and faults. And in due course when they face the samskara (consequence or reaction), they blame God, i.e. Parama Purusa Baba, for their wrongdoing – thereby committing sin. That is the central idea of the above teaching.

In 1970, Dadaji lost faith in Baba because of his own bad samskaras of the past. That time he was very frustrated and he started blaming Baba & accusing Him: “He (Baba) confused my mind and that is why I lost faith in Him.” But, falsely accusing and blaming Guru in this way is sinful. Yet, that is what Dada Tapeshvaranandji did in his book. True bhaktas do not blame God for the suffering which they faced for their own sins. That is the essence of the above cited Ananda Marga scripture.

Difference Between Good And Bad Devotees

Everyone has to undergo their negative and positive samsakras according to their good and bad deeds.

True devotees realise that when they are facing difficulties etc, they are simply undergoing the reaction of their past actions. They also know that action-reaction theory saves them from harming others. Top grade devotees understand all this in the depth of their heart. So when they are suffering they become more alert not to harm others in the future.

Second grade devotees waver when they are in difficulty. Sometimes they say that this is due to their past samskaras, and other times they blame Guru for putting them in trouble and giving them tests. According to their own whim, their mind flip-flops from one perspective to the other.

Those who are third class or low grade devotees blame Parama Purusa 100% of the time. They accuse Him that without rhyme or reason: “Sadguru is giving tests and putting me in trouble.” By this way those low-grade bhaktas push themselves further into sin.

Even after knowing the truth, they do not want to accept or recognise the fact that they are facing the reactions of their own sin. 

By the grace of Parama Purusa, when one grows spiritually then they never blame or say "Guru gives tests." One cannot think in this way. Rather when facing any problem they say or feel that this is due to their past samskara. This is basic difference between first, second, and third class devotees.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Satyajiit

== Section 2 ==

~ This Morning, In The Stream Of Your Tune, I Have Threaded A Garland ~

"Toma'ri surero srote, a'j prabha'te ma'la' genthechi...” (PS #1843)

Purport:

O’ Lord, this morning, in the stream of Your tune, I have threaded a garland especially for You. Whether You wish to accept and wear it or not, please know that I love You. According to Your wish, I have completed the task. Now it is up to You to accept it or not. But please remember, with great reverence, love, and affection, I have tried to complete all that You have graciously allotted for me.

O’ Lord, Your divine tune is coming from an unknown origin and floating into my heart. With the resonance of rhythm and melody suffused in each and every song, I practiced those divine tunes.

Those melodies go on floating in various directions in the physical, psychic, and psycho-spiritual realms, and also in the resonance of my drowsy mind. Amazingly, by Your grace, I caught hold of those divine melodies in the unnamed songs of my heart.

Baba, please accept my offering - I surrender at Your lotus feet...

== Section 3 ==


Links

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-red-snake-fire-2-more.html

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/01/nasty-dogma-2-more.html

Self-Glorification: Right or Wrong #2 + 2 More

Baba 

This email contains three sections:
1. Posting: Self-Glorification: Right or Wrong #2

2. PS #399: Sa’dhuta’, Kind-Heartedness, And Courage Can...
3. Links

SELF-GLORIFICATION: RIGHT OR WRONG #2

Note: This is part two in this series. A link to the first letter is appended below.

Warning: Please excuse me. If you (a) blindly support a particular person or persons, (b) hold them above Ananda Marga teachings (c) deem them to be beyond question, and / or (d) do not like to hear genuine and healthy criticism, then do not read any further. This letter is written with the purpose and intention that the standard of our AMPS and Wt cadre can be better. By this way, the whole Ananda Marga society will be benefited - including the dada discussed below. Most importantly Guru will be glorified and presented in the proper light.

Namaskar,
As we explored in the first part of this series, one avadhuta has written one book - i.e. his memoir - yet instead of highlighting Guru and His divine teachings, this avadhuta glorified himself. So here we further examine this issue - so Dadaji may correct or remove his publication, and so others do not fall into this same trap.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AVADHUTA

The spirit of being an avadhuta is to dedicate everything to Marga Gurudev. By getting avadhuta diiksa and by getting their new avadhuta name, they they no longer have anything of their own. In that blessed state, everything belongs to Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. And Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji is their mother, father, & everything. That is the oath they have taken.

They surrender their all – their entire I-feeling – at His lotus feet. Their name has changed; their address has changed; their identity has changed. They have no past connection with their worldly life, nor their worldly birth. Avadhutas give everything to Parama Purusa – they have nothing left to call their own.

“Avadhuta shall always keep himself engaged in the service of Gurudeva with sincerity and devotion, in thought, words and deed, in subtle and in crude spheres, in inner and outer expressions of life.” (1)

Tadekam’ smara’mah…Tadekam’ nidha’nam’

“That Cosmic Entity alone should be created in your mind and no other object...He is the terminating point. He is the Supreme Desideratum.” (2)

"Vanity harms the mind in three ways...The second [way] is gaorava, self-aggrandizement or boasting – projecting oneself as a great personality.... Is this really something great of which human beings can feel proud? And what is the result of this self-glorification? Raorava means the seventh hell." (3)

By writing his memoir, is Dadaji living up to the standard of an avadhuta?

GROWING UP DRENCHED IN PSEUDO-CULTURE

The below is a poster of pseudo-culture rock concert that he was watching when he was a non-margii. This is not the type of story that a monk should recount. He should not reminisce and discuss his days of indulgence and degradation, just as a reformed criminal should not think again and again about their past thievery etc. Rather one should think that, “I am a divine child of Parama Purusa” and one should not look back into one’s dark past again and again - and one definitely should not write about this in their book - least of all an avadhuta. 

So this is just one more of the many pseudo-culture scenes and descriptions of Dadaji’s memoir. And there are more - some of which were pointed out in part one, and certainly if you read Dadaji’s book you will find numerous more episodes of this.

Verily it is so unfortunate to see an avadhuta writing such a self-centered narrative filled with useless worldly memories and mundane recollections. Again if this were about some regular Joe then there would be nothing to say. But here we are talking about an avadhuta of Ananda Marga - i.e. one who is supposed to be a true spiritual revolutionary. That is what makes this entire scene so disgraceful.

WHAT SHOULD BE WRITTEN

The question then arises: What should be written? If an avadhuta or sadhaka is going to write a book, what should be expressed?

Itihasa, a dharmic, historical account should be written that educates, inspires, and shows others how to overcome obstacles on the path of forward movement toward the Supreme One. That is what should be written - not some sloppy narrative that indulges in personal extravaganza and drunken memories of their past.

