Glaring Contradiction Not Fixed for Past Thirty Years

From: Dr. Ramlagan Prasad <drrlprasad@mednet...>
To: Ananda Marga Discourses <anandamargadiscourses@sunlink.net>
Subject: Glaring Contradiction Not Fixed for Past Thirty Years
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 17:07:56 +0530

Bábá

Glaring Contradiction

Not Fixed for Past Thirty Years

Respected Márgii Brothers and Sisters,
Namaskar.

I was reading through an early discourse “Some Questions and Answers on Ánanda Márga Philosophy – Excerpt B ”, (1) and found an astonishing contradiction with a later discourse, Yogii Avashya hii Ástika Honge (A Yogii Must Certainly Be A Theist). (2) The earlier discourse was given by Bábá in 1958, before the days when discourses were regularly recorded. It was printed on the basis of notes taken by devotees present during the discourse. The second discourse was given in Hindi in 1979, and was recorded.

Contradiction Between Two Discourses:

Recording is Proof of Which Teaching Is Right

There is a very significant contradiction between the two discourses regarding the definition of the words, “atheist” and “theist”. Here the main point is that what we have in recorded form from Bábá is firm evidence of what Bábá's real message is, and is considered as hard proof. If there are two discourses which contradict each other, and only one is available in recorded form, then the recorded one will be accepted and the other considered erroneous. The erroneous discourse should be corrected without delay and brought in line with what is stated on the recording of the other discourse.

 

Táraka Brahma's Scripture Contains No Contradiction

The existence of contradiction in the scripture of Lord Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrtiji, is one critical matter. The fact is that there are no contradictions in Bábá's discourses. Bábá's teachings are consistent with one another and contain no loopholes. The discourses of Bábá are unique in that from 1955 through 1990 there is no evolution, no change in anything. 

 

Thoughts of Human Beings Evolve through Time

Any human being no matter how brilliant, goes through a process of evolution in thought in their life. The writings of a great writer early in their career, are different from the writings of that same writer late in their career. There are phases and developments which can be traced out. And any undated writings can often even be dated according the stage of thought expressed. 

 

Teachings of Táraka Brahma Do Not Evolve or Change

But in stark contrast to this, the thought process of Táraka Brahma goes through no evolution, no change. What Bábá gave in 1955, is consistent with and moreover identical to what He has given in 1990. By hearing a view expressed by Bábá in a particular paragraph, one will never be able to attach a date to it in accordance with the “Stage of thought” being expressed. Because in Bábá's discourses there are no stages and no developments: everything comes from one eternal, all-knowing Mind.

 

Any Contradiction In Ánanda Márga Scripture

Must Be Due To Publishers

In view of this fact that the teachings of Táraka Brahma are perfect, never change, and contain no contradictions—in view of this, if any contradiction is found in Ánanda Márga scripture it can only be an error of the Publishers who put the discourse into written form. Any contradiction found is due not to the Giver of the scripture, but to the medium by which that scripture was put in print. 

 

Contradiction Between Two Discourses:

Present for Thirty Years

The printed versions of the two above-mentioned discourses flagrantly contradict one another—and this contradiction has been present for over thirty years. Below are the definitions of atheist and theist as given by the two discourses.

 

The Recorded Discourse:

What is A Theist

Here is what Bábá stated in the discourse, Yogii Avashya hii Ástika Honge (A Yogii Must Certainly Be A Theist). It is from the “As Is” transcription of the original Hindi given by Bábá.

This is the definition of theist which Bábá states unequivocally, on recording:

जीवात्मा,परमात्मा,तथा वेद, इन तीनों को जो मानते हैं, वे ही हैं आस्तिक | आस्तिक की यही व्याख्या है |

Here is the direct translation of what Bábá says in Hindi:

Theists are only those who accept all three—jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and veda. This is the definition of a theist.

This definition Bábá repeats in different parts of the passage, and explains, expands upon and substantiates it fully throughout five paragraphs. There can be no doubt about what Bábá is expressing here. A theist is one who accepts all three--jiivátmá , Paramátmá , and veda. And if someone does not accept any single one among these three, then one is an atheist. Bábá explains in the passage that veda means “spiritual jiṋána, spiritual knowledge”.

Here again Bábá states this very same teaching in another of the five paragraphs:

आस्तिक उसी को कहेंगे जो जीवात्मा को भी मानते हैं, परमात्मा को भी मानते हैं, और आध्यात्मिक-ज्ञान अर्थात्‌ वेद को भी मानते हैं|

Here is the direct translation of what Bábá says in Hindi:

Theists will be recognized only as those who accept the existence of all three jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and spiritual jiṋána that is to say veda.

So Bábá's above teachings were given on recording, on June 30, 1979, in Patna.

