Baba
Which book
Namaskar,
These days in this ultra-modern age of communication and technology - in this "information age" - there is a huge volume of material floating around. Beyond any doubt, there is an overwhelming amount of things to read. The biggest question is which materials to read and understand first, and which last.
In a nutshell: As Ananda Margiis, what should be the priority of reading and learning in our day-to-day life? Which materials should we emphasize most? Baba has given the exact answer in His Senior Acarya guideline.
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Nobody knows when death is going to come
With Ananda Marga there are many things to read and see. But the number of hours and days are limited and the amount of titles to read is much more. Who does not know that there are hundreds of Baba's books. And still many more are in queue for printing. And when counting all the books written by Dadas and Didis, then that number itself is also quite large.
So the same problem comes again and again: What to read first? Because the days are short and life itself is even shorter because nobody knows when death is going to come. In this situation what should proper human beings do?
Baba's answer on what to read first
After discussing all this, it was duly noted that in the Acarya Diary Baba has given the unique instruction that first we should learn and study the various aspects of Ananda Marga philosophy - social and spiritual - and certain related aspects also. Indeed all these Marga teachings should be learned and understood properly. That is the first priority. This is how not to get swayed and waste this short human life.
Thereafter, with a complete understanding of Guru’s teachings, one can then go through the writings of other people. Not vice versa. Because by first studying Baba's books, one will not fall into the chasm of dogma. Otherwise, if one starts reading any other writings - without deep understanding of Guru’s teachings - they will get swayed in that other direction. This is the common malady. And that is problematic.
Without knowing the perfect teachings of dharma from the beginning, the mind will naively accept wrong things as being right. Actually that is what is happening these days. Many people are always confused and misguided.
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The next question was raised about the possibility of reading Dada's books. Some innocent people think that if they do not have time to read Baba's books then why not at least they should read Dadas' books instead. Because they are more easy to manage. This is the naive mentality of some readers.
The problem is that when it comes to the analysis or interpretation of Baba's teachings, those Dadas books are mostly amalgamated with dogmatic theories and incorrect notions. And that misinformation will pollute one's understanding of Guru’s teachings and send any sadhaka far off the mark.
Sadguru's golden rule: which book should be read first
Here the central idea is that Baba's golden teaching of Acarya Diary is that first one should understand His direct teachings of aptka vakya / Ananda marga ideology. And this education should go on for some time - combined with sincere sadhana. Because without proper sadhana one cannot understand His books.
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This dual process will give one a solid base of understanding and a mind that can understand what is dharmic and what is not. And then, only after that, should one spend time reading other materials. Not vice versa.
Ananda marga ideology says, "A'pta vakya or absolute knowledge is true and beneficial for all people is all ages and in all countries...The books in Ananda Marga philosophy are all absolute knowledge." (1)
In Him,
Avarna’
~ In-depth study ~
When mind filled with junk reading - not easy to undo
Unfortunately, even some wts indulge in reading and studying things other than Ananda Marga ideology. And tragically what they study sits in their brain and comes out either in their sadhana or in their talk. For example, in our unit, there is one Dada who is constantly on the internet reading a large number of quasi articles and or visiting other ashrams - he has both of these habits. His brain is filled with these things. And the worst part is that after dharmacakra when he stands up to give a talk about Ananda Marga, then in one stream all these wrong things get expressed. Either he is propagating false yoga asanas as given by various gurus and yoga groups in the name of Ananda Marga, or he is talking about pseudo-culture music etc. Or who knows what will come out of his mouth. All because his mind is immersed in those things - not Ananda Marga philosophy.
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Please understand, we pity him so much because he is an Ananda Marga acarya but he has nothing about Ananda Marga or Baba in his mind. That is the tragedy. We are trying to help him, but it is not easy because once one gets habituated to reading all that junk, it is not easy to quit. That is why when he gets up to talk, we all feel like he is just wasting our time.
Not a question of years
A few think that since they were initiated 30 years ago then they need not read or study Baba's books. This is another faulty notion. Because they think they "know it all" already. But most of the time it is found that such seniors know almost nothing. They do not grasp even the most basic fundamentals of Ananda Marga ideology. So this is another problem. Here the only remedy is that with a humble heart one should forget their so-called seniority and instead sincerely read Baba's words with the feeling, "I know not". Then, and only then, will one be able to properly learn Baba's teachings.