By reading Dadaji’s silly memoir, young readers will think that they too can “mess around” with all kinds of pseudo-culture fashions and even intoxicants and still rise up to do something. Because they will see how Dadaji was debauched in the past and now he seems ok. So this is the wrong teaching. People should be taught to join the spiritual path at the earliest and strictly adhere to those guidelines. But Dadaji’s memoir leads one to tempt fate by indulging in materialistic vices and pursuits. That will produce a tragic outcome and lead one far from the path - one will have to suffer a lot.

All in all, in his memoir Dadaji is polluting people’s minds - just like those debased filmmakers who lure people into watching denigrating scenes in their films. This is  against the spirit of the dharmic teaching of cakuna samvaro. Baba guides us that one must not expose the mind and senses to degrading tales and scenes etc, yet that is exactly what Dadaji has done with his memoir.

 “Cakśuńá Saḿvaro Sádhu” O spiritual aspirant! O Bhikśu! O monk! O devotee! You should have proper control over your eyes; whatever will have bad effect on your mind, you must not see it. “Sádhu Sotena saḿvaro”. Whatever will have bad effect on your mind, O good man, you must not hear it. “Ghánena Saḿvaro Sádhu.” You should have control over your nose, “Sádhu Jibháya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your taste. “Káyena Saḿvaro Sádhu.” You should have control over your body. “Sádhu Vácáya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your language also; and “Savvatha Saḿvaro Bhikśu.” If you want emancipation, if you want liberation from worldly fetters, you must have all-round restraint.” (4)

CANNOT GUIDE OTHERS

One other outcome is that when people are so egoistic and engrossed in their own greatness, they are unable to lead others along onto the path of welfare. Because they themselves have gone astray.

Ananda Marga ideology preaches, "Where people are guided more by ahamtattva [ego], they say, 'I am doing, I am giving, this was done by me, that was done by me, etc.'...Their minds do not inspire the lives of others, their minds do not touch the minds of others. They do not reach the sweetness of others 'I' feelings, for they are too preoccupied with themselves. Their approach is defective; their path is not the path of Neo-Humanism." (5)

Sadly, this is exactly what has happened with this memoir written by one avadhuta. Due to extreme self-centeredness he could not help others advance on the path.

PATH OF ADDICTION, NOT DEVOTION

The culminating idea then is self-praise is not the way of the devotee or aspirant - and certainly not befitting any avadhuta.

Baba says, "What's the meaning of devotee? The first point is the person must be a devotee of Parama Purusa - not a devotee of wine, money, name or fame. A devotee can only be for Parama Purusa. If the object of ideation is not Parama Purusa, that is not devotion but addiction." (6)

Ananda Marga philosophy states: "Such people end up projecting themselves instead of the ideology." (7)

Verily in his memoir, Dadaji is merely projecting fanciful tales about himself and not preaching the gospel of neo-humanism and Ananda Marga ideology.

CREDIT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO WHOM

Here Baba directs as to what our approach should be:

Baba says, "When any work is done, the concerning sadhaka is not to be given any credit; the credit should be given to Parama Purus'a." (8)

Tragically, Dadaji forgot this dharmic spirit.

Namaskar,
In Him
Gautama

(Gregory Mitchell)


Note 1: WHICH AVADHUTA DADA DID LIKE THIS

The avadhuta who is releasing a memoir that wholly focuses on himself is Dada Vedaprajinananda. And the name of his book is: "From Brooklyn to Benares and Back"

Note 2: SUBODH & INNERWORLD PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO IMPLICATED

Both Subodh (Professor Sohail Inayatullah) and Inner world publications have been greatly involved in highlighting Dadaji's memoir so they are accomplices in this sin.

Again if this were a memoir about some regular Joe then fine. But here we are talking about an avadhuta of Ananda Marga. That is what makes this entire scene so disgraceful.


REFERENCES
1. Rule no. 28 of 32 Rules for Avadhutas
2. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 2
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
4. AV-14, The Fundamental Principles of Life
5. NHNS-1, p.53
6. AV-12
7. PNS-21, p. 13
8. SS-18, p.7

== Section 2 ==

Sa’dhuta’, Kind-Heartedness, And Courage Can Make

Even Ordinary Humans Extraordinary

"Sa'dhuta'-saralata'-tejasvita' gun'e sa'ma'nya lokao asa'dha'ran'a haye..." (PS #399)

Purport:

Sa’dhuta’, kind-heartedness, and courage can make even ordinary humans extraordinary. By developing these neo-humanistic qualities even ordinary human beings can become great. The path of duplicity and hypocrisy leads to ruination; no one can grow in this way. The path of psycho-spiritual expansion is the only way of the sadhu; and only those sadhakas are the true benefactors and leaders of the society. They alone are great.

In the mythological story, the young prince was blessed with these qualities and that is why he could conquer the demon...


NOTES FOR PRABAHT SAMGIITA #399

Note 1: Who Is Sádhu?

"[One] who shows mercy on other creatures is a sádhu, or virtuous person." (1)

"Just as your life is extremely dear to you, similarly the lives of others are equally dear to them. A person who thinks thus and shows mercy on other creatures is really a sádhu, or virtuous person.” In order to become a virtuous person one need not give up one’s worldly life. When this idea dawns on one’s mind one realizes, “Why should I kill an innocent creature just for the sake of the gratification of my palate." (2)

"The life of each and every entity is very dear to them; all love their lives very much. Those who share this same sentiment of love for other living beings – that is, they feel that “just as my life is very dear, very beloved to me, so other lives are also very dear to me” – such people are called sádhus." (3)


You Should Be Sádhu Internally

"Only using a saffron costume does not make a man a sádhu. Sádhu is the inner sádhu. You should be sádhu internally. You may or may not use any external saffron costume. …. For each and every living entity one’s personal life is the dearest thing. One loves one’s personal life very much. This is the rule, this is the characteristic of all living beings. But those people who understand this sentiment of living beings and love others with the thought, “I should not kill, I should not give them any trouble because they love their life as much as I love my own life”, are true sádhus and those who lack this sentiment are not sádhus, they are asádhu. Preaching the gospels of peace, and at the same time slaughtering chickens, is not a proper thing for a sádhu because the one who kills the chickens loves his life and the chickens also love their own lives. So that man lacks the universal sentiment of love. He is not a sádhu. A sádhu must be vegetarian." (2)


Note 2: Stage Performance Of The “Golden Lotus

This composition PS #399 is unique in that it is part of a series of songs that are related with Baba’s short story, “Golden Lotus of the Blue Sea.” The first two lines of this song are universal, spiritual teachings and thereafter the song recounts in brief a scene from the short story book. Other Prabhat Samgiita compositions depict other aspects of the story. Baba wrote this series of songs as an accompaniment to the stage performance of the “Golden Lotus…” short story. In between acts of their stage performance, these songs are to be sung to keep the audience involved in the theme of the story. That is the wonderful utility of these composition. They are very unique as they have a very specific role. Such songs are not meant to be used in one’s personal devotional practice, nor during paincajanya or dharmacakra etc. These songs are meant to complement the stage / screen performance of Baba’s short story book. Thus if one is not familiar with that short story (“Golden Lotus…”) book then it is not possible to understand the plot from these songs, neither individually nor collectively. One must read the book.