 

The Non-Recorded Discourse:

What is A Theist

In another discourse—one which was not recorded—it is printed that Bábá has given the following teaching:
Discourse: “Some Questions and Answers on Ánanda Márga Philosophy – Excerpt B”

Printed in:
Tattva Kaomudii Part 1
Ánanda Márga Philosophy in a Nutshell Part 3 [a compilation]

Q. 35 – Who should be called an atheist (nástika)?

Ans.: – Those who do not believe in Consciousness (Atman), Supreme Consciousness (Paramátman) or Vedas are atheists. Those who believe in any one of them may be called theists.

So, here the Tiljala Publishers have printed that Bábá's teaching is that if someone believes in any of the three—jiivátmá, Paramátmá, or veda—then they are theists.

Two Contradictory Definitions of Theist Printed By Publishers

Makes AM Philosophy Look Hypocritical

This above-printed statement directly contradicts Bábá's 1979 recorded teaching that one will only be considered a theist if they believe in all three jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and veda (spiritual knowledge).

This contradiction has been sitting in the printed books being sold all over the world for the past thirty years. The wrong teaching from Tattva Kaomudii Part 1 has been in print for fifty years, and the correct teaching—the one available on recording—has been in print for almost thirty-five years. And this contradiction is not subtle or vague; it is a glaring contradiction that makes Bábá look like someone who says one thing at one time, and an opposite thing at another.

 

A Self-Contradictory Philosophy Cannot Survive

Now here is one vital point: In any philosophy, if there are contradictions within it that is deadly. A philosophy which is self-contradictory, cannot survive. So the presence of such a glaring contradiction is extremely serious and threatens the whole of Ánanda Márga scripture. Yet in over thirty years, the Tiljala Publishers never fixed it. 

 

Why The Tiljala Publishers

Never Fixed The Contradiction in 30 Years

One must ask the question as to how it could be that the Tiljala Publishers never fixed such a glaring contradiction as this in thirty years?

Tiljala Publishers: Dedicated To Bengalization

of Ánanda Márga Scripture

The answer to this fundamental question lies in a critical defect in the Tiljala Publishers' approach: they are dedicated to the bengalization of Bábá's scripture. Our Tiljala Publishers have tremendous interest in publishing everything Bábá said in the Bengali language, or about the Bengali culture. They even have tremendous interest in printing things Bábá is said to have said in Bengali or rumored to have said. Things for which there is no proof or evidence Bábá said in Bengali, those things also they have been printing in our AM books—as though they were true—since 1990. The long and short of it is that anything these Tiljala Publishers can find to print in Bengali or about Bengal which may be linked with Bábá—whether substantiated or not—they will print.

And even if they are proven, recorded words of Bábá—our Tiljala Publishers have no interest in discourses Bábá has given in Hindi or about other parts of India outside of Bengal.

Tiljala Publishers: Dedicated To Proving

Bábá Knew Only Bengali

The goal of the Tiljala Publishers is to show that Bengali language and culture is the best in the world. And they go about doing this through their efforts to show that Bábá knew only Bengali, was Himself Bengali, and spoke mostly about Bengal. In so doing they neglect all Bábá has given in Hindi.

Neglect Hindi Discourses

The 1979 discourse in which Bábá gave His teaching on theism and atheism on recording, is in Hindi. Due to this, the Tiljala Publishers didn't pay any attention to it. It is lying neglected. If this discourse had been given in Bengali, the Tiljala Publishers would definitely have fixed the contradiction. Similarly, if the Tiljala Publishers had not had their agenda of bengalization, then this discourse would not have been neglected and the contradiction would have been fixed.

Contradiction in Scripture is Deadly

Must Repair Without Delay

The presence of such a contradiction in our Ánanda Márga scripture is of vital importance and must be repaired without delay. The very survival of Ánanda Márga ideology as guiding light for the suffering humanity, depends on this.

Bábá says, "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." (Tattva Kaomudii - 2)


At His lotus feet,
Dr. Ramlagan Prasad


Footnotes.
1. Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B
Published in:
Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell Part 3 [a compilation]
Notes:
from Tattva Kaomudii Part 1

2. योगी अवश्य ही आस्तिक होंगे (Yogii Avashya hii Ástika Honge )
Ánanda Vacanámrtam part 13
EGD 1979-06-30 Patna

3. Click here to see the six paragraphs in Yogii Avashya hii Ástika Honge (A Yogii Must Certainly Be A Theist) where Bábá explains in great detail about what it means that a theist must believe in i.e. accept the existence of jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and veda, and why it is important. The “As Is” six paragraphs from the original Hindi are presented, followed by their translation into English. Neither the “As Is” Hindi, nor its English translation, have ever been printed anywhere.