Competent interpreter of AM philosophy invaluable
At the same time it should be noted that not everyone is capable of understanding Guru’s direct discourses. After all, Sadguru’s teachings can be difficult to grasp. In that case, reading the essays and explanations from a competent interpreter is absolutely essential. That will help readers / aspirants avoid pitfalls, deepen their understanding of dharmic teachings, and hasten their progress on the path.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Without proper interpretation, the shástras remain difficult to understand and sometimes unintelligible. Thus the scriptures should always be interpreted by qualified scholars, competent philosophers, and penetrating thinkers.” (2)
But remember if the interpreter has some narrow agenda in their mind then it will never work. So if anyone wants to learn Ananda Marga philosophy they should carefully evaluate who can properly explain Guru’s teachings without any amalgamation. Verily, a competent interpreter of Ananda Marga philosophy is extremely important for the inquisitive seeker.
False thing in Dada's book
When it comes to the analysis or interpretation of Baba's teachings, then those Dadas books are mostly amalgamated with dogmatic theories and incorrect notions. And that misinformation will pollute one's understanding of Guru’s teachings and send any sadhaka far off the mark. About this, so many references can be given; but, here is one striking example.
One dada in his book has written that to make the pratiika Baba took 30 minutes and that was the longest time for any of His projects. But after confirming with Ananda Marga ideology's direct teaching it was found that this cannot be true. To do such things Baba does not take any time. Because for Parama Purusa these worldly tasks are effortless. It does not take Him any time to execute those works. Everything is in His mind. This entire creation is His thought projection. Whatever way He thinks becomes reality. It is as simple as that.
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For greater clarity and proof, here following is Ananda Marga ideology's exact teaching on this very point.
"Sama plus'in'a' s'ama mashakena
Same na'gena sama ebhistribhih lakaeh"
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Does He need to look with greater care or attention at the mammoth than to the white ant. No, He pays the same care and attention and time to the white ant as with the mammoth. And to think about the entire universe does He need to take more time or more strength? No, as He cares about the mosquito and white ant, in that same time He cares about the entire universe. It does not need any special effort for Him to manage tribhuvan, the entire universe-- the three worlds." (3)
The conclusion is that for Parama Purusa it does not take any special efforts to design the pratiika - or do any other work in this mundane world. Because this entire cosmos is all His thought projection. No task is "more difficult" or more "time consuming" than any other work.
Hence the Dada who has written in his book about how long it took for Baba to make the pratiika, he may be affected by someone else's dogmatic beliefs. Because it may be possible that some Ram, Shyam, Tom, Dick, or Harry conveyed to Dada this dogmatic idea that it took Baba 30 minutes to design the pratiika. Otherwise, how did this faulty idea enter his mind. And the worst part is that he printed it in his book - thereby further spreading this false notion.
In his book, “Travels with the Mystic Master” (aka 'Who's Afraid of the Tantric Guru'), Dada Dharmavedananda attributed the following quotation to Baba.
Dada wrongly wrote: "You may be interested to know that the work which occupied my effort for the longest time was the invention of our Pratik [pratiika]. It took me thirty minutes." - (From Dada Dharmavedananda's book)
When in fact, being omniscient and omnipotent, everything Baba thinks and does occurs in a flash. This much every sadhaka understands.
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So the above so-called quotation of Baba got printed in Dada Dharmavedananda's book, and by comparing that with Baba's teachings it shows how wrong and contradictory statements get included in Dadas' books. Sadly, that is the case with so many of the books written by our acaryas like Didi Ananda Mitra, Dada Bhaskarananda, and the list goes on and on. Hence best is to read Baba's books directly.
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, chapter 3
2. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 14
3. Dharmamahacakra, Pravacan, Sunday 29 May 1988
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
His mercy
Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.
