== ONE WORD SUTRA ==
Namaskar,
The special seed teaching, Bha-vi-sa-ca, which has been given by Baba bears
great significance. Veritably, this unique point stands as the seed of
'Jiivan Veda', or 'A Guide to Human Conduct'. That is why we can say that
bha-vi-sa-ca is intimately linked with human dharma. Even then, within some
sections of our Marga, Baba's guideline of Bha-vi-sa-ca remains
comparatively less known.
Since some senior members of our Marga recently gathered and explained this
guideline; herein is a synopsis of their discussion.
For some this may be entirely new and for others it may be a review. In any
event, examining & re-examining Baba's divine teachings, like Bha-vi-sa-ca,
always sheds new light on this human journey toward life divine.
Everyone should write in with their thoughts, insights, & opinions.
A FEW OF THE ESSENTIALS
Before outlining the exact meaning of Bha-vi-sa-ca, let's first go over
some of the foundational aspects of this seed teaching.
Firstly, it was initially given in discourse form by Baba on 1 Oct 1971 in
Kolkata. And this may be one of the only times this was reviewed in a
discourse. However, on that day Baba specifically says that 'a long time
back' He was telling others about the meaning & practice of Bha-vi-sa-ca.
Since at that time in 1971 Baba was of 50 years of age, it may be that
during His childhood, youth, or student days He was telling others about
the importance of Bha-vi-sa-ca. Perhaps that is what Baba means when He
says He was telling others about Bha-vi-sa-ca: 'A long time back'.
One other important aspect of Bha-vi-sa-ca is that Baba has given this as a
formula for success since it goads aspirants along the path of dharma.
Hence, it has long-term and universal benefits & application.
Plus Bha-vi-sa-ca is a seed form of teaching that outlines human conduct.
Actually, in His 1/10/71 discourse, Baba emphasizes how human conduct is a
vast topic that has many parts and angles. So Bha-vi-sa-ca was one way of
introducing the topic of human conduct prior to His famed teachings and
publications like: 'A Guide to Human Conduct', '16 Points', 'Fifteen
Shiilas', and so many other conduct rules-- all of which came later.
Thus the seed-form teaching like Bha-vi-sa-ca is quite helpful as it
encapsulates some of the key components of a dharmic life in short form.
And there are numerous other aspects of this Bha-vi-sa-ca sutra that are
important to bring into the realm of our knowledge. And those we will
uncover step by step. Here then is the actual meaning and breakdown of the
Bha-vi-sa-ca guideline.
BHA - VI - SA - CA
Actually, Baba's seed teaching or sutra, Bha-vi-sa-ca, is the short form,
abbreviation, or boiled down representation of 4 distinct points:
(1) 'Bha' meaning 'Bhagavan' (God);
(2) 'Vi' meaning 'Vinay' (modesty);
(3) 'Sa' meaning 'Samyama' (self-restraint);
(4) 'Ca' meaning 'Caritra' (conduct).
And each of these above components or branches has their own special import.
Here then is the explanation of Baba's universal sutra: Bha-vi-sa-ca.
BHA FOR BHAGAVAN (GOD)
'Bha' for 'Bhagavan': Ours is a God-centered approach to life: Baba is the
nucleus and most charming Entity of this universe-- without His grace
nothing can be done. And verily, by our second lesson-- i.e Guru Mantra,
Madhuvidya, or Brahmacarya-- we are to think about Him before our each and
every action.
So this first syllable or component of the Bha-vi-sa-ca sutra fits in
neatly with our entire AM philosophy. As by this teaching, Baba is
directing all sadhakas to think about Parama Purusa always. In all our
daily works, big or small, we are to remember Him and seek His grace
compassion. That is the essence of 'Bha' in Bha-vi-sa-ca. And by this way
one's ideation is sure to be pure; one's conduct is sure to be proper; and
the result will be one of success.
VI FOR VINAY (MODESTY)
'Vi' for 'vinay': In this world, we have many social service works to do.
And for that, cooperation is needed-- that is, we have to work with others.
