Baba
Didi & donkey birthday
Note: This letter is only for those who have (a) reverence for Guru, (b) try to follow His guideline, and (c) have deep empathy for Wts.
Namaskar,
At each and every juncture or stage of training, our avadhútikás are given a new name because each stage itself represents a new birth – a new beginning, all the while leaving behind their old life. In which case, where is the scope for an avadhútiká or avadhúta to celebrate their own worldly birthday. Thus, every Wt in our Marga should think twice about how far they should celebrate their “birthday”. According to Sadguru Baba, for avadhútikás there is no question of celebrating their worldly birthday. Because celebrating one’s own birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the mind.
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This is Didi Ánanda Niitimaya
Here below is a photo of Didi Ananda Niitimaya. Didiji is well known for her donkey birthday celebrations.
Wts: No question of birthday celebration
The spirit of being an avadhútiká or Avadhúta is to dedicate everything to Marga Gurudev. By getting avadhútiká diiksa and by getting their new avadhútiká name, our Didis 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. Our Wt Didis should only sing the glory of Parama Purusa. That is the oath our avadhútikás and Avadhútas have taken. So there is no question of celebrating their worldly birthday. Because celebrating one’s own birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the mind.
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Self-glorification degenerates the mind
Our avadhútikás 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. Avadhútas and Avadhútikás give everything to Parama Purusa – they have nothing left to call their own. So there is no question of celebrating their worldly birthday. Because celebrating one’s own birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the mind.
That is why in the conduct rules of the avadhútiká, there is no such thing as the observance of one’s own birthday or any form of celebration or glorification of one’s own unit existence. Rather the Avt’s and Avtká’s goal of life and the be-all end-all of their existence is to glorify Parama Purusa. Our Avts and Avadhútikás are to be established solely in Marga Guru’s glory.
In which case, where is the scope for an avadhútiká to celebrate their own worldly birthday. Unfortunately, some disoriented Wts still exist who sing their own glory and celebrate their birthday. Such Wts are so influenced by avidya maya that they forgot about their oaths, their name, their dress. They started equating themselves as a …., unfortunately. Now, it is the duty of all margiis to help them understand their greatness that our avadhútikás are disciples of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. So there is no question of glorifying their worldly existence. Because celebrating one’s own birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the mind.
Conclusion
Once again, as you think so shall you become. This is the fundamental characteristic of Ananda Marga sadhana. Ideate on Brahma and then one can become Brahma. If one thinks about oneself then the mind becomes smaller, smaller, and smaller. That mind will be degenerated and unfit to get human life - what to say about liberation.
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Celebrating the birthday is entirely ego-centric. All come to praise that individual. It is antithetical to the common ethics of Ananda Marga and very detrimental for spiritual progress. It is common sense that not only avadhutas & avadhútikás, even general margiis constantly think of their ista mantra, and not about their own self. That is why in Ananda Marga no sincere sadhaka / Wt etc celebrates their donkey birthday.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Shruti Devi
Sally Watkins
As you think so shall you become. This is the fundamental ethic of Ananda Marga sadhana. Ideate on Brahma and become one with Brahma. If one thinks about oneself then the mind becomes smaller, smaller, and smaller. That mind will degenerate and ultimately become unfit for human life - what to say about liberation. This applies for our wholetimer Dadas and Didis as well.
Why it is called donkey birthday
In Ananda Marga, if anything is done for superficial show or in an insincere manner then that is not at all good. For example, if a feast is given to show one’s opulence and wealth, then the food of that feast is donkey food. Means the food of that feast is not to be appreciated. Means true sadhakas will not take that food. Feasts should be prepared for friends and relatives or for anyone, with love and affection and not for show. If it is for show, then it is donkey food.
And if kiirtan is sung with the primary motive as a display of one’s musical talent and instead of spreading the glory of the Supreme Entity, then that is donkey kiirtan.
Likewise, when any Wt or avadhútiká celebrates their own birthday in their honour instead of spreading the glory of Parama Purusa, then their celebration is a donkey birthday.
One should not think that when the spermatozoa fertilises the egg - and a baby is born. For sadhakas and non-sadhakas, this particular human life is a piece in the long chain of life and death. In the course of the day, on average one breathes 22,00 - 24,000 times. And those who repeat their ista mantra and coordinate it with the breath experience a rebirth each and every breath. Of course, when you get initiated, that is another birth. And when you become a Wt that is another birth. And when you become an avadhuta that is another birth. So sadhakas have so many births and after all one should not glorifying oneself. So talking about one’s birthday is a waste of time.
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Against spirit of being avadhuta
The spirit of being an avadhuta / avadhutika is to dedicate everything to Marga Gurudev. By getting avadhuta / avadhutika diiksa and by getting their new avadhuta / avadhutika name, 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 / avadhutikas give everything to Parama Purusa – they have nothing left to call their own.
