Monday, June 29, 2015

Quotes from Swami Vivekananda on Sin and Oneness


Quotes from Swami Vivekananda:

"The Vedanta recognizes no sin, it only recognizes error. And the greatest error, says the Vedanta is to say that you are weak, that you are a sinner, a miserable creature, and that you have no power and you cannot do this and that."

"You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself."

"Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin; to say that you are weak, or others are weak."

"All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything."

Courtesy of: Govardhan Taneja, Toronto



Saturday, June 27, 2015

Satyam- Shivam- Sundaram

The Hebrews and Arabs based their religions (Judaism and Islam) on the concept of an all-powerful God as a king or the ruler, along with strict codes of conduct, rules and rituals.

Greeks based their religion on Beauty….. Worshiping beautiful idles, statues, carvings and paintings of Gods.

Jesus built his religion on Truth; love and goodness.

Most eastern religions are based on the philosophy of:
‘Satyam- Shivam- Sundaram’.

Satyam is Truth, Shivam is Cosmic Energy or Supreme power, and Sundaram means beauty.

Hindus, Sikhs, Nirankaris and numerous other Vedantic schools of thought believe in an Almighty, all-pervading formless and attributes-less supreme power but at the same time, also believe in a personified, personal God with pure love, goodness and divinity. All qualities, that is the Eternal Reality, Divine ideal and Beauty of heart (love and goodness), all together in one place.  

       ‘Satyam- Shivam- Sundaram’

         ‘Rajan Sachdeva’


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Ghazal... Jis desh me gaye hum जिस देश में गए हम

जिस भी देश में गए हम अजनबी बने रहे 
अपना कह सकें जिसे वो सरज़मीं कहीं नहीं 

आदमीयत गुम है शायद आज मेरे शहर में 
भीड़ है लोगों की लेकिन आदमी कहीं नहीं 

होंटों पर आती रही बेशक़ हँसी कभी कभी 
आँसुओं की धार भी लेकिन थमी, कहीं  नहीं 

जिस तरफ भी देखिये -  हैं सूरतें ही सूरतें 
दिल को जो भाए मगर वो माहजबीं कहीं नहीं 

दोस्त भी कुछ बन गए हैं राह में 'राजन' मगर 
देखता हूँ - दुश्मनों की भी कमी कहीं नहीं 

         'राजन सचदेव'  (19, जून 2015)

                                     
                       GHAZAL

Jis bhi desh me  gaye hum ajanabi bane rahe
Apana keh saken jise vo sarzamin kahin nahin 
  
Aadmiyat gum hai shayed aaj mere shehar me
Bheed hai logon ki lekin Aadami kahin nahin 

Honton par aati rahi beshaq hansi kabhi kabhi 
Aansuon ki dhaar bhi lekin thami, kahin nahin 

Jis taraf bhi dekhiye - hain sooraten hi sooraten
Dil ko jo bhaaye magar voh maahjabin kahin nahin 

Dost bhi kuchh ban gaye hain Raah me 'Rajan' magar
dekhata hoon, Dushmano ki bhi kami kahin nahin 

                  ‘Rajan Sachdeva’     (June 19, 2015)



Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Recipe for Brewing Good Wine

I have found many recipes of making good wine in some of the Holy Scriptures of the east. 
Surprised? 
Here are a few for you.
Try to brew it for yourself and enjoy the bliss.
Rajan Sachdeva


                       1.  Sant Kabeer ji:

Gurh Kar gyaan, Dhyaan kar Mahuaa, Bhau Bhaati man Dhaara

Take the molasses of Gyana, and mix it with Mahuaa* flower of meditation, place them in the furnace of the love of God enshrined in your mind (Bhau… sincerity of heart as the fire).

Sukhman Naari sahaj samaani, peevai peevan-haara

With intuitively balanced Sushumnaa naadhi; the central spinal channel that distributes the spiritual energy, the drinker, drinks this wine.

Auadhu! Mera man matvaara

O hermit Yogi, my mind is thus intoxicated.

Unmad chadhaa Madan ras chaakheyaa,Tribhuvan bhayaa Ujiyaara

When this wine takes over, one tastes the sublime essence of this intoxicating juice, and the three worlds** become bright and clear.

Dui Pur jori rasaayi bhaathi, peeo maha ras bhaari

Joining (by controlling) the two channels of the breath, I have lit the furnace, and I drink in the supreme, sublime essence (of meditation).

Kaam krodh dui keeye jaleta, chhoot gayi sansaari

By burning both; desire and anger as fuel, I became liberated from the world.

