Baba Story: What to Ask For...

Date: 04 Apr 2011 19:37:22 -0000
From: "Bhavanath  Rajpal"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: What to Ask For...

Baba

              == BABA STORY: WHAT TO ASK FOR... ==

Namaskar,
Along the spiritual path there are various types of devotion such as
sattvik, rajasik, and tamasik bhakti; apara' bhakti and para'bhakti;
jinan mishra, karma mishra, vaedhii bhakti and shuddha bhakti; and
raganuga and ragatmika bhakti etc.  So we should be aware about all
these and compare with our own approach to see what category we are in.

Here following is one interesting story related with this:


               BABA STORY:  PROPER DEVOTION

One very senior margii Shrii Gangodakamji from Dhanbad, Jharkhand
reached to visit Baba. Those days, Baba was living in Ranchi. And this
particular incident took place around the year 1970.

So by the sweet grace of Revered Baba, brother Gangodakamji got the
opportunity to go for Baba's field walk. And along with Shrii
Gangodakam, 4-5 more margiis also got permission to go along with Baba.
So they were next to Baba's quarters, all  waiting for Baba to come out
just before going for field walk. Gangodakamji was there with the
others, waiting for Baba to come. That time, Gangodakamji was seriously
worried about his daughter's marriage. Because after a lot of trying, he
could not fix or arrange it. So with that worldly intention, actually he
came to see Baba.

So when Baba came out from His quarters to go for field walk. That time
everyone who was standing outside did Namaskar. And then Baba proceeded
for field walk. And by His grace, Gangodakamji got the opportunity to
sit in Baba's car along with one more margii.

When Baba took His own seat inside the car, then that time again
Gangodakamji did namaskar. And during that moment, he was seriously
thinking and mentally asking Baba to fix his daughter's marriage.
So while receiving his namaskar, Baba scolded Shrii Gangodakamji--
"Chhi, Chhi, Chhi!!! Shame, shame, shame!!!

Baba said, "Ganga, what nonsense you are thinking. While in contact with
Guru, such mean and low thinking should not be entertained. Don't you
think that Parama Purusa is taking care of your things! You don't have
any faith on Him?". Baba was in serious mood.

All those who were sitting in the car were shocked by seeing Baba's
mood. And Shrii Gangodakam also felt shame. Because this incident
happened in  front of many, that's why it became very often cited.
It is Baba's liila. 'Still, these days Shrii Gangodakamji is a very
respected margi in Dhanbad. By Baba's grace, in due course all his
daughters got properly married and in suitable houses they are living.
So everything is depending on Baba's liila.'


              THE SENSE WITHIN / GURU'S GUIDELINE

Although this story is very simple, but it has very deep meaning. Being
a senior margi and good devotee, while facing serious family trouble,
Ganga asked such worldly blessings from Baba. This type of thing is
quite common, for any devotee, in day-to-day life. And this story gives
this teaching that, whatever the circumstances may be, odd or most
critical. Nevertheless one should not surrender to circumstances in any
condition. One should not ask any worldly things from Parama Purusa.'

Means we should not ask anything from Baba. But it is not limited up to
that fact that when people were visiting with Baba personally or going
on field walk, or anywhere then we should not talk. It is not limited
with that particular scenario revolving around Baba's physical presence
only. Rather Parama Purusa is everywhere, and He sees all and still
today all the moments and all the 24hrs through His ota and prota yoga
Baba is along with everyone. He is sitting in the heart of devotees. So
when one comes in contact with Guru. Means when one is doing dhyana,
sadhana, or any type of mental communication with Parama Purusa, or just
expressing the feeling inside the mind. Then that very time all these
worldly desires should not be there. Because in various discourses Baba
has given the hint that one side things come and on the other side
things go. Because the nature of this world is transitory. Things come
and go. So asking for worldly things is not going to satisfy everything.

If the desires will be fulfilled then they will just decay also or
create other types of reactions. For example suppose You got $50,000
then that money will not last forever-- step by step it will dwindle
down, decay, or vanish entirely. Likewise if anybody is suffering from a
disease and asks for it to be removed, but then after some time that
disease might return back again. So one should not ask anything from
Him. That is what He is teaching here.

Thus here the whole point is that Guru's contact does not mean only that
which occurred on the physical sphere. Rather in all the spheres this
teaching is applicable. It was that very time and the same thing is up
to the far distant future also.

So this is Baba's guideline. Unfortunately all kinds of dogmatic
religions are just based on this crude notion of offering. That is why
the common tendency or low-mindedness is there to ask for something
worldly or to do like that. But such an approach ruins the devotion,
that is low devotion. So those who are good margiis should understand
that this story teaches that.

So if any sadhaka thinks such things in any moment and especially at the
time of sadhana, then that has negative effect. Because Baba is living
with one and all. And He listens to the mental thought of each and every
of His devotees. So first thing, one should not ask any worldly things
from Baba. One should only say, "O Parama Purusa, as You wish, that You
do. My everything is in Your hand." But if one is very much anxious to
ask something, then one should ask only para'bhakti. Highest devotion.
Because, worldly things are transitory. Today they are, tomorrow they
will go. They will perish.


                       SIMILAR SCENE

At one of the Ananda Nagar DMC's around '88, after His discourse, Baba
also explained the same thing in front of all devotees. That one should
not ask anything from Parama Purusa.

