== GRADES OF DEVOTEES ==
Namaskar,
We all know that in Baba's different discourses He has clearly expressed
that there are various types of devotees. Some are A-grade devotees,
some B-grade, and some are C-grade devotees.
WHAT C-GRADE DEVOTEES DO
Those who have the lowest type of devotion, those C-grade devotees have
one peculiar way of dealing. Whenever they do anything at all, then in
their mind they crudely think:
'I made this jagrti'...I arranged this relief program'...'I gave a very
good speech'...'I initiated so many persons....'I established this unit
or that Master Unit'...'All these good things I did-- They were done by
me...'I did all those things.'
In this way lower devotees review their actions.
And if sometimes they become sick or get into an accident and their leg
is broken-- then that time those low devotees blame Baba, as if HE is
responsible for creating this problem. At that time such low devotees
proclaim that 'He (BABA) confused my mind. And that is why I drove into
the ditch and broke my leg, otherwise I was fine.'
So in day to day life such low-grade devotees openly blame Baba for
their own mistakes and sin. Yet when they do something good then they
never give credit to Baba. Such devotees only give "credit" to God for
their negative deeds only. Not for any good deeds, in that case then
they themselves take the credit. So this is the lower most category of
devotees.
THE WAYS OF A-GRADE DEVOTEES
You might have come across in different Baba's discourses that the
feeling and expression of A-Grade devotees is just the opposite.
A-grade devotees always take responsibility for their bad deeds and
firmly tell to Parama Purusa that 'I am ready to take punishment for all
my bad deeds. And the good fruit of good deeds I am offering at Your
lotus feet'.
So A-grade devotees never blame Parama Purusa for their mistakes,
blunders, or sin. Whereas C-grade devotees always indulge in such
outbursts.
BABA'S GUIDELINES
In so many teachings in Ananda Marga philosophy, Baba has explained that
people create their own problems due to their own sinful acts and that
Parama Purusa is not responsible for their negative actions. I.e. people
acquire samskaras, either good ones or bad ones, from their previous
actions. So in that case Parama Purusa must not be blamed for creating
problems.
BABA says, "People often hold Parama Purusa responsible for calamities
that befall them, but in fact they alone are responsible, as the
suffering of fate is only reaction of their own previous actions. How
can Parama Purusa be responsible? Human beings themselves are answerable
for their fate as it is their actions alone which create it. They alone
will have to bear the consequences of all their actions. No one else can
substitute for them. Their good deeds beget good result, while bad ones
beget bad results, and they will have to experience both without
exception. This is the law of Prakrti and no one can change this law."
(AMEP, p. 86-87)
And here again Baba is directing us not to blame Parama Purusa for one's
own problems.
BABA says, "I have already said that the sadhaka's sufferings are caused
by the samskaras which one created oneself. One should not therefore
be afraid of experiencing these reactions or accuse Brahma of injustice
on this account. Humans very often complain, 'God, so you had this in
store for me. Is this my reward for so much worship and so much
charity?' Such complaints are foolish, even sinful. At the time of
suffering a sadhaka should reproach himself for his past misdeeds and
refrain from evil actions in order to avoid more suffering in the
future. Everyone should bear in mind that as long as the fire of woes is
not extinguished--so long as the samskaras are not burned one has got to
suffer. That is why I say you must no find fault with others because of
your own samskaras; they are merely the reactions caused by your own
mistakes and misbehavior." (SS, pt 2, p.7)
So in the above quotes Baba is emphasizing again and again that--
whether they admit it or not-- each and every sadhaka is responsible for
causing their own suffering and that blaming Parama Purusa for such
things is very negative. It is sin.
BABA'S ETERNAL BLESSING
Baba always showers His grace and guides us always along the road of
Supreme welfare.
Baba says, "Utilizing the vibrations created for eternal time by Shrii
Shrii Anandamurtiji through januspharsha and varabhaya mudras, take
yourself and the entire universe ahead along the path of welfare. Omn
Shanti!" (CC-1, 'Concluding Words')
Namaskar,
Nagendra
Note 1: 'BLAMING GURU' OR SAYING 'GURU GIVES TESTS' IS THE SAME THING
Blaming Guru and saying that Guru gives tests to humiliate and torture
us-- these two outlooks are rooted in the same defective mentality.
Because in real sense Guru is always blessing all His devoees and
whatever negative situations a sadhaka may undergo is merely the result
of one's own samskara. But due to their low state of mind, low-grade
devotees prefer to blame Baba and rationalise that Guru is putting us in
test. Whereas those with higher devotion feel in their heart and
understand the in their mind that Baba is all-loving and always
showering His causeless grace.
***************************************
One Should Always Remember
Baba says, "However little one's capacity might be, if one constantly
remembers that Parama Purus'a is always with him, that they are in the
closest contact with Parama Purus'a, they will be able to do everything.
They are not as small as they think themselves to be. And as long as
they remember this closest association with Him, they can do much more
than ordinary human beings. When this idea becomes permanently
established in their minds, they become great. This is why no one should
be disappointed or depressed in any circumstances; let everyone
constantly perform great deeds, remembering that the flow of their
capacity is coming from Parama Purus'a, and thus they can do
everything." (AFPS-3, p. 62)
***************************************