That is why in the conduct rules of the avadhuta / avadhutika, there is no such thing as the observance of one’s own donkey birthday or any form of celebration or glorification of one’s own unit existence. Rather the avadhuta’s / avadhutika’s goal of life and the be-all end-all of their existence is to glorify Parama Purusa. They are to be established solely in Marga’s Guru’s glory. Where then is there scope for an avadhuta / avadhutika to celebrate their own worldly birthday.
Wt Conduct Rules
Wt conduct rule: “Avadhuta / avadhútiká 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)
Wt conduct rule: "We are all the children of the same Father, we are all the members of the same family. By fighting against all kinds of evil forces, we will establish the glory of our Father and the glory of our family." (2)
Wt conduct rule: "One should make others good by becoming an ideal person." (3)
Wt conduct rule: "One should follow discipline very strictly." (4)
Wt conduct rule: "One should be ready always to accept all suffering as rewards and become an ideal son / daughter of the Cosmic Father." (5)
Spiritually oriented life
Ananda Marga ideology highlights the importance of one’s spiritual initiation as a time of birth. And this is especially true of our Wts
Ananda Marga ideology states, “The first birth was the physical birth, and the second birth was the spiritual birth, during initiation. Such a person is dvija, born twice: First, you are born simply as an animal being. But this second time, as a human being. So unless and until one is initiated one is not, one cannot be, treated as a human being.” (6)
Hence, one should not think that the physical birth which results from the spermatozoa fertilising the egg is one grand birthday event. That merely signifies animality. Whereas, when one is initiated onto the path of tantra that stands as their real birth as a human being. Life should be spiritually oriented, not goaded toward the mundane.
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Degeneration due to selfish celebration
Here we see how selfishness leads to so many psychic maladies. When people are solely focused on their own ego-satisfaction, then frustration is always side-by side. Because the moment they do not get what they want, then frustration arises. And this condition is accompanied by other psychic afflictions as well.
On the occasions they are praised by others they either feel arrogant or become dependent on that praise. For instance, they may not do anything other than for the desire to be praised. And when they are not praised, they are crushed and prone to despair - and may give up that work entirely.
The worst outcome is that people foolishly forget that whatever little strength they have is just the gift of Parama Purusa. Devoid of this thinking they become egotistical and full of vanity. And in result they invite their ruination.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Aham'ka'rah patanasya mu'lam" (7)
Meaning: Pride goeth before a fall
So this malady has come from the offshoot of materialism. Mostly materialistic minded people, those whose be-all and end-all of life is matter, suffer from such types of diseases. And they need day-long appreciation by others. Otherwise frustration and depression engulfs them. Such an unfortunate episode has become the norm.
Now is the time we should analyse how far Baba appreciates this self-praise - or the habit of enjoying self-praise. How far does this selfishness have any value in the life of true human beings. We should see carefully whether this self-aggrandizement is something meaningful or detrimental.
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This is the Didi who
The name of the Didi is Didi Ananda Niitimaya. She is the one celebrating her donkey birthday. And that is her photo that is displayed up above.
References
1. Rule no. 28 of 32 Rules for Avadhutas / avadhútikás
2. Fourteen Points, Point #13
3. 37 Workers Rules, Point #22
4. 37 Workers Rules, Point #24
5. 37 Workers Rules, Point #31
6. Ananda Vacnamrtam - 30, Twice Born
7. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shivokti #6
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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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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 ==
Great bhakta
Note: Only those who sincerely practice the 6th lesson of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.
Baba
"Kato je d'eke gechi toma're, shon'o ni, tumi a'sa ni..." (Prabhata Samgiita #2207)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, I have so much yearning for You. With that feeling, I go on calling You. Yet neither do You listen to my call, nor do You come. People say that You understand the language of the heart, and that You know of all the thought waves which sprout within, because You are sitting right there in the mind. But to me it seems like You are not there in my mind. That's why You do not understand the urge which I have for You.
O' Parama Purusa, I do not know if You do not have the capacity to receive my inner calling, or whether You understand the desire that I have, but knowingly You do not respond. This is Your divine play. But this liila’ of Yours is very painful for me. You are giving me pain by not caring about my yearning. Baba, it may be possible that my cry is reaching Your ears, but it does not move You. That's why You are not giving me any response.
O' Parama Purusa, please tell me, except You who is mine? You know nobody is mine. That's why I open myself to You. There are many tales which I have not told You up till now. Those personal tales I will tell You. I have so much longing and yearning for You. Why are You not responding to my call. Baba, bless me with surrender...
== Section 3: Links ==
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