Readings on Prophets and Principles Souvenir on the occasion of 1st National Conference on Prophets and Principles Organized by Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies Cuttack Chapter, Odisha 25-26 December 2013 Edited by Dr. Tapan K Jena [email protected] Dr. Debesh C Patra [email protected] Editorial Prophets and Principles Prophets Prophets are wonders. They are the creators and the creations, both together. They are God in human form on the one hand and human beings with Godly qualities, on the other. Their existence alone proves and facilitates what Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra once said that ‘Man is God’. Prophets show that what appears humanly impossible is divinely possible. They are the fusion of humanity and divinity in a live concert. Humanity benefits immensely from the life and ideology of prophets. To put in reverse, Prophets come for the benefit of humanity, when humanity passes through grave crises. When prophets descend, man gets a passage to ascend. This wonderful phenomenon of prophethood was splendidly played out during 1888 to 1969 on the soil of Himaitpur (currently in Bangaldesh) (1888 – 1946) and in Deoghar in Jharkhand state in India (1946 – 1969). The period certainly is lapsed into the past, but the events of that period are so valuable for the humanity that it needs much enquiry, research, analysis and understanding. The life of Sri Sri Thakur, as and whatever is known today, is like the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Much of that submerged portion has to be unearthed for the benefit of the humanity and for the purpose of flourishing culture and civilization. We know from our experience, from what we have read, heard and felt about Sri Sri Thakur, everything put together presents a wonder ball, which shines on its own charm. We get enlightened as much as we are mesmerized, as the features that he radiates are simply unfathomable, inscrutable and charismatic. But it does not end there. He is not a magician or an acrobatic whose only object was to play and show wonders and keep the people around engaged. His overriding purpose is to render service to others; enlighten others; elevate others, particularly elevate the consciousness and sharpen the faculties of each and every person on this earth. Above everything else, he was the redeemer, the savior, the upholder of existence and eradicator of evils. Readings on Prophets and Principles Principles The single most important feature of Sri Sri Thakur was that he left no stone unturned for inviting bliss and beatitude for everyone. In this process, he averted and prevented dangers, obstacles, impediments and hardship for everyone. People looked up to him for his grace, that would free them from the worldly troubles. Here comes the role that ‘principles’ play. His grace would flow through a process which his principles define. It is important that people know the principles, the ideology and the basic tenets of becoming and adopt, follow and practice the principles. The national conference on ‘Prophets and Principles’ is aimed to decipher and familiarize ourselves those principles which play critical role in our life, in our quest for becoming. Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra created a pool of love around him. The undercurrent of that pool helped everyone to propel towards elevated consciousness. Everyone would strive towards excellence, overcoming the limitations of destiny. That process has been demonstrated by Sri Sri Thakur and his ideology has been given as a capsule. But today, that process largely seems to be unknown to people at large. Prophets fight against fate. They wage war against evil and propitiate existence. We saw those missions in actions during the life of Sri Sri Thakur. Today when Sri Sri Thakur is no more on physical plane, his principles are the tools for carrying on his mission. Life of every person, you, me, our neighbor, colleague, everyone’s life is the ground zero, the point of action, that battlefield where the mission critical is being played out. The society, the economy, the community, the work place, the environment, web of regulatory frameworks, the administration, the field of education, the community health; all these are canvass on which Sri Sri Thakur’s mission needs to be painted. Sri Sri Thakur’s ideological paradigm, his literature and his laid down tradition are so vast that these encompass the whole life and society. Question remains, how much of that is known, practiced, discussed, articulated, communicated, put in to code of conducts and kept alive through traditions and institutions? Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies To conduct a deep enquiry into the life and ideology of Sri Sri Thakur is a multidimensional and huge task. One part of that task is to conduct research into Sri Sri Thakur’s ideology as enshrined in his literature. The objective of this national conference is to focus on ideology of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra for a better appreciation. We have many more things to know, admitting that we already have basic knowledge about Sri Sri Thakur’s ideology. And if we take the humanity in totality, then the fraction of humanity which has access to this knowledge of ideology is abysmally low. And that determines the size and volume 4 Readings on Prophets and Principles of work that needs to be done to bring the knowledge about the ideology of Sri Sri Thakur out to the surface and to the level of visibility and awareness. Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies is carrying out this mission critical of the present prophet, Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra. The first national level conference after formation of Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies in 2009 was held in Mumbai University, in collaboration with Department of Philosophy in September 2011. The conference theme was ‘Indian Culture’. The second national conference on ‘Indian Culture’, with particular focus on ‘Dasabidha Sanskar’ (Ten Sacraments) was held in the newly constructed premise of Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies at Balasore in Odisha in June 2013. And the third in the series is being held at Cuttack in Odisha in December 2013 on the theme ‘Prophets and Principles’. Every conference organized by the Institute in the past created volumes of literature. Worth mentioning out of these are: a) Proceedings of the Conference on Indian Culture - 2011 and b) ‘Future Culture – 2013’. These two are landmark pieces of literature on Sri Sri Thakur. A catalogue of publications of the Institute is printed elsewhere in this volume. This volume, ‘Readings on Prophets and Principles’ contains 17 articles on the subject. All contributions in this volume are original works. While there are good quality articles from mature researchers, we also have encouraged new authors into the domain and helped their work get published. The sole objective of Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies is to promote research on Indian culture in general and on Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra, in particular. All activities of the Institute are oriented towards research, publication, formulating operating framework from Sri Sri Thakur’s literature. Conference on Prophets and Principles Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra left his mortal frame for last 44 years. During this interval, there has come a new generation to stay, who can know Sri Sri Thakur only from second-hand and third-hand sources. Most of the contemporary devotees of Sri Sri Thakur have passed away. Advancement in science and technology has brought about a sea change in style of living, thinking and viewing. Overall, there appears to be a void in understanding the core principles of Sri Sri Thakur. Further, there appears to considerable erosion in the operative and application part of Sri Sri Thakur’s ideology. What typically happens after the prophets’ departure that distortion creeps in, that process has set in. Situation has perhaps come to a point of decay. This situation has arisen, partly due to ignorance about Sri Sri Thakur and his principles; and secondly, due to passive approach Sri Sri Thakur’s devotees have taken to the issue under reference. The conference on ‘Prophets and Principles’ address a question: if one has to live with the objective and ideology of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra today, then what is the framework? What is that Sri Sri Thakur has provided for the people 5 Readings on Prophets and Principles of today and tomorrow on the subject of his ideology, which one would understand to follow? Structure of this Volume This volume is structured in four parts: The first part is a prayer. This prayer is a wonderful piece composed by Sri Sri Thakur in Bengali; it was first published in ‘Anusruti’ (in Bengali), Volume III in 1962. Half a century later today, the English translation has been presented here, with a view that this poem of 24 stanzas will answer the question that what should be the content of our prayer to the Lord. Second part deals with the concept and illustration of prophethood. Authors in this part have gone into the analysis and philosophy of avatar or prophet. The cult of purusottam (fulfiller the best) and the system of sadhana following him has been the sterling attraction of this part, for the first time brought out in English in the light of Sri Sri Thakur’s ideological framework. The third part deals with the lineage of prophets, past and present. Papers in this part have attempted a comparative study of so called different religions, particularly from the point of view of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra. The sums and substance that comes out of this part points to the underlying similarity of all religious views and the harmonious tune of all the prophets. ‘The present prophet is the consummation of all prophets’. The fourth part in this volume presents sparkle of the latest prophet, Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra. The authors have sung the glory of the Lord, in thousand words, yet admittedly failed to present the Lord in totality. That is the feature of the human manifestation of the divine. What comes along with the analysis is a spontaneous flow of devotion and knowledge. One author in personal conversation with us confessed that he has written his article from heart, not from mind. At the same time, some authors have applied good piece of mind in viewing and presenting the Lord in high intellectual rigour. Conclusion Dear reader; this volume in your hand has the power to change your life. This volume voices the call of the divine and it drives towards excellence. Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies takes immense satisfaction in presenting this volume in your hand. 25th December 2013 Dr. Tapan K. Jena Cuttack, Odisha Dr. Debesh C. Patra ··· 6 Readings on Prophets and Principles Readings on Prophets and Principles Souvenir on the occasion of 1st National Conference on 'Prophets and Principles', 25-26 December 2013, Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies, Cuttack Chapter, Odisha Index Sr. No. Title Author Page No. Part I – Prayer 1. O my gracious Lord! Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra 10 Part II - Prophet: Concept and Illustration 2. Prophet’s Cultural Succession Prof. Tapan K Jena 15 3. An Analytical Study on Prophets and Sri Sri Thakur Dr. Charubala Mohanty 26 4. Prophet and Prophecy Prof. Dinabandhu Dey 30 5. The Concept of Purusottam Rajendra Prasad Maharana 37 6. The Prophet of the Age Sabyasachi Patra 44 7. Prophet and Principles Dipangshu Maitra 48 Part III - Lineage of Prophets 8 The Divinity Within Satyabrata Srikumar 52 9 Overcoming Destiny Dr. Bharat M Vachharajani 56 10 Prophets are Inborn Divine: They Look for Carriers Dr. Debesh C Patra 63 11 Srimad Bhagavat Gita & Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra Rajanikanta Dey 70 Part IV – Latest Prophet 12 Wonderful Expressions of Beloved Thakur Dr. Buddhadev Chakraborty 75 13 A Perspective to Life and Ideology of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra Priti Gopal Datta Ray 85 7 Readings on Prophets and Principles 14 Revelation and Action of Sri Sri Thakur Dr. Umesh Chandra Patra 96 15 Sri Sri Thakur – The Amalgam of Amazing Personalities Subash Mukherjee 103 16 Fundamental Teachings of the World Leader – Sree Sree Thakur Anukul Chandra Dr. Srikumar Mukherjee 113 17 Latest Prophet – Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra Subrat Mahakul 119 18 Take refuge at the feet of Sadguru Gayadhar Panda 122 8 Readings on Prophets and Principles Readings on Prophets and Principles Souvenir on the occasion of 1st National Conference on Prophet and Principles, 25-26 December 2013, Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies, Cuttack Chapter, Odisha Part I: Prayer What we submit to God becomes prayer. In Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra’s view: = Prayer is essentially application of words and deeds to achieve the goal. = When prayer gets focused and tuned with urge for action, you will get peace in body, mind and freedom from complex mania. Both the above two sayings of Sri Sri Thakur link prayer to action, leading to goal realization. Payer is done both in words and deeds. When the prayer (the desired goal) and action (the medium for achieving the goal) are in synch, one comes to a state of peace and harmony, physically, mentally and emotionally. In Anusruti, 3rd part, Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra has given a long lyric vani (in Bengali), which really brings out what should be our prayer to the Lord. We have attempted to translate that profound vani of Sri Sri Thakur below and that for us seems to be the last word on prayer. Translation from Bengali to English has been rendered jointly by: Prof. Dinabandhu Dey and Dr. Debesh C Patra Dinabandhu Dey is Professor in English, Khaira College, Balasore, Odisha. Dr. Debesh C Patra is Deputy General Manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Mumbai. Both are Members of Institute of Indo-Aryan Studies. We owe a word of gratitude to Pujyapada Buddhadev Chakraborty for his guidance and seal of approval. 9 Readings on Prophets and Principles Prayer O my gracious Lord, the all powerful Master, the glory of my being, the wealth and divinity; The stay of my soul, the goal ultimate, the light of life, the pathway to eternity. Beneath the canopy of thy serene dispensation, May I bear the cross of my distress! In thy denial of morsel or bestowal of laurel, O divinity! Thy cold look won’t me repress! Every act of yours is blessing for me, I am surrendered, ever at your feet; To serve you is my duty supreme, work for you is life’s goal I treat. Thou art my sole belonging, nothing else have I to yearn; Least care world over, for anything, thy pain is my lone concern. You know what is good to me, gracious lord! Let it be done; I pray Thee! Live with esteem, for me and for everyone. Your service, with inquisitive zeal, your work, words of principle; Upholding these is my true worship, for my soul, and goal of disciple. Nourishing thy smile, content and care, glory unto you! world over; That be my cherished endeavor, the mission I’ll chase for ever. 10 Readings on Prophets and Principles You bless me! Stay with me, you live forever, life eternal; Me at your feet, at your call, be with you, for you, ever loyal. Those who make a show of love, and who pet their own deficiency; Never put their words into action, devoid of devotion and decency. Million words of thy mercy and admonition, seldom touch them and impact; Only they who live in you and you in them, can relish thy bliss, keeping you intact. I claim not thy mercy, or unmerited favor, though dear thou art to me; Let this heart, brimming over with love, wash thy lotus feet and adore thee. Have mercy on me! Perfect me, to meet thy wish, fulfill demand; My body, mind and soul, all that I am, could see you, hear and understand. This is my prayer, O my Lord, my life’s go, thirst and hunger; Let thy abode ever illumine, remain unshaken, in my heart, that beats faster. Each of thy commandments, is my soul’s benediction and cheer; Be thou my guide, goading me unhindered, may clouds of despair be clear. When you grant my fervent prayer, making me full with thy grace; I see you here, there and everywhere, closest to my heart I feel thy presence. To care the wellbeing and joyance with a flourish, of self, home in touch with surroundings; I pledge to adore it, the motto sublime, with you as the pivot, the lord of becoming. 11