To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba Story: When My Wife Became Enemy
From: Ananda Mayii
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2013 22:36:04
Baba
This entire email is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Posting: Baba Story: When My Wife Became Enemy
(2) Trailer Quote: Samaj Is Based on Neo-Humanism - Not Groupism
Subject: Baba Story: When My Wife Became Enemy
From: Ananda Mayii
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2013 22:36:04
Baba
This entire email is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Posting: Baba Story: When My Wife Became Enemy
(2) Trailer Quote: Samaj Is Based on Neo-Humanism - Not Groupism
(3) Prabhat Samgiita: #3982
Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).
Namaskar,
The year was 1967. While taking initiation, Shrii Somnath Upadhayay gave up his sacred thread and sacred hair that was indicative of his birth into a so-called brahmin family. At the time, Somnathji was working as a bank cashier and leading a relatively normal life.
Seeing this, all his relations were very upset and frustrated with him. They thought he had joined one Muslim sect etc. In particular, his wife was very unhappy with what had transpired. She was not at all pleased by seeing her husband renounce those Hindu rituals, i.e. sacred thread and sacred hair.
Not only that, but so many changes were going on - he had adopted a sentient diet and there were other lifestyle modifications.
His wife was sad and became fearful that he would leave the house entirely. She confronted him directly about this and demanded, "Do not do sadhana, you are going to leave me and become a monk. I want that you should go back to your old ways of living."
She was becoming a big obstacle and creating terrible problems for him.
Somnathji tried to reassure and convince his wife that everything was alright. But to no avail.
When he sat for sadhana, then she would bang a metal plate near his ear by striking the plate with a big metal spoon. Not only that, She did all sorts of harassment to interrupt and stop his sadhana. But Somnathji did not want to leave his sadhana.
That only made his wife more intent on running his meditation practice.
To not rile her and invite her anger, Somnathji began doing his sadhana in his personal room so that his wife would not see him. But that did not stop her. Instead, she would just bang loudly on the door. Plus she would do other things to disturb harass him at the time of sadhana.
Even then it did not end there. Sometimes she would intentionally add too much salt to his food and make life difficult for him in other ways. Somnathji tried various methods to convince his wife - but nothing worked. She remained upset and was crying all day long.
Finally, Somnathji asked local family acaryas to come and speak with her one-on-one. Somnathji wanted them to come and reassure her that everything was alright.
So family acaryas like Ac. Devi Chand Sharma ji, Ac. Kedar Sharma ji, and Ac Ksitij ji each came. They tried hard to convince her and fix this problem. They told her that her husband was involved in dharmic practices and that he will not leave her and become a sannyasi. They patiently explained to her that sadhana is not bad. They tried to reassure her and inspire her in various ways.
But his wife She yelled and screamed at them. She was very frustrated with what they were saying and abused and threatened them: "You are a liar, you took away my husband. He used to eat onion and garlic, but now no more. He left Hinduism and is doing all kinds of things in his room!" Their visits did nothing to diminish her fears. Indeed, she was so feisty and abusive that nobody wanted to go again and try to convince her.
Just when it seemed like it had hit rock bottom - she would do something even more extreme.
Their house was on a road that margiis would travel and she would cry out and say, "You stole my husband and ruined my family."
Everyone in Ananda Marga was shocked by her dealing and nobody wanted to go and convince her that everything was alright. Upon seeing anyone from Ananda Marga, she would just become more irate and volatile.
The situation become more extreme: She stopped cooking food for herself and her husband. She refrained from eating anything and told him to leave Ananda Marga. Not only that, she stopped breast-feeding their very young infant. The whole situation was becoming worse and still more worse.
Finally, Somnathji thought, "Only You Baba can save this situation. My wife stopped taking food this morning; she is going to become ill and die; and my newly-born child is also not being fed and will surely die. No one around here can help; all attempts have failed. Being the Omniscient Entity, You now all this so I am not going to tell you in person. You know my thoughts. Only You can save the situation. Without that my whole life will be hellish. No acarya can solve this matter. Baba, the situation is so extreme; this is beyond what anyone can do. Only, You can solve this matter."
