Baba
Length of beard & other hair
Namaskar,
All of the WT conduct rules which Baba has given hold tremendous value and help raise the standard of our cadre. So following them is invaluable for both the individual and the collective. Here we examine the length of Dadas' hair as well as the length of the beard.
Hair length for Dadas
First let's address the length of the hair on the head.
WT conduct rule states, "The minimum length of hair on the head should be half of the length of the hand, from elbow to the palm." (1)
According to the system, the length of the hair of the head should be half the distance from the elbow to the end of the palm. The average distance for an adult male is 14 inches and when divided in half the minimum length of hair should be around 7 inches, on average. The means at minimum the hair should fall well below the bottom of the ear and nearly to the shoulders. That is the minimum length as ordered by Baba.
Unfortunately, a few of our Dadas are keeping aloof from Baba's rule by cutting their hair like the common public. But Baba’s rule is that all hair on the head must be at least 7 inches in length, irrespective of which portion of the head it is.
Length of the beard
Regarding the length of the beard for our avadhutas, Baba has given the following:
WT conduct rule states, "Beard should be kept up to a handful in length [at minimum]." (2)
By Baba's above regulation, every avadhuta must be able to grab hold of their beard with their hand / fist, and that beard must be as long as the hand. As Baba says, it must be a "handful" at least. That portion of the beard which has grown down past the hand may be kept longer or trimmed. Every Dada can choose; but the beard must not be less than an entire handful. In general, the beard should be at least 3 inches in length.
Nowadays, a few Dadas are keeping their beard very short, far less than Baba's requires.
Why they do it
No doubt, you may be wondering: Why do such Dadas do this? Why do they not abide by Baba's rules and keep their hair and beard of sufficient length. After all, they are dedicated workers and it would seem to be a fairly simple rule to follow. Just let the hair grow - that is all. Then why is it that a few Dadas are failing in this regard.
Well, here's your answer. Some of avadhutas - it seems - do not wish to be viewed as a monk 24/7. By keeping their hair short, they can easily change their dress and mingle in with the general public. That's to say they can easily masquerade their true identity by having short hair.
In that case, they can indulge in lowly activities without the public really noticing who they really are. Just by taking off their saffron robes they can blend in with the rest of society and look like a businessman etc. Then if they gossip with someone from the opposite sex, or involve in big-money dealings, no one will be shocked and question why a sannyasi is doing such things.
Whereas if those same Dadas kept their long hair and a full-length beard, they would be easily recognisable and they would still look like a monk even without the orange dress. Hence, such Dadas prefer to keep their hair and beard short. It allows them to disguise themselves. They are viewed as being just a general person since their beard and hair remains short.
As we all know, the sannyasi sentiment in India is very strong. People expect great things from sannyasis. Even people who are not in AM give generous donations to our Dadas because those people revere anyone who dresses and looks like a sannyasi. They think that monks must be doing great things in the society. General citizens give respect to all sannyasis because they are "higher".
Hence, if they see someone who looks like a monk with long hair and a long beard indulging in lowly activities, then they will be furious with that so-called monk.
That is why a few of our Dadas do not like to keep longer hair and a longer beard. For this reason, margiis are always suspicious when they see avadhutas with very short hair.
How can we call them avadhutas
How can we call those who do not follow avadhuta rules as avadhutas? We cannot.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "If you cannot learn anything from the conduct and behaviour of a certain person, why should you accept that person as an ácárya/á?" (3)
It is the duty of each and every margii to follow Baba's guideline and not regard such Dadas as avadhutas. Do not treat or entertain such people as avadhutas, otherwise in the eyes of Baba you are encouraging their bad behavior. In that case, they, as well as you, will be responsible for their negative dealings. That is what bhagavad dharma mandates. So do not encourage adharmic activities. Do not accept or allow such Dadas who keep their beard and hair short. Those avadhutas must follow Baba's guideline.
The science behind
We all know that no rule in AM is dogmatic; every rule is based on science. And here is the science behind the length of hair for males and females.
