Sádhaná Not Needed

From: tr sukul <trsukulsagar@...>
To:  Ananda Marga Discourses <anandamargadiscourses@sunlink.net>
Subject: Sádhaná́ Not Needed
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 15:59:26 +0530 (06:29 EDT)

Bábá

Sádhaná Not Needed

Namaskára,

Discourse Goes Against Bábá's Teachings

I am writing in about a discourse that contains a critical paragraph which goes completely against Bábá's teachings. (1) Bábá never said anything like what is printed here. The paragraph of concern is simply one unacceptable and outrageous distortion.

Bábá teaches that so long as one is alive one will have to do sádhaná́ twice a day. At the time of death, Paramátmá helps those to get mukti who did not exhaust all their saḿskáras, if they were doing sádhaná́ twice a day until the time of death. But not doing sádhaná́ twice a day AND getting mukti—this is against Bábá's teachings.

Indeed, this is the speciality of Ánanda Má́rga: all Ánanda Má́rgiis know that Parama Puruśa is Hari and Hari steals the devotee's sins. But we also know—indeed the teaching is found throughout Bábá's discourses—that this stealing of sins does not happen unless one is trying to do sádhaná regularly.

Yet the Kolkata Publishers quote Bábá as saying in this discourse that one “need not do sádhaná́ to get
mukti.” Such a blatant contravening of Supreme Command, and all Ánanda Má́rga fundamental principles.

Sádhaná́ Needed For Liberation

Here is Bábá's direct teaching about the necessity of sádhaná́ for getting liberation. It could not be more clear. The below is from the discourse, “Intuitional Practice and Its Necessity”—

“Intuitional practice (sádhaná́) has to be learned from a great preceptor (sadguru), and emancipation is obtained by its systematic practice. Nothing can be achieved by merely depending on the preceptor without carrying out intuitional practice (sádhaná́). Everyone should carry out intuitional practice. Emancipation is not possible without it.” (2)

So here Bábá very clearly makes the point that Emancipation is not possible without intuitional practice. One will have to do sádhaná́ twice a day to get liberation. In other words: Not doing sádhaná́ twice a day AND getting mukti—this is against Bábá's teachings.

As Ánanda Má́rgiis we know that Parama Puruśa graces His devotees and He can do anything. Bábá has given in so many Prabhá́ta Saḿgiita songs that Parama Puruśa can make the rivers flow in the reverse direction and He can make flowers bloom from stones. But one thing He does not do is steal sins and grace with mukti when someone has not done sádhaná at all in their life.

As Baba says in the above quote, “Everyone should carry out intuitional practice. Emancipation is not possible without it.” (2)

By Reading Discourse, People Will Think Sádhaná Not Needed

If such misleading distortions are allowed to remain, those reading our books may wonder why such an arduous task as sádhaná́ is even needed. After all, as it says in our own books, one can get liberation without it. All Ánanda Márgiis can easily understand the urgent need to correct distortions such as these in our scripture.

Respectfully,

Dr T R Sukul


Note 1. The discourse is “The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 4”, and has been printed in Ánanda Vacanámrtam English Part 23, Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, and Supreme Expression Volume 1. It is claimed that the discourse was given by Bábá on 8 October 1967, Aurangabad.

Note 2. “Intuitional Practice and Its Necessity.” Ánanda Márga: Elementary Philosophy. 1955.

From the Moderators:

Note 3. We make a special request for volunteers to help in this work of producing and reviewing the “as is” discourses. Márgii volunteers are needed from all countries around the world, to help with translating the “as is” discourses into the various languages, and also to help with translating postings about distortions so that all Márgiis around the world can be made aware. Comparing the “as is” discourses to the discourses published by our AMPS is a big job, and help here is also needed. We welcome a hand from any and all who are inspired and interested to serve in the protection of the discourses of Lord Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrtiji.

Note 4. In order to produce “As Is” discourses, there is a need for audio cassettes of Bábá's discourses. These are treated with the utmost of care as we do the job for which the recordings were made: discourse transcription. So any who have recordings of Bábá's discourses are encouraged to contact us in order to get the recording transcribed in “As Is” fashion.

Note 5. Click here to see the full discourse, “The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 4” as printed by Tiljala Publications.

"The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 4" As Printed by Tiljala Publications

Here is the full discourse “The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 4”, as printed in official publications of AMPS as well in the official AMPS electronic publication. In this discourse it is claimed Bábá states one need not do sádhaná́ to get mukti.

Printed in Ánanda Vacanámrtam English Part 23, Discourses on Tantra Volume Two, and Supreme Expression Volume 1. It is asserted that the discourse was given by Bábá on 8 October 1967, Aurangabad.

The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 4

Published in:

Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23

Discourses on Tantra Volume Two [a compilation]

Supreme Expression Volume 1 [a compilation]

Notes:

“The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 1”, “– 2”, “– 3” and “– 4” were published as four separate chapters in Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, but as four sections of a single chapter in Discourses on Tantra Part 2.

The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 4

8 October 1967, Aurangabad

Párvatii once asked the Lord, “How will my children be able to get you?” Shiva replied, “That I have already explained to you a number of times and in a number of ways.” But Párvatii insisted on a repetition. Shiva replied in short, “They should do sádhaná properly and regularly and in the course of time they will come to achieve their goal.”

But the mother pleaded for her children. “This you have of course said before. But all my children are not made of the same stuff. Some are good, some wicked, some even more wicked. Some are good and pious sádhakas, but there are many who are never calm and collected. They will never be able to do difficult sádhaná that regularly. So will they never get mukti? These children are ours also. You must say something that will help everyone, including this group.”

Lord Shiva insisted that everyone should do sádhaná according to the proper system He had taught; that would bring them to their goal. But Mother Párvatii still insisted on some easier way to mukti. Finally the Lord yielded and said, “Those who surrender completely to the Lord may or may not do sádhaná. All their burdens and duties will be borne by the Lord Himself. The Lord will perform their sádhaná for them. So ask your naughty children to surrender to Him.”

8 October 1967, Aurangabad