Baba
Tycoon vs impoverished wts
Namaskar,
Baba places great importance on the study of history as it enables both individuals and communities to learn from past mistakes and thereby progress. Failing that, without the study of history, people commit the same old blunders over and over again. In which case, they remain shackled by the crimes of the past and are unable to advance. So the review of history holds a unique place for the progress of any society.
As Ananda Margiis, we must know the history of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS) and our stand on key events. Please read this below piece that clearly documents how our sick and elderly Wts suffer abuse, harassment, and even loss of life at the hands of those Wts in authoritative positions. This piece was first posted in 2015 on this network, yet this abhorrent scene still abounds in AMPS.
In Him,
Dr. Gopal
Ananda Marga News Bulletin Moderators
Note: this letter was initially posted on 1 January 2015.
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Namaskar,
There is a tremendous wealth disparity amongst our wholetime workers (i.e. monks and Didis). Some are like big capitalists that have access to hoards of wealth while others are like street beggars who have next to nothing on the material plane. In that case, how can we stand as a model to project Prout philosophy to the rest of the world. When preaching any philosophy a working example is needed and that we bear witness to amongst our own Wts.
Wealth disparity amongst wts
We have some Wts who are rolling in luxury and others who are dying in abject poverty and neglect. This is a sad state of affairs. Many sincere sadhakas go for training with the ardent desire to do sadhana and spread Baba’s divine teachings. Yet often, in one way or another, these sincere workers suffer at the hands of top Wts whose only aim is to profit off of others.
The following cases are tragic and remind us of the awful ills that pervade our Wt cadre - how some are exploited and even robbed of their very life at the hands of a few very greedy and arrogant top Dadas. These horrific incidents were wholly avoidable and repeated instances can be prevented in the future, if we are aware. And it is in that spirit that we recall these tragedies.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
GS & Rudrananda took his money
Firstly, we look at what happened with the llate Dada Shantatmananda ji who died in Dec 2014. GS Citsvarupananda and Rudrananda allegedly took Dada Shantatmananda ji’s money, contributions, and donations, and left him to die alone lacking the care needed to recover and lead a life of dignity.
The whole scene is tragic. Dada Shantatmananda ji lived and worked for years in the west - where he was very much loved and respected - and when his emotional-cum-physical health declined, he went back to India and Ananda Nagar. The thought was that he would be safe and cared for there and even recover - but that proved to be wholly false. Rather his lack of care there cemented his premature death as he was only 71 and had no life-threatening illness per se. All he needed was some basic support which could have been easily arranged in Ananda Nagar.
However, upon Dada Shantatmananda ji’s return to Ananda Nagar, first and foremost GS Citsvarupananda and Dada Rudrananda were only keen to take hold of Dada Shantatmanandji’s monies - i.e. thousands in donations he had collected and received etc. Shantatmananda naively and dutifully handed over those funds. And in normal times that would have been proper. But when selfish and cruel Dadas are at the helm, it is deadly. By allegedly taking his money and essentially cutting off his contact with the outside world, GS Citsvarupananda and Rudrananda co-opted Dadaji’s entire financial structure and left him penniless. Indeed, Shantatmananda had been awarded monthly payments from the Indian government just as freedom fighters had been given in the past, and those funds could have been used for his care and treatment, but no steps were taken. There was not the slightest concern by top Dadas for his welfare.
Verily during his final days in Ananda Nagar, Dada Shantatmananda was not even provided the basic requirements of life. When he returned to Ananda Nagar, Dadaji was sick and unable to care for himself. The donations he had acquired would have easily paid for the daily care needed. Instead GS Citsvarupananda and Rudrananda allegedly kept those monies all for themselves and Dada Shantatmananda was left in neglect.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Dada Shantatmananda ji died from blatant neglect
Verily Dada Shantatamanandji was unable to bathe himself and had no assistance or staff to help him in the way that was needed. In a rote manner, food was left outside Dadaji’s door but he was bedridden and could not access that food - just he wallowed in a painful and slow demise. Sadly, Dada would sit around and soil in his laungota and remain dirty for hours - even days. On some occasions, it was found that Dada Shantatmananda was just sitting on the toilet for hours, unable to move. It was a tragic case of sheer and utter neglect. If he had been given even basic care - daily bath, proper hygiene and nutrition, and medicine etc, Dada’s quality of life would have been far better and he could have made a solid recovery. But instead he was left in his own demise to spiral downward as he was unable to walk and care for himself. All along, those top Dadas did nothing, neither directly nor indirectly, to bring care and dignity to Dada Shantatmanandji's existence. Instead Dadaji was left neglected and dirty and this poor condition only hastened his death. And this is not the sole example of the divide between haves and have-nots.
Dada Asheshananda ji: his body was left to rot
On 02 Sep 2013 at 1am in Varanasi, India, the very senior Dada Asheshanandji died in the Varanasi Baba Quarters / MU. In the days and weeks leading up to his death, Dadaji was living in a dirty and depraved condition. Dadaji could not care for himself and he did not have money so the organisation did nothing for him. Earlier, when he was healthy and well and giving donations, then he was posted outside India and treated with regard. But when he got sick and returned to India they put him in the Varanasi Baba Quarters / MU, and left him to rot - as he was no longer generating any revenue. Verily he died and his body decomposed in there itself at the Baba Quarters / MU. Nobody cared for him - there was not a shred of decency surrounding his final days and death. Only when the stench of his decomposed body proved to be unbearable was his body removed. It is a shocking and inhumane tale.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
“Have-nots”: numerous cases of neglect
And verily there are many cases of this nature where have-not Wts were mistreated in their time of need. Sadly this is common; but it all goes on silently in a hidden manner - behind closed curtains. No civilised society can do like this. Rather they announce the death and pay homage to the deceased. But today’s AMPS leaders never do like this - nobody is informed as their aim is to keep everyone in the dark. Such is the undignified plight of countless workers.