Generally females are more emotional than males and it serves society well. Females need that emotion to care for their offspring otherwise they will not be able to manage. For instance, if a child is urinating all around and making a mess, then a mother may not be frustrated whereas the father will quickly become irritated. Why? Because females have greater emotional feeling towards others and can therefore tolerate the various behaviours of their progeny. So this is very good.
But females / Didis not bearing children need not keep long hair. Rather they should have short hair. This will help curb their emotional feeling and make them more rational and less sentimental. That is why Didis have short hair.
In contrast, our Dadas must develop more empathy for the common people - good or bad - otherwise they cannot serve the society. So they need to develop more emotion. That is why Baba has said our Dadas must keep their hair long. This produces a glandular effect.
This is the general science why our Dadas should have longer hair and our Didis should keep shorter hair.
Conclusion
We have been given all the needed rules and regulations to gain success in life. All such rules must be followed by all - that means our Dadas (& Didis) must adhere to Baba's mandates on length of the hair. We must not allow any slackness in this regard. That is Baba's mandate.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "You are to follow the code of discipline...These are all codes of discipline as prescribed by Bhágavata Dharma. You must follow these codes. There cannot be any concession in this respect, rather concession is dangerous. Atha yogánushásanam. “One must follow anushásanam. One must follow the code of discipline.” One may be a king or may be a very poor man, but the code of dharma is equally applicable to all. In this matter, nobody can claim any special concession or favour." (4)
Namaskar,
Ram Deva
Special adjustment
This special adjustment of short hair for male Wts and long hair for female Wts is solely reserved for dealing with a hostile government, i.e. any government feels that AM is their mortal enemy. For example, this would apply to many muslim countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan etc, as well as communist nations like North Korea etc. Only in such extreme conditions could that rule of hair length be applied wherein male wts can keep short hair, and female WTs can keep long hair. But again that is the exception for that particular, special situation.
Didis are not exempt
Just as some of our avadhutas are attracted to lowly propensities, some of our Didis are the same. So this issue is not limited to male Wts alone. Certain female workers are not less in this regard. A few bad Didis are keeping longer hair, thereby going against Baba's system.
References
1. 32 Rules for Avadhuta, Point #2
2. 32 Rules for Avadhuta, Point #1
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Silent Action
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bhágavata Dharma
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Common problem in meditation
Ananda
Marga ideology says, "Most people are well acquainted with the fourth
state of mind (eka'gra). In this state the human mind sometimes becomes
exalted with divine sweetness; and sometimes becomes as debased as an
infernal creature. Sometimes it keeps company with good people and takes
a resolve never to tell lies, accept bribes, get intoxicated, or become
characterless; and sometimes it thinks that honesty and virtue are
sheer folly, for happiness lies in falsehood, taking bribes, stealing,
promiscuity, and the like. The mind is continuously tossed between good
and bad. But when the practice of sa'dhana' inspires one to accept
shreya (path of benevolence) as one’s ideology, one attains the true
state of eka'gra bhu'mi. In this state waves upon waves of citta
emerge."
Sha'ntaditao tulyapratyayao cittasyaeka'girata'parin'a'ma
Ananda
Marga ideology says, "Every newcomer to the path of sa'dhana' suffers
from a lack of concentration of mind. After repeating the is't'a mantra a
couple of times hundreds of undesirable thoughts flood the mind. The
newcomer thinks, “I am unable to attain the One on whom I meditate, and
instead am pestered by those objects I do not want.” The hand counts the
beads, the lips mutter the name of the is't'a, but the mind roams in
the filth of hell. When all the undesirable waves are removed from the
mind, one blissful wave begins to flow, and the sa'dhaka attains the
state of eka'gra bhu'mi." (1)
Note:
If in sadhana a person is not one-pointed (eka'gra means "one-pointed")
it means they are not repeating their mantra in a proper manner. It
means they are lacking sincerity and regularity of practice.
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 9, Cognitive Force and Psychic Practice
== Section 3: Links ==
Dogma of Father's Day - 16 June 2024
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