इक खूबसूरत दुआ: कोई उरूज़ दे ना ज़वाल दे

कोई उरूज़ दे ना ज़वाल दे, मुझे सिर्फ़ इतना कमाल दे 
मुझे अपनी राह में डाल दे, कि ज़माना मेरी मिसाल दे 

तेरी रहमतों का नज़ूल हो, मुझे मेहनतों का सिला मिले 
मुझे माल-ओ-ज़र की हवस नहीं, मुझे बस तू रिज़क़-ए- हलाल दे 

मेरे ज़हन में तेरी फ़िकर हो, मेरी साँस में तेरा ज़िकर हो 
तेरा ख़ौफ़ मेरी निज़ात हो, सभी ख़ौफ़ दिल से निकाल दे 

तेरी बारगाह में ऐ ख़ुदा, मेरी रोज़-ओ-शब है यही दुआ 
तू रहीम है, तू क़रीम है, मुझे मुश्क़िलों से निकाल दे 

       
                                       (Received from Vikrant Dogra, Jammu)


कुछ शब्दों के अर्थ :

उरूज़ = तरक़्क़ी 
ज़वाल = पतन 
नुज़ूल = उतरना (नज़ूल  हों = मुझ पर उतरें, मिलें )
सिला = बदला Reward 
ज़र = धन 
हवस = इच्छा,  ख़्वाहिश 
रिज़क़-ए- हलाल  =  मेहनत और ईमानदारी की कमाई 
ज़हन = Mind, thoughts 
निज़ात = Freedom 
बारगाह = दरबार 

A Beautiful Prayer: Koi Urooj De Na Zawaal De

Koi Urooj De Na Zawaal De, Mujhe Sirf Itana Kamaal De

Mujhe Apni Raah Mein Daal De, Ki Zamaana Meri Misaal De

Teri Rehmaton Ka Nuzool ho, Mujhe Mehnato'n Ka Sila Mile

Mujhe Maalo-o-Zar ki Hawas Nahin, Mujhe Bus Tu Rizq-e-Halaal De

Mere Zehn Mein Teri Fikr Ho, Meri Saans Mein Tera Zikr Ho

Tera Khauf Meri Nijaat Ho, Sabhi Khauf Dil se Nikaal De

Teri Baargaah Mei Ae Khuda Meri Roz-o-Shab Hai Yahi Dua

Tu Rahim hai Tu Karim hai, Mujhe Mushkilon Se Nikaal De.

                                         (Writer unknown)

                                         

Meaning of few difficult words:

Urooj …..  Success, Victory, Ascent or progress 

Zawaal …..  Failure, defeat or descent etc. 

Teri Rehmaton Ka Nuzool ho = your blessings may fall upon me 

Sila = reward 

Maalo-o-Zar = Materialistic things and money 

Hawas = Greed 

Rizq-e-Halaal =   Earnings through honest means 

Khauf = fear 

Nijaat = freedom 

Baargaah = Darbaar, meeting place, hall, court 

Roz-o-Shab = day and night

Light and knowledge

A blind person can have all the knowledge about light and yet cannot experience it. 

A person with normal eyes may not know its science or function, but can see and experience everything. 

It is better to be ignorant and have eyes than to be very knowledgeable about light and be blind.

                                    'Rajan Sachdeva'

Poverty

"Poverty consists, not in the decrease of one's possessions, but in the increase of one's greed."
                                       "Plato" 


Kitne saamaan kar liye paida
Ik chhoti si zindagi ke liye 

कितने सामान कर लिए पैदा 
इक छोटी सी ज़िंदगी के लिए 

Waiting for an Angel?

राह देखते हैं घर में फ़रिश्तों के आने की

और घर के दरवाजे पे कुत्ता बिठा रखा है ॥ 

Raah dekhte hain ghar me farishton ke aane ki

Aur ghar ke darvaaje pe kutta bitha rakha hai.

                                                                (Unknown)

"We are eagerly waiting for the angel of peace and bliss to come into our house (mind). 

At the same time, we have kept a 'dog', sitting at the entrance, guarding the door."

In western traditions, the angels are always dressed in white robes, which is a symbol of peace and bliss. 