REFERENCES FOR PS NOTES:
1. Yoga Psychology, Instinct and Devotion
2. Yoga Psychology, Instinct and Devotion
3. Yoga Psychology, Instinct and Devotion
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam-2

== Section 3 ==

Links

Here is a link to the first letters in this series:
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/01/self-glorification-right-or-wrong.html

Girl Donation Ceremony + Ongoing Tragedy of Mexico Land #3 + 2 More

Baba
TTTT

This email contains four sections:
1. Posting: Ongoing Tragedy of Mexico Land #3

2. Posting: Girl Donation Ceremony

3. PS #905: हे बाबा!, तुम सबके मन में छिपे हुये हो, तुम्हारी कोई तुलना नहीं|
4. Links

ONGOING TRAGEDY OF MEXICO LAND #3

Note: This is the third letter in this series. Links to the prior two letters are appended below. 

Namaskar,
The selling of Ananda Marga properties in Mexico is quite tragic and against Guru's system. It is most unfortunate that to date so many properties have been lost. All along, Centre has stood by the sidelines - watching.

As bad as this scene is, there is more to it. Yes, valuable land has been sold and there is no accountability of those sales.

ANTIQUES, PAINTINGS, FURNITURE, VEHICLES

WERE ALSO SOLD

Along with that loss is the sale of so many of the late Gaganji's (a) antiques, (b) paintings, (c) furniture, and (d) vehicles. Those were expensive and rare items and that has all been allegedly sold by Yogendra in cahoots with Dada Vimalanandji - with the approval of key authorities in Centre.

All are aware that Gaganji possessed an exceptional collection of treasures in the form of antiques, including paintings, statues, sculptures, and artifacts. The value of this collection easily totaled into the tens of thousands of dollars (US).

And now the large bulk of this collection is gone without a trace. And the person who allegedly sold all these items refused anyone to properly inventory Gaganji's collection at the time of his death. The person told that he would do the inventory. Needless to say it was never done - and now countless antiques and collectibles are missing and those funds are not found in any Ananda Marga bank account.

Plus two cars that belonged to Gaganji were also sold without any financial transparency.

SHOCKING & NAUSEATING SITUATION:

ISSUE WILL NOT GO UNCONTESTED

The entire situation is shocking and nauseating that this is how we treat one deceased margii's treasures. He wanted everything to go for the benefit of Guru's mission; and, instead it has been allegedly co-opted by one individual with the backing of top Dadas, who took a big share of the pie.

This issue will not go uncontested - we will get to the bottom of this. As the unlawful and sinful selling of those Ananda Marga properties comes into the light, so will the selfish and illegal selling of all these antiques, paintings, furniture, and vehicles.

in Him,
Dharmaviira

Note 1: SENIOR MARGIIS OF MEXICO HAVE PROTESTED THIS ISSUE

This land selling issue is well-known within the margii community in Mexico and senior margiis of that region have written formal letters to the in-charges and higher authorities. But thus far, the response / outcome has been nil.


Note 2: EXCERPT FROM PRIOR LETTER

...In sum, the seven properties that have been sold thus far in Mexico are valued at 50+ million Mexican pesos, or the equivalent of 4 million US dollars. Plus a large amount of cash has been withdrawn from Ananda Marga Mexico bank accounts. Specifically, there was more than 100 Thousand US dollars ($100,000+) in the CHASE Bank in Texas; and there was 800 thousand Mexican pesos in the Afirme bank account in Mexico. But all that money was allegedly withdrawn and looted by Yogendra and his sectorial seller Dada Vimalananda....(To read more click on the links below)

== Section 2 ==

GIRL DONATION CEREMONY:

Are Women Like Cattle, Or Sacks Of Cloth That
 
People Give As Gifts At The Time Of Marriage?

Sadguru Baba says, “Renaissance people will have to start a movement for social equality and fight against such inequality based on sexual difference. Are women like cattle, or sacks of cloth that people give as gifts at the time of marriage? Are they slaves to be sold to others? As long as women lacked courage or intellect, they tolerated these things – but what a great humiliation! To submit them to such indignities is far worse than to whip them publicly on the road. Are women simply like bundles of cloth to be sent to the washerman’s house?” (1)

DOGMA:

GIRLS ARE TREATED AS PROPERTY

Pictured above is the girl donation ceremony. In India, girls are treated as property - just as one has a house, a car, a bicycle, horses, or animals etc. Boys are not treated as property, but girls are. This is pervasive in throughout the Indian subcontinent, the Muslim world, and many other regions as well. In the west, females were formerly treated this way but things have changed drastically in the last half-century whereby women have gained both legal and social rights. But in India - such as in the Hindu wedding scene picture above, girls are mere objects to be traded.

Because this dogma is so ingrained, some may feel frustrated reading this. They have been so indoctrinated into this defective mentality that they think the donation of their girls is something holy or virtuous. In the above scene, the mother (to the left of the girl) is smiling happily.

 REPORTED IN NEWSPAPER AS KANYA’DA’NA - NOT ANYTHING ELSE

The above photo depicts the kanya’da’n (girl donation) ceremony that took place in Madhya Pradesh. In the newspaper, it is stated that the government sponsored seven kanya’da’n (girl donation) ceremonies on this particular day that were witnessed by the chief minister’s staff. To ease the burden of marriage in India and overcome the trappings of the dowry system, the government founded a program where they financially back such kanya’da’n ceremonies like the one shown in the above photo. Verily the newspaper openly reports how these are not just marriages but kanya’da’n (girl donation) ceremonies as well. So there is no doubt about it.


