Date: Mon 01 Apr 2013 21:06:41 -0400
From: Divyajyoti_Deva
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Why We Have This Type of Figure
Baba
This letter contains three parts:
1. Posting: Why We Have This Type of Figure
2. Posting: Baba Story: From Animal to Divine
WHY WE HAVE THIS TYPE OF FIGURE:
WHEN YOU COMBINE AJINA AND MANIPURA CAKRAS
Namaskar,
As we all know, Baba has placed great importance on the meaning and use of our Ananda Marga pratiika. Here below is a short explanation of how the pratiika is related with our cakras.
1. The two, perfectly-balanced equilateral triangles in our pratiika represent the manipura cakra (i.e. 3rd cakra) and the ajina cakra (i.e. 6th cakra).
2. The manipura cakra is the triangle pointed upward signifying service to society. This cakra gives the body energy and stamina to do action in the world.
3. The ajina cakra is the triangle pointed downward signifying spiritual sadhana and self-realisation. The ajina cakra is the seat of the mind.
4. We must practice and represent this symmetry in our day to day life by keeping perfect balance between our meditation (sadhana) and worldly work (social service).
5. Our mission is: Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca.
A'tmamokśárthaḿ (self-realisation) is represented by the downward pointed triangle (i.e. ajina cakra) in our pratiika; jagaddhitáya ca (selfless service) is represented by the upward pointed triangle ( i.e. manipura cakra) in our pratiika.
6. Maintaining balance between these two triangles - representing spiritual practice for self-realisation & selfless service to humanity - is needed. As sadhakas, we should be in perfect balance just like our pratiika. That means we must do maximum sadhana without losing our adjustment with this world; and we must do maximum social service without forgetting our sadhana.
7. When we maintain perfect balance between our inner world (downward pointed triangle) and the outer world (upward pointed triangle) then we will get all-round progress (signified by the rising sun in our pratiika) and ultimately victory (signified by the swastika in our pratiika).
8. Achieving this state is not easy. All too often, as aspirants we fail to maintain proper balance in life. Most commonly, people get too caught up in their worldly work and their sadhana gets neglected. In some cases, the opposite happens. So we must constantly assess our position and strive to keep a balance between our inner and outer worlds.
9. Here the point is that we must not just wear our pratiika around neck, but our daily life must be a proper representation of the pratiika, i.e. perfectly balance between service to society and self-realisation. That means our life must fully represent AM ideology.
"What should a person do? Life is a mission. I have said that human life is an ideological flow. That is, human life is a mission; life itself is a mission; one’s very existence is a mission. Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his or her own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things: that is, these two things are one’s mission." (1)
- At dharmacakra, we may display (a) the Ananda Marga pratiika, (b) Baba's photo, or (c) both items.
- Next Baba describes the role of the pratiika when our acaryas perform diiksa (initiation).
"Initiation in Prárambhika, Sádhárańa and, in special cases, Sahaja Yoga will be done before the pratiika [emblem]." (2)
- When an Ananda Marga marriage is performed, then the pratiika will be given its rightful place.
"The pratiika [emblem of Ananda Marga] should be placed in an elevated place in the marriage hall.' (3)
- During DMC when Baba was up on the stage then there would always be a pratiika on display behind Him. Still today at DMS we present Baba's photo and behind His photo is the pratiika.
Here is Baba's pointed explanation of the pratiika.
"Your Pratiika [Emblem]: A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively." (4)
Here below is the dharmic way the publishers have explained the pratiika on the inside pages of the recently printed AM books.
The pratiika represents in a visual way the essence of Ananda Marga ideology. The six-pointed star is composed of two equilateral triangles. The triangle pointing upward represents action, or the outward flow of energy through selfless service to humanity. The triangle pointing downward represents knowledge, the inward search for spiritual realization through meditation. The sun in the center represents advancement, all-round human progress. The goal of the aspirant's march through life is symbolized by the swastika, which means spiritual victory.
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Divyajyoti
REFERENCES
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 30
2. Caryacarya, The Process of Initiation, part 1
3. Caryacarya, part 1, Marriage Ceremony
4. Caryacarya, part 1, "Treasures of Ananda Marga"
Namaskar,
Here is one short story that neatly highlights the great importance of sadhana for our human growth and development.
At one point in his career, Shrii Sitaram Rajgarhia of Bettiah had not been regular in sadhana and it was at that time that he went for Baba's darshan. Seeing the state of Sitaram ji, Baba graciously performed one demonstration.
Baba called upon Dasharath ji - whom Baba would regularly use for His demonstrations. Baba would grant Dasharath ji the special ability to see and know the past, present and future.