BABA ARRIVES IN RANCH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
Those were the thoughts of Somnathji one morning, and that very afternoon, Baba made a surprise visit to Ranchi. Upon His arrival at Devi Chand's house, Baba, the all-knowing Parama Purusa, told that Somnath was facing a big problem that needed to be resolved. Baba furthermore gave Devi Chand the instruction to bring Somnath's wife to the ashram.
Devi Chand conveyed Baba's guideline to all concerned family acaryas and margiis etc. They all felt that indeed something should done. All felt an inner duty to follow Guru's order, but no one wanted to go and face the wrath of Somnath's wife. That was the predicament. They were all afraid of her abusive manner.
So they collectively discussed what should be done and they decided that they should all go together en mass to visit Somnath's wife. After the 1 or 2 kilometer journey, they reached her house and found that she was no longer so furious. They invited her to come to the ashram and see Baba. Amazingly, she did not abuse them, rather she contemplated the matter and decided that she would go.
She went to the Ranchi jagrti and by Baba's grace her entire mind-set was transformed. She saw so many people: Females, children etc. She was very happy with their demeanor and dealing, and she asked how she could become a margii. All were astonished to see the change and encouraged her to learn sadhana.
Baba was there conducting Personal Contact (PC) and she was very curious. So she attended general darshan and just by being there in His Presence, all her doubts and concerns melted. She thought how all have come for Baba. She was interested to learn sadhana and ultimately became a very good and active margii.
Over time, she told her story to others and asked new people to keep an open-mind when first coming in contact with Ananda Marga.
1. When any devotee is in problem then Guru is also affected. He cannot remain indifferent or apathetic. That is why Baba rushed to Ranchi and asked others to bring Somnath's wife to the ashram. Baba changed her mind and she became cooperative and turned into a bonafide margii. Baba changed her mind and resolved Somnath's problem. It is His grace.
2. When new people see many margiis they feel they are part of something big and their concerns and frustrations are eased. They get a psychic boost. That is why it is important to bring new people and even so-so margiis to big programs where they will get inspired and become active.
3. It is the duty and dharma of every Ananda Margii to fight against obstacles. On the path of dharma, there will always be difficulties and hurdles. By overcoming such obstacles, we proceed onwards towards the Goal. Thus, obstacles are helping forces on the spiritual journey. To shirk such obstacles is to lose the path and invite degeneration. To overcome all obstacles establishes the aspirant on the path of sadhana.
Here following are Baba's teaching related with this topic.
"The psychic inertness which I term dogma will seek to thwart your progress with all its might; this is quite natural. One should not be fearful and stop moving due to this dogma. It should be borne in mind that forward movement always implies facing obstacles created by inertness. It would be unnatural if obstacles did not come. If obstacles do not block your path, it means you are only indulging in tall talk, you are not actually trying to move forward. We often hear people saying, “I just commenced a project and such-and-such person opposed me”. This is quite natural. If you want to do something concrete, inertness in various forms and various ways will stand in your path. You will have to welcome these obstacles with a smile and say, “Hello obstacles, you have come. You do your duty and let me do mine.” In Ananda Sútram it has been said, Bádhá sá yuśamáná shaktih sevyam' sthápayati lakśye “Obstacles are the helping forces which establish people in their cherished goal.”" (1)
"The greatest obstacle to the collective progress of the human race is the ignorance of the individual mind. Knowledge is for all – it should be available to all and free like the light and air." (2)
"Obstacles in fact are no foes on the path of sádhaná [spiritual practice], but indeed friends. They only do service to a person. It is on account of these obstacles that the battle rages against them, and this counter-effort alone carries the sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to his or her cherished goal." (3)
"The madhyama category of people are those who undertake some work but throw up their hands when any problem crops up. They presume that any obstacle that comes in their way is a Himalayan obstacle, and hence they give up their work. They think they will not be able to tackle the problems they face. They are not confident of their abilities."