REFERENCE
1. AFPS-7, Renaissance in All the Strata of Life

== Section 3 ==

~ हे बाबा!, तुम सबके मन में छिपे हुये हो, तुम्हारी कोई तुलना नहीं| ~

प्रभात संगीत  905 तुमी सबार प्राणेर प्रियो, तोमार नाहीं तुलना....

भावार्थ
पापियों धार्मिकों
बाबा! तुम बहुत दयालु हो तुम सबके हृदयों के सर्वाधिक प्रिय हो। तुम्हारी कोई तुलना नहीं, तुम्हारे दिव्य प्रेम की कोई बराबरी नहीं। तुम्हारी  कृपा, कोई तर्क या कारण नहीं ढूंढती । तुम सद्गुणी या दुर्गुणी में  कोई भेद नहीं करते। तुम पापियों और धार्मिकों में कोई भेद नहीं करते। तुम सब पर समान रूप से कृपा की वर्षा करते हो | तुम इस व्यक्त जगत की प्रत्येक चीज से प्यार करते हो, तुम अपनी अनन्त करुणा, अकारण ही सब पर करते हो।

हे परम पुरुष! तुम कितने मधुर हो, सबके मन और हृदय में छिपे हुये हो, तुम अपनी कृपा से जिसके लिये जो कुछ सर्वोत्तम होता है वही करते हो, सबकी, हर प्रकार से चिंता करते हो। तुमने सब को विना माॅंगे सब कुछ दिया है। तुम नियमित रूप से अपनी दिव्य प्रेरणा से सब को सरावोर किये रहते हो जिससे वे सब तुम्हारे दिव्य पथ पर चलते हुए तुम्हारी ओर आ सकें।

हे दिव्य सत्ता ! हे बाबा!, मेरे हृदयाकाश  में तुम हमेशा  चमकते रहते हो, मेरे निराश  हृदय में तुम आशा  की चमक हो। तुम मेरे पूरे अस्तित्व को अपनी मधुर मुस्कान से भर देते हो। मेरे धर्म जीवन यात्रा पथ पर, तुम अपनी कृपा की स्वच्छ चमक उड़ेलते जाते हो | तुम विना रुके, अपनी वराभय मुद्रा में, आशीष  की वर्षा, सब पर करते जाते हो | बाबा! तुम कल्याण सुंदरम हो।
- Trans. Dr. T.R.S.

Note: If you would like a copy of the audio file of this PS #905, let us know.

== Section 4 ==

Links

Here below are the two previous letters about the Mexican Land Selling Issue:

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/01/ongoing-tragedy-of-mexico-land-sale-2.html

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/01/ongoing-tragedy-of-mexico-land-2-3-more.html

Lazy Teacher, Bad Outcome + 3 More

Baba

This email contains four sections:
1. Posting: Lazy Teacher, Bad Outcome
2. End Quote: Inhumane And Bestial
3. PS #1132: O’ Parama Purusa, Your Presence Transformed My Whole Existence
4. Links

LAZY TEACHER, BAD OUTCOME

Namaskar,
We know that in our Ananda Marga, everything is done in a very systematic way: Sadhana, our way of eating, bathing, and so many other facets of life including our Ananda Marga dances. Our dances like tandava must also be done in a specific manner according to Guru's guidelines, otherwise all the benefits are lost.

TANDAVA DANCE AT DMS:

OUR WTS IN-CHARGES FAILED TO GUIDE DANCERS

Unfortunately, at a recent DMS, the Wt organisers failed to give basic guidelines to our young margii boys about our Ananda Marga dances. This is most disturbing because our innocent youths who participate in DMS activities like the tandava are obviously involved and interested in Ananda Marga. And that interest and enthusiasm must be properly cultivated and harnessed. Yet the Wt organisers and in-charges failed to do the needful and could not guide those innocent youths in the right way.

So it is sad that the efforts of those willing and eager youthful margiis, who were trying their best to dance, were undermined by in-charge Wts because those youths were never taught the proper way. And this had a cascading effect. Those in attendance also got the wrong teaching about how tandava should be done - as well as all those who heard about it from others etc.

CASCADING ILL EFFECTS:

MANY ARE LEARNING THE WRONG APPROACH

Indeed the problem is multiplying and mushrooming. First off, those in- charges Wts are not aware of how to dance tandava and kaosikii properly. So this teaching is neglected because those in-charges don't practice daily. When they don't do it then how can they teach it. They cannot - they forgot how.

This is how a simple wrong becomes a systemic problem. All because the in-charge Wts are not aware about the fundamentals of tandava: (a) The knee should come up high across the chest, (b) the arms must be straight like iron rods across the earth, (c) the gaze should be fixed forward, (d) the jumping should be high and consistent, (e) the dress should be all red, not green, (f) the dancing should be done in unison, and (g) the dancers must all hold skull, fire, knife, or snake according to the prescribed system.

When our own Wts are not aware and competent about the tandava dance, it is not surprising that this code was broken during a recent DMS when those Wts failed to properly prepare our margii youths. Take a look here at what happened.

Sadly, in the above photo, those well-intentioned youths never got the proper training to dance tandava in the right method. Those in-charge Wts were negligent in guiding them.

WHAT TO LEARN FROM THIS

So there are a few points to take away from this:
1 Those energetic and inspired youths must be taught to dance tandava in the proper form.
2. In-charge Wts must learn themselves and be more keen in giving guidelines, lest they will always fall short in their duty, and adversely affect the growth of sadhakas.

Here below are some of Guru’s many guidelines about tandava.

