Date: Thu 05 Jan 2012 15:37:42 -0000 (GMT)
From: Singh_Manindra
Subject: Mahaprayan of Ac. Ramtanuk ji
To: AM-GLOBAL
Baba
Namaskar,
It is much sadness that we share with you the mahaprayan (death) of respected family acarya Ramtanukji which took place 5am IST on 05 Jan 2012 at his home, Begu Sarai (Bihar).
With this mahaprayan, we lose from this world one of the founding members of AMPS. Indeed Sri Ramtanuk ji was an elder statesman of the Marga and a respected brother to all. Ac Ramtanuk ji was 75 years of age and his mahaprayan comes after battling prostate cancer.
Many may know that Ac Ramtanuk ji was a lawyer who faithfully defended Baba in the courts and verily for his entire professional life he represented AM in countless legal battles. He was ever-ready to serve as legal counsel for our AMPS. On numerous occasions Baba called upon Ramtanuk ji for this work.
Appended at the very book of this letter is a first-hand story as told by Ramtanuk ji of one particular courtroom experience he had while defending Baba.
Ramtanuk ji was blessed by Baba in many ways. Not only was he a devotee of the Lord, but he was also given opportunity to establish AMPS on this earth being one of its founding members.
Plus in those early days Ramtanuk ji attended the first-ever Prout conference, 17 Oct 1959 - 22 Oct 1959, and was one of six people taking notes which eventually led to the publication of the Baba's book, A Discussion. That books stands as one of the very early elaborations of Prout philosophy, and has since been republished as Discourses on Prout and included in the Prout in a Nutshell series.
All in all it is our loss that Ac Ramtanuk ji encountered his mahaprayan (death). Acaryaji's presence on this earth will be greatly missed. May we all take solace in the fact that Ac Ramtanuk ji was practicing sadhana regularly so certainly he will attain mukti. Baba will certainly bestow His grace.
With deepest respects,
Yours brotherly,
Manindra
Here it should be qualified that there is such a thing as both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan remarks the death of any ordinary human being. This is the proper use of the term: to note a person's departure from this earth. That is the way mahaprayan is to be used.
Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan and that is when certain agents try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa Himself. This is totally inappropriate because when Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is totally wrong to proclaim that He is gone.
That is why rational margiis are protesting and labeling the Oct 21st program as so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for groupists to declare his "mahaprayan" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.
Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings.
* Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in Bengal to describe the death of an honoured or even ordinary person. In that way the newspapers of Bengal are regularly citing the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.
Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' death) is one extraordinarily devotional term to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no devotees ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).
Those who think that Baba is a mortal human being celebrate Mahaprayan on a particular day of the year related with Baba, but in the true sense Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.
And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary on page 742. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens.
From: Singh_Manindra
Subject: Mahaprayan of Ac. Ramtanuk ji
To: AM-GLOBAL
Baba
== MAHAPRAYAN* (Death) OF AC. RAMTANUK JI ==
Namaskar,
It is much sadness that we share with you the mahaprayan (death) of respected family acarya Ramtanukji which took place 5am IST on 05 Jan 2012 at his home, Begu Sarai (Bihar).
With this mahaprayan, we lose from this world one of the founding members of AMPS. Indeed Sri Ramtanuk ji was an elder statesman of the Marga and a respected brother to all. Ac Ramtanuk ji was 75 years of age and his mahaprayan comes after battling prostate cancer.
Many may know that Ac Ramtanuk ji was a lawyer who faithfully defended Baba in the courts and verily for his entire professional life he represented AM in countless legal battles. He was ever-ready to serve as legal counsel for our AMPS. On numerous occasions Baba called upon Ramtanuk ji for this work.
Appended at the very book of this letter is a first-hand story as told by Ramtanuk ji of one particular courtroom experience he had while defending Baba.
Ramtanuk ji was blessed by Baba in many ways. Not only was he a devotee of the Lord, but he was also given opportunity to establish AMPS on this earth being one of its founding members.
Plus in those early days Ramtanuk ji attended the first-ever Prout conference, 17 Oct 1959 - 22 Oct 1959, and was one of six people taking notes which eventually led to the publication of the Baba's book, A Discussion. That books stands as one of the very early elaborations of Prout philosophy, and has since been republished as Discourses on Prout and included in the Prout in a Nutshell series.
All in all it is our loss that Ac Ramtanuk ji encountered his mahaprayan (death). Acaryaji's presence on this earth will be greatly missed. May we all take solace in the fact that Ac Ramtanuk ji was practicing sadhana regularly so certainly he will attain mukti. Baba will certainly bestow His grace.
With deepest respects,
Yours brotherly,
Manindra
Note 1: ON BABA'S LAP
We know that one can sit on the lap of Parama
Purusa in dhyana and so many of our devotional practices. This
is well accepted idea in our Marga.
Baba says, "Now if the same humans address Parama Puruśa with appropriate humility, saying, “Oh Lord, show us the way, take us to Your feet and allow us to sit on Your loving lap” – this is devotion. If this devotion is present, everything else will automatically take care of itself." (SS-11, What Is the Way?)