So on that day Baba requested Dasharath ji to tell what would happen if Sitaram ji died at this very moment. Blessed by Baba to know the unknowable, Dasharath ji replied that Sitaram ji would be reborn as a dog.
Hearing this Sitaram ji become horrified. He was extremely shaken and affected. Not knowing what else to do, he mentally requested His grace. Baba told him that His causeless grace is already showering on everyone. In order to be drenched in it, you have to be regular in sadhana.
Sitaram ji returned home and ardently practiced sadhana and did all his lessons regularly.
The next week Sitaram ji came back for general darshan. Again Baba did a demonstration using Dasharath ji.
Baba asked the same question as the prior week: "Dasharath ji, what would happen if Sitaram died at this very moment?".
Then Dasharath ji replied that Sitaram ji would be granted human life, but not moksa as he has a huge bundle of samskaras.
Baba told Sitaram to do regular sadhana and continue to serve Parama Purusa and the creation. If he is does sadhana regularly then He is going to achieve mukti or moksa, according to the wish of Parama Purusa. At that point, all one's samskaras will be requited, by the fire of sadhana and the grace of Parama Purusa.
This is a story which Sitaram ji himself used to tell on many occasions.
This entire story shows how important it is to do proper sadhana. Without sadhana, and without His grace, the mind invariably degenerates and one's future is bleak. And with proper sadhana and the grace Parama Purusa, one can reach life divine and attain moksa.
1. Great Potency: Sadhana is very powerful and can eliminate all kinds of samskaras in a very short period.
2. Regularity in Sadhana Needed: If one does sadhana regularly and dies, then no matter how many samskaras they have left, it is the duty of Parama Purusa to eliminate that obstacle and grant salvation. That is what Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji has promised in His Supreme Command blessing.
3. Even in a short span of time, one can do big work: One can bring the big result of going from animal mind to human mind and / or divine mind. Sadhana has immense potentiality. With sadhana, a sadhaka receives Cosmic grace. Sadhana opens the gateway, while due to lack of sadhana the door of the Divine Kingdom is closed.
Regarding the above story, Baba gives the following philosophical explanation about how it works.
"According to human longings and desires or according to human propensive pursuit, their minds take form i.e., they will gradually acquire the like saḿskáras or reactive momenta. They first see within themselves what they aspire for and then let their minds flow towards it. Thereafter the external organs i.e., hands and feet, etc., set about achieving it. And so it is generally seen that the desires that they had been giving indulgence to throughout their lives, come hurtling over to them in a condensed form at the last hour, i.e., their mind-stuff takes the like mental form for the last time in order to shape itself into a fitting medium of the like saḿskáras. Even during the life-time as well it is seen that the mind-stuff of a drunkard, which imbibes within it an indomitable desire or saḿskára for wine, turns into a vantage ground for undergoing the next saḿskáras or momenta of pleasure and pain. That is to say, such a person gets scent of the wine shop by the sheer propulsion of his acquired mental propensity, if he happens to go to a new and unfamiliar place. A man who has cultivated dog-like or swine-like desires all his life, dies with the same dog-like or swine-like frame of mind. Thereafter with the help of prakrti’s mutative force he acquires the form of a dog or swine in order to undergo the dog-like or swine-like saḿskáras. The great ascetic, King Bharata, died thinking of a fawn, and that was why it is written in the Puráńas (Indian mythologies) that he had to take the body of a deer at his next birth." (1)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Satyanarayan
REFERNENCE
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2
“An’ur vyatha’, etodine bujhale priyo, anuma’ne...” (Prabhata Samgiita 4593)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa,, O’ my Dearest, now by Your guessing You have understood the feeling of this unit being. How You do not have time to come close to me; rather, You remain sitting on the divine throne of Your devotees - on that throne which is studded with jewels. Baba, it seems You do not have time to look towards this little being.
People are demanding of me, “Why do you go on crying, and why do you call that Divine Entity who will not come and who will never pay heed to your calling.” People also tell me, “Don’t you know, His heart is very hard like a stone. He does not care. He knows all the scriptures, all the shlokas, all the mantras and bhajans, so there is no need to tell anything to Him. He will not pay heed to your call.”
In spite of what they say, I never get frustrated or feel hopeless. By Your grace, I know that I must get You. I know for certain that at some point in this life of mine, up to my death even – I know that You will come to me. O’ Baba, I am hopeful that You will grace me by coming in the lotus of my heart, and that You will make my life successful...
From: Divyajyoti_Deva
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Why We Have This Type of Figure
Baba
This letter contains three parts:
1. Posting: Why We Have This Type of Figure
2. Posting: Baba Story: From Animal to Divine
3. Prabhat Samgiita #4593
WHEN YOU COMBINE AJINA AND MANIPURA CAKRAS
Namaskar,
As we all know, Baba has placed great importance on the meaning and use of our Ananda Marga pratiika. Here below is a short explanation of how the pratiika is related with our cakras.