TANDAVA IS A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING DANCE

AND IT IS THE ONLY PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOR THE BRAIN

Baba says, "The primordial phase of Oriental dance, is táńd́ava. It is not a very easy job either. The knees must cross the navel. When they cross the navel it is called Brahma táńd́ava. When they cross the anáhata [mid-point of the chest] it is called Viśńu táńd́ava. When they cross this portion [indicates the throat], it is called Rudra táńd́ava. It is very difficult to dance Rudra táńd́ava. It requires long practice." (1)


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "[Tandava] is an all-corporal exercise, an exercise for the entire body, including the brain. (There are intellectual exercises for the brain, but hardly any physical exercise. In fact, táńd́ava is the only physical exercise for the brain.) And among all dances it is the best." (2)

INNER MEANING OF TANDAVA

& WHAT THE DANCERS SHOULD HOLD

Baba says, "Ta'n'd'ava is a heroic dance, showing the fight between life and death. The knife represents life, represents your vital stamina, and the skull represents the death that wants to destroy you. You are fighting against death with your weapon, be it a knife or a trishula (trident). And as per the rule, during the day, if one so desires, one may use a live snake in place of the skull; and at night one may use a fire masha'la [torch] or a d'ambaru [small drum]. This is the rule. So ta'n'd'ava represents the eternal fight, the fight for survival, the fight to maintain existence, the fight to establish oneself as a man in this world." (3)

NAMING AND SPIRIT OF THE TANDAVA DANCE

   Baba says, "Why is it called táńd́ava? In Sanskrit tańd́ means “to jump”. Tańd́u means “of jumping habit”. Táńd́ava means “having the use of tańd́u, the use of jumping”. But jumping in the proper style, not in a disorderly manner. You should learn it properly in a disciplined way."
   "And táńd́ava represents life; you know Tantra is a cult of life, it is not a cult of death. For Tantra you should be strong physically, mentally and spiritually. First in the present tense; Lord Shiva says all your expressions, all your manifestations, must be based on the present tense. So this táńd́ava is the starting phase of Tantra."
   "This táńd́ava I said represents life, it represents vitality. There are so many forces that want to destroy you, so many forces forces that are inimical to you by nature. Say a snake – a snake is a born enemy. There are many such born enemies. As Tantra represents life, táńd́ava says that one’s spirit should be based on vitality, based on the principle of survival."
   "This human skull represents death. You are surrounded by death, but you must not be defeated, you must not develop the psychology of fear or defeatism. So the knife is with you to fight against death. Yours is a fight for survival. In the daytime one may also use a snake to represent death – not an ordinary snake, but a venomous snake. In India our boys dance with a snake. But at nighttime neither a skull nor a snake will be visible. Here there is light, they will be visible, but in a burial ground, in a cremation ground, where there is darkness, a snake or skull will not be visible. There you may use fire to represent death."
   "This is the spirit of Tantra. To fight, to fight for survival. [[It is the normal wont of all living beings to fight for survival.]]" (4)

MUST HOLD SKULL, SNAKE, DAMBARU, & DAGGER ETC

Baba says, "The inner motivation of ta'n'd'ava is the following:  'Destruction is inevitable, but I will continue to fight against destruction through struggle'. So there is a skull [snake, torch or dambaru] in one hand and a dagger [or trident] in the other. The skull represents destruction, and the dagger represents fight. The underlying feeling is 'I will not surrender to destruction or death. I will continue the struggle with this dagger'." (5)

The red garment means, "I am established above rajoguna [the mutative factor]; rajoguna is my outer clothing; I am not rajogunii." The red color is indicative of rajoguna. (6)

DANCES AT DMS WERE WRONG

A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH LONG-TERM EFFECTS

It is important to inculcate our youths with good teachings and the right method. Just as we teach our margii children about the right way to eat, so they can reap the benefits of a sentient diet for their entire life, similarly they should be taught the correct method for dancing tandava so they can get those benefits each and every day. Alas, when our own Wts fail to guide our youths in this endeavor, then there is a big loss. Those youths will not get the benefits of that practice, and even worse, the younger generation will fail to be the torchbearers of our Ananda Marga practices like tandava as Guru’s system is not being followed.

After all, those spirited youths are praiseworthy for coming forward onto the stage at the recent DMS and dancing. With a pure heart and ardent desire they performed. Only those in-charge Wts are negligent and culpable.

In Him,
Vibhuti Bhusan


REFERENCES
1. AV-12, Dance, Mudrá and Tantra
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Cosmic Father Has a Special Responsibility
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 6, The Cosmic Father Has a Special Responsibility
4. AV-12, Dance, Mudrá and Tantra
5. 9 Nov 1978 Kolkata
6. Táńd́ava Dance – What and Why?, 20 April 1979, Kolkata

== Section 2 ==

The sections below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

******************************************

Inhumane And Bestial

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Women covering their faces with burkas – is this rational? You know burkas have but tiny holes to see through, and women have to walk along the path peeping through these holes. This is inhuman and bestial. No civilized society, civilized country or civilized person should accept this kind of decree. These are naked dogmas.” (1)

In India:

Shariat Law And The Degradation Of Muslim Women

Courtesy of Ankur Betageri

It is extremely unfortunate that personal laws have been passed in India on the pretext of retaining the diversity and uniqueness of religious practices. This has allowed Muslims to follow, in certain cases, the primitive shariat law, the most important fallout of which is the social degradation of Muslim women.

Shariat law follows the percepts laid out in the Qur’an and the Sunnah and also codifies certain practices – like women covering their body with the burqa – which are said to be part of the Islamic tradition. Since the Qur’an and Sunnah do not consider woman the equal of man, shariat law’s treatment of women is often extremely harsh and unfair. That women are stoned to death and accused of adultery when they are actually victims of rape, unable to produce four witnesses required by the law, is widely known but these deadly laws are only practiced in Islamic countries like Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia where shariat is the state law. In India, shariat is practiced and is legally binding only in matters relating to marriage, divorce and sexual relationships, but this limited use of shariat is enough to put the Muslim woman in a position of extreme disadvantage and helplessness, forcing her to suffer silently, and without protest, the injustices committed against her by men. There are innumerable cases of domestic rape, for example, routinely committed by the relatives of the woman’s husband, which are not reported, as reporting them successfully under shariat law would require the victim to produce four witnesses. There are many issues such as these which make the life of an Indian Muslim woman in a Muslim household one vulnerable to brutal violations of human rights and one fated to silent suffering. This treatment of the Muslim woman in the 21st century, which can only be described as barbaric, is having a lot of negative repercussions on the rest of the Indian society. It is undeniable that it is having a retrograde influence on the status of women in the still very much backward and patriarchal Indian society.

It is therefore important to stand by the Muslim man and the Muslim woman oppressed by, and oppressed because of, Islam. There is indeed something sick about the politically correct stand of not speaking against the oppressive influence of Islam and its horrendous treatment of women. This conspiracy of silence must end. Shariat law in the form of Muslim Personal Law which encourages and validates polygamy, triple-talakh, sexual oppression and the deliberate cretinazation of the Muslim woman must be challenged and opposed.