In eastern traditions, 'dog' is a symbol of greed and excessive desires. 

How can peace and bliss enter the mind if there are so many excessive desires and so much of greed? 

                                                'Rajan Sachdeva'

Ramayan........ A short version

 राम (ज्ञानी चित्त) अध्यात्म की कुटिया से निकल कर स्वर्ण मृग (संसारिक माया) के पीछे चला गया। 
और फिर तो लक्ष्मण (संयम, वैराग्य) भी उनके पीछे ही चला गया। 
अब सीता यानी भक्ति  की संभाल कौन करता ? 
तो अहम रूपी रावण ने सीता यानि भक्ति का अपहरण कर लिया।
और वो भी अपने असली रूप में नहीं, बल्कि एक साधू और त्यागी के भेस में। 
क्योंकि महात्मा, साधू या त्यागी के भेस में अहम आसानी से छुपा रह सकता है और प्रकट रूप से दिखाई नहीं देता। 

आखिर राम (ज्ञानी चित्त) रावण रूपी अहम को मार कर सीता अर्थात भक्ति को वापिस ले हीआए। 

रावण को मारे बिना सीता को प्राप्त करना असम्भव है। 
भक्ति प्राप्त करने के लिए अहम को मारना ही पड़ेगा।  

                                  'राजन सचदेव'

Chain kyon aaunda nahin ਚੈਨ ਕਿਓਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ,

ਜਿੰਨਾ ਸਜਾਇਆ ਘਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ - ਵਧੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਖ਼ਾਹਿਸ਼ਾਂ ਓੱਨੀਆਂ 
ਜਿੰਨਾ ਹੈ ਘਰ ਭਰਿਆ ਗਿਆ, ਓਹਨਾ ਹੀ ਦਿਲ ਵੀਰਾਨ ਏ। 

ਉੱਚੀ ਅਟਾਰੀ ਵਾਲਿਓ - ਨੀਂਦਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਗੁਮੀਆਂ 
ਚੈਨ ਕਿਓਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੜਾ ਸਾਮਾਨ ਏ। 
                   ਸਵਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ "ਪਰਵਾਨਾ" (ਡੇਨਮਾਰਕ )

Jinna Sajaaya gharaan nu, Vadhiaan nay khaahishaan onniaan
Jinna hai ghar bhariaa gayaa, Onna hi dil veeraan ae

Uchi ataari vaaleo, Neendaan nay kitthay gummiaan
Chain kyon aaunda nahin, ghar vich badaa samaan ae 
      
                  By: Savarn Singh "Parvaana" (Denmark)

Truth sets you free

Few years ago, respected Sister Jeet Behan ji, then in charge at Jalandhar Satsang Bhavan, told me about an interesting incidence. There was a young devoted Bhakta, Mr. Tony (not his real name) who, even after trying very hard, was not able to get a good job. He has been called for many interviews but was rejected every time.

During the visit of a well-known and well respected saint at the Bhavan on a Sunday, Tony approached him and after explaining his situation, prayed and asked for his blessings. Sant ji thought for a moment and then casually told him to invite five saintly people for dinner before his next interview and serve them with devotion and love from his heart. “Those who serve with love and humility are blessed” he said.

Soon enough, he was called for an interview for a good promising job on next Monday. He approached Behan Jeet ji and requested her to come to his home for dinner on Sunday evening. He said that he wants to invite five people and asked to bring four others along with her.

So Behan Jeet ji asked two couples from the Sangat to come along.

When they were just about to leave for his home, a devotee from another town entered the Bhavan. He had come there just to see Behan ji. So instead of going back into the home and be late, she asked him to join them.

Tony ji was anxiously waiting for them, standing outside his house along with his family. When the guests arrived, he very enthusiastically opened her car door and, with utmost humility and devotion, presented a bouquet of flowers to her. When everyone entered their home, he noticed something. He realized there were six people, not five. He suddenly became sad. All his enthusiasm was gone. They still served them politely but it was obvious that something wasn’t right. Yet, no one said anything.

After dinner and blessing the family, Behan Jeet ji and others came back to Bhavan.

Few days later, Behan Jeet ji asked Mr. Tony about his interview.