"The uttama category of people are those who take up a task and are determined to fulfil it. They go on struggling against all odds till they achieve their goal. No problem can defy solution. No difficulty can be greater than their capacity to solve it. They go on fighting against all obstacles. They can face any challenge and meet any predicament. They are determined to achieve their objective, come what may." (4)
"THE NOBLER THE TASK, THE MIGHTIER THE OBSTACLE"
"The entire humanity must be looked upon as one integrated existence – and move collectively towards the all-round perfection of human life. All actions are bound to confront obstacles. It has to be borne in mind that the nobler the task, the mightier the obstacle. For human emancipation, there is no other way but to march ahead crushing the towering peaks of obstacles with a benevolent intellect and collective endeavour."
'Hence I reiterate, go ahead with courage and unity. You have to move on ensuring real justice to all individuals and all geographical people." (5)
"ONLY WAY TO OVERCOME AVIDYÁMÁYÁ"
"Intuitional practice, as taught by a great preceptor, is the healing balm; it is with this that one can drive away Avidyámáyá and gain emancipation. As the influence of Avidyámáyá decreases, the temptations and troubles of the world cease to be an obstacle to intuitional practice. As this is the only way to overcome Avidyámáyá, it can easily be practised within worldly life. Avidyámáyá will disturb a person in the beginning, but once defeated, it will not be able to create any hindrance to the pursuit of intuitional practice." (6)
"Whatever humans do in consonance with the dictates of dharma will ensure their well-being, their victory, their prosperity. And whoever goes against these ingrained human characteristics, against these dharma-orientated characteristics, will be doomed to destruction. For human beings, ideation on Parama Puruśa is a dharmic injunction. By divine decree everyone has the right to live in the world with dignity. If anyone creates any obstacle against this dharma-oriented system, if they oppose it, they are bound to be destroyed." (7)
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Ananda Mayii
References:
1. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
2. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature
3. Ananda Sutram, Chapter 3
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, The Best Category of Persons
5. Ananda Vanii #56
6. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Opposition to Dharma Will Certainly Invite Destruction
"If each samaj [socio-economic unit] is inspired by a comprehensive ideology and a universal outlook, human society will move ahead with accelerating speed towards a sublime ideal." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p. 23)
Note: Nowadays some leaders are singing the song of samaj as they try to forge ahead with their narrow-minded agendas. They justify their groupism by claiming it as a samaj movement. But margiis understand Baba's teachings and recognise the truth. Our samaj system is based on universal principles not factional allegiances. Thus the groupism carried out by certain, so-called NIA Dadas and the ideal of our samaj movements are worlds apart.
Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).
== BABA STORY: WHEN MY WIFE BECAME
ENEMY ==
Namaskar,
The year was 1967. While taking initiation, Shrii Somnath Upadhayay gave up his sacred thread and sacred hair that was indicative of his birth into a so-called brahmin family. At the time, Somnathji was working as a bank cashier and leading a relatively normal life.
Seeing this, all his relations were very upset and frustrated with him. They thought he had joined one Muslim sect etc. In particular, his wife was very unhappy with what had transpired. She was not at all pleased by seeing her husband renounce those Hindu rituals, i.e. sacred thread and sacred hair.
Not only that, but so many changes were going on - he had adopted a sentient diet and there were other lifestyle modifications.
HIS WIFE IS MOST UPSET
His wife was sad and became fearful that he would leave the house entirely. She confronted him directly about this and demanded, "Do not do sadhana, you are going to leave me and become a monk. I want that you should go back to your old ways of living."
She was becoming a big obstacle and creating terrible problems for him.
Somnathji tried to reassure and convince his wife that everything was alright. But to no avail.
When he sat for sadhana, then she would bang a metal plate near his ear by striking the plate with a big metal spoon. Not only that, She did all sorts of harassment to interrupt and stop his sadhana. But Somnathji did not want to leave his sadhana.
That only made his wife more intent on running his meditation practice.
To not rile her and invite her anger, Somnathji began doing his sadhana in his personal room so that his wife would not see him. But that did not stop her. Instead, she would just bang loudly on the door. Plus she would do other things to disturb harass him at the time of sadhana.
