Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2012 22:02:46
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Giriish
Subject: Longing For Royal Funeral
Baba
Namaskar,
In His majestic manner, Baba has left no stone unturned; every reply and every answer He has graciously given.
Included in this email is a link to an audio file of Baba's voice wherein He is even giving instruction on when one should leave their post. Please find it along the upper left sidebar of the blog. Plus the entire transcription of that audio file is contained right here in this email.
WHEN ONE SHOULD GIVE UP THE POST - AND WHY
Baba wants that we should all attain that divine stance of supreme fulfillment and reach unto His loving lap, so He has clearly stated that in our mid to later years, we should leave aside the bulk of our worldly duties and focus the mind inwards - ensconcing ourselves in that sweet bliss. This applies especially to those holding key posts; and this has multiple benefits.
So when a person's physical abilities are waning and their cognitive abilities are decreasing, they should give up the post. Society should not suffer due to one's greediness for the post.
Otherwise if one continues to hold onto that social position into their later years, it is neither good for society nor for one's psycho-spiritual development. That is why Baba says that when one is old, has less energy, and is unable to function properly, one should give up the post and let those who are younger and have ample energy take up the work. When one is holding a significant post then that comes with many responsibilities. If due to old age and feebleness, one cannot attend to those duties properly, they should pass on their worldly responsibilities & titles to their juniors. Then this juniors will attend to that work with greater vigor and society will be benefited, and those who are senior in years can devote more time to spiritual practice. This is the basic approach and this tenet applies to all Ananda Margiis, both Wts and family margiis.
That does not mean that aged persons cannot do any work at all. There are many types of sevas; surely one can serve in some capacity. But that post might have fewer demands. The main idea is that society should not suffer because of one's compromised abilities and greediness to hold the post. The goal should not be to have a royal funeral in their honor, as a person will become one with that and lowly goal. One should think of and cultivate the desire to attain Parama Purusa. That should be the aim: To become one with Him.
Who can deny the fact that physical stamina and cognitive abilities are needed to hold key posts. If one's faculties - physical and psychic - are waning, then they will not be able to properly execute their work associated with key positions in society. In that case, they should give up the post.
It is just like if one is a surgeon and their hand is shaking and they cannot recall the next step of the surgical procedure, then who is going to be interested in being operated by that surgeon. On their own accord, that surgeon should step down. That will be best.
Similarly if a pilot is losing his vision and is suffering from Parkinson's disease, then who is going to want to fly with such a pilot. No one. Because they know the result will not be good.
Unfortunately, due to reasons best known to them, some of our senior members do not recall or pay heed to Baba's special teaching that when one is elderly and can no longer do then work then one should leave the post.
In order that everyone may benefit from Baba's divine teaching, here below is (a) the translation, (b) the transcription, and (c) the link to this rare excerpt of this never-before-published discourse of 12 June 1979 (Kolkata).
Note: The following is a near literal translation of an excerpt from one of His original discourses. Here follows Baba's special mandate about leaving one's post:
"In the past, after attaining 50+ years of age, the people used to go to the jungle. While living there, they would engage only in the study of the scriptures (svadhyaya), discussion on dharma (dharmashastra), bhajan, kiirtan, sadhana, and puja etc."
"But these days, even after people cross 80 years of age, still they do not like to leave their leadership post of minister etc. Instead they proclaim that, 'I want to have a state funeral. If I leave the post then how can I get that. It will be impossible'."
[Then Baba began joking that...] "Even the dead body in the cremation ground does not like to leave the post."
(Note: Here dead body means those who are fragile yet still holding the post. They are like dead bodies of the cemetery.)
"You all should never do like this. When you see that you have become aged, then give your post to your juniors. At any cost you must not clutch onto your post forever."
(Then Baba was again making jokes and then He asked one Dada, 'Would you like to clutch onto your post forever?'. Then everyone started laughing and that Dada replied, 'No, Baba.')
