Prejudice Against One Of Our Spiritual Treatises

Baba

This entire email is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Prabhat Samgiita #905;
(2) Posting: Prejudice Against One Of Our Spiritual Treatises;
(3) Trailer Quote: Next Life: Greed for Name and Fame.

Each section is demarcated by asterisks (*).


****** Here is the Prabhat Samgiita

"Tumi saba'r pra'n'era priyo, toma'r na'hi tulana'..." (PS 905)

Purport:

Baba, You are so gracious: You are the dearest One of everyone's heart. Baba,  You Yourself have no comparison; Your divine love has no parallel. Baba, Your grace knows no logic or reasoning. You do not differentiate between the virtuous and the sinners; You do not consider the righteous from the wrongdoers. Baba, You shower Your grace equally on one and all. Baba, You love each and every being of this expressed universe; You pour Your infinite compassion on all. Baba, Your unending grace is causeless.

Baba, You are so sweet. You are hiding in the depths of everyone's mind - everyone's heart. By Your cosmic grace, whatever is best to be done for others You do. You take care of everything for everyone. Baba, You have given everything without anyone even asking. Baba, still today You are constantly drenching everyone with Your divine inspiration so they can move on the path of divinity-- on the path towards You.

Baba, in the sky of my heart You are ever sparkling; Baba, You are the hope of effulgence in my hopeless heart. You fill my entire being with Your sweet smile. Baba, on the path of this journey towards divinity You go on pouring the white, brilliant effulgence of Your divine grace and upon all You ceaselessly shower Your blessing-- Your varabhaya mudra.

Baba You are Kalyansundaram...

== PREJUDICE AGAINST ONE OF OUR SPIRITUAL TREATISES ==

~ Part 1 ~

Namaskar,
With Ananda Purnima (25 May 2013) a mere month away, it is time to begin preparing for this grand occasion. Part and parcel of the Ananda Purnima festival is the reading of the Ananda Vanii.

WHAT IS A TRUE ANANDA VANII ~ WHAT IS A FAKE ANANDA VANII

Nowadays in our Ananda Marga, there are two types of Ananda Vaniis: (1) True Ananda Vaniis and (2) Fake Ananda Vaniis.

True Ananda Vaniis are those original Ananda Vaniis given by Baba Himself on Ananda Purnima and New Year’s Day – and on select other occasions – from 1955 – 1990. Always they were unique messages of inspiration that had never been printed or published before; plus this letter details many other qualities of these timeless teachings.

In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis have been created by various factional leaders by dissecting and removing portions of previously published discourses. Such persons take these lines out of context and present them in ways that best suits their agenda. These are what are known as Fake Anand Vaniis.

This entire posting makes the case that only Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis should be used. They are eternal teachings of truth that give insight and inspiration for all kinds of situations. Thus on New Year’s Day and Ananda Purnima only these True Ananda Vaniis should be read and discussed.

WHY TRUE ANANDA VANIIS ARE ETERNAL

Every one of Baba’s true and original Ananda Vaniis is eternal. This fact cannot be denied; even then a few remained confused and carry around their own dogma about this.

Here, however, is the rational reply demonstrating that Baba’s true Ananda Vaniis are timeless.

(1) Baba chose to deliver His spiritual teachings directly to His disciples through venues like DMC (Dharma Maha Cakra), GD (General Darshan), and the reading and discussion of the Ananda Vanii etc. For instance, He conducted a DMC in Varanasi on 29 October in 1979. Every sadhaka clearly understands that that DMC discourse was not just for residents of Varanasi nor were the teachings only relegated for that particular day. Every rational Ananda Margii clearly understands how that DMC discourse is part of our dharmashastra. It is true across time and space and has been included in the Subhasita Samgraha series and stands as part of our spiritual teachings. This is indisputable.

