When human beings depend solely on Parama Puruśa, they cross the turbulent ocean of Máyá⁽¹⁾ through His grace. Here lies the importance of Brahma sádhaná – the practice of intuitional science – and the necessity of sharańagati, total surrender to Parama Puruśa. The spirit of sádhaná is to wage an all-round fight against Máyá, to overcome Her tenacious influence. This battle of sádhaná can be carried out in one of three ways – Dakśińácára sádhaná, Vámácára sádhaná or Madhyamácára sádhaná.

Dakśińácára sádhaná: Dakśińácára sádhakas are afraid to declare war directly against Prakrti. On the contrary, they want to please Máyá through entreaties, and they pray for liberation from that propitiated Máyá. They chant devotional prayers and eulogies to implore Viśńumáyá⁽²⁾ to withdraw the negative influence of Máyá.

Is it possible to attain liberation by such entreaties or flattery? Liberation means freedom from the bondage of slavery. It is never attained by flattery. Powerful people are greatly appeased by the entreaties and flattery of cowards, and might grant certain concessions or favours, but would never grant complete freedom. Dominion status may be granted, but the attainment of complete independence remains a far cry away. Thus, in order to attain salvation, to establish the reign of complete independence, a spiritual aspirant will have to fight against Avidyámáyá.⁽³⁾

Svaráj shuddhu átmá hatei antarete mukti cái.
Asir bale masiir bale peshiir bale mukti nái.

[Sovereign rule springs from the átmá or self. Liberation has to be attained from within. Freedom never comes about through swords, muscle power, or the power of the pen.]

Vámácára sádhaná: Vámácára sádhakas are inclined to continue the random and relentless fight against Máyá, irrespective of whether the goal is fixed before them or not. “I will fight against darkness and ultimately Máyá, overpowered by me, will assist me in attaining fulfilment” – this is the psychology of Vámácára sádhakas. Their will to struggle, their courage and valiant spirit are undoubtedly praiseworthy. But in the absence of a fixed goal before them, they fail in their endeavour to attain liberation. Often, before attaining success in the battle against Máyá, Vámácárii sádhakas become tempted to misuse their hard-earned spiritual power, causing damage to themselves and society. As a result they unknowingly invite more darkness, more crudity, and gradually degenerate to the level of animality. That is why wise sádhakas do not accept the path of Vámácára sádhaná as an ideal one.

Madhyamácára sádhaná: Madhyamácárii sádhakas want to fight against Prakrti, keeping Brahma fixed before them. They move forward towards the spiritual effulgence, or Brahmajyoti, tearing the veil of darkness of Avidyá. Ananda Marga accepts the path of Madhyamácára sádhaná, because in this process sádhakas have a fixed goal. A purposeless and random fight usually does not bring victory, rather it causes unnecessary wastage of time and energy.

Footnotes

(1) Creative Principle, Prakrti in Her phase of creation. One aspect of Máyá is the power to cause the illusion that finite created objects are the ultimate truth. –Eds.

(2) The different aspects of Máyá are known as Mahámáyá, Viśńumáyá, Ańumáyá, Yogamáyá, Avidyámáyá, and Vidyámáyá. All together, excepting Ańumáyá, are known as Vishvamáyá. –Eds.

(3) Extroversial force; aspect of the Cosmic Operative Principle that guides movements from the subtle to the crude. –Eds.