From the Moderators—

NOTES ABOUT H GROUP— It is regrettable that H and EC groups have no interest in Bábá’s discourses, otherwise they would have become active in publishing them from the original sound track instead of merely reprinting the books which the Tiljala group publishes. The distortions introduced by Tiljala group in their publications of Bábá’s discourses are errors of commissional in nature. But let none make the mistake of thinking that H and EC groups are innocent here; by their failure to take interest in publishing Bábá’s original discourses, they demonstrate a lethargy toward Bábá’s shástra which is highly condemnable. H and EC groups’ failure to publish Bábá’s original discourses is a failure of omission. The omissional error of H and EC is every bit as serious as the commissional errors of Tiljala group. And moreover, H group's publishing department merely reprints the distortion-laden, error-filled books made by Tiljala group, and puts their stamp on it. So they are supporting and participating in the sins of Tiljala group.


Moderators Note 1.

 

Fix Bábá's Discourses Now or Never

If we remain passive onlookers and do not fix the negative trends of introducing distortion into Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrtiji's discourses—if we do not bring the printed discourses up to the proper standard now—it will become impossible to change this in the future. And even if in future some sincere Ánanda Márgiis will try, they will be treated as enemies. Because this is the way religion works: Today one cannot teach the devotees of Lord Krśńa that He has nothing to do with cows; they will never believe it. In the same way, Ánanda Márgiis will become used to the wrong teachings in our AM books and they will not like to give them up. They will think that whatever was there at the end of the twentieth century, that was the gold standard for all time. And it should be kept and maintained.

Ánanda Má́rga is dharma—not religion—but we will face the same opposition from within to change, when wrong teachings get established.

So we don't have any time: it is either now or never. The clock is ticking: If we do not get Bábá's discourses fixed now, it will be impossible to do so later. And that will cause bloodshed and more division on the basis of the various versions of Bábá's teachings and their explanations. History bears testimony to this, that all the religions have similarly broken into multiple factions, groups and subgroups on the basis of differences in scripture interpretations. Bábá wanted to eliminate such problems, and that is why Bábá's discourses are recorded. But unfortunately, those recordings are not being published properly. This matter is very serious.

Moderators Note 2.

 

Request for Volunteers

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.

Moderators Note 3.

 

Need for Audio Recordings

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.

Moderators Note 4.

 

Only Goal of Ánanda Má́rga Discourses Network:

To Protect Bábá's Discourses

This Ánanda Má́rga Discourses Network does not have any agenda against any group. Its only goal is to repair and protect Lord Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrtiji's holy discourses so they will remain for the present and future humanity.

Bábá's Teaching on What is a Theist, & What is an Atheist

Below are the six paragraphs in the Hindi Discourse "Yogii Avashya hii Ástika Honge", where Bábá explains in great detail about what it means that a theist must believe in i.e. accept the existence of jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and veda, and why it is important. These are the “As Is” six paragraphs from the original Hindi and have never been printed anywhere. 

These Hindi paragraphs are followed below by their careful translation into English. As with the original “As Is” Hindi, the English translation of these paragraphs has never been printed anywhere.

योगी अवश्य ही आस्तिक होंगे

Yogii Avashya hii Ástika Honge (A Yogii Must Certainly Be A Theist)

EGD 1979-06-30 Patna

आस्तिक किसको कहते हैं ? प्राचीन व्याख्या है आस्तिक शब्द की, वह है कि जो जीवात्मा, परमात्मा और वेद, तीनों को मानते हैं, वे ही हैं आस्तिक | बौद्ध-युग में इसकी व्याख्या में कुछ परिवर्त्तन आ गया है | वह व्याख्या हुई कि जो, जीवात्मा, परमात्मा, या वेद — इन तीनों में से किसी एक को मानते हैं, वे ही हैं आस्तिक |

तो, वेद माने है "सही ज्ञान" | वेद एक कोई सूखा पुस्तक नहीं है | वेद माने "पारमार्थिक ज्ञान, आत्मिक ज्ञान, spiritual knowledge" | यही है वेद शब्द का सही अर्थ | लोग किस तरह से (मान लो) चोरी करेंगे, किस तरह से डकैती करेंगे — यह भी तो ज्ञान है जी | इस ज्ञान को वेद नहीं कहेंगे | वेद कहेंगे आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान को | और, इस दृष्टिकोण से अगर देखा जाए, तो मैं भी यही कहूँगा, कि — जो जीवात्मा, परमात्मा, तथा वेद, इन तीनों को जो मानते हैं, वे ही हैं आस्तिक | आस्तिक की यही व्याख्या है |

अर्थात्‌ बौद्ध योग में जो व्याख्या में परिवर्त्तन लाया गया था, वह परिवर्त्तन अनुचित हुआ था | जीवात्मा को मानता है; परमात्मा को नहीं मानता है, वेद को नहीं मानता है, तो उसकी तरक्की कैसे होगी जी ? जीवात्मा किस तरफ़ चलेगी ? आत्मिक तरक्की जो हम कहेंगे, तो जीवात्मा किस तरफ़ चलेगी ? किसकी ओर चलेगी, अगर परमात्मा के सम्बन्ध में कुछ नहीं कहा गया ?