Pragat pragaas gyaan Gur gamit, Satgur te sudhi paayi

After meeting the Guru, the light of Gyana appeared before me. From the True Guru, I obtained this understanding and wisdom.

Daas Kabeer taasu mad maata, uchaki na kabahu jaayi

Kabeer, the humble servant of the Lord is intoxicated with this wine, which never wears off.
                        (SGGS Page 969)



Notes:
*In villages of India, wine was made from ‘gurh’ and Mahuaa flowers.
Gurh or Jaggery is a concentrated product of sugarcane juice. And Mahuaa, is a plant that has some medicinal qualities, is also used to feed the cattle and the oil extracted from it, is used to make soap and some other products.

** Three worlds: Physical, Mental and Spiritual

*******************************************************
                     
                       2. Guru Nanak Dev ji

When Bharthari, a hermit yogi asked what kind of wine does he consumes, Guru Nanak dev ji replied:

Asa Mehla 1


‘Gurh kar Gyaan Dhyaan kar dhavai Kar karni kasu Paiye’

Make Gyana your molasses, and meditation your scented flowers and let good deeds be the herbs.

‘Bhaati Bhavan prem ka pochaa itu ras amio chuaaiye’

Make the furnace of pure devotion; stir it with the spoon of love; this is how the nectar of life is distilled.
 
‘Baba man matvaaro naam ras peevai sahaj rang rach rahiya’


O Baba, the mind is intoxicated by drinking this nectar of Naam. Effortlessly, my mind remains absorbed in the Lord's Love.

‘Ahinis baani prem liv laagi Shabad Anaahad gahiya’


Night and day, remaining absorbed in the love (of the Lord), Anahad Naad, the celestial music of the Shabad continuously resounds.

‘Poora saach pyaala, sehaje tiseh pyaaye  jaa ko nadar kare’

He undoubtedly gives this pure cup of absolute Truth to those upon whom He casts His Grace.

‘Amrit ka vapaari hovai kya mad chhoochhai bhaao dhare’

One who becomes the trader/consumer of this Nectar - how could he ever love the wine of the world?

‘Gur ki Saakhi Amrit baani peevat hi parvaan bhayaa’

The Teachings of the Guru, the Amrit Baani – the eternal word; by drinking them in, one becomes acceptable (by the Lord).

‘Dar darsan ka pritam hovai, Mukti baikunthe karai kya’

To the one who loves the Lord's house and His darshan (the Blessed Vision), of what use is liberation or paradise for him?

‘Sifti rataa sad bairaagi, jooai janam naa haarai’

Instilled with the Lord's Praises, one is forever a Bairaagee, a renunciate, and his life is not lost in the gamble.

‘Kaho Nanak sun Bharthari jogi kheeva Amrit dhaarai’

Says Nanak, listen, O Bharthari Yogi: he drinks in the immortal wine; the intoxicating nectar of the Lord’s love.
                                                                            (Page 360)


                                3. Sant Kabeer ji:

Surat pyaal, Sudha Ras Amrit, eho mahaa ras peeo re

Consciousness is the cup and the immortal (name of God) is the Nectar. I drink in the supreme, sublime essence of this divine wine.

Nijhar dhaar chu-ae ati nirmal, eh ras manuaa raato re

The pure stream constantly trickles forth, and my mind is intoxicated by this sublime spirit.

Kahe Kabeer sagale mad chhoochhai ehai mahaars saacho re

Says Kabeer, all other wines are trivial and inconsequential; this is the only true, sublime wine. 

  ******************************************************

    Here are the original Shabads in Hindi and Punjabi

                                      1.
गुड़ु करि गिआनु धिआनु करि महूआ भउ भाठी मन धारा
सुखमन नारी सहज समानी पीवै पीवनहारा
अउधू मेरा मनु मतवारा
उनमद चढा मदन रसु चाखिआ त्रिभवन भइआ उजिआरा ॥१॥ रहाउ
दुइ पुर जोरि रसाई भाठी पीउ महा रसु भारी
कामु क्रोधु दुइ कीए जलेता छूटि गई संसारी
प्रगट प्रगास गिआन गुर गमित सतिगुर ते सुधि पाई
दासु कबीरु तासु मद माता उचकि कबहू जाई
                                      
                  2.
               आसा महला
गुड़ु करि गिआनु धिआनु करि धावै करि करणी कसु पाईऐ
भाठी भवनु प्रेम का पोचा इतु रसि अमिउ चुआईऐ ॥१॥
बाबा मनु मतवारो नाम रसु पीवै सहज रंग रचि रहिआ
अहिनिसि बनी प्रेम लिव लागी सबदु अनाहद गहिआ ॥१॥ रहाउ
पूरा साचु पिआला सहजे तिसहि पीआए जा कउ नदरि करे
अम्रित का वापारी होवै किआ मदि छूछै भाउ धरे ॥२॥
गुर की साखी अम्रित बाणी पीवत ही परवाणु भइआ
दर दरसन का प्रीतमु होवै मुकति बैकुंठै करै किआ ॥३॥
सिफती रता सद बैरागी जूऐ जनमु हारै
कहु नानक सुणि भरथरि जोगी खीवा अम्रित धारै ॥४॥४॥३८॥


                                     3.

