The A'nanda Ma'rga
Emblem
Once, Ba'ba' ( Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rtijii ) asked the Workers (Wholetimers = W.T. Dadas) during a Reporting-of-Hours meeting, “What would be an appropriate name for the Pratiika that we (Margiis) should wear all the time?” This was the time when Baba prescribed that every Ananda Margii should wear the Pratiika over one’s Ana'hata Cakra at all times.
"Pratiika" literally means any sort of symbol or sign that carries certain significance. Some of the Dadas proposed different names for it, such as locket or pendant, etc. Later, Baba asked us, "What do you think if it was to be named, "SMARAN'T'IIKA,” which means to represent one's Ist'a (Spiritual Goal) and A'darsha (Ideology)?” In Samskrta, "Smrti" means to remember, remembrance, or memory of something, etc.
"Smaran'tiika" means the symbol which represents and reminds us about Ist'a and A'darsha. We felt it was very nice and appropriate. Immediately, Baba mentioned that henceforth, the A'nanda Ma'rga emblem (Pratiika) should be known as "SMARAN'T'IIKA." It is part and parcel of a Sadhaka's (spiritual aspirant) life. This happened in 1979, in the Jagrti at 511 Jodhpur Park, Kolkata (Calcutta).
Therefore, the name “SMARAN'T'IIKA” is to be used instead of "Pratiika."
A'c Prabuddhananda Avadhuta