Even then it did not end there. Sometimes she would intentionally add too much salt to his food and make life difficult for him in other ways. Somnathji tried various methods to convince his wife - but nothing worked. She remained upset and was crying all day long.
SOMNATHJI APPEALS TO FAMILY ACARYAS FOR HELP
Finally, Somnathji asked local family acaryas to come and speak with her one-on-one. Somnathji wanted them to come and reassure her that everything was alright.
So family acaryas like Ac. Devi Chand Sharma ji, Ac. Kedar Sharma ji, and Ac Ksitij ji each came. They tried hard to convince her and fix this problem. They told her that her husband was involved in dharmic practices and that he will not leave her and become a sannyasi. They patiently explained to her that sadhana is not bad. They tried to reassure her and inspire her in various ways.
But his wife She yelled and screamed at them. She was very frustrated with what they were saying and abused and threatened them: "You are a liar, you took away my husband. He used to eat onion and garlic, but now no more. He left Hinduism and is doing all kinds of things in his room!" Their visits did nothing to diminish her fears. Indeed, she was so feisty and abusive that nobody wanted to go again and try to convince her.
THINGS GET EVEN WORSE
Just when it seemed like it had hit rock bottom - she would do something even more extreme.
Their house was on a road that margiis would travel and she would cry out and say, "You stole my husband and ruined my family."
Everyone in Ananda Marga was shocked by her dealing and nobody wanted to go and convince her that everything was alright. Upon seeing anyone from Ananda Marga, she would just become more irate and volatile.
The situation become more extreme: She stopped cooking food for herself and her husband. She refrained from eating anything and told him to leave Ananda Marga. Not only that, she stopped breast-feeding their very young infant. The whole situation was becoming worse and still more worse.
Finally, Somnathji thought, "Only You Baba can save this situation. My wife stopped taking food this morning; she is going to become ill and die; and my newly-born child is also not being fed and will surely die. No one around here can help; all attempts have failed. Being the Omniscient Entity, You now all this so I am not going to tell you in person. You know my thoughts. Only You can save the situation. Without that my whole life will be hellish. No acarya can solve this matter. Baba, the situation is so extreme; this is beyond what anyone can do. Only, You can solve this matter."
BABA ARRIVES IN RANCH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
Those were the thoughts of Somnathji one morning, and that very afternoon, Baba made a surprise visit to Ranchi. Upon His arrival at Devi Chand's house, Baba, the all-knowing Parama Purusa, told that Somnath was facing a big problem that needed to be resolved. Baba furthermore gave Devi Chand the instruction to bring Somnath's wife to the ashram.
Devi Chand conveyed Baba's guideline to all concerned family acaryas and margiis etc. They all felt that indeed something should done. All felt an inner duty to follow Guru's order, but no one wanted to go and face the wrath of Somnath's wife. That was the predicament. They were all afraid of her abusive manner.
So they collectively discussed what should be done and they decided that they should all go together en mass to visit Somnath's wife. After the 1 or 2 kilometer journey, they reached her house and found that she was no longer so furious. They invited her to come to the ashram and see Baba. Amazingly, she did not abuse them, rather she contemplated the matter and decided that she would go.
BABA SHOWERS HIS GRACE
She went to the Ranchi jagrti and by Baba's grace her entire mind-set was transformed. She saw so many people: Females, children etc. She was very happy with their demeanor and dealing, and she asked how she could become a margii. All were astonished to see the change and encouraged her to learn sadhana.
Baba was there conducting Personal Contact (PC) and she was very curious. So she attended general darshan and just by being there in His Presence, all her doubts and concerns melted. She thought how all have come for Baba. She was interested to learn sadhana and ultimately became a very good and active margii.
Over time, she told her story to others and asked new people to keep an open-mind when first coming in contact with Ananda Marga.
THREE TEACHINGS FROM THIS STORY
1. When any devotee is in problem then Guru is also affected. He cannot remain indifferent or apathetic. That is why Baba rushed to Ranchi and asked others to bring Somnath's wife to the ashram. Baba changed her mind and she became cooperative and turned into a bonafide margii. Baba changed her mind and resolved Somnath's problem. It is His grace.