“Bánsharii bájiye jáy sahás nayane cáy, goloker hari áji gokule liilá racáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3658)
Purport:
Today, the Hari of the divine world has manifested His liila in the land of bhaktas. With His sweet will He is moving all around playing His sonorous flute, (omnkara sound) - showering His charming smile and gracious look upon all. With reddish lips, He is beckoning each and everyone. He is saying: “Come close, come to Me - quickly, as soon as possible, come running, so we can play together.” Today that Hari of abode of satyaloka is showering bliss on everyone. We are so blessed.
Everyone is His kith and kin; all are His own, close, most intimate ones. Nobody is alien; no one is far. By His mercy every aspirant gets Him in their thinking, japa, and meditation. By His causeless grace, now the current of the Yamuná river of bhakti is very high and strong. His enchanting rasa is overflowing and splashing in ecstasy. With His fathomless krpa, the garland of waves is swaying to and fro. All are ensconced in His blessing.
For crushing the dus't'a (demonic people), for saving and nurturing the virtuous and dharmic people, and for destroying the nefarious and deadly demons, He takes advent again and again on this earth. With the rumble, twang, and beating of His kettle drum, He challenges the devilish sinners. He comes as Mahasambhuti. There is no one else in this universe who has such infinite and countless qualities like He. That Hari of the eternal realm is the home of all spiritual attributions. Today, that unparalleled Hari has taken form on this earth. He is with us.
The Lord of the universe has come today with gracious splendour, and He is showering His unique liila upon all bhaktas. He is most kind and ever-affectionate. That loving Hari is calling, “Come one, come all....”
Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #3658:
Liila vs kriid́á
Ananda Marga ideology states, “There is a subtle difference between liilá and kriid́a. When the cause of an effect is easily discernible it is called kriid́a, but when the cause is unknown and only the effect is easily discernible it is called liilá. This creation is the liilá of Parama Puruśa because human beings do not know why He has created it. With the help of their intellect they are eager to know the cause of creation, but will they ever be successful in this quest? They want to solve the riddle of creation, but they have no notion about the cause. So whatever Parama Puruśa does is all His liilá, It cannot be called His kriid́á. I have already said that when one discovers the relation between the cause and effect it is called kriid́á, but when one can see only the effect and not the cause, it is called liilá. For human beings having only a small unit mind the creation is the liilá of Parama Puruśa, but to Him it is His kriid́á.” (1)
Who is Hari
Ananda Marga ideology states, “In Sanskrit, one name of Parama Puruśa is Hari. Hari means “who steals”, “who takes away all your sin without your knowledge”. In Sanskrit, the root verb hr means “to steal”. Now the relationship between the Lord and His devotee is very sweet, and extremely, purely, personal. Parama Puruśa loves His devotee, and the devotee also loves His Lord. Now the accumulated mountain of sin attached to the devotee is unbearable for the Lord. He wants to remove that mountain of sin from His devotees. He may say: “Oh, devotee, give your sins to Me.” The devotee will say: “No, Lord, I am ready to give You everything, I am ready to give You my soul, my spirit, everything, but how can I give my sins to You? I cannot.” But Parama Puruśa loves His devotee, so without the knowledge of the devotee, He takes away his sin. Now to take something from a man without his knowledge is stealing. So Parama Puruśa steals – that is, He takes away sin from His devotee. And that’s why He is called Hari.” (2)
Rásaliilá
Ananda Marga ideology states, “There is another expression of bhakti which occurs when devotees realize that all beings are created from ánanda, exist in ánanda and return to ánanda. This realization causes a radical change in their outlook – no longer can they differentiate between rich and poor, highborn and low-born. They observe an ocean of ánanda flowing within and around all created beings. “Rasa vae sah” – all are flowing in the same rasa, the same ocean of bliss. In that divine flow the devotees see Parama Puruśa dancing with each entity. In philosophy, this dance is called “rásaliilá” [divine play in the flow of bliss]. It does not mean that someone is actually playing a flute with all the humans and cows dancing around Him. Rather, it means that all the entities of this beginningless and endless universe are floating in the ocean of cosmic bliss. There is no place for sorrow since sorrow only exists where petty interests clash and vie with each other. When the devotees clearly understand this they become established in “bhaktiránanda rupáca”.” (3)
When you will hear the sound of flutes
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Then in the next phase, as if somebody is dancing with ghuṋghur [ankle bells]. (You know, ghuṋghur – you use it during the táńd́ava dance. In Sanskrit it is called nupur.) Next you will hear the sound of flutes – as if somebody is playing a flute. Then the sound of the ocean, you know? A particular sound is created by the sea. And then, in the fifth phase, taḿ, taḿ, just like bells, the sound of bells. And finally, the sound is just like ooṋṋṋ – the oṋḿkára in pure form. And after that there remains no sound, because after that there ends the realm, the scope, of Saguńa. After that there is the scope of Nirguńa. In the realm of Nirguńa there cannot be any sound, because there cannot be any expression. Not even divine expression, not even supra-psychic expression.” (4)
