Baba
Donkey Birthday of Guniindrananda
Namaskar,
Here we examine how some Wts are celebrating their own birthday. However, according to Ananda Marga philosophy, this goes against the very spirit and essence of being an avadhuta / avadhutika etc.
Physical birth is animal birth
Here below Baba guides us that for sadhakas, the date of one’s physical birth is not something great as it merely signifies entry into animal life.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “With an initiated person 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 simply born 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.” (1)
The physical birth does not hold much significance in the life of a spiritual aspirant. When a person gets initiated onto the path of dharma sadhana, that is their real birth – i.e. getting tantric diiksa and taking shelter at Sadguru Baba’s feet. For Wt’s, the point is even more stark since as a sannyasi they have renounced their past and accepted Parama Purusa Baba as their Father, Mother, Guru - everything. In that case, there is no scope for the remembrance or celebration of their worldly birth.
For avadhutas / avadhutikas, and wholetime workers, birthday celebrations go against the sanctity of their oaths and against the ideal of their life. They have come onto this earth for something else: To serve Parama Purusa and His creation. They should sing the glory of Parama Purusa - not their own self.
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Guniindrananda’s donkey birthday wishes
Yet see here below how just the other day Dada Guniindrananda is publicly highlighting his own worldly, donkey birthday.
~ Ac Guniindrananda Avt celebrating his own donkey birthday with pomp & show ~
Self-glorification degenerates the mind
Our avadhútas 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 donkey birthday is self-glorification and that degenerates the mind.
That is why in the conduct rules of the avadhúta, 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 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 avadhuta / avadhútiká to celebrate their own donkey birthday. Unfortunately, some disoriented Wts still exist who sing their own glory and celebrate their donkey 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 avadhútas / 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.
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Triple sin: avadhuta birthday celebrations
Unfortunately, some Wts have been organising donkey birthday parties and singing Baba's special Prabhat Samgiita #135, “Janmadine…”, in the honour of that Wt. So this is a triple sin. Firstly, Wts should not be celebrating the date of their physical birth. Secondly, Wt should not be glorifying their own unit existence. And thirdly, this Prabhat Samgiita composition is not meant for unit beings.
This blessed song - Prabhat Samgiita #135, “Janmadine…” - is to be sung to Taraka Brahma Baba during our grand Ananda Purnima celebrations. By this way, sadhakas are greatly benefited and drawn closer to Parama Purusa. This song also celebrates the grand arrival of Parama Purusa into a sadhaka’s life. So it is not a worldly birthday song for unit beings. No avadhuta or sadhaka should misuse this Prabhat Samgiita for any type of worldly birthday gathering.
So it is quite shameful and inappropriate how certain Wts have directed this Prabhat Samgiita toward themselves, as if they are the focal point of this song and their worldly /donkey birthday is so important.
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More fake avadhutas involved in birthday antics
(A) Some time back in the past, in Jharsguda (Orissa, India), there was a big donkey birthday party event held in honour of Dada Priyakrsnananda.
For those not aware, Dada Priyakrsnananda has years and years of experience in Ananda Marga and even in his early years in the Marga he was a central worker. But unfortunately, those years he was like a rock in a river. Just as the water never touches the inside of the rock despite the rock being immersed in the river, similarly Priyakrsnananda Dada was not drenched. Or what we can say.
Perhaps most surprising is that there were many, many so-called senior workers on hand for this donkey birthday gala event and in one big round, they all sang Prabhat Samgiita #135, "Janma dine...", in order to celebrate Dada Priyakrsnananda's birthday. And Dada P raised no objections. This type of dogmatic occasion is 100% against the ethics of our Ananda Marga and it sets a very negative example.
(B) Thereafter in SUVA sector, the very senior Dada Paramatmananda and Didi Ananda Shamiita organised two donkey birthday parties - some years ago. And they insisted that Prabhat Samgiita #135, "Janma dine...", be sung. With printed song sheets etc that Dada and Didi made sure that the donkey birthday event was celebrated with this song. Sadly, some of our senior most workers do not understand the basic principles about Ananda Marga and Prabhat Samgiita. They have forgotten Guru's teachings and guidelines.