Because when something is granted then side by side mental peace goes
away also. Or it can happen like that. That is the law of nature. For
example suppose one person became the prime minister. By that way he got
honour, respect, but his freedom is gone. Because now all the 24 hrs he
is surrounded by guards, secretaries, staff etc. So one side they get
something and other side their freedom is gone. Similarly, if someone
starts earning more money by operating their business, then that will
invite more psychic tension. More things to worry about. So side by side
all the things happen. So this world is like that some things You get
and attached to that one shadow is there already.

Or suppose one person got one very good job. Then they get tied up in
that and that have to do a lot of things etc. Plus the phone is ringing
all the 24 hrs. So his peace and tranquility is gone-- his freedom is
completely disturbed. That is why many fans do not like to accept higher
jobs etc.


             FORMATION OF OLD PRABHAT SAMGIITA

Similarly Baba further explained at that time, about His grandmother's
story. That, His grandmother was singing one bhajan every day. And while
singing, she was crying. The meaning of her song was, "Oh Parama Purusa,
You have given me everything. Even without my asking. But in return, I
did not give You anything. Only I have expressed my desire to get more
and more." With this feeling of gratitude towards Parama Purusa, Baba's
grandmother was singing and crying.

And Baba added, that "Based on this idea I wrote this Prabhat Samgiita #209

- 'Tomare asiim apa'r bhalobhasar vinimaye haye ki va diyechi'"

Meaning: In return of Your infinite love and care towards me, Oh what
have I given to You...I have given nothing.

The proper dharma is to surrender to Baba, and Baba alone. And follow
His guideline.


             A FEW OF BABA'S DIVINE GUIDELINES

Here following are a few of Baba's teachings on this very subject.

Baba says, "Ra'jasikii Bhakti: In this category of devotion one does not
think of harming anyone, but asks for a mundane favour for oneself. For
example, one may pray to the Lord, "Oh Lord, please bless me so that I
can score high marks in my exams and thereby procure a good job." To ask
for worldly favours as a result of one's crude devotion to the Lord is
not at all desirable. The Lord may or may not fulfill your desires, but
one thing is certain : you will never attain liberation or salvation
because you did not desire it." (SS-8)

Baba says, "Ra'jasikii bhakti [mutative devotion]: In this type of
devotion, the mind moves towards Parama Purus'a, and there is devotion,
no doubt, but the mind does not want to attain Parama Purus'a. Here the
sa'dhaka prays to Parama Purus'a, "O Lord, grant me some kind of
progress or financial achievement or a promotion in my job or more
profit in business." In this type of devotion you do not pray to Parama
Purus'a to help you by harming your opponents -- so far, so good -- but
still you do not want to attain Parama Purus'a, you also want something
for yourself. And for this reason, you will not attain Parama Purus'a.
This is no doubt a type of devotion, but it is not the best type of
devotion. (SS-14)

Here is what we should ask for.

Baba says, "The devotees with kevalá bhakti in their hearts do not
ask Parama Puruśa for anything. Even if Parama Puruśa proposes
to give them this or that, the aspirant will say, “No, Lord, I don’t want
anything but You. I want to remain with you. What You are offering to
me is a trivial thing; I want You and You alone, nothing else.” (SS-14)

Namaskar,
Bhavanath


Note 1:            ABOUT MARRIAGES IN INDIA

In India, one's daughter's marriage is treated as the most critical
thing. Because here in India, in the life of a family person, there are
certain things which stand out as most significant. For their entire
life. These are: #1 daughter's marriage, #2 son's job, #3 having one's
own house. If anyone in their entire life has accomplished all these
three, they treat themselves as very fortunate in worldly sense. And
these three things are not a joke. To achieve any one, it may take ten
years or twenty years of constant effort. Usually, their whole life
savings people invest in one daughter's marriage. Even then, they don't
get satisfactory relations. And if they get, they feel fortunate. That's
why being a devotee, Gangodakamji shouted Baba's help to solve the
problem of his daughter's marriage. Although it was mental request.


                               PRABHAT SAMGIITA

"Ekla' a'ma'y phele kotha'y gele cale..."   P.S. 1326

Purport:

   O' Parama Purusa, by Your grace I have deep longing for You, but You
have just cast me aside, thrown me away, and left me all alone. O' Baba,
to which far distant land have You gone.   Baba, why were You remaining
side by side together along with me all those days and why now without
revealing anything You just left. Why like this? What is this divine
game of Yours?  O' Parama Purusa why have You secretly left-- the tree
which You have planted is now full of flowers and fruits. The tune which
I practiced is still resonating in my mind, in my heart-- always, all
the time.
  Baba, I was shivering from that biting, bone-chilling, cold,
northern wind when You came and blessed me that Your divine warm touch.
That gave such a  soothing balm in my heart. That memory is still coming
in my mind. In my bad days when I was feeling completely lost and
alone, that very time You gave me shelter and You just lifted me up from
the dust and place me on Your Lap. That scene still is imprinted in my
mind.
Baba, even today the warm, southern breeze of Your sweet touch is
vibrating my whole existence. In the mind, it is coming in the shade of
the very well-tended madhavii garden. Baba, I and You were there and You
left me alone, where have You gone.
O' Parama Purusa I am still longing for You and counting the days.
Baba, please come...


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                     Medicinal Food / Herbs

Baba says, "Antidotes of poison-- green tumeric, spinach leaves,
basil...mainly black basil and secondly white basil or any kinds of
basil." (SC-20 Bangla, disc 156)

Baba says, "If some negative effect is going on due to food poisoning or
because of eating poisonous fish, then without any delay a sufficient
quantity of spinach leaves should be eaten and by that way the poison
will be antidoted.  (SC-20)

Note: These above quotes are excepts from a particular discourse in
Shabda Cayanika.
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