2. When new people see many margiis they feel they are part of something big and their concerns and frustrations are eased. They get a psychic boost. That is why it is important to bring new people and even so-so margiis to big programs where they will get inspired and become active.
3. It is the duty and dharma of every Ananda Margii to fight against obstacles. On the path of dharma, there will always be difficulties and hurdles. By overcoming such obstacles, we proceed onwards towards the Goal. Thus, obstacles are helping forces on the spiritual journey. To shirk such obstacles is to lose the path and invite degeneration. To overcome all obstacles establishes the aspirant on the path of sadhana.
Here following are Baba's teaching related with this topic.
"IF OBSTACLES DO NOT BLOCK YOUR PATH,
IT MEANS YOU ARE ONLY INDULGING IN TALL TALK"
IT MEANS YOU ARE ONLY INDULGING IN TALL TALK"
"The psychic inertness which I term dogma will seek to thwart your progress with all its might; this is quite natural. One should not be fearful and stop moving due to this dogma. It should be borne in mind that forward movement always implies facing obstacles created by inertness. It would be unnatural if obstacles did not come. If obstacles do not block your path, it means you are only indulging in tall talk, you are not actually trying to move forward. We often hear people saying, “I just commenced a project and such-and-such person opposed me”. This is quite natural. If you want to do something concrete, inertness in various forms and various ways will stand in your path. You will have to welcome these obstacles with a smile and say, “Hello obstacles, you have come. You do your duty and let me do mine.” In Ananda Sútram it has been said, Bádhá sá yuśamáná shaktih sevyam' sthápayati lakśye “Obstacles are the helping forces which establish people in their cherished goal.”" (1)
"IGNORANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL MIND"
"The greatest obstacle to the collective progress of the human race is the ignorance of the individual mind. Knowledge is for all – it should be available to all and free like the light and air." (2)
"Obstacles in fact are no foes on the path of sádhaná [spiritual practice], but indeed friends. They only do service to a person. It is on account of these obstacles that the battle rages against them, and this counter-effort alone carries the sádhaka [spiritual aspirant] to his or her cherished goal." (3)
"THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT OF THEIR ABILITIES"
"The madhyama category of people are those who undertake some work but throw up their hands when any problem crops up. They presume that any obstacle that comes in their way is a Himalayan obstacle, and hence they give up their work. They think they will not be able to tackle the problems they face. They are not confident of their abilities."
"The uttama category of people are those who take up a task and are determined to fulfil it. They go on struggling against all odds till they achieve their goal. No problem can defy solution. No difficulty can be greater than their capacity to solve it. They go on fighting against all obstacles. They can face any challenge and meet any predicament. They are determined to achieve their objective, come what may." (4)
"THE NOBLER THE TASK, THE MIGHTIER THE OBSTACLE"
"The entire humanity must be looked upon as one integrated existence – and move collectively towards the all-round perfection of human life. All actions are bound to confront obstacles. It has to be borne in mind that the nobler the task, the mightier the obstacle. For human emancipation, there is no other way but to march ahead crushing the towering peaks of obstacles with a benevolent intellect and collective endeavour."
'Hence I reiterate, go ahead with courage and unity. You have to move on ensuring real justice to all individuals and all geographical people." (5)
"ONLY WAY TO OVERCOME AVIDYÁMÁYÁ"
"Intuitional practice, as taught by a great preceptor, is the healing balm; it is with this that one can drive away Avidyámáyá and gain emancipation. As the influence of Avidyámáyá decreases, the temptations and troubles of the world cease to be an obstacle to intuitional practice. As this is the only way to overcome Avidyámáyá, it can easily be practised within worldly life. Avidyámáyá will disturb a person in the beginning, but once defeated, it will not be able to create any hindrance to the pursuit of intuitional practice." (6)
"THEY ARE BOUND TO BE DESTROYED"
"Whatever humans do in consonance with the dictates of dharma will ensure their well-being, their victory, their prosperity. And whoever goes against these ingrained human characteristics, against these dharma-orientated characteristics, will be doomed to destruction. For human beings, ideation on Parama Puruśa is a dharmic injunction. By divine decree everyone has the right to live in the world with dignity. If anyone creates any obstacle against this dharma-oriented system, if they oppose it, they are bound to be destroyed." (7)
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Ananda Mayii
References:
1. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
2. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature
3. Ananda Sutram, Chapter 3
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, The Best Category of Persons
5. Ananda Vanii #56
6. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Opposition to Dharma Will Certainly Invite Destruction
The section below demarcated by asterisks is
an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.