(2) In the same way, Baba chose select days and places to put forth His teachings of Ananda Vanii Samgraha. Those He delivered primarily on the occasions of New Year’s Day & Ananda Purnima – as well as once or twice on Shravanii Purnima and Sharadotsava etc. And just like with His DMC discourses, those Ananda Vaniis are not at all limited in scope to the particular day and place of delivery. Those Ananda Vaniis are His timeless messages for all of humanity. That means that Ananda Vanii #27 given on Ánanda Púrńimá 1967 is as true and relevant today as the day it was given. No rational minded margii can think that Baba’s Ananda Vanii was for that day only or that place only.

(3) Here the point is that Sadguru Baba wanted to put forth Ananda Marga ideology in front of His disciples and He created the system by which to do so – i.e. by delivering public discourses and messages during DMC, GD, etc. In that case, place and date have no bearing on the value of the teaching. Those spiritual guidelines exist across time and space. On those occasions, Baba’s motive was to give teachings for all of universal humanity, and the actual venue was merely a tool for doing so.

(4) Just as we consider His DMC discourse to be part of the dharma shastra of Ananda Marga ideology; we should consider His Ananda Vanii Samgraha collection to be the same, i.e. an integral aspect of Ananda Marga dharma shastra. Why should one be prejudice against the Ananda Vanii series. One should not fall prey to such illogical and sentimental thinking. With a vast open mind, one should give Baba’s True Ananda Vaniis the same unquestioned status as His DMC discourses. There should not be any bias or favouritism. Both are inherent aspects of our spiritual treatise. None should sit back and think that the Ananda Vanii series is a social discourse or some historical teaching and hence subject to time, place, and person. Those Ananda Vaniis are bullets of inspirational truth for all people of all ages.

(5) Ananda Marga shastra is tri-shastra: dharma shástra (spiritual treatise), darshan shástra (philosophical treatise) and samája shástra (social treatise). Both dharma shastra and darshan shastra are eternal – and are not subject to change over time. The collection of True Ananda Vaniis is clearly part of our spiritual treatise; they are eternal; they are part of our dharma shastra, just like Ananda Sutram, Subhasita Samgraha, and Ananda Vacanamrtam are part of our spiritual treatise.

TRUE ANANDA VANIIS:

FACE PREJUDICE LIKE HARIJANS

(6) If anyone reads a DMC discourse and they see the date and place printed at the end then they feel that it is validated as the time when Baba graciously gave this universal, spiritual teaching. But when some read an Anana Vanii and see the date at the end, they think it is old, outdated, and without any charm. This is their dogmatic and irrational approach. This is their prejudice. It is no different than if one introduces a Harijan (so-called untouchable) to someone in India, then people in the general population will think that person is dirty. Likewise in the US, if someone introduces a black man to someone they will think that man is a thief or criminal. These kinds of stereotypes are the effect of a dogmatic mind and are inherently biased. No good person should fall prey to this outlook. Yet some in our Ananda Marga hold that very same stereotypical thinking with regards to Baba’s Ananda Vaniis. They read them and think those are old, just as some think that a harijan must be dirty or a black man must be a criminal. Now is the time to banish this stereotype from the mind and accept Ananda Vaniis as part and parcel of the dharma shastra of Ananda Marga ideology. The prejudice against Baba’s True Ananda Vanii must be stopped. These are timeless teachings of truth and their inherent glory must be recognised.

Fabricating Fake Ananda Vaniis as if that is the Ananda Vanii for this particular occasion is completely wrong and misleading. It is a direct attack on the veracity and greatness of Baba’s True Ananda Vaniis.

FOR NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE

As we all know, Baba’s original A’nanda Va’niis have been given especially by Him to be our guiding force of life as they give us inspiration for the journey of forward movement.

Baba’s divine Ananda Vaniis hold an eternal quality. The unique aspect of any A’nanda Vanii is that each Van’ii has a special import and holds an eternal teaching.

