Baba
Why Rakeshananda is key sinner
Namaskar,
At one DMC held late at night, Sadguru Baba noticed that some in the audience were tired and sleepy. Yet there was work to be done and a dharmic discourse to be conveyed. It was important for everyone to be alert.
Surveying the scene with His all-knowing and all-loving gaze, Baba told one unique story (appended below) how those who fall asleep at dharmic functions are sinners. Upon hearing this, everyone laughed and became alert and was ready to hear His message. At the same time, the point was clear: it is completely inappropriate to sleep at dharmic gatherings and those who do are impious.
Dada R sleeps through DMS etc
Sadly, one of our very own Wts falls in this category - and even worse is that he is not just a regular member of the audience; rather, he is up on the stage. The Wt at issue is Rakeshananda. The problem is that at all kinds of dharmic gathering like DMS and big seminars etc Rakeshananda sits up on the stage and promptly falls asleep. This is his regular habit. As per Baba’s story, Rakeshananda is that type of impious person.
Kindly see the below photo of Rakeshananda sleeping at a dharmic gathering; Rakeshananda is in the bottom right corner of the photo. He is sleeping so soundly and is folded over so much that the very top of his head is pointing forward. Please also be sure to read Baba’s story which has been appended below. It is in that story that Baba states that those who fall asleep at dharmic programs are sinful, impious people.
In Him,
Yuktatman Deva
Baba: those sleeping are impious
Here below Baba points out that according to the tradition, wherever a dharmic discourse is being given, the goddess of sleep sits on the eyelids of those who are impious.
“Let me tell you a story in this connection. Lakśman accompanied Ram and Sita to the forest. For a long period of fourteen years, his duty was to keep watch at all times. One day he felt sleepy, and dozed off. Suddenly he woke up and was about to shoot the Goddess of Sleep with his bow and arrow. She said, “Lakśman, how unbecoming it is for you to do such a thing! People call you a great hero, but you are using your arrow against a woman.” Lakśman replied, “You know that I am on duty here, yet why have you come to trouble me?” The Goddess of Sleep said, “But it is also my duty to come and sit on your eyelids”. After a long discussion they finally reached a compromise. They decided that after fourteen years, when Ramchandra would return to Ayodhya to ascend the throne, the Goddess of Sleep would sit on Lakśman’s eyelids, because at that time he would have no more work to do.”
“Fourteen years passed. It was the day of Ramchandra’s coronation. Laksman was on duty. Suddenly Laksman felt extremely sleepy and was unable to prevent sleep from overpowering him. The Goddess of Sleep had not come alone – she was accompanied by a large retinue. Laksman felt embarrassed. He thought, “What a nuisance this sleep is! If I fall asleep now my elder brother will think that I’m not interested in his coronation”. But the Goddess of Sleep was adamant. Then Laksman said, “Well, I understand your difficulty. But you should find another place to cast your spell. I suggest you go to a place where someone is delivering a spiritual discourse and sit on the eyelids of those in the audience who are impious.” And since then, this tradition has been maintained.” (1)
It is so sad that Rakeshananda falls asleep whenever he is on stage at some public gathering. As per Guru’s above teaching, Rakeshananda is impious.
Age / seniority is no excuse
Some may lay claim that one should not point out Rakeshananda as he is elderly. Actually, we have full sympathy and respect for his age. And if his advanced age is the cause of his inability to properly function as an avadhuta with a top post, then he should simply resign. That is Baba’s exact guideline to our Wts. Those who are aged and unable to carry out their duties should step down and not occupy the post.
Here below is Baba’s teaching that elderly Dadas should give up their post
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10. The Devotee and the Lord
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