In spiritual field what is Yamuná
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Yamuná. Just as there is a Yamuna River in the physical sphere, in the subtle psychic sphere also there is a certain flow which leads microcosms towards Parama Puruśa.”(5)
Note: Up above there is a subheading titled “Rásaliilá” which features a quote from our Ananda Marga books. The publications department wrongly printed one line as “with all the humans and cows dancing around him.” But that is wrong. The quote should read as follows with a capital “H” at the end: “with all the humans and cows dancing around Him.”
References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 11, To Know Him Is to Be Free from All Fetters
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 34, The Best Mental Engagement
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, Devotion Is the Life-Force of a Devotee
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, The Sound of God
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Appendix
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Way to determine who is dharmika
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The greatest quality of a person at a meeting or debate is the capacity to convince others. The highest quality in the battlefield is 'yudhi vikramam', or valor in the battle. While in danger, one's great quality is patience." (1)
When in danger, some become paranoid and some remain patient and calm. Depending upon one’s reaction, a person displays their weakness or their greatness. When danger arrives if one becomes paranoid or if a person loses their wits, they will not be able to solve the problem. Rather they become a liability. In that case, they are not a dharmika because they are missing the first point of dharma - i.e. dhrti (patience). In contrast, if one's rational brain is keen and sharp when in grave danger, and that person is able to properly evaluate the situation and take the right course of action, it means that individual is a dharmika.
Here the point is not that if someone else's house burns down and you keep calm, then you are a dharmika. That is not the idea. Rather, the objective is to keep your rational mind functioning when your own house is burning down. If you can manage to keep your own mind balanced in a dangerous situation, you can resolve that issue in the best way according to circumstances. That is the quality of a true dharmika.
Normally it is difficult to gauge who is a dharmika and who is not. Everybody will try and claim that they are a great dharmika. If any problem comes that is the time to measure if one is a dharmika or not. If one becomes paranoid at the time of misery then that person is not a dharmika. And if they are calmly trying to resolve the issue then that person is a dharmika.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, The Ten Characteristics of a Dhármika
== Section: Cartoon==
Depiction of eroding margii rights
Comment: This is a the depiction of the situation in our AMPS. Group leaders forcibly and unceremoniously remove the elected bhukti pradhan while other margiis think, “I am safe as that attack was on someone else.” But they forget that their turn is also coming at that hands of that same exploitative machinery. That is why we should follow Baba. That problem of one is the problem of all. In the above cartoon, see how the boat is leaking and sinking. The water is knee deep in the boat on one side, yet two fools are sitting on other end of the boat thinking that the problem does not pertain to them. In their myopic way, they are relaxed and smiling, thinking that, “Those two other fellows are going to drown, but on this end we are safe and well above the water.” But that is their ignorance; when that boat sinks they will also drown. Unfortunately, this same thing is unfolding in our AMPS.
In Him,
Suchilekha’
Courtesy to the insightful and talented person who made this cartoon.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Violence to other religions; virtue to one’s own religion
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Some philosophies have taught their own [religious or caste] communities, “The members of this community are the favourite children of Parama Puruśa – others are cursed and unwanted.” Due to this defective teaching the people of one community have even considered the destruction of the members of another community as an act of virtue, and stained the stony altar of human society with the blood of innocent people. In the blood of these innocent victims, the blind adherents of such defective philosophies have taken a holy bath of “liberation”. What a horror!” (1)
In the above paragraph, Sadguru Baba is referring to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. A study of history shows that so many crusades were done where believers of other religions were persecuted and killed. Because this is written in their religious texts, this was the standard practice for hundreds of years with Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Thousands upon thousands of followers of other religions were butchered. This was commonly done in the past by Jews and Christians. Today, only Islam is still doing this.