All The Atrocities Committed In The Name Of Islam Are, In Fact,

A Direct Result Of Adhering Strictly To The Teachings Of Qur’An

So it is extremely important to reduce the influence of Islam on modern life: it is in the interest of Muslims, and in the interest of the rest of the humanity. I was made to believe by the ‘secular’ media that the source of Islamic terror was a certain extreme interpretation of Islam (as exemplified in extremist-militant manifestoes like The Absent Obligation) but after reading the Qur’an and excerpts from the life of Prophet Muhammad, I am convinced that all the atrocities committed in the name of Islam are, in fact, a direct result of adhering strictly to the teachings of Qur’an and following the life of Prophet Muhammad. Instead of expressing outrage at this statement, which has unfortunately become the preferred, and accepted, mode of response to any criticism of Islam, one would do well to verify the veracity of this claim by reading the Qur’an and the life of Prophet Muhammad.

Is It Okay To Give A Man The Right To Discard His Wife

By Uttering The Word Talakh (Divorce) Three Times?

I think the time has come when we non-Muslims asked ourselves what or who we stand with: Islam or Muslims? Islam has no regard for life, it asks Muslims to kill or be killed, for the sake of spreading Islam. Muslims are human beings like us who have been born to Muslim parents, some of whom, indoctrinated with Islamist ideology, have become fanatical Islamists. I don’t think we can continue to close our eyes to the systematic and deliberate degradation of the life of the Indian Muslim woman. Let us ask ourselves: Is it ethical to support a legal system which allows a man to humiliate and spiritually destroy his wife by marrying another woman? Is it okay to give a man the right to discard his wife like a piece of garment by uttering the word talakh (divorce) three times? Is it alright to put the onus of proving rape on the victim and ask her to produce four witnesses or be persecuted for the crime of adultery? Is it okay for a Muslim woman in the 21st century to be told that paradise lies at the foot of her husband? Is it alright to brainwash Muslim women to think that they are mentally unfit to take care of themselves and their children? Is it alright to impose religious injunctions to prevent Muslim women from dressing, moving about and living in a way they choose? Is it okay for Muslim clerics to impose fatwas preventing school girls from studying, singing and making music because they pose a ‘threat to moral order’?

Injustices Committed Against The Muslim Woman In The Name Of Religion

In short, is it alright to allow injustice in the name of religion? If not, we must act. The primitive shariat law imposed as Muslim Personal Law in India must be scrapped and a uniform civil code must be passed. Muslims in India are Indian citizens living in the modern world, we cannot have them follow a 1400-year-old law code, and pretend that everything would be okay after that. As a secular country India must protect the interests of Muslim women and treat all its citizens equally regardless of their religious affiliation and it is only by passing the uniform civil code that such an equal treatment can be ensured.

People in India have always been divided on the uniform civil code but I hope the Indian citizen of today recognizes the right of the Muslim woman to live a life of dignity over the right of a religion to preserve an oppressive and outmoded way of life. I hope everybody speaks out and works towards putting to an end the injustices committed against the Muslim woman in the name of religion. The passing of a uniform civil code would be the first and most decisive step in that direction. - Courtesy of Ankur Betageri

REFERENCE
1. AV-15, Buddha o Aśt́áḿga Márga”

******************************************

== Section 3 ==

~ O’ Parama Purusa, Your Presence Transformed My Whole Existence ~

"Ele álor váne, dolá diye ,kotháy lukiye gele..." (PS #1132)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, You are so gracious. You came with the flood of effulgence - Your presence transformed my whole existence. After spiritually vibrating me and filling my mind with devotion, where have You hidden Yourself? I can’t see You. You have saturated the gentle breeze with Your divine fragrance. O’ my Lord, You divinely intoxicated my mind with devotion. After gracing me in this way, where have You gone?

O’ Supreme Entity, everyone yearns for You; all long to get You more close. No one wants to leave You for even a single moment. By having You, the heart basks in bliss. Every bhakta wants to surrender unto You and always remain under Your shelter. O’ Divine Entity, whatever sweetness exists in their mind, they want to pour at Your lotus feet and satisfy their age-old longing to please You.

O Bhavatiita [1], please grace me by coming close - please come in madhura bhava [2] and remove all my imperfections. Make me pure so I can realise You fully. O’ my Lord, please come, with new rhythm, song, melody, and tunes, and with Your heart-exuberating, soul-stirring new beats.

O’ Parama Purusa, Baba, Please shower Your causeless grace and make my life successful...


NOTE FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #1132:

[1] Bha'va'tiita: This is one of the names of Parama Purusa and describes one of His infinite attributions. In His stance of bhava’tiita, Parama Purusa is beyond all thought conception. Bhava means thinking, and atiita means beyond. So bhavatiita means the Entity who is beyond all thought. If one tries to think of Bhavatiita - i.e. the Supreme Entity - then one’s mind gets suspended and ceases to function. It is akin to the doll of salt that tries to measure the depths of the ocean. It dissolves before reaching the bottom and becomes one with the ocean. Similarly, the mind cannot reach that Entity who is Bhavatiita. As the unit mind tries to think of Him, the mind actually becomes one with Him, by His grace. That unit mind loses its individuality and merges into Him - it cannot remain separate. That is why He is Bhavatiita.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Parama Purus'a, the Supreme Reality, is beyond all speech and thought: He is beyond the reach of the vocal cord. So He is bha'va'tiita ["beyond bha'va"]...The more one thinks of His infinite qualities, the more one becomes speechless, the more deeply one becomes absorbed in Him." (1) 

[2] Madhura Bhava: There are different relations / bhavas a sadhaka may have with Parama Purusa. For instance one may view Him as Father, or Friend, or Master, or Lover, i.e. madhura bhava etc. These relations have varying degrees of closeness with the Divine Entity. Of the four, madhura bhava is very intimate and close.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Madhura bháva is a very exalted bháva, for this bháva fills the mind with sweetness and bliss and leads the aspirant to the closest proximity of the Lord. To a person who is predominantly a devotee of the Lord, everything tastes sweet, there is nothing bitter in the creation of Parama Puruśa. He is attracting you through the ectoplasmic world, binding you through the bonds of love." (2)

Ananda Marga teachings state, "The spirit of madhura bháva is as follows: “He is so vast, endowed with innumerable attributes, yet even then He loves me. He is so great, yet He is still my most intimate friend, so very close to me. What joy! What joy!” This is madhura bháva." (3)

So the path of madhura bhava is always blissful.The bhakta wants only His sweet proximity and one gets His intimate companionship by His grace.


Note: If you wish to listen to the audio file of this song let us know.

