Ananda Marga News Bulletin: Path of Bliss group: Flawed way

Baba

Path of Bliss group: Flawed way

Namaskar,

On Sunday, 24 April 2022, a shraddha ceremony / memorial service was held for our dear brother Giridhara ji, a longtime & senior margii of NY sector. And in the announcement about his life the following heartfelt statement was given:

“Giridhara dedicated his life first and foremost to serving Baba’s Mission...In so many ways Giridhara was an ideal margii…and was non-compromising in living a dharmic life.”

Given the above statement of dedication to AM ideals and values, it is quite ironic that in the very last act related with his mortal form, those closest to Giridhara ji were unable to abide by his wishes. Giridhara’s aim in life was to always follow Baba, but his very own memorial service was in opposition to Baba’s teachings and Caryacarya. See here Baba’s key guideline about the shraddha ceremony.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days." (1)

That means the shraddha ceremony is to be held within twelve days from the time of death. And brother Giridhara underwent his mahaprayan (death) on 05 April 2022. According to Caryacarya, the window for performing his shraddha ceremony extended up to 17 April 2022. Holding the shraddha ceremony after that death was a clear violation of Caryacarya. Yet, those in-charges somehow opted to hold Giridhara’s shraddha ceremony on 24 April, a full week beyond.

So it is quite tragic and sad that for the man who always wished to adhere to Baba’s ideal, such a gathering like his own shraddha ceremony (memorial service) failed to be in accordance with Caryacarya / Baba’s teachings. It is unfortunate that the organizers could not satisfy Giridhara’s last wish.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The period of mourning should not extend beyond twelve days." (2)

In Him,
Mantershvar

A few related points

In the invitation they wrote:

“The Shraddha service will be led by Dada Daneshananda and the Memorial Service with Slide Presentation of images from Giridhara's life and sharing stories (2-3 minutes each) will be facilitated by Arun and Mahajyoti (from Denver CO) and Dada Vedaprajinanda.”

(A) Our AM shraddha ceremony is an occasion of dignity - solely meant for the peace and comfort of those in mourning. No person or individual is highlighted. We are to ideate on Parama Purusa and support those who are grieving. Announcing the name of the person who is so-called leading the ceremony as if he is some type of star rapper emcee goes against the ethics of Ananda Marga.
http://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com

(B) It is not proper to display photos / slideshows of the deceased during the shraddha ceremony as it accentuates the sense of loss, and those who are grieving most are thrust into a deep state of sorrow. For more about this read: