== ANTI-DEVOTIONAL ==
Namaskar,
Here we are talking about Prabhat Samgiita and which songs are best for
Ananda Margiis to sing - from a purely devotional perspective. Nowadays,
in their innocence, a few are singing songs which go against the
devotional feeling of AM. We should therefore take a deeper look at the
matter.
ALL HAVE DEVOTION
As we know, Baba has explained that every being in this cosmos has
devotion. Even animals have their animal devotion and desire to be
great. When they see something or someone bigger and stronger than they
are, then they revere that being.
Similarly, every human being also has devotion and an innate longing to
become great. Plus, everyone has the very sincere desire to satisfy that
longing. Unfortunately, along the way, some get caught up in undesirable
activities.
For instance, take the case of Hindus sacrificing goats to the gods.
They do this as a sincere expression of their devotion. Of course, we
know that this is just a dogmatic ritual that will not get them any
closer to God. Rather their harmful ways lead them in the opposite
direction. Even then these worshipers think that their practice of
sacrificing goats is good and will allow them to reach God. So they are
sincere, but misguided.
Such static rituals and traditional forms of worship are present in all
the dogmatic religions.
Thus even though all have devotion, vivek and knowledge are needed to
express that devotion in a proper way.
RELATING THIS WITH AM AND PRABHAT SAMGIITA
Now let's see how these above ideas relate with our devotional life and
Prabhat Samgiita.
PRABHAT SAMGIITA IS FOR ALL
First off, we have to remember that Baba has given His teachings not
just for Ananda Margiis but for the entire humanity. Soon the whole
world will be following the ways of Prout, whether they be margii or
not. Likewise, Baba's remedies in Yogic Treatments are for all types of
people and His various grammar books are to be studied in all schools.
In the same way, Baba has graciously given His Prabhat Samgiita
collection for the whole humanity - not just to those small number of
people who are Ananda Margiis.
Those intimate dhyana songs about Parama Purusa (i..e. Baba) are for
Ananda Margiis whereas songs about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva are for the
general public. That does not mean we should discard those songs about
Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva entirely, rather we are to learn them so we
can teach others.
But for us, in our devotional life, we are not to sing or use songs
about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva.
Unfortunately, at present, many have fallen into this trap. With full
sincerity they sing those songs like Shivagiiti and follow the meaning,
yet they do not realise that their approach undermines and decreases
their attraction and longing for Baba - i.e. their true Goal. In that
case their situation is quite similar to those who sacrifice goats and
worship idols: They are unaware that their practice diverts them from
their Goal.
So althought Baba has given 5,018 Prabhat Samgiita songs, one must have
the required vivek to use the songs in the right way.
ONE POINTED DEVOTION
We must remember that to achieve or attain anything in the spiritual
sphere, one-pointed devotion towards Parama Purusa is needed. Even if
one sincerely worships a stone idol they will not reach to God, rather
that person will be converted into stone. Because the practitioner is
worshiping that stone idol not God.
Baba says, "The mind is extroverted by idol worship and is attracted
towards finite objects. If the mental force is directed towards finite
and crude objects, then the person is ultimately converted into
crudeness." (SS-1)
Their mind is diverted in the wrong direction, so their approach is
defective.
Likewise if one sings for and ideates on Lord Krsna or Lord Shiva before
doing sadhana and Baba dhyana, then they are goading their mind in the
wrong direction - not towards Ista - and they will not reach the Goal.
For this reason, Baba has carefully given the teachings that Ista must
be one, i.e. singular in nature.
In the discourse 'Onmkara and Ista Mantra', Baba tells the highly
significant story about the great mythological devotee, Hanuman. One
day, many other sadhakas were asking Hanuman why he only repeats the
name 'Ram' and not 'Narayan' when both the words mean the same thing.
Both names refer to Parama Purusa. Hanuman's reply was that
"philosophically speaking they may be the same, but for me these other
names have no value, I only know Ram."
Baba's teaching then in this story is that all our devotional feeling
must be linked with one Divine Entity, otherwise one cannot reach the Goal.
Thus, when we are Ananda Margiis and Baba is our Guru, then when He is
our Goal (Ista) then we should not sing those few Prabhat Samgiita that
focus on Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna. Those songs are not for our
devotional practice. They are for others.
Out of their nativity and sincerity, some margiis and acaryas always
sing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna songs before sadhana. When in fact this
diverts their mind away from the Goal. In that case, those songs weaken
their devotion for Baba. Please excuse me, but those songs are
anti-devotional for true Ananda Margiis.
During cultural programs we might sing such songs when members of the
general public are in attendance, but such songs are not for our own
personal sadhana practice.
THE LANGUAGE ISSUE
When those songs about Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna devalue our devotional
longing towards Baba, then the natural question is why some Ananda Margiis
get caught up singing those songs.
One reason is due to language and region.
For instance, in South India, the people are most often followers of
Lord Shiva and most of the people know English and Sanskrit, not Hindi
and Bangla. So when the songs about Lord Shiva have been given in
Sanskrit, then naturally those margiis from South India gravitate
towards the Prabhat Samgiita written in Sanskrit about Lord Shiva. In
their innocence they do not realise that this is undermining their love
for Baba and their sadhana.
In North India, the worship of Lord Krsna is much more prevalent and the
people speak Hindi and Angika etc, so some margiis from those areas are
prone to singing those songs about Lord Krsna. In their sincerity they
do like this. But again this only diminishes and bifurcates their
attraction for Baba.
We must remember: One cannot sing and divert all their energy towards
Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna and then expect to get success in AM sadhana
and Baba dhyana. It just does not work. For successful sadhana and
dhyana, one must goad the mind towards Baba the entire day. That is His
teaching.
WTS ARE MAIN CULPRITS
Many margiis and wts have innocently fallen into this wrong practice of
singing those Prabhat Samgiitas about Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva. They
sing these songs during paincjanya, at dharmacakra, in devotional
programs, or anytime, but this is not at all good. Such songs should
never be linked with our devotional life. But in their simplicity some
do like this.
Then there are some Wts who are committing a double-sin. Why? They are
doing this faulty practice of singing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna songs
before sadhana etc, and to make matters worse they are teaching this
faulty approach to others. That is why they are committing a double-sin
and their future is not bright. They should change their ways
immediately, otherwise they will not be spared.
Ultimately, this is a big topic and there are many points to discuss.
But if one understands nothing else from this letter than they should
know that singing Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna Prabhat Samgiita songs is
anti-devotional for true Ananda Margiis.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He has given the teaching that we are to have
one-pointed devotion for Him and not divert the mind toward any other
deity, not even Lord Krsna and Lord Shiva.
Baba says, "Non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity
of Ista." (Sixteen Points)
Baba says, "If people constantly think of their Is't'a with undivided
attention and repeat their Is't'a Mantra with conceptual understanding,
their future is certainly glorious." (NKS)
Namaskar,
Sudhakar
Note: FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about this important topic, read this below letter:
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Food Problems and Their Solution
Baba says, "In the event of shortages in the food and accommodation of
the population of the world, people will convert uncultivated land into
new arable land, increase the productivity of the soil by scientific
methods, produce food by chemical processes with earth, water and air,
and if this earth decreases in its productivity, then land seeking human
beings will migrate to different planets and satellites and settle
there." (PNS-13, p.45)
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