Baba Story: Personal Relation

From: "Manoranjain Deva"
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: Wed 05 Oct 2011 13:38:11
Subject: Baba Story: Personal Relation

Baba

== BABA STORY: PERSONAL RELATION ==

Namaskar,
In the 1950's & 60's when I initially came into Ananda Marga I was calling Baba as "Babaji".

Although I was living in Mumbai, I was raised in the Punjabi tradition. Since my childhood I learned that to whom you respect you must add the suffix "ji" to their name when you address them. It was understood that one should not just call a respected person simply by their name. We all were taught to add the suffix "ji". And it was well known that if you do not add the suffix "ji" to the name of a respected person, then people will think you are dumb and uncultured. This was the tradition in which I was raised.

Naturally, since I had great reverence and regard for Baba, I started calling Him, "Babaji". Out of respect, I added the suffix -ji to His name. I thought just calling Him "Baba" would be uncultured. In fact, I was feeling uncomfortable when I heard others simply calling Him "Baba", without using the suffix ji.

This was my manner and way of thinking those days.

RECEIVING BABA AT THE AIRPORT

AND DRIVING HIM TO HIS PLACE

One day Baba graced me by giving me the opportunity to see Him in an intimate and unique setting. I was blessed with the glorious duty of picking Him up from the airport.

So that morning I took Guru mantra and drove in my car to the airport to receive Him. Atmanandaji and other margiis were also in the car. We arrived at the airport early and waited. Then, Baba and His entourage were in sight. It was so beautiful to see Him. We escorted Baba to my car and arranged a special place for Him to sit. When we were sure He was comfortable, we departed from the airport. I could only think how graced I was: I was driving Baba in my own car en route to the house where He was to stay. 

During the ride, Baba started talking to Atmanandaji and He told that there is a Punjabi speaking margii from Bangalore who addresses Me as "Babaji."

Hearing this I immediately became acutely aware.

Although I knew that Baba was not speaking about me because I was living in Mumbai - instead Baba was referring to a margii brother in Bangalore - I was very interested to hear what Baba was going to say about being called "Babaji."

So Baba was telling that, "There is a margii from Bangalore raised in the Punjabi tradition, and that margii addresses me as Babaji."

I was listening intently.

Baba then continued, "Although this margii's intention may be pure, actually I do not feel comfortable being called Babaji. The suffix -ji is a formality; it creates distance. With margiis I have a family relation; ours is a personal relation, so they should address me as "Baba." There is no need to add the suffix -ji, rather by doing so I feel uncomfortable."

That was what Baba was telling that day while I was driving Him in my car.

Although Baba did not directly point me out on this, I got the lesson. Since then I stopped adding "ji" when addressing Him. I understood that calling Him "Baba" is a more personal, familial way to relate with Him. And that was His preference too.

From that day forward, I would always address Him as "Baba."

I can never forget the great care and love Baba displayed in giving me this important lesson. Still today, I feel completely blessed.

Namaskar,
L.C. Anand

(Laksmi Chand Anand - Mumbai)

NOTE: ABOUT THE ABOVE STORY

The above story told by brother L.C. Anand is quite moving and inspiring on many levels.

As we know, in our social life members of the same family do not add formalities in the way of prefixes and suffixes when addressing one another. They do not say "Shrii", or "-ji",or "Mister", or "Sir" or any other title. They feel close to one another and address each other accordingly.

And we do the same with Baba because He is our near and dear relation. On occasion when referring to Baba in a lecture to the public we may say "Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji", but that is only for their knowledge and awareness. When we address Him directly we just say "Baba."

In the various religions, the feeling with God is rather distant. Those followers do not want to go close. They think that God is so great in which case how can I go close. Or they are too fearful or terrified of Him to go close. Almost all the religions preach like this but in AM it is not like that. We have a very close and intimate relation with Parama Purusa.

This idea Baba has expressed in so many of His Prabhat Samgiita compositions as well as in His philosophical and devotional talks.

Baba says, "In the scriptures the state of feeling insignificant beside the vastness of Parama Puruśa is called “mahimnabodh”. One is uncertain how to approach Him, unsure how to speak to Him...spiritual aspirants should not give this sort of inferiority complex and scope to develop in the mind." (Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, The Lord of Mortality and Immortality)

Baba says, "The Entity whom you are trying to attain – Parama Puruśa – is your own innermost self. Your relation with Him is not external, to be defined by courts, laws, or society. It is a family relationship...Your relation with God is personal. No one can sever this relationship. It is part of your being, your birthright." (Ananda Vacanamrtam, Part 23, Your Personal Relationship with God)

Namaskar,
Manoranjain