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

Date: 29 Apr 2012, 19:43:45

From: “Shivadayal Deva” 

To: am-global@earthlink.net

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

Baba

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

~ Part 2 ~

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,
Revered Baba has lovingly instilled within us all a vision for how to move ahead in life and He has graciously blessed us with the divine feeling of devotion, or bhakti. And indeed in each and every sphere of existence – whether physical, psychic, or spiritual– He has paved the way for humanity’s growth, generation, and enlightenment. Thus the divine and holy
advent of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji is the most significant event this earth has ever seen. Naturally then the blessed day of Ananda Purnima is recognised as the greatest and most celebrated of all our AM social functions.

Here following are further suggestions and ways to celebrate this divine day.

As we all know, this year Ananda Purnima falls on 6 May.

CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE– IN EACH AND EVERY UNIT

Unlike centralised events like DMS etc, the occasion of Ananda Purnima is meant to be joyfully celebrated in each and every unit. It is a local function for one and all. Thus every unit is highly encouraged to host their own Ananda Purnima celebration. And, sure enough, many ideal units do everything – more than a full day program. Thus margiis and sympathizers
often arrive the evening before for initial programs and presentations and then continue the next day of Ananda Purnima with a special paincajanya and celebrate the whole day through with a varied array of activities and programs, culminating and concluding late that evening. Here the main point being that, to one or another degree, blissful Ananda Purnima programs should take place locally in each and every unit– this is Baba’s prescribed system. And more about this idea is also appended as note 2 at the end of this letter.

SPECIAL PRABHAT SAMGIITA PROGRAMS

As everyone may remember, Baba has beautifully given the system of making extended Prabhat Samgiita programs whereby gathered margiis to sing the blissful song: Several compositions of Prabhat Samgiita. Just like we often have our long akhanda kiirtan programs of 3, 6, or 12 hours – in the same way these programs of Prabhat Samgiita can also take place.

Many may recall how Baba used to sit on the dais and call for the beginning of Prabhat Samgiita programs for the grand celebration of our Ananda Purnima social function. And it would proceed step by step where first one purport was read out by a selected margii and then the singing of that same song would begin and small young children of 8 or 9 years of age would dance to that song. And then as soon as that song was completed then another would begin with the reading of the purport followed by the singing and dance performance of that very song. And in this grand fashion several songs were linked together – all the while maintaining a nicely formatted sequence where the first song celebrated Baba’s holy advent and then the next song depicts His divine blessings etc. And by that way several songs are linked together creating one panoramic, devotional picture.

INCULCATING THE SPIRIT OF COLLECTIVE SAM’GACCHADVAM’

Plus Ananda Purnima is a wonderful opportunity to bring forth one and all in collective harmony.

Baba says, “At the outset of any festival or social ceremony, the Sam’gacchadvam’ mantra is recited, the purpose is to impose the common ideal on all. The love for the entire humanity.”  (Prout Nutshell - 4)

Thus on the festive occasions of Ananda Purnima small kids, youths, university students, parents, seniors and devotees of all walks of life - everyone moves together in one thread. So these social functions offer something for everyone, thus building the bridge of an ideal human society.

Indeed the joining and gathering for Ananda Purnima is a special event as it represents the union of everyone’s heart. This function is not like some crowd at the movie cinema, which is just a rag-tag collection of people with
their own individual agendas and separate thoughts. That is nothing but a crowd totally devoid of any family feeling. That is like one fake flower that is superficially colored yet carries no aroma. In contrast, our devotional, heart-felt gathering of Ananda Purnima reflects society in the deepest sense of the term where everyone is moving and smiling together as one integrated whole – ready to do each and everything for Baba and the humanity.

Thus at Ananda Purnima all are invited to sit together – money or other factors are not at all important. Everyone comes together regardless of one’s social status, career, educational background, or family history etc. It is a time for all grades of devotees to join together and gather for sweet celebrations, non-margiis are also invited – so long as they follow according to the sentient ways of the gathering. Only those anti-social elements, not at all interested in following the spirit of the program, should not be invited. Beyond that Ananda Purnima is a grand occasion for one and all.

ALL TYPES OF SOCIAL SERVICES

In addition, during Ananda Purnima all the trades and departments of AMPS partake in their respective social service programs. VSS optees do CSS, i.e collective social service such as public cleaning or repair work or other physical works for the security, safety, and welfare of the society etc. Side by side AMURT can operate their free medical clinics. In this way, Ananda Purnima is a day for doing all types of services because we Ananda Margiis are declassed and perform all the sevas.