For this reason modesty is a must. No one likes to work with or be around
someone who is arrogant and boastful. That does not bring coordinated
cooperation. Rather it repels and disgusts others. So modesty is needed. By
this way others will be attracted to come forward and partake in our many
social service projects. Hence vinay or modesty is one essential aspect of
ideal human conduct.
SA FOR SAMYAMA (SELF-RSTRAINT)
'Sa' for 'samyama': As humans, we are mind-oriented beings and we should
not be guided by our motor and sensory organs. For this reason Baba
strongly emphasizes control or self-restraint over these 10 indriyas. And
that is the meaning of samyama, self-restraint. One way of thinking about
samyama is simply equating it with our 'Cakuna samvaro' shloka or His
teaching of indriyanigraha. In such guidelines, Baba is directing us to
have control or restraint over our eyes, nose, and indeed control over all
the ten motor and sensory organs. By such self-restraint our conduct will
be proper as it will be the expression of a calm mind.
CA FOR CARITRA (CONDUCT)
'Ca' for 'caritra': Traditionally in India, caritra means not falling into
'lustful' or 'sexual relations' etc. But in our Marga, caritra extends far
beyond that as it deals with one's overall conduct. True enough, we are not
to be goaded by the lower vrittis and sensual pleasures, and in addition
Baba guides us that are to follow so many do's and don'ts such as sattvika
food, no intoxicants, asanas, no groupism etc, etc. So caritra stands as
one vast teaching that in all the realms our conduct should be proper--
i.e. along the lines of dharma.
Hence that is the basic essence of the seed-teaching of Bha-vi-sa-ca. And
by this way, Baba has given us some of the basic building blocks for proper
conduct and a pure way of life.
MOST EVERYTHING IN LIFE HAS A SEED
Furthermore, in His aforementioned 1971 discourse, Baba guides us that in
His Bha-vi-sa-ca teaching He has given the recipe for good conduct-- in
seed form. That is part of the key. Because in a pointed, brief, or
distilled manner He is outlining the whole of our AM conduct rules etc.
To explain this, in that Baba discourse, Baba likens the bhavisaca' sutra
to Ananda Sutram, ERAWS, and carrying a tree to a distant land.
Bha-vi-sa-ca is like A'nanda Sutram in that it encompasses the whole of our
conduct rules just as Ananda Sutram encompasses the entire spiritual and
social philosophy of Ananda Marga. In seed form it is all present in Ananda
Sutram.
Then Baba says that bhavisaca' is like ERAWS in that ERAWS is an
abbreviated way of telling: Education, Relief, and Welfare Section.
Similarly, bha-vi-sa-ca is an abbreviated way of telling: Bhagavan - Vinay
- Samyama - Caritra.
And Baba says that if one wants to bring an entire banyan tree to a distant
land then the only option is to carry the seed. Uprooting and lugging a
full-grown tree will not do. But by bringing the seed one can get the
entire tree.
Same then is the case with the seed teaching of Bha-vi-sa-ca. By following
this seed guideline, one can incorporate the whole of our AM conduct
system-- all the do's and don'ts.
THIS IS A SUTRA, NOT MANTRA
One final thought on this topic, is that Bha-vi-sa-ca is a sutra, not a
mantra. That means it is an abbreviation or short form of an expansive
teaching that is supposed to be followed, not repeated.
We derive benefit from Bha-vi-sa-ca by (a) thinking about God, (b) being
modest in our dealing, (c) exercising self-restraint, and by (d)
maintaining good conduct.
That is what bha-vi-sa-ca says to do; and if we do that we will be benefited.
Hence bha-vi-sa-ca is a sutra or condensed teaching that is meant to be
followed. It is not meant to be recited in and of itself like a mantra.
Repeating:
"Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca...
Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca..."
This will not bring about a good result-- just it will be a waste of energy
and a waste of time.
Because sutras like bha-vi-sa-ca are to be followed in one's daily dealing.
It is a teaching not a mantra. That is why we are to follow the directions
contained in the sutra. That is its utility. Not repeating the sutra.
In contrast, as we know a vibrated mantra like our Ista mantra, Baba Nam
Kevalam mantra, or Dhyana mantra will bring one's liberation when repeated
with sincerity and devotion.
