== THIS IS NOT BABA'S BOOK ==
Namaskar,
These days some Dadas or some groups are printing Baba's books and
ruining the name of the book which Baba has Himself titled. They are
giving their own meaningless title that in no way reflects what Baba has
given.
In addition such publishers are going against our ethic in AM by
praising themselves on the Publishers page for their hard work in
editing and publishing the book. When our true spiritual approach is
that every work - big or small - is done in service to Gurudev; in that
case where is there scope for individual credit.
As disciples of Baba it is the duty of each and every Ananda Margii to
step forward. We should not overlook this situation. Here are the facts
of what recently occurred.
CHANGING THE TITLE OF BABA'S BOOK
One group translated the book, Path Calate Itikatha' (Bangla), and named
it as Path Katha' (Hindi). To some naive people the translated title may
look like it is quite close to the original, but in reality it is not
even close.
First we should understand the meaning of the original name and that way
we can best evaluate this scandal - and correct it.
Path means "path" in English; calate means "while walking", and itikatha
means "history". Thus, the original title given by Baba means "History
Told While Walking".
But these publishers did not keep Baba's original title, Path Calate
Itikatha'. Instead these publishers titled Baba's book as, Path Katha'.
Path means "path" and katha' means "tale". Thus their translated title
means "Tale of the Path".
So the whole situation is ridiculous. Indeed, there is not even the
slightest semblance between Baba's original title and the fake title
invented by such so-called publishers.
Baba's original title was Path Calate Itikatha', and the publishers
renamed it as Path Katha'. Thus they deleted the second word, i.e.
calate, of Baba's title and cut the third word in half, from itikatha'
to katha'.
That is tantamount to translating Baba's book "Namah Shivaya Shantaya"
from Bangla to English and then titling the new translation as "Namah
Taya". That is what would result if one were to omit the second word and
cut the third word. That would just ruin it entirely and the new title
would go against Guru's wishes, and be utterly senseless as well.
Yet that is exactly what such editors did by distorting, if not
mangling, Baba's original title of Path Calate Itikatha' and instead
calling it Path Katha'.
So that is one scandalous issue regarding the so-called translation of
this book. In that case who can think that this is Baba's book. Because
when the bastardized the title, then who knows what these translators
might have done to the actual text. Clearly their misdeed brings their
entire publication into question. Who can think they have been faithful
to Guru's words.
ISSUE OF SELF-PRAISE
Then there is a second matter of great concern regarding this book.
In the Publishers' note on the inside pages, the publishers wrote their
own praises for getting this book published. They sang their own glory
about their own hard work. Because on those pages, great thanks and
glory is given to family acarya Prata'pa'ditya (Gorakpur), Ac
Rudrashiva'nanda, and Ac Uttya'ga'nanda. These three are the publishers
and they have given huge credit to themselves for publishing the book.
But in Ananda Marga, this is not our way. We do everything in His
service. There is no question then of trying to get individual credit.
Baba says, "When you perform acts with the ideation that the person
served is Na'ra'yan'a, there is no possibility of arrogance or the
desire for fame growing in your mind. Then you will realize that through
the grace of Na'ra'yan'a you have been given the opportunity of serving
Na'ra'yan'a." (SS-1)
Obviously these three persons - Prata'pa'ditya, Rudrashiva'nanda, &
Uttya'ga'nanda have not the slightest understanding of Baba's above
teaching. Not only did they make a mess of the title but then on the
inside pages they printed words of praise to themselves. This is really
a big step below our norms.
NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE 1990
Prior to '90, no Dada or margii was ever given such credit on the inside
of our AM books. Never, never, never - not on one occasion. Most
certainly, those books do formally list the names of the editors,
translators and publishers - but that was only to hold certain people
accountable for the work. It was not done in their praise.
You will never find a book wherein Dada Vijayanandjiwrote: "Our deepest
gratitude must be conveyed Ac Vijayananda Avt for his diligent efforts
in bringing this book to fruition. Without his hard work this title
never would have come into print."
The late Vijayanandaji never wrote like this in any book - and he was
involved in the publication of countless titles. But he never tried to
issue praise for himself in the book.
But in this publication, these three Dadas have openly written about
what a great job they did in getting the book completed. They want to
whole world to know.