1. The two, perfectly-balanced equilateral triangles in our pratiika represent the manipura cakra (i.e. 3rd cakra) and the ajina cakra (i.e. 6th cakra).
2. The manipura cakra is the triangle pointed upward signifying service to society. This cakra gives the body energy and stamina to do action in the world.
3. The ajina cakra is the triangle pointed downward signifying spiritual sadhana and self-realisation. The ajina cakra is the seat of the mind.
4. We must practice and represent this symmetry in our day to day life by keeping perfect balance between our meditation (sadhana) and worldly work (social service).
MANY FALL OUT OF BALANCE
5. Our mission is: Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca.
A'tmamokśárthaḿ (self-realisation) is represented by the downward pointed triangle (i.e. ajina cakra) in our pratiika; jagaddhitáya ca (selfless service) is represented by the upward pointed triangle ( i.e. manipura cakra) in our pratiika.
6. Maintaining balance between these two triangles - representing spiritual practice for self-realisation & selfless service to humanity - is needed. As sadhakas, we should be in perfect balance just like our pratiika. That means we must do maximum sadhana without losing our adjustment with this world; and we must do maximum social service without forgetting our sadhana.
7. When we maintain perfect balance between our inner world (downward pointed triangle) and the outer world (upward pointed triangle) then we will get all-round progress (signified by the rising sun in our pratiika) and ultimately victory (signified by the swastika in our pratiika).
8. Achieving this state is not easy. All too often, as aspirants we fail to maintain proper balance in life. Most commonly, people get too caught up in their worldly work and their sadhana gets neglected. In some cases, the opposite happens. So we must constantly assess our position and strive to keep a balance between our inner and outer worlds.
"HUMAN LIFE IS A MISSION"
9. Here the point is that we must not just wear our pratiika around neck, but our daily life must be a proper representation of the pratiika, i.e. perfectly balance between service to society and self-realisation. That means our life must fully represent AM ideology.
"What should a person do? Life is a mission. I have said that human life is an ideological flow. That is, human life is a mission; life itself is a mission; one’s very existence is a mission. Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his or her own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things: that is, these two things are one’s mission." (1)
HOW OUR PRATIIKA IS USED
Here below are some of the key ways our pratiika is used in our Ananda Marga way of life:
- At dharmacakra, we may display (a) the Ananda Marga pratiika, (b) Baba's photo, or (c) both items.
- Next Baba describes the role of the pratiika when our acaryas perform diiksa (initiation).
"Initiation in Prárambhika, Sádhárańa and, in special cases, Sahaja Yoga will be done before the pratiika [emblem]." (2)
- When an Ananda Marga marriage is performed, then the pratiika will be given its rightful place.
"The pratiika [emblem of Ananda Marga] should be placed in an elevated place in the marriage hall.' (3)
- During DMC when Baba was up on the stage then there would always be a pratiika on display behind Him. Still today at DMS we present Baba's photo and behind His photo is the pratiika.
BABA'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PRATIIKA IN CARYACARYA
Here is Baba's pointed explanation of the pratiika.
"Your Pratiika [Emblem]: A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively." (4)
HOW THE PRATIIIKA IS EXPLAINED IN OUR AM BOOKS
Here below is the dharmic way the publishers have explained the pratiika on the inside pages of the recently printed AM books.
The pratiika represents in a visual way the essence of Ananda Marga ideology. The six-pointed star is composed of two equilateral triangles. The triangle pointing upward represents action, or the outward flow of energy through selfless service to humanity. The triangle pointing downward represents knowledge, the inward search for spiritual realization through meditation. The sun in the center represents advancement, all-round human progress. The goal of the aspirant's march through life is symbolized by the swastika, which means spiritual victory.
Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Divyajyoti
REFERENCES
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 30
2. Caryacarya, The Process of Initiation, part 1
3. Caryacarya, part 1, Marriage Ceremony
4. Caryacarya, part 1, "Treasures of Ananda Marga"
*******************
== BABA ST0RY: FROM ANIMAL TO DIVINE ==
Namaskar,
Here is one short story that neatly highlights the great importance of sadhana for our human growth and development.
At one point in his career, Shrii Sitaram Rajgarhia of Bettiah had not been regular in sadhana and it was at that time that he went for Baba's darshan. Seeing the state of Sitaram ji, Baba graciously performed one demonstration.
Baba called upon Dasharath ji - whom Baba would regularly use for His demonstrations. Baba would grant Dasharath ji the special ability to see and know the past, present and future.