"Prepare your juniors and give up your post immediately. " (12, June 1979)
The above is a near-literal translation of an excerpt from Baba's original discourse.
(Note: English readers should be aware that the following has been written in Roman Sanskrit, so various letters are pronounced differently from the English alphabet. Please reference the Roman Sanskrit alphabet page from a recently printed edition of one of our AM books.)
Paca's vars' hoye gele. Aba'r jungle cale ja'be, keval sha'stra carca', dharma carca', sa'dhana, bhajan.
"In the past, after attaining 50+ years of age, the people used to go to the jungle. While living there, they would engage only in the study of the scriptures (svadhyaya), discussion on dharma (dharmashastra), bhajan, kiirtan, sadhana, and puja etc."
"Painca'sordhve vanam gajah"
After attaining 50+ years of age, the people used to go to the jungle.
"Ekhanto assii vatsar hoye ja'va'r pare mantritva cha'r'ate ca'y na'. Bole a'mito state funeral nebo. A'ge mantritva cha'r'ale to sa'ma'n...hobe na'.
"But these days, even after people cross 80 years of age, still they do not like to leave their leadership post of minister etc. Instead they proclaim that, 'I want to have a state funeral. If I leave the post then how can I get that. It will be impossible'."
[Then Baba began joking that...]
To ekhan ei rakamer...Ghat'er mar'a' tabuo post cha'r'e na'."
'Even the dead body in the cremation ground does not like to leave the post."
"Tomara' kintu ei samasta karabe na'. Jei dekhale bayas hoye geche, apane junior ke diye post cher'e debe, sange sange post cher'e debe. Kono vya'pa're post a'nkar'e tha'kibe na'."
"You all should never do like this. When you see that you have become aged, then give your post to your juniors. At any cost you must not clutch onto your post forever."
(Then Baba was again making jokes and then He asked one Dada, 'Would you like to clutch onto your post forever?'. Then everyone started laughing and that Dada replied, 'No, Baba.')
"Loka taerii kare post cher'e da'o."
"Prepare your juniors and give up your post immediately."
In His above discourse, Baba is giving the dynamic teaching that one should not hold and clutch onto the post as one crosses into old age when they can no longer do the work. Because ultimately, this human life is a spiritual journey, and one should do sadhana regularly from their very childhood up through their early adulthood and mid-life, and then later on - when one is aged - they should devote their time almost exclusively towards sadhana. That is Baba's special teaching.
Unfortunately, this teaching is not well-known in Ananda Marga as certain personnel never even attempted to publish this very discourse. Now 32 years have passed since this discourse was first given, and still this unique pravacan has not been published or printed in any language.
Thus, due to their attachment etc, top Dadas are holding onto their post into the very later years of their lives and beyond.
Yet in His above teaching, Baba is clearly giving the hint that post-holders like PP Dada and GS Dada etc should no longer be holding onto their organisational position into the twilight of their lives. Rather they should relieve themselves of such duties after they have become aged and then dedicate more and more time to practicing sadhana. That is Baba's explicit mandate.
And indeed, up till 1990, Baba was cycling more and more young faces into Centre. This was His regular manner of running the organisation.
Nowadays though, some holding key posts wrongly think that they should remain in the post until the day they die - whether they can do the job properly or not. That is why some are blaming that the overall posting system is faulty. Because they see what was going on with PP Shraddhanandaji and misunderstand that PP must keep his post forever and ever. They think that PP Dada should hold just keep his post up till his very expiration - regardless of his mental state etc.
But, in reality, this is an incorrect approach. Such a PP should have either handed over his post, or taken a lesser position.
All in all, it is just like US Supreme Court Justices who have their appointments till death. That does not mean though that one should keep their post whether they can do their job or not - whether they have dementia or not. Rather, when they are no longer able to fulfill their duties, then those Supreme Court judges step aside. This is the honest and decent thing to do.
This same ethic and spirit applies to the PP post etc.
Yet certain key post holders do not do like this. Instead they clutch more and more tightly onto their post as their own capacities diminish.