या परमात्मा को मानते हैं; जीवात्मा को नहीं मानते हैं — तब तुम नहीं हो | और, तुम नहीं हो, तो तुम क्या तरक्की करोगे ? तुम जब हो ही नहीं | तुम हो नहीं, तब तुम्हारी तरक्की कैसे हो सकती है ? इसलिए जीवात्मा को भी मानना पड़ेगा |

और, जीवात्मा और परमात्मा में सम्पर्क निर्धारक कौन हैं ? आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान | इसलिए आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान को मानना भी फ़र्ज़ है | जो रुहानी तरक्की चाहते हैं, उनके लिए आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान भी ज़रूरी है, फ़र्ज़ है | आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान नहीं रहने से, लोग आगे बढ़ेंगे कैसे ? जीवात्मा परमात्मा की ओर आगे बढ़ेगी कैसे ? इसलिए आस्तिक उसी को कहेंगे जो जीवात्मा को भी मानते हैं, परमात्मा को भी मानते हैं, और आध्यात्मिक-ज्ञान अर्थात्‌ वेद को भी मानते हैं | यहाँ वेद माने "वेद का जो ज्ञानकाण्ड"; कर्मकाण्ड नहीं, अग्नि में घृताहुति नहीं | यहाँ इसका माने है ? जीवात्मा को किस तरह से परमात्मा में आहुति दी जाएगी, उसका जो process है, उसी को जानना; परिप्रश्न से मनुष्य को जिसका उत्तर मिलता है |

तो, योगी अवश्य ही आस्तिक बनेंगे | कोई अगर महाराज कहते हैं, कि — "मैं नास्तिक हूँ, मैं शास्त्र को नहीं मानता हूँ, मैं योगी हूँ |" नहीं जी, तुम योगी नहीं हो | तुम ढोङ्ग कर रहे हो |

Here below is the English translation of the above text:

What is an atheist? The ancient definition states that those who believe in the jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and veda — all three — only they are theists. In the Buddhist age, the accepted definition of a theist changed to include anyone who believed in any one of the three — jiivátmá, Paramátmá, or veda. 

Veda means "true knowledge". Veda is not just a dry book. Veda means "knowledge of Paramátmá, knowledge of átmá, spiritual knowledge". This the true meaning of veda. How to steal, how to commit theft — this is also a sort of jiṋána. But we will not call this sort of jiṋána, "veda". Spiritual knowledge only is called veda. And from this perspective, I will say that theists are only those who accept all three--jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and veda. This is the definition of a theist. 

That is, the change in definition which occured during the Buddhist age, was inappropriate. If someone accepts the átmá, but rejects Paramátmá and veda, then how will they progress? In which direction will the jiivátmá move? When we talk about spiritual progress, for such progress in which direction will the jiivátmá move? That is, towards Whom will the jiivátmá move, if one does not speak of Paramátmá? 

Or if one accepts Paramátmá, but doesn't accept jiivátmá — so in this case you do not exist. And if you yourself do not exist, then what progress will you make when you yourself are not even there? When you are not there, then how will your progress be possible? So it will also be imperative to accept the existence of jiivátmá. 

And what is the agent that shows the way to the communion of jiivátmá and Paramátmá? Spiritual knowledge. So one will have to accept the existence of spiritual knowledge as well. It is the duty of those who want spiritual progress, to accept the existence of spiritual knowledge. How will aspirants move ahead without spiritual knowledge? How will jiivátmá advance towards Paramátmá? So therefore theists will be recognized only as those who accept the existence of all three jiivátmá, Paramátmá, and spiritual jiṋána that is to say veda. Here veda means the jiṋána-khańd́a of the veda text; not the karma-khańd́a i.e. the offering of ghee in fire. The sense of "veda" here means knowing the process by which jiivátmá is to be surrendered into Paramátmá; also described as that answer received by a person sincerely requesting spiritual guidance (pariprashna).

So, a yogii must certainly be a theist. If any mahárája ["great king"] says that, "I am an atheist and I do not believe in the scriptures (veda) — I am a yogii"; then my reply is, "No, you are not a yogii, but a hypocrite".