Baba says, "Intelligent people who move firmly along the path of dharma and sit on the lap of Iśt́a are destined to be victorious." (SS-12, Where There Is Dharma There Is Iśt́a, and Where There Is Iśt́a There Is Victory)
Baba says, "One who doesn’t entertain any thought about past, present or future, but simply says, “I have come to take shelter in You,” is sure to get the shelter of Parama Puruśa and will certainly be lifted onto His lap." (AV-5, Taking Refuge Is the Final Word)
By Baba's above teaching it is very clear that by surrendering to Him with love and devotion, one is sure to attain His lap. This may happen in dhyana or other spiritual practices. That is Baba's expressed guideline.
If however, this phrase - "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" - is only used at the time of death, then new people will come to associate "sitting on Baba's lap" with death (mahaprayan). This is the way slang (street talk) develops.
Baba says, "Now if the same humans address Parama Puruśa with appropriate humility, saying, “Oh Lord, show us the way, take us to Your feet and allow us to sit on Your loving lap” – this is devotion. If this devotion is present, everything else will automatically take care of itself." (SS-11, What Is the Way?)
Baba says, "Intelligent people who move firmly along the path of dharma and sit on the lap of Iśt́a are destined to be victorious." (SS-12, Where There Is Dharma There Is Iśt́a, and Where There Is Iśt́a There Is Victory)
Baba says, "One who doesn’t entertain any thought about past, present or future, but simply says, “I have come to take shelter in You,” is sure to get the shelter of Parama Puruśa and will certainly be lifted onto His lap." (AV-5, Taking Refuge Is the Final Word)
By Baba's above teaching it is very clear that by surrendering to Him with love and devotion, one is sure to attain His lap. This may happen in dhyana or other spiritual practices. That is Baba's expressed guideline.
If however, this phrase - "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" - is only used at the time of death, then new people will come to associate "sitting on Baba's lap" with death (mahaprayan). This is the way slang (street talk) develops.
If some start thinking they can only attain
the lap of Parama Purusa upon death and not in dhyana etc,
then if someone reads that by dhyana one can sit on Baba's
lap, then they will think that dhyana means that "one is going
to die", i.e. mahaprayan.
It will be very similar to what happened with the the term harijan, which became exclusively associated with being an untouchable - not a child of God. People forgot the real meaning of the term harijan.
We should not let the phrase "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" meet a similar fate. None should mistakenly think that "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" can only occur at the time of death. The phrase should not be limited in this way.
Rather, as His disciples we should remember and think that when one is sincere in their devotional approach then anytime Parama Purusa can lift a sadhaka onto His lap. This is Baba's stated teaching. Veritably, with proper effort and sincerity, during the culmination of dhyana one will always sit on His lap.
The conclusion is that people should use this phrase - "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" - on other occasions also. Now it has become the tradition to use it at the time of death (mahaprayan) and not at other times. By this way in the due course this phrase will become untouchable.
It will be very similar to what happened with the the term harijan, which became exclusively associated with being an untouchable - not a child of God. People forgot the real meaning of the term harijan.
We should not let the phrase "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" meet a similar fate. None should mistakenly think that "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" can only occur at the time of death. The phrase should not be limited in this way.
Rather, as His disciples we should remember and think that when one is sincere in their devotional approach then anytime Parama Purusa can lift a sadhaka onto His lap. This is Baba's stated teaching. Veritably, with proper effort and sincerity, during the culmination of dhyana one will always sit on His lap.
The conclusion is that people should use this phrase - "sitting on the lap of Parama Purusa" - on other occasions also. Now it has become the tradition to use it at the time of death (mahaprayan) and not at other times. By this way in the due course this phrase will become untouchable.
Note 2: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL MAHAPRAYAN
AND FAKE MPD
Here it should be qualified that there is such a thing as both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan remarks the death of any ordinary human being. This is the proper use of the term: to note a person's departure from this earth. That is the way mahaprayan is to be used.
Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan and that is when certain agents try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa Himself. This is totally inappropriate because when Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is totally wrong to proclaim that He is gone.
That is why rational margiis are protesting and labeling the Oct 21st program as so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for groupists to declare his "mahaprayan" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.
Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings.
Note 3: ASTERISK NOTE ABOUT MAHAPRAYAN
* Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in Bengal to describe the death of an honoured or even ordinary person. In that way the newspapers of Bengal are regularly citing the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.
Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' death) is one extraordinarily devotional term to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no devotees ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).
Those who think that Baba is a mortal human being celebrate Mahaprayan on a particular day of the year related with Baba, but in the true sense Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.
And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary on page 742. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens.
Note 4: BABA STORY
Here following is a link to a first-hand account
by Ramtanuk ji wherein He describes one of his experiences defending
Baba in a court of law and what advice Baba gives Him.
http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/12/baba-story-how-cbi-lawyer-got-lesson.html