He said he was quite disheartened and did not go for the interview. The Sant ji had told him to invite five people but there were six who came. He knew it was not going to work so there was no point in even going for the interview.

Behan ji was quite surprised. She had thought they invited five people because of the limited space in their home, and that one person is not going to make a big difference. She could not believe that a Giani and devotee Bhakta could be so superstitious.

She said to him “I think the Sant ji, considering your financial status, might have casually said to invite five people. Perhaps he did not want to put too much burden on you and your family by saying to cook for 15-20 people or for the whole Sangat. Neither that Sant ji nor I thought that you would follow it as a superstitious ritual”

Do we also still believe in such superstitions?

Are we still fearful that if we do not do certain things in certain ways, then God will not be happy, and even punish us?

Do we believe that God is vengeful, jealous and egotistic; with ordinary human like qualities, who is greedy for constant praises?

Or do we believe in an Almighty, all powerful, all pervading, Aseem, Nirbhau, Nir-vair, and all loving and most merciful God?  

“Brahm Praapti, Bhram Nivrti” ब्रहम प्राप्ति, भ्रम निवृति 

“Gian ki Praapti= Bhram ki Smaapti” ज्ञान प्राप्ति= भ्रम समाप्ति 

Knowledge removes Ignorance.

“Truth sets you free.”

                  ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Three solutions to every problem:

Accept it, Change it or Leave it.

If you can't accept it, change it.

If you can't change it, leave it.

दौलत की आरज़ू में था बेचैन

दौलत  की आरज़ू में था बेचैन मैं बहुत 
तेरे करम से सबर की दौलत मिली मुझे 

दुशवार तर था सामना उन मुश्किलात का 
थपकी मिली तुम्हारी तो हिम्मत मिली मुझे 
                                    ' मान सिंह मान '

Daulat kee aarzoo me thaa bechain mai bahut
Tere karam se sabar ki daulat mili mujhe

Dushvaar tar thaa saamanaa un mushkilaat ka
Thapaki mili tumhari to himmat mili mujhe 
                                "Maan Singh Maan"

Is Today the worst day?

Happy New Year ‘Varsha Pratipada’

The Indian (Hindu) New Year 
‘Varsha Pratipada’…March 21, 2015  वर्ष प्रतिपद संवत 2072 

Every culture, religion and community has its own calendar that starts on a different day. Hindus, Jains, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists, all have their own calendars and a different "New Year's Day". 

However, the Gregorian or commonly known as western or Christian calendar is the most accepted international calendar and used all over the world. 

Since at one point, most of the world was controlled by the European and Christian rulers, the ruled countries and colonies had to use this calendar and continued using it even after they gained independence.

Moreover, 1st January as the New Year's Day has been heavily commercialized by entrepreneurs and the media by selling cards and advertising parties and count down gatherings etc. Nevertheless, many people all over the world; Indians**, Chinese, Egyptians etc. still celebrate their own traditional New Year's Day also.

Whereas the New Year’s Day of Christian era (January 1^st) is celebrated with eating, drinking and dancing joyfully in parties and exchanging fancy gifts, the traditional Hindu way of celebrating the New Year’s Day is quite different. 

Traditionally, the tender but bitter leaves of the Neem tree mixed with sweet Jaggery ** (Gurh) are distributed as Prasaadam (gift) on this occasion.

It has a great symbolic meaning.

First, the Neem-Jaggery blend is offered to Ishwar (God) as Naivedya.

Then it is distributed among the family and friends as Prasaad.

This is one of the highest philosophical attitudes taught by the ancient Hindu spiritual masters.

The Neem, extremely bitter in taste, and Jaggery* sweet and delicious, signify the two conflicting aspects of human life —Joy and sorrow, success and failure, ecstasy and agony. 

It is a reminder that the life is not always ‘Bitter’ or ‘Sweet’ all the time. It is a combination of the two and so might be the coming New Year. 

Wishing "happy new year" to all friends and families is of course a very positive thinking and a wishful greeting, whereas this Indian tradition is more practical advice to the loved ones and a reminder to ourselves.