So on that day Baba requested Dasharath ji to tell what would happen if Sitaram ji died at this very moment. Blessed by Baba to know the unknowable, Dasharath ji replied that Sitaram ji would be reborn as a dog.
Hearing this Sitaram ji become horrified. He was extremely shaken and affected. Not knowing what else to do, he mentally requested His grace. Baba told him that His causeless grace is already showering on everyone. In order to be drenched in it, you have to be regular in sadhana.
Sitaram ji returned home and ardently practiced sadhana and did all his lessons regularly.
The next week Sitaram ji came back for general darshan. Again Baba did a demonstration using Dasharath ji.
Baba asked the same question as the prior week: "Dasharath ji, what would happen if Sitaram died at this very moment?".
Then Dasharath ji replied that Sitaram ji would be granted human life, but not moksa as he has a huge bundle of samskaras.
Baba told Sitaram to do regular sadhana and continue to serve Parama Purusa and the creation. If he is does sadhana regularly then He is going to achieve mukti or moksa, according to the wish of Parama Purusa. At that point, all one's samskaras will be requited, by the fire of sadhana and the grace of Parama Purusa.
This is a story which Sitaram ji himself used to tell on many occasions.
This entire story shows how important it is to do proper sadhana. Without sadhana, and without His grace, the mind invariably degenerates and one's future is bleak. And with proper sadhana and the grace Parama Purusa, one can reach life divine and attain moksa.
REFLECTION
Here are some reflections on the above story:
1. Great Potency: Sadhana is very powerful and can eliminate all kinds of samskaras in a very short period.
2. Regularity in Sadhana Needed: If one does sadhana regularly and dies, then no matter how many samskaras they have left, it is the duty of Parama Purusa to eliminate that obstacle and grant salvation. That is what Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji has promised in His Supreme Command blessing.
3. Even in a short span of time, one can do big work: One can bring the big result of going from animal mind to human mind and / or divine mind. Sadhana has immense potentiality. With sadhana, a sadhaka receives Cosmic grace. Sadhana opens the gateway, while due to lack of sadhana the door of the Divine Kingdom is closed.
BABA's RELATED TEACHINGS
Regarding the above story, Baba gives the following philosophical explanation about how it works.
HOW THE SCIENCE OF REBIRTH WORKS:
PEOPLE WHO DIE THINKING OF A DOG ARE REBORN AS A DOG
PEOPLE WHO DIE THINKING OF A DOG ARE REBORN AS A DOG
"According to human longings and desires or according to human propensive pursuit, their minds take form i.e., they will gradually acquire the like saḿskáras or reactive momenta. They first see within themselves what they aspire for and then let their minds flow towards it. Thereafter the external organs i.e., hands and feet, etc., set about achieving it. And so it is generally seen that the desires that they had been giving indulgence to throughout their lives, come hurtling over to them in a condensed form at the last hour, i.e., their mind-stuff takes the like mental form for the last time in order to shape itself into a fitting medium of the like saḿskáras. Even during the life-time as well it is seen that the mind-stuff of a drunkard, which imbibes within it an indomitable desire or saḿskára for wine, turns into a vantage ground for undergoing the next saḿskáras or momenta of pleasure and pain. That is to say, such a person gets scent of the wine shop by the sheer propulsion of his acquired mental propensity, if he happens to go to a new and unfamiliar place. A man who has cultivated dog-like or swine-like desires all his life, dies with the same dog-like or swine-like frame of mind. Thereafter with the help of prakrti’s mutative force he acquires the form of a dog or swine in order to undergo the dog-like or swine-like saḿskáras. The great ascetic, King Bharata, died thinking of a fawn, and that was why it is written in the Puráńas (Indian mythologies) that he had to take the body of a deer at his next birth." (1)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Satyanarayan
REFERNENCE
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2
PRABHAT SAMGIITA
“An’ur vyatha’, etodine bujhale priyo, anuma’ne...” (Prabhata Samgiita 4593)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa,, O’ my Dearest, now by Your guessing You have understood the feeling of this unit being. How You do not have time to come close to me; rather, You remain sitting on the divine throne of Your devotees - on that throne which is studded with jewels. Baba, it seems You do not have time to look towards this little being.
People are demanding of me, “Why do you go on crying, and why do you call that Divine Entity who will not come and who will never pay heed to your calling.” People also tell me, “Don’t you know, His heart is very hard like a stone. He does not care. He knows all the scriptures, all the shlokas, all the mantras and bhajans, so there is no need to tell anything to Him. He will not pay heed to your call.”
In spite of what they say, I never get frustrated or feel hopeless. By Your grace, I know that I must get You. I know for certain that at some point in this life of mine, up to my death even – I know that You will come to me. O’ Baba, I am hopeful that You will grace me by coming in the lotus of my heart, and that You will make my life successful...
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