A FRESH NEW START

Universal festivals like Ananda Purnima are also a time for forgetting about past differences and starting new relations. They are a time for a fresh new start where we bury old issues, forgive and forget, sit together, and invite a clean new beginning.

Baba guides us that in personal life it is best to forgive others with our full heart. Of course on matters of ideology or collective welfare we have no right to forgive anyone. But on personal affairs, forgiving others is the best course of action and what better time to do this than on the blissful occasion of Ananda Purnima.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FESTIVALS

Here following Baba is describing the great import that festive occasions like Ananda Purnima have on the human psyche. And that such social functions lead to the formation of a unified humanity.

Baba says, “When people become tired and uninspired, when they can no longer look towards the future with hope, when their colourful dreams are shattered, at that time the sweetness of a festival brings new joy and vigour in life. Thus in individual and collective life, the importance of festivals is tremendous. One should always remember that festivals should be such that all can take part in them without any ostentatious display of wealth, and with an upsurge of their life force. And these festivals should be conducted in such a way that people take part in them from a spontaneous inner urge. I hope that you will make such arrangements so that all are attracted towards your festivals which will be more and more charming – and this will bring about your collective welfare.” (A  Few Problems Solved -5, p.18)

Namaskar,

Shivadayal Deva

Note 1: USE BABA’S ORIGINAL ANANDA VANIIS –

NOT FAKE ANANDA VANIIS

Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis are His divine gifts for one and all as they encapsulate the spirit of Ananda Marga and the spirit of humanity. Thus, they are truly timeless and eternal treasures of humanity.

However, since 1990 certain respected leaders have been creating their own vaniis. They cut and paste quotes from previously posted discourses and call them Ananda Vaniis; when in fact the sentences they select are nothing but a small part of a greater discourse. They are taken out of context.

Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis are discourses unto themselves – complete, pointed, and stand alone as eternal truths and as spirited messages for the humanity. They are not mere quotes from other discourses. Baba's every Ananda Vanii is totally unique and original.

So what these leaders are doing is nothing but manufacturing Fake Ananda Vaniis. Yet they name these as Ananda Vaniis and read them on the occasion of A’nanda Pu’rn’ima’ etc. But again, these are nothing but Fake Ananda Vaniis.

What should we do?

While certain leaders continue creating Fake Ananda Vaniis, in each and every unit margiis should select one of Baba’s original timeless Ananda Vaniis and read that out at their Ananda Purnima celebrations.

Naturally, in due course, with circumstantial pressure, such persons will stop making Fake Ananda Vaniis. That day is fast approaching.

Note 2: LOCAL CELEBRATIONS ENCOURAGED

If any group is recommending that people come “to their place” – such as Tiljala, insinuating that theirs is best place for Ananda Purnima etc, then in our hearts and minds we should all know that Baba’s system is for Ananda Purnima to be celebrated locally in every unit, as His divine grace and presence is felt throughout this entire universe.

Note 3: THE ADVENT OF MAHASAMBHUTI

Baba says, “When He comes, after creating His own body with the help of the five fundamental factors– solid, liquid, luminous, aerial, ethereal – to create an ideological tidal wave, that is called as Maha’sambhu’ti. Maha’ means ‘great’, ‘having a form which is supra-natural’. And bhu plus ktin equals bhu’ti. Hence Maha’sambhuti means ‘The Great Creation’, ‘The Great Appearance’…[He comes] to push humans society forward, to resuscitate the half-dead human race, to awaken society– to create a wave in the field of ideology, in the social field, and in the field of humanity; [He comes] to
 create a tidal wave in every dimension and on every level.” (Discourses on Tantra - 1, p. 136)

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Maneri gahane tumi a’cho, a’cho prabhu sada’ jege a’cho…”  (Prabhata Samgiita 4380)

Purport:

Baba, O’ Divine Entity, You remain always in the depths of my mind – You never leave me. I am never alone. Baba, You are always awake. You go on working day and night, beyond time. You never tire or stop. Baba, whatever You want to do, You go on doing.

O Parama Purusa, this whole expressed universe is Your eternal game. You are ever-present: beginningless and endless. You are ever intoxicated in Your divine flow. You are the Goal of everyone – everyone wants You. You are remaining with one and all.

Baba, only those trying to come close to You by their virtuous deeds, shravan, manan, nididhyasana, & dhyana, are able to come to You. Only they are able to realise You and have Your grace and proximity.

Baba, You are grace-Personified…