For instance, in 1976, Baba issued an Ananda Vanii specifically about Sixteen Points. He was sending the divine message that if we Ananda Margiis follow 16 Points, then our Ananda Marga ideology will remain alive and certainly we will be victorious. Here is that A’nanda Vanii:

“Be firm on sixteen points. Unite all the righteous forces. All the tall talks of the evil forces will be silenced.” (A’nanda Va’nii #44)

This same divine message remains an eternal bullet of truth for the ages. That is one of the unique aspects of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis. They will stand tall far into the future of human civilisation. We know Baba’s original Vaniis hold lasting value and eternal teachings for the whole humanity. That is why it is most appropriate to use His original Ananda Vaniis again and again.

AN ANANDA VANII FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Regardless of the circumstance – whether there be exploitative leaders at the helm or whether humanity is on the rise – Baba has graciously given Ananda Vaniis that will perfectly suit the mood of the humanity. Each of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis will be a fireball of inspiration and strength for the people. They will guide sadhakas how to progress in individual life as well as resolve collective issues. Hence, no matter the current social milieu, always His divine Ananda Vaniis will be appropriate and shed light on the present condition.

THE BEAUTY OF BABA’S ORIGINAL ANANDA VANIIS

Baba’s true Ananda Vanii messages which He has given twice annually on New Year’s Day and on Ananda Purnima are very precise and pointed like an arrow. They are complete discourses in and of themselves. They are not part of any larger discourse and they are not just a quote or partial paragraph. Baba’s true Ananda Vaniis are 100% full & complete and ready to stand as is. Plus they are unique and new in their own particular way – never a repeat of previously released material.

This following list further encapsulates the essence of our Ananda Vaniis:
1) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are unique teachings not repeated from earlier discourses;
2) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are complete unto themselves; they are not part of a greater chapter;
3) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis were a special message both for that moment as well as for eternal time; only Taraka Brahma Himself can give such a teaching;
4) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis are self-contained truths;
5) Baba’s original Ananda Vaniis were hand-written by Mahasambhuti Himself.

In His collection, Baba has given us 74 of these divine guidelines known as Ananda Vaniis. Each with their own special beauty; each with their own timeless message. And Baba has Himself specially drawn them all together and marked them as the Ananda Vanii Samgraha. These alone stand as those unparalleled and dharmic messages which Baba has so graciously blessed us with during the time of His global DMC gatherings.

So in the realm of Ananda Vanii, Baba’s specially given messages are the biggest asset in this entire universe. These are what Baba wants to call His grand and golden teachings of Ananda Vanii.

EVERY SCRIPTURE HAS IT OWN SPECIAL APPLICATION

As we know each and every Baba’s teaching has its own special and unique value. To misuse or distort them – as some do with Fake Ananda Vaniis – will not bear any fruit.

(a) For example, take the case of Caryacarya: It is one of our Ananda Marga books but it is not suitable for reading as svadhyaya after dharmacakra. If used for this purpose then that is wrong. But Caryacarya is absolutely perfect & blemishless as our smrti shastra – or social code. Because Caryacarya is the social code of Ananda Marga. But it is not for use as svadhyaya after dharmacakra.

(b) Similarly, when we want to know about the depths of Ananda Marga philosophy then we have to read Ananda Marga philosophy books like ‘Ananda Sutram’ and ‘Idea and Ideology’ etc. Reading Caryacarya by itself is not going to meet the purpose of learning the whole Ananda Marga philosophy in a deeper sense. But surely if one is to perform a marriage, shraddha ceremony, or any other type of social function etc, then Caryacarya has a highly significant role.

(c) Likewise, when singing a song to start the paincajanya or dharmacakra program then the book ‘Idea and Ideology’ is not going to help. Neither will ‘A Guide to Human Conduct’ or ‘Shabda Cayanika’. To sing the song, only the Prabhat Samgita book is suitable.

(d) And when reviewing critical matters on politics and economics then books like ‘Strange Experiences’, ‘Shrii PR Sarkar stories’ or ‘Ideal farming’ will not be helpful. Rather we should seek support from the Prout in a Nutshell series.

(e) Similarly, if one wishes to venture into outer space, then a bicycle will not help. Rather one must have a rocket ship to blast off into outer space.

