Niilakantha Divas
| Niilakantha Divas | |
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| Type | Ananda Marga event |
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| Location in Sarkarverse |
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Niilakantha Divas is an Ananda Marga event on February 12 or every year to commemorate the day in 1973 when Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar was poisoned in Bankipur Central Jail, Patna.
Niilakantha Divas (1973)
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar had been arrested in 1971. Various assassination plots were concocted by the enemies of Dharma. On February 12 of 1973, one such plot materialized with the prison doctor administering poison to Baba in the form of medicine.
Observations
Niilakantha Divas is observed by Margiis every year. Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar himself suggested to observe this day to express sentient anger against the sinful forces. Margiis on this day focus not on the fact that Sarkar was poisoned but rather on the fact that he survived. In celebration, food of highest quality is distributed to the needy.
References
Unofficial transcription from morning darshan on 1979 February 12 [unverified and unpublished]
[Margiis are raising the slogan, "Niilakant́ha Baba Ki – Jay!!"]
Baba addresses Ac. Rámánanda Avadhuta, Baba's personal assistant: [Now speak in English.]
[Rámánanda—"Actually you know, on 12th February, 1973, on this very day Baba was poisoned in Bankipur Central Jail. And this conspiracy was hatched by CBI, those who since the very beginning were trying to finish Baba, remove Him from this world. So, on this very day in 1973 He was poisoned in the jail. Actually, I was the first visitor to visit His cell, and when I saw Him lying on the bed, He was neither able to move nor to speak. And I came to know, just through indications, that His nerves and brain were not properly functioning. His eyes were red, and were watering profusely. And these were the signs which indicated that something serious had happened. When I came out from the jail, I inquired with the doctors–some Margii doctors, and other doctors were there. They immediately said that He has been poisoned, and these are the reactions of the poison. So we felt that there should be inquiry into this incident. That, who is behind this nefarious work."]
Baba: "Judicial probe"
[Rámánanda—"Yes. Who are the persons behind this nefarious work. So we wanted judicial inquiry, judicial probe. The Indira government never gave us the opportunity to express ourselves or to place the fact before the public, as to what are the issues. She suppressed this thing, she didn’t institute any inquiry. Then Baba was compelled to go on fast from 1st April 1973. And He continued His fast up to 1st August 1978. So five years, four months, and one day He continued His fast. So these things, actually—"]
Baba: "I wrote a letter to the President of India, that I know who are the black hands working from behind the curtain."
[Rámánanda—"Several letters were written and there are many things as you know, which happened. Self-immolations, for that, agitations—"]
Baba: "So many boys and so many girls died."
[Rámánanda —"So, in spite of that, many things had happened. Anyway, we were not knowing how to commemorate this particular day, this 12th February. Then we just sat together and asked that what we will call this very day. What will be the name of this particular day. And, we came to this conclusion that this day will be commemorated in the name of, "Niilakant́ha Divasa". So, we were observing since 1973, and we were continuing. But, we were not having the proper guidance, in which way we can commemorate it. So, today, just I asked Baba how to do it. And then He told that, "You people will decide how to commemorate it." Then, when we didn’t give proper reply to Baba, then He Himself told that, "Why you will be fasting? It will be, You will have to show your sentient anger, not just go on fasting or something like that." Then, He told that, "You will have to give the reply if somebody has poisoned you, you will have to show some—"]
Baba: "Give the reply in a subtler way."
[Rámánanda—"Give reply in a subtler way, giving them Amrta."]
Baba: "Amrta means nectar."
[Rámánanda—"Amrta means nectar. So, we are to take food that day, and the best food we should give to the needy on this very day. Whosoever we may be, whether margii, avadhuta, or acarya. If avadhutas, or acaryas, or wholetimers having not money, they will have to beg."]
Baba: "Avadhutas have got no property, personal property."
[Rámánanda—"They have to raise funds, they will have to collect, and buy something and feed to the people.]
Baba: "They will collect funds by begging. And feed the poor people."
[Rámánanda—"So in this way, we can commemorate this day, of Niilakant́ha Divasa."]
[Baba asked all those margiis present, OK – do you all agree with this?]
[Margiis replied in one voice: Yes, Baba]
12 Feb 1979 in Patna