Baba says, "Manana't ta'rayet yastu sah mantrah parikiirttitah-- "The
sanctified word that helps one in attaining salvation [is a mantra]."
(SS-24, 'Incantation and Human Progress')
So by repeating their personal Ista mantra etc one will achieve liberation.
That is the specialty of a mantra.
However a sutra like Bha-vi-sa-ca is totally different. It is a teaching to
be followed and does NOT have the quality of being a mantra.
That is why merely repeating "Bha-vi-sa-ca...Bha-vi-sa-ca..." will never
bear such fruit. That will not bring one's liberation. Because bha-vi-sa-ca
is a seed teaching or sutra, not a mantra. One gets the benefit of
bha-vi-sa-ca by following what the sutra says to do.
JUST LIKE WITH GURU SAKASH
Same can be said of the Guru Sakash shoka:
"Pra'tah shirasi shukle'bje".
Repeating that shloka or those specific words during the time of Guru
Sakash will not yield any fruit. Rather one is to follow what the shloka
says to do-- 'Meditate on the Guru in Varabhaya Mudra and chant His Name'.
Unfortunately some in AM think they are supposed to repeat the shloka. But
that is nothing but their mistaken idea and will not bring any yield, i.e.
no bliss.
Rather repeating the mantra will bring bliss in the practice of Guru
Sakash. That dhyana mantra will bring one close to Baba's lotus feet.
UTILITY OF OUR SUTRAS
So none should think that the Bha-vi-sa-ca sutra or the Guru Sakash sutra
are meant to be repeated again and again. These are not mantras and
repeating them over and over again will just be a waste of one's time and
will never lead to liberation.
Rather we are to carry out the directive of the sutra. That is the beauty
and benefit of the sutras like that of Guru Sakash and Bha-vi-sa-ca.
THE FORMULA OF BHA-VI-SA-CA BRINGS SUCCESS
So by following the four golden aspects (God, modesty, self-restraint,
conduct) of the bha-va-as-ca sutra, one is sure to invite greatness and
victory in life.
Unfortunately, at present, some leaders in our AMPS are not strict in
Bha-vi-sa-ca, and in particular not strict in caritra. Their character and
conduct is not at all good; instead it is poisonous. Due to this weakness,
groupism and lust for the post has become rampant these days in our AM
society. That is the horrible disease that has befallen our organisation.
Only by tightening up our conduct can we escape from today's troubled
waters of factionalism.
And indeed, those who do this-- those whose conduct is blemishless-- will
be looked upon as heroes and vanguards for generations & generations to
come. That much is sure.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, our individual and collective conduct in AM will improve
more and more and we will progress by following His divine guidelines given
in the bha-vi-sa-ca sutra & in our 16 Pts. Then our AM family will be free
of so many problems and we will build that great human society, by His grace.
Baba says, "I advise each human being that as long as you are alive, you
should try to build yourself in a nice way, in a complete way. But you
should not only build yourselves, you should also build human society in
the same way." (PNS-17)
Namaskar,
Parashram
Note 1: BABA ALWAYS BLESSES US WITH ALL THAT IS NEEDED
As we all know, Baba has always given us all the needed tools and teachings
to gain success. No matter what the circumstance, no matter what the
challenge, He has graciously provided the pathway for victory.
For example, just prior to the Emergency & enforcement of martial law in
India, Baba graciously bestowed upon us His system of 16 Points. By this
way, by following 16 Points, margiis and acaryas had the stamina, faith,
and strength to persevere during the grueling Emergency period.
Earlier on, another recipe for success was given: Bha-vi-sa-ca. This was
given by Baba 1 Oct 1971-- just a couple months prior to His arrest on 29
Dec 1971. And it is through His teaching of Bha-vi-sa-ca, in part, that
Baba readied members of the Marga for the tumultuous period of His
incarceration which was about to begin. And by that way our Marga not only
survived, but thrived-- by Baba's grace.
So His seed teaching, Bha-vi-sa-ca, has great import and significance and
we should all be aware of & practice its meaning and application.
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Remedy
Baba says, "On imbibing cosmic ideation all kinds of ailments will be
cured." (PNS-8, p.19)
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