Likewise the only work that can serve as an Ananda Vanii are Baba’s original and true messages of Ananda Vanii.

The whole point being that all of Baba’s divine books are 100% perfect for their stated purpose – thus all are of equal importance. No book is high; no publication is low. Baba has given each for a particular use, i.e. for their own golden purpose.

Thusly, taking a quote from one book and then labeling it as an Ananda Vanii is not going to work at all. Rather it will be a Fake Ananda Vanii.

The best way to root out any such dogma is to expose its inherent defects and then convince one and all not to fall prey to that dogma – like the one about Fake Ananda Vanii. By Baba’s grace, progress is being made as more and more rational Ananda Margiis are wholly rejecting the Fake Ananda Vanii. Plus certain group oriented offices have stopped using Fake Ananda Vaniis because it will not serve their interests. So for various reasons, the Fake Ananda Vanii is getting left by the wayside.

MERITS OF DHARMASHASTRA

““Shásanát tárayet yastu sah shástrah parikiirtita” – i.e., that which leads to permanent liberation is shástra or scripture. Here shásana means discipline. The role of scripture is to lead the human beings towards the Supreme goal through discipline or anushásana…When the sole purpose of scripture, i.e. dharmashástra is to establish the human beings in the stable, exalted position of spiritual ideation, it must be practical, rational, infallible and universal. It must be based on deep eternal truths. It must be áptavákya. A scripture is a guided entity.” (1)

ONE SAMPLE OF ANANDA VANII:

MARCHING AHEAD

“The prehistoric human beings remained involved in group and clan clashes. The present humanity is involved in crude wars for dogmas. Then how far have they advanced? Let the marching ahead towards the supreme desideratum, taking all together, be the only mission for today’s human race, and let the pauseless fight against any and all opposing forces on the way to fulfilment of this mission be the sole fight befitting a human being. Let this very struggle be reckoned as the Supreme Expression.” (2)

WILL NOT SATISFY

Just as fake water and fake food will not quench one’s thirst or satiate their hunger, similarly Fake Ananda Vaniis will not satisfy the dharmic longing of sadhakas nor or properly guide them. Those Fake Ananda Vaniis not lead one towards immortality – rather they will direct one elsewhere.

Namaskar,
At His lotus feet,
Ashiis'a




References:
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell – 4, Our Spiritual Treatise
2. Ananda Vanii #50

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Next Life:

Greed for Name and Fame

   "Whether one be a philanthropist or a star athlete, one desires to see what is written about them in the newspaper. This means that in trying to do some good work, what are they really doing? They are falling under the sway of one propensity, the propensity of greed. Now if this act is encouraged by the society, that is, if the newspapers dedicate a lot of attention to such news, or if people in general say, “Sir, whatever you are doing is unparalleled in history. Sir, we are not eulogizing you. We are simply telling the truth” – if they praise such a person in this way and then try to extract some money from them (there are such intelligent people around) – then what does it amount to indirectly? The propensity of greed increases. Which animal is the greediest among the animals with which we are all very familiar? It does not like to give up greed in spite of ill treatment and humiliations. It is the cat. Yes, after moving a few steps ahead, the cat forgets that it was beaten. So, that particular person is reborn as a cat after death, because that body affords an opportunity for the satiation of their greed. When the housewife looks around inattentively, the cat sneaks into the kitchen through the small opening in order to reach the milk or fish in the kitchen. So in order to exhaust the samskáras one needs an appropriate body. Some people obtain a new body immediately after death and others obtain it later. But one has to obtain it somehow."
   "One who is doing philanthropic work today, tries to find out tomorrow whether or not their name appeared in the newspaper. They have no desire to read the other news. They read the news that relates to themselves twenty times but do not go through the other news with much enthusiasm. If someone asks they might say that today there was only one important piece of news, nothing else. That is how a person comes under the sway of a propensity and remains subject to the cycle of birth and rebirth." (Ananda Vacanamrtam – 10, 22 April ’79)

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