So, now is the time to turn things around and pay heed to Baba's call that those beyond their capacity should be maximally involved in sadhana etc. Society also should not suffer due to their inability.
Here is the link where one can hear the section from Baba's original Bengali discourse where He gives this very point that one should step down from their post after the age of 50+, and allow their juniors to carry on with the work.
Just click on the audio file at the aforementioned link.
By Baba's grace our Marga will soon overcome the various diseases of extreme groupism and the lust for power and develop into a rational and fit society.
Baba says, "Install qualified persons in power, and the social order which will be evolved by virtue of their leadership [and] will give due importance to one and all." (A Few Problems Solved - 2)
Namaskar,
Giriish
Because of this defective atmosphere where Dadas hold onto their post for decades and decades even when they are not well, then it is no wonder why in Ananda marga youths are not coming. It is because old people are sitting there on the post like rocks and the youths do not see any dynamism in that. This stands as yet another reason why we should be adamant to implement Baba's teaching of not having elderly and decrepit persons still so actively involved in their livelihood and key posts etc.
Note 2: STATUS OF RUDRANANDAJI & SARVATMANANDAJI
Among others, nowadays we see that both Rudranandaji and Sarvatmanandaji are desperately clothing onto their organizational status and still trying to secure the top post for themselves. Yet both are suffering and unable to attend to their duties properly. Rudranandaji has a bad back and cannot attend properly to his work; and, Saravatmanandaji recently had his own episode where he passed out on stage while giving a talk. They are both too feeble to execute their duties properly, and society suffers. That is the end result - plus they miss out on the opportunity to have more time for sadhana.
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: "Giriish
Subject: Longing For Royal Funeral
Baba
== LONGING FOR ROYAL FUNERAL ==
Namaskar,
In His majestic manner, Baba has left no stone unturned; every reply and every answer He has graciously given.
Included in this email is a link to an audio file of Baba's voice wherein He is even giving instruction on when one should leave their post. Please find it along the upper left sidebar of the blog. Plus the entire transcription of that audio file is contained right here in this email.
WHEN ONE SHOULD GIVE UP THE POST - AND WHY
Baba wants that we should all attain that divine stance of supreme fulfillment and reach unto His loving lap, so He has clearly stated that in our mid to later years, we should leave aside the bulk of our worldly duties and focus the mind inwards - ensconcing ourselves in that sweet bliss. This applies especially to those holding key posts; and this has multiple benefits.
So when a person's physical abilities are waning and their cognitive abilities are decreasing, they should give up the post. Society should not suffer due to one's greediness for the post.
Otherwise if one continues to hold onto that social position into their later years, it is neither good for society nor for one's psycho-spiritual development. That is why Baba says that when one is old, has less energy, and is unable to function properly, one should give up the post and let those who are younger and have ample energy take up the work. When one is holding a significant post then that comes with many responsibilities. If due to old age and feebleness, one cannot attend to those duties properly, they should pass on their worldly responsibilities & titles to their juniors. Then this juniors will attend to that work with greater vigor and society will be benefited, and those who are senior in years can devote more time to spiritual practice. This is the basic approach and this tenet applies to all Ananda Margiis, both Wts and family margiis.
That does not mean that aged persons cannot do any work at all. There are many types of sevas; surely one can serve in some capacity. But that post might have fewer demands. The main idea is that society should not suffer because of one's compromised abilities and greediness to hold the post. The goal should not be to have a royal funeral in their honor, as a person will become one with that and lowly goal. One should think of and cultivate the desire to attain Parama Purusa. That should be the aim: To become one with Him.
Who can deny the fact that physical stamina and cognitive abilities are needed to hold key posts. If one's faculties - physical and psychic - are waning, then they will not be able to properly execute their work associated with key positions in society. In that case, they should give up the post.
It is just like if one is a surgeon and their hand is shaking and they cannot recall the next step of the surgical procedure, then who is going to be interested in being operated by that surgeon. On their own accord, that surgeon should step down. That will be best.