“Haves” are treated like kings
In contrast, Dada Nigamananda had a bountiful bank account and lots of power. So throughout the days of his illness his followers ensured he got the best care available and he was given a hero’s ceremony when he breathed his last. Specifically prior to his death, huge money was spent to keep Dada Nigamananda in a vegetative state using all kinds of machines etc - even though doctors had essentially declared him dead. Then when finally Dadaji did die in Delhi he was not immediately cremated. Rather they paid to have him put on ice and transported to Ananda Nagar for DMS. And finally he was cremated there and they paid to have a tomb / shrine erected in his honour.
Such is the stark difference in care given to haves and have-nots within our Wt cadre. And this type of event can happen to anyone. At any moment, one may get sick and diseased, or become disabled. And see the scary future that awaits them.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com
Conclusion
Most of the Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha big post holders are multi-millionaires, while the mass of Wt Dadas and Didis are paupers. The worst part is that so-called great Dadas stand before margiis and donors and tell heart-wrenching stories about how xyz Dadas and Didis that are bedridden and terribly sick. Then those great Dada appeal to margiis, “We need your donation - we need your help.” By this way margiis hearts melt. And Those top Dadas take away money and accumulate their own personal wealth. This is the endless story. So best is to give your donation directly to the patient and not to any middle man, i.e. top Dadas. Otherwise you are going against the teachings of Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji as outlined in the Tapah chapter of A Guide to Human Conduct.
Unfortunately, Dada Vimalamananda was the main person responsible for the tragic, unnatural, and premature demise of Dada Shantatmananda.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Dhriti
Heart-wrenching accounts
Appended below are links to heart-wrenching accounts how some of our respected Wts have died an unnatural death.
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
"Tumi, bhúliyá giyácho ámáre, bhúliyá giyácho ámáre..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4102)
Purport:
O’ my Parama Purusa, it is so painful that now You have forgotten me. I always hold You in my heart. All my efforts are going in vain: singing Prabhat Samgiita according to the tune and melody; weeping in yearning for You and looking towards the path of Your arrival; and, also trying to hold You in my ideation, meditation, and dhyana to bind You in my mind. All these attempts have been in vain and are just a waste, as You have forgotten me. That is why You are not paying any heed to my efforts.
O’ Prabhu, I never forget You. Your identification is my I-feeling, so how can I forget You. By Your glance, in Your wee-bit of grace all the time - every moment - I am always floating. My whole existence is depending upon Your karuna, endless compassion.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, age after age, what type of liila is this that You are playing with this meagre entity like myself. In Your infinite liila, my role is to always get neglected by You. This has been going on since ages; You never care about me. Lord, You do not love me.
O’ my Everpresent, Supreme Guide, all the time, in the dawn, morning, midday, evening, You go on playing hide and seek with me. You are making this type of unkind divine play please tell me the cause of doing so. Baba, please look upon me with kindness filled affection...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Special aspect of sadhana: Guru puja
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Question: What is pratyáhára?"
"Answer: Pratyáhára is derived: prati – á – hr + ghaiṋ. The word áhára literally means “assimilating” or “taking something within”. As a yogic practice, pratyáhára means “withdrawal of the mind from external objectivity and goading the withdrawn mind toward Parama Puruśa”. (1)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "You must bring about a revolutionary change in the flow of your judgment and thought, and see how, after overcoming your fascination with external colour, your mind becomes tinged with the His glorious colour. In Ananda Marga Sadhana, the method of withdrawing the mind from degrading tendencies, and absorbing oneself in the colour of the Great, is called Pratyáhára Yoga (the yoga of withdrawal) or Varńárghyadána (the offering of colours). All people have a particular attraction for one or another object or activity and as soon as they become attracted to an object, then their minds become coloured with the colour of that object. You can withdraw your mind from the colour of that object and dye yourself in His colour by offering Him the captivating colour of the object that has attracted you: this is the real Pratyáhára Yoga. The word Pratyáhára means “to withdraw” – to withdraw the mind from its object." (2)
Note: In astaunga yoga, there are 8 limbs - one of which is pratyahara. We practice that as Guru puja, and that is part of our regular sadhana routine. Guru puja is very important. After sadhana, one should always do Guru puja, and Guru puja can also be done on its own. After all, it is a lesson. By this way, one's attachment for mundane things slowly fades away. It is a perfect science. If, after practicing Guru puja, one is unable to get rid of their worldly attachments and / or a particular mental weakness, then best is to consult an acarya. In the Acarya Diary, Baba has given a detailed science and method for practicing Guru puja. One should learn how to do this from any acarya, one on one.
References
1. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #10
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
== Section 3: Links ==
Heart-wrenching accounts
Here are two heart wrenching accounts how some of our respected Wts have died an unnatural death click here:
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