*************************************
Samaj is Based on Neo-Humanism, not Groupism
Samaj is Based on Neo-Humanism, not Groupism
"If each samaj [socio-economic unit] is inspired by a comprehensive ideology and a universal outlook, human society will move ahead with accelerating speed towards a sublime ideal." (Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p. 23)
Note: Nowadays some leaders are singing the song of samaj as they try to forge ahead with their narrow-minded agendas. They justify their groupism by claiming it as a samaj movement. But margiis understand Baba's teachings and recognise the truth. Our samaj system is based on universal principles not factional allegiances. Thus the groupism carried out by certain, so-called NIA Dadas and the ideal of our samaj movements are worlds apart.
*************************************
******* Here Starts the Prabhat Samgiita *******
"Toma'y khunje khunje priyo, din je ket'e ja'y..." (P.S. 3982)
Purport:
Baba, my most adorable One, with deep longing in search of You my days are passing in vain. In the absence of getting You, my whole life is gradually getting wasted. O' my Dearmost, where have I not looked for You. I have wandered around and searched in the seven oceans, on the mountain peaks, as well as on the earth, and also in the caves - in every nook and corner of this world, but alas I could not get You.
Baba, day and night, secretly I also searched You in the flower garden and in various holy lands and tiirthas - all done in hopes of getting a glance at You. Baba, I searched everywhere with the hope that one day I will find You. But, in the end, all my efforts were for naught.
Baba, with deep longing in my heart, I have also searched You in the galaxies, meteors, nebulae, and in the stars - all around & everywhere. Also, I searched for You in the dark, black-coloured clouds on the rainy days, in the scorching heat of the summer season, as well as in the shade of the tree in springtime. Baba, I have searched for You with a deep yearning and longing in my heart; I have looked for You everywhere.
Baba, O' my Dearmost, on one colourful golden dawn saturated in the effulgence & aroma of a newly blossoming flower, You took advent in my heart. Your grand arrival came after a long, deep, dark, & painful night of searching for You. Alas, in the end, You graced me by coming in my mind. Baba, You are so gracious...
"Toma'y khunje khunje priyo, din je ket'e ja'y..." (P.S. 3982)
Purport:
Baba, my most adorable One, with deep longing in search of You my days are passing in vain. In the absence of getting You, my whole life is gradually getting wasted. O' my Dearmost, where have I not looked for You. I have wandered around and searched in the seven oceans, on the mountain peaks, as well as on the earth, and also in the caves - in every nook and corner of this world, but alas I could not get You.
Baba, day and night, secretly I also searched You in the flower garden and in various holy lands and tiirthas - all done in hopes of getting a glance at You. Baba, I searched everywhere with the hope that one day I will find You. But, in the end, all my efforts were for naught.
Baba, with deep longing in my heart, I have also searched You in the galaxies, meteors, nebulae, and in the stars - all around & everywhere. Also, I searched for You in the dark, black-coloured clouds on the rainy days, in the scorching heat of the summer season, as well as in the shade of the tree in springtime. Baba, I have searched for You with a deep yearning and longing in my heart; I have looked for You everywhere.
Baba, O' my Dearmost, on one colourful golden dawn saturated in the effulgence & aroma of a newly blossoming flower, You took advent in my heart. Your grand arrival came after a long, deep, dark, & painful night of searching for You. Alas, in the end, You graced me by coming in my mind. Baba, You are so gracious...