By first offering this bitter-sweet blend to God and then accepting it as Prasaad, has a symbolic meaning; of preparing ourselves to face, and by the grace of God, accept whatever may happen in the future.

By exchanging the gift of this ‘bitter-sweet blend’ with friends and loved ones, we acknowledge that the relationships may also have some sweet and bitter moments that by God’s grace, can be accepted as part of life, and solved mutually. 

We usually tend to disregard the old traditions as ‘out of date’ or even non-sense, but if we try to understand them, we will find that many traditions have some deep and meaningful hidden messages.

                                     May God bless us all.

                                                       ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Varsha   pronounced as Varsh वर्ष  means  year
Pratipad  प्रतिपद means Tithi or Day

*Jaggery …..  गुड़  Chunks of raw sugar made from sugarcane. 

** Even within India, Kashmiris, Punjabis, Gujratis, Maharashtrians, Bengalis and South Indians have their own calendars.

Wrong Assumptions

While sorting out the out-going mails at a village post office, an unusual letter was brought to the attention of the postmaster.
The letter was addressed "To God, care of the postmaster"

Out of curiosity, he opened it and figured it was a child's handwriting.

The letter was written by Johnny, a seven-year-old boy whose father had lost his job, and his mother was very sick. They urgently needed five hundred dollars for here medication but had absolutely no money at all.
The boy thought of asking God for help. So he wrote this letter explaining their situation and begging for five hundred dollars for his mother's medication. After placing it in an envelope and sealing it, Johnny realized that he did not know God's address. He thought the postmaster must know everyone, so he addressed it "To God, care of postmaster".

 The postmaster, after reading this letter knew it was a child’s handwriting. Realizing the genuineness and urgency of the letter's contents, he decided to help that family. He gathered all his co-workers and asked everyone to chip in. Even though he himself put fifty dollars from his pocket, they only came up with four hundred and fifty dollars. Instead of waiting and delaying any further, he sent a money-order of that amount at the return address along with a note saying “Help from God for medicines”.

Johnny and his father were happy to get that money and bought the required medicines.

Next day, Johnny thought he should thank God for His help. So he wrote another letter.

"Heavenly Father! Thank you so very much for the money.

But dear God! Next time you want to help someone else, please do not send the money to them through the post office.

Do you know they kept fifty dollars for themselves and gave us only four hundred and fifty?

And of-course, he posted the letter again to "God, care of the Post master"

Are our assumptions always right?

                                                           ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

A Question on Can Guru be considered God?

Received a question in comments that I thought would be better to reply in main blog rather than in comments.

Question:

Do you mean these are different Gods? or different forms of one & the same God?
If these are different forms of the same God then how and why he takes these different forms? Please explain.
Narendra  on: Can Guru be considered God?

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Narendra ji for this question.

Secondly, I do not claim to know everything. I study books and scriptures for my own understanding and improvement, and write this blog thinking that perhaps others can also benefit from it.

Now, to answer this question, I would like to refer Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the first Vice-President and then President of Independent India, who was a great scholar of Indian Philosophies.

While talking about Impersonal and Personal God In the introductory essay of his commentary on Bhagavad Gita, he says: "impersonality and personality are not arbitrary constructions or fictions of the mind. They are two ways of looking at the Eternal. The supreme in its absolute self-existence is Brahman, the Absolute. And as the Lord and creator, containing and controlling all, is Ishvara, the God."

"The Bhaagavata makes out that the one Reality which is of the nature of undivided consciousness is called Brahman, the Supreme Self.............

The Supreme is at once the transcendental, the Cosmic and the individual reality."

"Vadanti Tat Tattavavidah Tattavam yaj jnaanam Advayam
 Brahameti, Parmaatmaeti, Bhagvaan iti Sabdyate"
                                                              "Bhagavata"*

(Though the knowers of the Truth know that He is Advayam, without a second, yet describe Him in different ways with words such as Braham, Paramaatma and Bhagvaan etc.)

"These different representations do not tell us about what God is in Himself, but only what He is to us. The anthropomorphic conception of the divine is relative to our own needs."
                                                       (S. Radhakrishnan)

Therefore it depends upon individual's level of understanding. Everyone cannot concentrate upon Nirakaar and Nirgun Brahm. It is difficult to pray to a God who is impersonal, inaccessible and unapproachable, inattentive, detached and unconcerned.
Bhakti, devotion can only be rendered towards the 'Sagun", the Lord with attributes, who is kind, generous and forgiving, who would be attentive and sensitive to our needs.