Similarly if a pilot is losing his vision and is suffering from Parkinson's disease, then who is going to want to fly with such a pilot. No one. Because they know the result will not be good.
Unfortunately, due to reasons best known to them, some of our senior members do not recall or pay heed to Baba's special teaching that when one is elderly and can no longer do then work then one should leave the post.
In order that everyone may benefit from Baba's divine teaching, here below is (a) the translation, (b) the transcription, and (c) the link to this rare excerpt of this never-before-published discourse of 12 June 1979 (Kolkata).
THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Note: The following is a near literal translation of an excerpt from one of His original discourses. Here follows Baba's special mandate about leaving one's post:
"In the past, after attaining 50+ years of age, the people used to go to the jungle. While living there, they would engage only in the study of the scriptures (svadhyaya), discussion on dharma (dharmashastra), bhajan, kiirtan, sadhana, and puja etc."
"But these days, even after people cross 80 years of age, still they do not like to leave their leadership post of minister etc. Instead they proclaim that, 'I want to have a state funeral. If I leave the post then how can I get that. It will be impossible'."
[Then Baba began joking that...] "Even the dead body in the cremation ground does not like to leave the post."
(Note: Here dead body means those who are fragile yet still holding the post. They are like dead bodies of the cemetery.)
"You all should never do like this. When you see that you have become aged, then give your post to your juniors. At any cost you must not clutch onto your post forever."
(Then Baba was again making jokes and then He asked one Dada, 'Would you like to clutch onto your post forever?'. Then everyone started laughing and that Dada replied, 'No, Baba.')
"Prepare your juniors and give up your post immediately. " (12, June 1979)
The above is a near-literal translation of an excerpt from Baba's original discourse.
ORIGINAL BANGLA + ENGLISH TRANSLATION
(Note: English readers should be aware that the following has been written in Roman Sanskrit, so various letters are pronounced differently from the English alphabet. Please reference the Roman Sanskrit alphabet page from a recently printed edition of one of our AM books.)
Paca's vars' hoye gele. Aba'r jungle cale ja'be, keval sha'stra carca', dharma carca', sa'dhana, bhajan.
"In the past, after attaining 50+ years of age, the people used to go to the jungle. While living there, they would engage only in the study of the scriptures (svadhyaya), discussion on dharma (dharmashastra), bhajan, kiirtan, sadhana, and puja etc."
"Painca'sordhve vanam gajah"
After attaining 50+ years of age, the people used to go to the jungle.
"Ekhanto assii vatsar hoye ja'va'r pare mantritva cha'r'ate ca'y na'. Bole a'mito state funeral nebo. A'ge mantritva cha'r'ale to sa'ma'n...hobe na'.
"But these days, even after people cross 80 years of age, still they do not like to leave their leadership post of minister etc. Instead they proclaim that, 'I want to have a state funeral. If I leave the post then how can I get that. It will be impossible'."
[Then Baba began joking that...]
To ekhan ei rakamer...Ghat'er mar'a' tabuo post cha'r'e na'."
'Even the dead body in the cremation ground does not like to leave the post."
"Tomara' kintu ei samasta karabe na'. Jei dekhale bayas hoye geche, apane junior ke diye post cher'e debe, sange sange post cher'e debe. Kono vya'pa're post a'nkar'e tha'kibe na'."
"You all should never do like this. When you see that you have become aged, then give your post to your juniors. At any cost you must not clutch onto your post forever."
(Then Baba was again making jokes and then He asked one Dada, 'Would you like to clutch onto your post forever?'. Then everyone started laughing and that Dada replied, 'No, Baba.')
"Loka taerii kare post cher'e da'o."
"Prepare your juniors and give up your post immediately."
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
In His above discourse, Baba is giving the dynamic teaching that one should not hold and clutch onto the post as one crosses into old age when they can no longer do the work. Because ultimately, this human life is a spiritual journey, and one should do sadhana regularly from their very childhood up through their early adulthood and mid-life, and then later on - when one is aged - they should devote their time almost exclusively towards sadhana. That is Baba's special teaching.