JUST LIKE HINDU TEMPLES
It is similar to persons who donate money to a Hindu temple and in turn
have a brick or bench named after them within the temple itself. A
typical Hindu temple has thousands of inscriptions detailing who gave
and did what etc. Every inch is donated of the temple is dedicated to
one person or another.
But in AM we never do like this. So many of our fellow disciples gave
money, sweat and tears in order to build AM jagrtis and never were their
names inscribed into the building. Nor did those Dadas or margiis wish
to see their name highlighted in this way. Rather they selflessly
donated their money and time to the construction of the jagrti in their
loving service to Baba. There was no question of wanting or desiring any
credit, name or fame.
But the editors of their so-called book Path Katha' clearly went to
great effort in order to get their names put in lights. This is not at
all good. This goes against our entire code of service. Baba guides us
to put forth effort to help others and then forget about it - not
highlight the glory of one's efforts. And indeed every Ananda Margii
does like this. All have the heart-felt desire to do something for Baba.
This feeling of service comes when one develops that inner link and
devotion Him. Then one naturally feels the duty to serve Him and carry
out His sweet will.
But this entire spirit was lost on the publishers of their fake Hindi
translation. They openly praised themselves in completing the book etc.
CREDIT OF SERVICE IS HIS
Everyone in our Marga realises that Baba has blessed them with the
opportunity to do service. In that case their is no scope for self
aggrandizement or individual credit etc.
Baba says, "The best you can do is only to serve. Remember, you are to
serve bearing in mind that every creature is verily the living
manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness. Remember also that the
credit of service is not yours; it is due to the Supreme and the Supreme
alone, whose ideation has inspired you to acquire the capability of
rendering service." (A'nanda Va'nii #23)
So these three publishers are way off base in their approach. By
thanking themselves on the inside pages of the book they may feel that
their names will be enshrined forever. In truth though, instead of
glorifying themselves they have embarrassed themselves in the eyes of
others and paved the way for their own degradation.
Baba says, "Sometimes their self-praise is so intense that others are
obliged to say, 'Please stop praising yourself so much'. They forget
that their self-applause is rather boring for others. Human beings
should realise that no one likes to hear the self-praise of others." (AV-8)
Baba says, "Your vanity may increase. You may think "I have done this, I
have done that, I am not an ordinary man'. This is a psychic disease."
(PNS-14, p. 84)
ONE OTHER SUCH CASE
There seems to be only one other such case where someone tried to
glorify themselves on the inner pages of our AM books. This posting
details who was involved in that pathetic display:
MUST RECTIFY THE MATTER
The point of this letter is that we should not allow this types of
publication errors to continue - regardless of which group or who is
involved. No one should be knowingly or unknowingly distorting the given
title of Baba's books. This is totally unacceptable.
Baba's original words must be kept "as is". There is no other way.
So when these three persons changed the very title of Baba's book, then
so many other mistakes are sure to be on the inside. The original Bangla
edition is fine, but when translating it into Hindi they changed the
title and with that the possibility is there for so many other twists
and turns to have been included. In that case how can we say this is
Baba's book. We cannot.
We should take strict efforts to rectify the situation and undo this
entire scandal.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace we are to work cooperatively and selflessly to propagate
His teachings and keep His printed books in proper shape. That will be
true service unto Him.
Namaskar,
Girish
Note 1: ABOUT THE TERM ITIKATHA'
We should all remember that the term itikatha (history) and itihasa are
different. Only that history which has educative value - not that
portion which does not have educative value - is itihasa. So in his book
when Gandhi tells that he was sleeping with his wife and involved in
sensual passion when his father died, then this will come under
itikatha, not ithasa. Just he is relaying the fact - there is no great
teaching or real educative value.
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Animals or Humans
Baba says, "Those who have established themselves in their spiritual
being through the practice of spiritual cult are the real human beings.
Others, who do not move on the subtler and sublime path of spirituality,
and behave like animals, are humans only in name. Human beings alone
have the privilege to do sa'dhana'. Animals, because of their
intellectual deficiencies, are unable to adhere to the spiritual cult..."
"Human beings, on the other hand, have the capacity to develop even in
the spiritual realm. Those who do not pay heed to this special gift are
animals, nay, even worse than animals. Animals are unable to make
efforts for their spiritual development, whereas humans do have this
ability." (SS-24)
Note: Modern medical science classifies everyone with a human body as
being human, but according to Baba's above teaching all are not human.
In the above guideline Baba differentiates how and why.
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