सुरति पिआल सुधा रसु अम्रितु एहु महा रसु पेउ रे ॥३॥
निझर धार चुऐ अति निरमल इह रस मनूआ रातो रे
कहि कबीर सगले मद छूछे इहै महा रसु साचो रे ॥४॥१॥

*************************************************
                                Punjabi
                                      1.

ਗੁੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਮਹੂਆ ਭਉ ਭਾਠੀ ਮਨ ਧਾਰਾ
ਸੁਖਮਨ ਨਾਰੀ ਸਹਜ ਸਮਾਨੀ ਪੀਵੈ ਪੀਵਨਹਾਰਾ
ਅਉਧੂ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਤਵਾਰਾ
ਉਨਮਦ ਚਢਾ ਮਦਨ ਰਸੁ ਚਾਖਿਆ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਨ ਭਇਆ ਉਜਿਆਰਾ
ਦੁਇ ਪੁਰ ਜੋਰਿ ਰਸਾਈ ਭਾਠੀ ਪੀਉ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਭਾਰੀ
ਕਾਮੁ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਦੁਇ ਕੀਏ ਜਲੇਤਾ ਛੂਟਿ ਗਈ ਸੰਸਾਰੀ

ਪ੍ਰਗਟ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸ ਗਿਆਨ ਗੁਰ ਗੰਮਿਤ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਤੇ ਸੁਧਿ ਪਾਈ
ਦਾਸੁ ਕਬੀਰੁ ਤਾਸੁ ਮਦ ਮਾਤਾ ਉਚਕਿ ਕਬਹੂ ਜਾਈ
                            
                                          2.
                 
ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ
ਗੁੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਗਿਆਨੁ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਕਰਿ ਧਾਵੈ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣੀ ਕਸੁ ਪਾਈਐ
ਭਾਠੀ ਭਵਨੁ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕਾ ਪੋਚਾ ਇਤੁ ਰਸਿ ਅਮਿਉ ਚੁਆਈਐ
ਬਾਬਾ ਮਨੁ ਮਤਵਾਰੋ ਨਾਮ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਸਹਜ ਰੰਗ ਰਚਿ ਰਹਿਆ
ਅਹਿਨਿਸਿ ਬਨੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਸਬਦੁ ਅਨਾਹਦ ਗਹਿਆ ਰਹਾਉ
ਪੂਰਾ ਸਾਚੁ ਪਿਆਲਾ ਸਹਜੇ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਪੀਆਏ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਨਦਰਿ ਕਰੇ
ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਕਾ ਵਾਪਾਰੀ ਹੋਵੈ ਕਿਆ ਮਦਿ ਛੂਛੈ ਭਾਉ ਧਰੇ
ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸਾਖੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਬਾਣੀ ਪੀਵਤ ਹੀ ਪਰਵਾਣੁ ਭਇਆ
ਦਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਕਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠੈ ਕਰੈ ਕਿਆ
ਸਿਫਤੀ ਰਤਾ ਸਦ ਬੈਰਾਗੀ ਜੂਐ ਜਨਮੁ ਹਾਰੈ
ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਸੁਣਿ ਭਰਥਰਿ ਜੋਗੀ ਖੀਵਾ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਧਾਰੈ
                                   3.

ਸੁਰਤਿ ਪਿਆਲ ਸੁਧਾ ਰਸੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਏਹੁ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਪੇਉ ਰੇ
ਨਿਝਰ ਧਾਰ ਚੁਐ ਅਤਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਇਹ ਰਸ ਮਨੂਆ ਰਾਤੋ ਰੇ
ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਸਗਲੇ ਮਦ ਛੂਛੇ ਇਹੈ ਮਹਾ ਰਸੁ ਸਾਚੋ ਰੇ


Good Friends and Companions

Choosing the wrong people may or may not affect our lives - but neglecting the right people may result in regret for the rest of our lives. ...