A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ Celebrations: Baba's Guidelines

From: Amriteshwar Deva 

To: AM-GLOBAL

Subject: A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ Celebrations: Baba's Guidelines
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012, 17:34:21

Baba

== A’NANDA PU’RN’IMA’ CELEBRATIONS: BABA'S GUIDELINES ==

~ Part 1 ~

Note: This series of letters, "A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ Celebrations: Baba's Guidelines", has four parts. Each part, presented by a different margii, offers complementary ways and descriptions for celebrating Ananda Purnima. Together, these letters paint a picture for how to commemorate this grand festival. We wholeheartedly welcome your suggestions as well. - AM-GLOBAL Moderators


Namaskar,

The auspicious and grand occasion of A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ is coming soon.

The official day is Sunday, May 6 – though in many units celebrations start before then since A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ is the most significant social function in our Marga.

WE ALL KNOW...

Of course we all know that the holy day of A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ means Baba’s Birthday in colloquial parlance. And that on this wonderful and blissful occasion there is a morning and evening dharmacakra, collective bath, all-round merrymaking, and a sentient feast etc.

Yet there are also other special components to the celebration of Ananda Pu’rn’ima which Baba has outlined. Some of these are listed and described below and other margiis and WT’s are kindly requested to contribute other plans and programs which they know about that are associated with the celebration Ananda Purnima .

INNER MEANING

Here first though is one of the special ideations linked to the holy festival of A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’.

A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ signifies the advent of Mahasambhuti who has come to wipe away all the tears and fog from this dusty earth and infuse within all a sense of peace, hope, tranquility and bliss. But He has graciously come to establish the lost humanity in divinity – elevating everyone’s standard, and paving the way for the reign of dharma.

A FEW MORE WAYS TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY

Here below are a few of Baba’s many recommendations and guidelines for how to make the occasion of Ananda Purnima an even more memorable, joyful, and charming gathering for one and all.

(A) On the grand festival time of Ananda Purnima, all types of age groups should have their own programs that will be appealing to them. Certainly there will be one central place for the entire gathering, yet at the same time specialised plans and programs for the various age divisions should be organised.

For the younger children there should be games and sports and / or a drama production etc.

For adolescents & teenagers there should be competitions in the various realms from kaoshikii and tandava to music, art, and literature. And their day should also include sporting events etc.

And likewise for adults, there should be a range of activities and programs from the devotional singing of kiirtan to service projects, plus spiritual talks, dance competitions, and general socialising.

(B) In addition, on Ananda Purnima the head of household can utilise this as the time to arrange annual new clothes for all family members. Plus there should be toys for the children and the sharing of sweet treats. By this way one and all will know that something great is happening and that Ananda Purnima is a grand event.

(C) Ananda Purnima can also be made special by offering moderate gifts and presents or cards etc to those around you as a showing of love and affection.

(D) And like that many, many more points and suggestions are there in relation with the grand and blissful celebrations of Ananda Purnima.

THE KEY POINT

In this way social functions and festivals are a time for us all to move together in His divine flow, regardless of one’s standard or status. Where one and all gather round in the spirit of unity. And top of all our special duty as devotees is to propagate the greatness and grandeur of Sadguru Baba. In a phrase we can say that this is the key point behind the auspicious occasion of A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’: To highlight Baba’s greatness.

Baba says, “The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings— That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidya (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Anandamurtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty.” (Caryacarya II, p.1)

Namaskar,

Amriteshwar Deva

Note 1: SPIRIT OF OUR AM SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

The magnificent characteristic of all our Marga social gathering is that they welcome one and all irrespective of age, colour, race, profession, educational standard, etc, all types from all places are welcome. Indeed everyone comes together for sadhana, games, a feast, and other celebratory activities and by this way one social flow is formed thus making way for a healthy, unified human society.

Note 2: BABA’S BLESSING

On the celebratory occasions of our AM festivals like Ananda Purnima, Baba has graced us with this special blessing.

Baba says, “That which renews human existence and makes it full to the brim and overflowing with the joy of living is termed a festival...Inspire all people to live with a new spirit like true human beings. Let it inspire them with the fact that all humanity is an indivisible entity. On this auspicious day this is my inner wish.” (Ananda Vanii #48)

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

 

“A’sha’r pasara’ sahasa’ elo, a’lor tupha’n nikat’e elo...” (PS #3644)

Purport:

Suddenly Baba, the Divine Effulgence, has taken advent. The cyclone of divine effulgence has come close. His divine effulgence is immense, like a huge mountain covering the entire world. The whole world is inundated with the flood of divinity.


Even in remote corners, not even an iota of darkness was left. Not even a tinge of darkness or dirt could remain in anyone's mind. Everyone’s mind has become cleansed and purified. Parama Purusa Baba, with His divine effulgence, has taken advent and attracted everyone by the outpouring of love from His heart.


Everyone has received His special grace: Those bound in the cimmerian darkness and tied up in the deep, dark chasm, and those whose mind had accumulated dogma the size of a mountain. All are now basking in His divine grace. They have been blessed with the opportunity to look toward that divine effulgence. Their dogma and staticity vanished away with the advent of the new dawn.


Baba, the Parama Purusa, with His divine effulgence has come and showered His divine effulgence and graced everyone...