REFERENCES
1. NSS, Disc: 19
2. NKS, Disc: 27
3. NKS, Disc: 9

== Section 4 ==


LINKS

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/01/marriage-vs-vivaha-guru-puts-devotees.html

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/01/understanding-ghosts-2-3-more.html

Mahaprayan Of One Senior Didi

Baba

MAHAPRAYAN OF ONE SENIOR DIDI OF ANANDA MARGA

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness and a heavy heart to inform of the mahaprayan of Didi Ananda Bhaktidha'ra'. Respected Didiji's mahaprayan occurred this morning at 7:25 am in Perth, Western Australia.  

Avtk Ananda Bhaktidha'ra' Acarya was 61 years old and was extremely dedicated to Guru's mission. To please Him and serve the suffering humanity, Didiji worked around the globe - most notably in GT, Nairobi, and Suva sectors. She was in Perth for the last 15 years.

She had been suffering from cancer for past few years. 

May we all take solace in the fact that respected Didiji was a devotee of Sadguru Baba. Certainly she will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His grace and she will remain under His Supreme shelter.

at His lotus feet, 

Liila

Note 1: MAHAPRAYAN (DEATH DAY) IS ONLY FOR HUMANS

PARAMA PURUSA IS ETERNAL

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: MAHAPRAYAN COMES FROM THE ISLAMIC TRADITION

* 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).

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by those in Tiljala. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

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.

"HOW DID BABA BRING YOU BACK TO LIFE?"

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 in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like a child need not die in order to sit on hi father’s lap.

SITTING ON BABA'S LAP

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.

The connotation of death must not become synonymous with "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.

"SITTING ON BABA'S LAP" 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.

BABA WOULD BLESS DEVOTEES AND PLACE THEM ON HIS LAP

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.

DOGMA:

NOW "ON BABA'S LAP" ONLY USED FOR 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 of One Senior Monk of Ananda Marga

Baba

MAHAPRAYAN OF ONE SENIOR MONK OF ANANDA MARGA

Namaskar,
It is with much sadness that I convey to you news of the mahaprayan of Ac Siddhayogananda Avt who breathed his last today - 20 January 2015 - at the Prout Bhavan, Malaviiya Nagar, Delhi. Dadaji attended an organisational meeting late in the evening the night before (19 January) and then never woke up the next morning. Respected Acarya Siddhayogananda Avt underwent his mahaprayan while sleeping. Many say he was around 65-66 years of age.

All should know that Dadaji dedicated his life to Guru’s mission long ago in the mid 1970's, and was deeply committed to building a bright new humanity. To that end Acary Siddhayoganandji was a senior Prout worker and recently published the “Prout in a Nutshell” series. In the past Dadaji was the Secretary General of Proutist Universal (SGPU), and more recently he held the post of Global Prout Organising Secretary. And he also worked in many other trades and departments and was posted overseas as well.

May we all take solace in the fact that respected Acarya Siddhayogananda Avt was a devotee of Sadguru Baba. Certainly he will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His grace and take him under His Supreme shelter.

With deepest regards.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Krsna Bahadur


PS-1: Most probably Dada Siddhayoganandji died of a heart attack. It is well-known that Dadaji was suffering from high blood pressure due to obesity. Unfortunately many of our Ananda Marga Dadas and Didis are suffering from obesity. That is the sad situation. I humbly call upon all my margii brothers and sisters to help save our respected Wts by giving them the BMI (body mass index) chart and requesting them to strictly follow the obesity chapter guidelines in Yogic Treatments book from Ananda Marga Publications. BY this way we may prevent the untimely loss of our esteemed Wts.

PS-2: As everybody knows, in some countries including India, especially in rural and select urban areas, due to ignorance, obesity is treated as a very prestigious condition. People want to become obese - in order to gain prestige.

Note 1: MAHAPRAYAN (DEATH DAY) IS ONLY FOR HUMANS

PARAMA PURUSA IS ETERNAL

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: MAHAPRAYAN COMES FROM THE ISLAMIC TRADITION

* 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).

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by those in Tiljala. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

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.

"HOW DID BABA BRING YOU BACK TO LIFE?"

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 in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like a child need not die in order to sit on hi father’s lap.

SITTING ON BABA'S LAP

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.

The connotation of death must not become synonymous with "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.

"SITTING ON BABA'S LAP" 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.

BABA WOULD BLESS DEVOTEES AND PLACE THEM ON HIS LAP

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.

DOGMA:

NOW "ON BABA'S LAP" ONLY USED FOR 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.

Ongoing Tragedy of Mexico Land #2 + 3 More

Baba

This email contains four sections:
1. PS #3262: I Was Suffering - Your Heart Melted - You Could Not Bear To See
2. Posting: Ongoing Tragedy of Mexico Land #2
3. End Quote: Why Doctrine Of Buddha Was Branded As Atheism
4. Links

ONGOING TRAGEDY OF MEXICO LAND SALE #2

(Note: A link to the first letter in this series has been appended below.)

Namaskar,
The Mexico land selling scandal is of primary concern to all. When so many properties have been secretly sold for profit by top Dadas then it can happen in your area as well. That is why so many are keenly following the unfolding of this episode.

Here then are more details for your review and understanding.

Since 2007, Yogendra has allegedly been able to sell off one property after another - all because he has been granted asylum by NYSS Dada Vimalanandji. The margiis of Mexico have since written many emails and letters against the selling of the AMPS Properties, but Dada Vimalananda doesn't care about following Sadguru Baba’s rules and regulations. Nor does Dada Vimalananda care about the margiis & workers of AMPS; he only cares about money.

In sum, the seven properties that have been sold thus far in Mexico are valued at 50+ million Mexican pesos, or the equivalent of 4 million US dollars. Plus a large amount of cash has been withdrawn from Ananda Marga Mexico bank accounts. Specifically, there was more than 100 Thousand US dollars ($100,000+) in the CHASE Bank in Texas; and there was 800 thousand Mexican pesos in the Afirme bank account in Mexico. But all that money was allegedly withdrawn and looted by Yogendra and his sectorial seller Dada Vimalananda.

While this is an involved story and Mexican margiis have been keen to raise their voice about this injustice, nothing has been done to stop this. Primarily because NYSS Ac Vimalananda Avt, GS Dada Citsvarupanandji, and Ac Rudrananda Avt have a big stake in what is going on. They are allegedly underwriting or sanctioning these illicit sales.