(C) Then at New York sector's Boston Regional retreat, Ac. Rainjitananda Avt celebrated his own donkey birthday with full gusto and glory. In grand fashion, everyone present at the retreat sang a hearty round of the traditional American "Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You" song in Dadaji's honor. And during the singing one sumptuous cake was brought out and served to Dadaji. And like that the whole affair took on the flavor of one mundane Americana birthday party whereby non-margiis make a wish for mundane objects as they blow out the candles on the birthday cake and receive presents from one and all etc. So like that Rainjitanandji's celebratory occasion and donkey birthday party was carried out whereby Dada accepted the card and cake and all arrangements in his own honour. Because at that moment Dadaji's birthday was the showcase event going on at the retreat some years ago.
(D) Didi Ananda Kalyanshrii has also been involved in grand donkey birthday celebrations. This Didi who used to be DSL Delhi and then became SWWS Delhi had big donkey birthday celebrations where all her children's home kids would sing for her. Actually this Didi has a long history of self-glorification. All recall how Didi celebrated her donkey birthday with much pomp and show.
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Lowly standard of “birthday-celebrating Wts”
About any such cases where Wts go against their own code of conduct - by celebrating their worldly donkey birthday etc - Baba has given the following teaching:
"Mana na' ra'inga'ile ra'inga'ile yogii kapar'a.Ananda Marga ideology states, "Dye your mind with His colour. Those who have not done so cannot attain Him, for this very coloration is Prema or Divine Love... No external sign of Sa'dhuta' or virtue is necessary. Become sa'dhu within. Behind the external show of virtuousness of many so-called sa'dhus exists a pharisaic state of mind. Preserve the true dignity of the word, Sa'dhu."
Saffron and red do not a yogiis make
With mind undyed he remains a fake."
“Mu’r'ha mura’ye jata’ bar’a'ye...Ananda Marga ideology states, "That is why I say that 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." (2)
With shaven head or matted locks
And ashen body a Sadhu walks
With the swaggering gait of a well-fed buffalo.
And crude mind filled with thoughts mean and low."
Conclusion
The sole reason for writing this letter and addressing this issue is to help those Wts rectify their conduct and improve the overall standard of our Wt cadre. If this donkey birthday problem is not solved, then some of the newer Wts many also adopt this donkey birthday ritual and prolong the dogma. Yet we should not let this problem mount. We should also bear in mind that many Wts - new and old - do not support these Wt donkey birthday celebrations yet they are not in position to rectify the matter. Whatever the circumstance, as Ananda Margiis it is our duty to bring this issue to the fore so it can be properly addressed and resolved.
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Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Nityanirainjan Deva
~ In-depth study ~
Follow conduct and spirit avadhuta
How far is it appropriate & befitting for avadhutas to celebrate their own donkey birthday? Here the point is that being an avadhuta is meaningful to the degree one abides by all the guidelines and teachings and represents Ananda Marga ideology. Who can forget that at one time Vishokananda and Madhavananda also carried the title of avadhuta. For those who do not follow the codes and standards of being avadhuta - their title of avadhuta is meaningless. Because Baba's guideline is that being avadhuta in name only is not enough - one must follow the conduct and spirit. Taking everything into consideration here following are some of Baba's important guidelines about acarya and avadhuta life.
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Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "A'ca'ran'a't pa'thayati yah sah a'ca'ryah-- 'One who teaches through one's conduct is an acarya'. If you cannot learn anything from the conduct and behaviour of a certain person, why should you accept that person as an a'ca'rya." (3)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Bear in mind that people may be harmed or misled by even a small weakness or defect in the conduct of an acarya...an acarya should always instruct by his exemplary actions and words." (4)
Just donkey’s birthday
In Ananda Marga, if anything is done for superficial show or in an insincere manner then that is not acceptable. For instance, if someone serves you food only to show how great they are then Baba terms that food as: Donkey Food.
Here is an English summary of that teaching: If food is not offered with that heart-felt feeling then that food is donkey food, gardabha’nna. So one must not eat that food. (5)
Similarly sadhana done with the primary motive of showing one’s greatness instead of pleasing Parama Purusa is donkey sadhana. And if kiirtan is sung with the primary motive as a display of one’s musical talent and instead of to spread the glory of the Lord, then that is donkey kiirtan.
Likewise, when any Wt or avadhuta celebrated their own birthday in their honour instead of spreading the glory of Parama Purusa, then their celebration is a donkey birthday.
In the past the aforementioned Wts were celebrating their donkey birthday. Now we have to see if still they are involved in donkey birthday celebrations.
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References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Twice Born
2. Subhasita Samgraha part 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Silent Action
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Conduct of an Acarya
5. Summary of Shabda Cayanika - 20, p.163-64 [Bangla]
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