== THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE WORD ==
Namaskar,
As we know language is but a reflection of the attitudes, aims, and mental
standard of the day. So when the male-dominated, sex-oriented capitalism
being the driving force behind the development of the English language, it
is no wonder why the simple term 'plug and socket' gets expressed
as 'male and female'.
And not only 'plug and socket', but there are various words and phrases
in the English language which get switched over into such type of innuendoes.
About this I asked various people what can be the reason behind this.
Because now this type of crude phrasing-- such as 'male and female' etc--
is spreading in various parts of the globe.
Before sharing more about this, it might be useful to investigate some
basic & qualitative differences between oriental and occidental language.
As this gives some insight as to how languages are formed.
UNIQUENESS OF THE SANSKRIT LANGUAGE
As Ananda Margiis, by Baba's grace we have gotten opportunity to bring the
Sanskrit language into our everyday vocabulary. Because certainly this is a
beautiful and subtle language-- with its own internal and unique meaning.
As we have all seen there are numerous Sanskrit terms which have no direct
corollary word in the western languages like English.
For example such important and deeply meaningful words like mantra,
upavasa, dharma, and sadhana etc-- none of these words have an appropriate
English synonym. No doubt certain words are used such as incantation,
fasting, religion, and meditation etc. But these all fall short of the
mark; they sacrifice to some or more degree the true meaning of the term.
And Baba Himself clearly points out that these English terms do not carry
the real spirit of the corresponding Sanskrit words.
Baba says, "There is no proper English word for the Sanskrit word 'mantra'.
We use the word 'incantation' for mantra, but it is not a proper word for
the Sanskrit term." (AV-23, p.115)
And regarding the word upavasa Baba again points out the deficit of the
corresponding word in English.
Baba says, "'Upavasa' - on these days of fasting, what are all spiritual
aspirants to do? Mentally they should live near their Lord...these days are
known as 'upava'sa'. The word 'fasting' does not represent the proper sense
or proper spirit." (AV-6)
MORE EXAMPLES HOW ENGLISH CANNOT CARRY THE SPIRIT OF SANSKRIT
Likewise dharma is often translated as religion; yet as Ananda Margiis we
all know the term 'religion' is entirely insufficient to represent the
Sanskrit word 'dharma'.
And even the word sadhana has no English counterpart. In common circles the
English word meditation is used. But that is unable to express the proper
meaning of the Sanskrit term sadhana.
And same is the case with the Sanskrit word Is't'a. In that case also the
applied English term 'goal' does not carry the distinctive meaning of the
term I'sta'. Rather a whole collection of words are needed to attempt to
carry the spirit of the term Is't'a. But even by using a half-a-dozen
English terms or more, still they fail to reflect the real sense, spirit,
and vibration of the term Is'ta.
Baba says, "What's the meaning of Is't'a? Is't'a means 'loving',
'favourite', 'dear', 'attractive', 'goal', 'terminus', 'desideratum'. There
are so many imports for that single term Is't'a." (AV-23, p.115)
So we see that in so many cases the English vocabulary is basically
incapable of reflecting spiritual ideas which are neatly expressed in a
single Sanskrit term.
The idea is that language itself is a reflection of the mental standard of
a given society. And when the Sanskrit language itself was developed during
an era when the psychic standard was quite high, then there is a tremendous
number of words for expressing subtle spiritual ideas. Whereas in English,
that scope is not there. Rather, if anything, the English language is prone
in the opposite direction, especially these days.
MALE DOMINATED SOCIETY IS FORCE BEHIND ENGLISH TERMS
In our male dominated western society, the language has been formed to
reflect many lower types of ideas. That is why 'plug and socket' gets
switched over into 'male and female' type of phrasing etc.
Because this male western culture dictates things according to male
satisfaction, or sensual male desires. Where words and phrases are
regularly used to objectify the female body and / or portray a crude
sexual way of thinking etc.
Just like the term 'lady's finger' was made to represent the common Hindi
word Bhindi, also known as the vegetable okra.
Or this male dominated society borrowed the sensual female related term
'bra' or 'brassiere' to depict the mundane cover that fits over the front
of an automobile.
So like this the English language is littered with so many of these types
of expressions and innuendoes. Where normal everyday things get described
and named according to the landscape of the female body.
Altogether all these words & phrases are the expression of a low mind. It
is a degenerated way of thinking whereby the collective debased mind
submerges in a negative thought pattern. And mostly the cause is current
era of our male-dominated society.
BABA'S SPECIAL SOLUTION
However, in Ananda Marga we always bring everything into a positive light.
Because Baba graciously gives solutions for each and every problem. So in
the response to the current trend of debased language, Baba has given
special encyclopedia(s) and grammar books-- such as Langhu Nirukta and
Shabda Cayanika etc--and included within them are guidelines for how to
create new words. Means He has granted us the opportunity to invent and
formulate proper sentient words which were otherwise lacking in the
language. So this is one special new technique given by Baba.
BABA'S BLESSING
Baba wants us to build up a happy and harmonious and sentient human society.
Baba says, "Everybody should be given the chance, or circumstances should
be created, such that nobody gets the scope to feel their future is sealed
forever, is blocked. So let everyone feel that everybody in this expressed
universe belongs to the same big human family." (AV-3)
Namaskar,
Sharada
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Manav manav ek Hai!
(Human, Human, One!)
Baba says, "Is the division of people into castes and communities
natural... Amongst the inimical forces, there are certain parties which are
goaded by certain forces, by the spirit of certain fissiparous tendencies,
and there are also some persons goaded by these fissiparous forces. How can
this problem be solved? How can we check these belligerent parties from
implementing their outdated ideas." (PNS-18, p.58)
Note 1: In His above teachings, Baba poses the question and guides us that
dividing human society according to caste, community, creed, color, race
etc is totally harmful and negative. Furthermore, in His discourse 'The
Dangers of Communalism', Baba has given historical examples which
demonstrate the sheer terrors of such divisive tendencies like groupism &
racism etc. Baba sharply condemns such social diseases and instead has
given the beautiful ideal of one healthy, unified, human society-- free
from caste distinctions etc. However, nowadays in our organisation there
are groups trying to divide our AM family along communal & racist lines.
Various groups are there like H, B, and NIA. But on this point the worst is
NIA (Non-Indian Avadhutas) as they are trying to split our society into
Indians and Non-Indians-- crude divisions based on race and color. So this
harmful approach of trying to divide the humanity is as unnatural as
preaching that people should walk on their head and hands-- as opposed to
using their feet. But such fissiparous type of persons infuse this negative
idea of division in order to promote their own self-interest-- i.e. to get
some power. So although NIA is trying to splinter the society along racist
lines, they will never be successful as it goes against the natural laws
neo-humanism and universalism.
Note 2: Everyone is aware that the present central organisational structure
is not working properly nowadays. To correct it, Baba's teachings should be
followed. Certainly any type of misguided attempts towards division are not
the solution. Universalism is the solution.
Note 3: 'Manav, Manav, Ek Hai!'= (Meaning: Human, Human, One!) This is our
universal slogan commonly used during the DMC processions and various other
of our gatherings.
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