In these religions, virtuous acts like helping others, camaraderie, and other things written in their scriptures were directed towards followers of their same faith, not for others.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “By providing such a distorted interpretation of dharma, they have deliberately prevented people from gaining a correct understanding of dharma, and thus they have betrayed humanity in the most inimical manner. They have taught people to view each other with suspicion.” (2)
References
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 14)
2. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 14)
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
जब मैं साधना में आँख बन्द कर निवेदन करता हूँ
प्रभात सङ्गीत 198: आमार मनोवीणा छ्न्द-हीना
भावार्थ :-
(जो साधना का छठवाँ पाठ नहीं करता, वह यह गाना नहीं समझ सकता )
मेरे मन की वीणा के सुर में कोई लय नहीं है। यह तभी बजेगी जब वे परमपुरुष इसे बजायेंगे। उनकी लय और तान के सुर में ही वीणा को बजाना होगा । मेरे हृदय में थोड़ी सी भी भक्ति नहीं है। मैं साधना कर ही नहीं पाता। कोई भी तालमेल नहीं है। अब तो जब वे परमपुरुष आकर मेरे ऊपर कृपा कर मेरे हृदय में भक्ति भर देते हैं तभी मेरे लिए साधना कर पाना सम्भव होता है। उनकी कृपा के बिना मेरा मन सूखा सा रहता है और साधना नहीं कर सकता। मेरा आध्यात्मिक जीवन उचित तरीके से तभी चल पाता है जब मैं उनके द्वारा बताए गए चर्याचर्य का पालन करता हूँ। जब मैं उनके निर्देशों , शिक्षाओं ,और आदर्श का पालन करता हूँ तभी कुछ अच्छा लगता है। इस तरह केवल उन्हीं की कृपा से ही साधना कर पाना सम्भव होता है।
वे चारों ओर से मुझे घेरे हुए हैं। वे हर जगह हैं। इस संसार में जो कुछ भी निर्मित हुआ है सब उन्हीं की सुन्दरता है। हरएक वस्तु उन्हीं की मुस्कराहट है। फूलों के खिलने के साथ वे मुस्काते हैं। पक्षियों की चहचहाहट में भी वे परमपुरुष मुस्काते हैं। अनोखे पर्वतों के रूप और आकार में वे परमपुरुष ही मुस्काते हैंं। सभी जड़ और चेतन उन्हीं का दिव्य विकाश है और कुछ नहीं। वे परमपुरुष सब जगह हैं, मेरे चारों ओर हैं । परन्तु जब मैं साधना में आँख बन्द कर निवेदन करता हूँ कि वे परमपुरुष मेरे ध्यान में अधिक पास आयें तब वे निकट नहीं आते। वे पास आने के बदले किसी दूर के स्थान की ओर खिसक जाते हैंं। वे कहीं दूर चले जाते हैंं। उस अवस्था में मेरे मन का आनन्द घट जाता है।
मैं जानता हूँ कि वे मेरे चारों ओर होते हैं। मुझे दूर से देखते हैं, परन्तु स्वयं को पकड़ में नहीं आने देते। वे मेरे मन और हृदय में अधिक पास नहीं आते । अपनी दिव्य वीणा को बजाते हुए, नाचते हुए पता नहीं कहाँ, बहुत दूर चले जाते हैं।
हे मेरे प्रभु ! हे परमपुरुष ! मेरे हृदय में न तो भक्ति है न मधुरता और न ही कोई विशेषता। अब तो यदि तुम अपनी इच्छा से मेरे पास आकर बैठो और मुस्कराओ तभी मेरी साधना सम्भव है। (1)
References
1. Guru says that simple words should be used in a purport so all readers may understand (GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984). And that rule is being followed here.
== Section 4: Links ==
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