Those top Dadas have even given Yogendra the green light to change the by-laws. In result, as President of Ananda Marga (Mexico), Yogendra has been given sole, legal access to all funds and properties. In this way, he has been making decisions, under the guidance of NYSS Vimalanandji, to sell off Ananda Marga lands. They never inform other margiis nor committee members in Mexico. They act alone and allegedly pocket all the money. That is the reason those higher authorities don't want to take action against Yogendra.

Kindly stand by for more info on this issue / land selling scandal.

in Him,
Jagadmitra
(Juan Sandoza)

== Section 2 ==

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

*********************************************

Why Doctrine Of Buddha Was Branded As Atheism

"Buddha opposed those ritualistic religions in clear language and advised people to follow the path of morality. He said, “Prepare yourself and truth will spontaneously manifest itself before you.” Buddha did not say anything specifically about Iishvara, his views about átman were vague, and he clearly rejected the Vedas; for these reasons the doctrine of Buddha was branded as atheism." (NSS, Dsic: 18)

*********************************************

== Section 3 ==

~ I Was Suffering - Your Heart Melted - You Could Not Bear To See ~

"A'ma'ri vya'tha'te gole a'ma're dekhibe bole..." (P.S. 3262)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, I was suffering. Your heart melted - You could not bear to see me in agony any longer. You have graciously come to care for me and remove my pain. O' most Compassionate One, isn't that why You have taken advent onto this earth?

O' my Lord, Your heart is filled with divine sweetness. Your smile is like the showering of shiny pearls. And Your eyes are filled with the collyrium of love, O' my Dearmost. You do not reside in triloka [1]; You reside in the hearts of devotees. You have descended into my mind with the song, dance, and music of Prabhat Samgiita. From the divine world You have come with melody of omnkara into the core of my heart with the play of Your grand liila. You are so gracious.

O' Divine Entity, You do not have any particular name or form. Instead I find You in hundreds of names and forms. You are everywhere - all around - behind the countless expressions of this created universe. O' Lord, I cannot fathom You with my intellect - and cannot even begin to think about Your glory and grandeur. O' Supreme One, I am awed thinking of Your greatness.

O' Parama Purusa, O' Baba, please stay with me - all the time and beyond, always, in my mental lotus in madhura bhava.[2] O' Lord You became moved by seeing my pitiful condition.

You have come here to alleviate me of my pain and sufferings - to wipe away my tears. Baba You are so gracious...


NOTES FOR PS #3262:

[1] Triloka: This is comprised of the conscious mind (jagrat, awakened state), subconscious mind (svapna, dream state), and unconscious mind (susupti, deep sleep). Parama Purusa lives beyond the three lokas and remains in Turiiya - Brahmaloka.

[2] Madhura Bhava: There are different relations / bhavas a sadhaka may have with Parama Purusa. For instance one may view Him as Father, or Friend, or Master, or Lover, i.e. madhura bhava etc. These relations have varying degrees of closeness with the Divine Entity. Of the four, madhura bhava is very intimate and close.

"Madhura bháva is a very exalted bháva, for this bháva fills the mind with sweetness and bliss and leads the aspirant to the closest proximity of the Lord." (NKS, Disc: 27)

== Section 4 ==

Links

Here is the first letter on the Mexico land scandal & more:

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2015/01/ongoing-tragedy-of-mexico-land-sale-2.html

http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/12/re-jagrti-sale-falsehood-exposed.html

More Letters of Interest

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/01/wrong-place-to-search-for-solution-3.html

http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/01/low-grade-people-do-for-show-only-3-more.html

Mahaprayan of Ac Piiyusananda Avt.

Baba

MAHAPRAYAN OF AC. PIIYUSANANDA AVT

Namaskar, 

It is with much sadness that I convey to you news of the mahaprayan of Ac Piiyusananda Avt who breathed his last today - 12 January 2015. Dadaji suffered a heart attack and that led to his mahaprayan. Respected Acarya Piiyusanandajii has since been created in Garia Maha Smashan in Kolkata. 

All should know that Dadaji dedicated his life to Guru’s mission in 1963. He built Prabhat Library - a well known publication house on College Street in Kolkata. He also collected rare photos of Baba and put them in his archives, which was later handed over to Archives Section.

Primarily, Acaryaji was involved in the printing of Ananda Marga books. Those days in Tiljala, Baba was giving regular talks in Bengali on different subjects that were incorporated into series like Varna Vijiana, Varna Vicitra, and Shabda Cayanika. From 1978 onwards, Sadguru Baba wanted those pravacans printed before He gave the next talk. In those days of letter press, it was just impossible to imagine how to get Baba's discourses in printed form - without a mistake - within such a short time. Yet that is what Dada Piiyusanandji did.

And this was not one time, but rather week after week, and those weeks rolled into years. All along, Dada Piiyusanandjii performed this arduous task with due diligence. Dadaji printed those Bengali language discourses that formed the series of books known as Varna Vijiana, Varna Vicitra, and Shabda Cayanika - as well as other titles first given in Bengali like Faculty of Knowledge, Namami Krsnasundaram, and Namah Shivaya Shantaya etc. To fulfill His wish, Dada was graced by Him to accomplish a difficult feat. 

Actually Ac Piiyusanandajii was part of a dynamic tandem. Because first Dada Vijyanandajii would note down Baba's dictation for the aforementioned Bengali discourses and titles, and after doing several proof readings then Dada Piiyusanandajii would do the press work. This combination has done a wonderful job of printing and publishing Guru’s Bengali language pravacans with utmost sincerity.

The whole humanity will remain indebted to both of them for this stupendous work in the field of printing and publishing discourses and titles. 

Recently - after the sad demise of another great worker of His mission, Ac. Sugatananda Avadhuta - Dada Piiyusanandjii was posted as publications secretary of our Kolkata faction.

We are sure that Baba has taken him under His shelter.

at His Supreme altar,

Madhurima Ghosh

Note 1: MAHAPRAYAN (DEATH DAY) IS ONLY FOR HUMANS

PARAMA PURUSA IS ETERNAL

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: MAHAPRAYAN COMES FROM THE ISLAMIC TRADITION

* 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).

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by those in Tiljala. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

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.

"HOW DID BABA BRING YOU BACK TO LIFE?"

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 in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like a child need not die in order to sit on hi father’s lap.

SITTING ON BABA'S LAP

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.

The connotation of death must not become synonymous with "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.

"SITTING ON BABA'S LAP" 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.

BABA WOULD BLESS DEVOTEES AND PLACE THEM ON HIS LAP

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.

DOGMA:

NOW "ON BABA'S LAP" ONLY USED FOR 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.