Unfortunately, this teaching is not well-known in Ananda Marga as certain personnel never even attempted to publish this very discourse. Now 32 years have passed since this discourse was first given, and still this unique pravacan has not been published or printed in any language.
Thus, due to their attachment etc, top Dadas are holding onto their post into the very later years of their lives and beyond.
Yet in His above teaching, Baba is clearly giving the hint that post-holders like PP Dada and GS Dada etc should no longer be holding onto their organisational position into the twilight of their lives. Rather they should relieve themselves of such duties after they have become aged and then dedicate more and more time to practicing sadhana. That is Baba's explicit mandate.
And indeed, up till 1990, Baba was cycling more and more young faces into Centre. This was His regular manner of running the organisation.
COMMONLY HELD DOGMA ABOUT PP
Nowadays though, some holding key posts wrongly think that they should remain in the post until the day they die - whether they can do the job properly or not. That is why some are blaming that the overall posting system is faulty. Because they see what was going on with PP Shraddhanandaji and misunderstand that PP must keep his post forever and ever. They think that PP Dada should hold just keep his post up till his very expiration - regardless of his mental state etc.
But, in reality, this is an incorrect approach. Such a PP should have either handed over his post, or taken a lesser position.
All in all, it is just like US Supreme Court Justices who have their appointments till death. That does not mean though that one should keep their post whether they can do their job or not - whether they have dementia or not. Rather, when they are no longer able to fulfill their duties, then those Supreme Court judges step aside. This is the honest and decent thing to do.
This same ethic and spirit applies to the PP post etc.
Yet certain key post holders do not do like this. Instead they clutch more and more tightly onto their post as their own capacities diminish.
So, now is the time to turn things around and pay heed to Baba's call that those beyond their capacity should be maximally involved in sadhana etc. Society also should not suffer due to their inability.
THE LINK
Here is the link where one can hear the section from Baba's original Bengali discourse where He gives this very point that one should step down from their post after the age of 50+, and allow their juniors to carry on with the work.
Just click on the audio file at the aforementioned link.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace our Marga will soon overcome the various diseases of extreme groupism and the lust for power and develop into a rational and fit society.
Baba says, "Install qualified persons in power, and the social order which will be evolved by virtue of their leadership [and] will give due importance to one and all." (A Few Problems Solved - 2)
Namaskar,
Giriish
Note 1: WHY NOT GETTING YOUTHS
Because of this defective atmosphere where Dadas hold onto their post for decades and decades even when they are not well, then it is no wonder why in Ananda marga youths are not coming. It is because old people are sitting there on the post like rocks and the youths do not see any dynamism in that. This stands as yet another reason why we should be adamant to implement Baba's teaching of not having elderly and decrepit persons still so actively involved in their livelihood and key posts etc.
Note 2: STATUS OF RUDRANANDAJI & SARVATMANANDAJI
Among others, nowadays we see that both Rudranandaji and Sarvatmanandaji are desperately clothing onto their organizational status and still trying to secure the top post for themselves. Yet both are suffering and unable to attend to their duties properly. Rudranandaji has a bad back and cannot attend properly to his work; and, Saravatmanandaji recently had his own episode where he passed out on stage while giving a talk. They are both too feeble to execute their duties properly, and society suffers. That is the end result - plus they miss out on the opportunity to have more time for sadhana.
PRABHAT SAMGIITA
"Patitapa'vana tumi sana'tana, toma'ra iccha'ya cale dhara' "... PS #4986
Baba, You are Saviour of the sinners. You are eternal, ever-present. This universe moves according to Your desire. We are listening and silently watching Your divine liila. When You give a little energy, only then is it possible for us to do something. Otherwise, nobody can do anything. Baba, please come close, more close into my mind and saturate the core of my heart. By Your grace, I understand You are within all...