That is why Bhagavad Gita, Bhaagavata and most Upanishads including Ramayana, Gurubani and Avtar bani, emphasize on worshiping and meditating upon Nirakaar-Sagun Brahm. Since Saakaar Prabhu is easier to comprehend with five senses, they even guide us to take this route to eventually reach to Nirakaar Brahm.

So it is not what God is, or what His forms are, rather what He is to us and how we approach Him.

Bhagvaan Krishna says:
"Ye yathaa maam Prapdyantay, TaansTathaiva Bhajaamyaham"

(However people approach me (God) so I approach them.)
                          Bhagavad Gita 4:11

"Jaaki rahi Bhaavna jaisi, Prabhu Moorti dekhi tin Taisi"
                                                                          ‘Tulsi Das’

Just like a man is seen as a son by his parents but at the same time, as a parent by his children; as a student by his teacher and a teacher by his students. Yet the same person may be seen as a friend by some and foe by others. They are neither different people nor he is changing forms. It is how others see and approach him.
                                                  'Rajan Sachdeva'

Note: *Bhaagavata or Bhaagavatam is most popular of the 18 Puraans and it’s different from Bhagavad Gita.

Do ‘Objects” have value?

There was a small tea stall at the corner of Shalimar and Pahaadi Mohalla in Jammu, India. Once, I was waiting for a city bus along with some friends right next to that shop. There was no customer at the shop so the owner was making some paper bags by ripping off the pages from an old book. There was a pile of old books and newspapers lying on the floor next to him. I was just looking out of curiosity when suddenly title of one book caught my attention. It was Ghalib's Diwaan, collection of Mirza Ghalib's poetry in Urdu.   

I asked him how much that book was worth for him.

He checked the number of pages. After calculating how many paper bags could be made from the book, he said "about one Rupee or seventy five Paisay ". I offered him five rupees and bought that book. Needless to say, we both were happy.

For that illiterate man, though the paper did have a little value but what was written on that paper had no value at all.

For me however, the paper or its quality did not matter at all but what was printed on it, was of great importance.  

Similarly, for the kind of mind possessed by a moth, the reality of paper is infinitely different from the reality of literature. For the moth, which eats that paper, literature is absolutely non-existent.  The paper is its food; means of survival, the very source of its life.

Yet for a curious man, literature has a greater value than the paper itself. 

So it’s not the 'things' that have value. It’s the users that give them value according to their needs and desires.

                                       ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

He, who feels punctured,

Must have been like a balloon,

inflated with ego.

True devotion begins when ...

True devotion begins when the quest for power ends.

                                                            'Rajan Sachdeva'

This world I see is a reflection

This world I see is a reflection of me

Wish I could see this world like Thee.

Caught up in every thought, I create my own scene.
I sit on a throne, thinking I'm a queen.

Failing to see, that all I know can shatter,
I continue to do, what I think would matter

Every day I create a new worry,
I go through every moment in a hurry.

Up here so high, everything I see looks so small.
I wonder how I let myself feel tall.

Today, in this moment I take in the sight.
Today, in this moment I see YOUR light.

Today I see so clear
Today I feel YOU near  

                                    By: “Karuna Sachdeva”

Can Guru be considered God?

Most people do believe that there is some kind of a higher power, a 'Supreme being' who created this universe and runs it in a systematical order.
In English language, there is only one word to describe it, God.

However; in Sanskrit language and Indian scriptures, there are different words to describe IT such as Brahman, Ishwar, Paramaatman or Bhagvaan.

1.     ‘Brahman’ or Brahm is the underlying reality of all existence, which is Formless, attribute-less and incomprehensive.

2.   ‘Paramaatman’ or Parmaatma is defined as the Universal soul or consciousness that is Formless, inactive or a silent witness.

3.   ‘Ishwar’:  It is extremely difficult to focus upon the ‘Incomprehensive Brahman’, so the scriptures gave us a concept of the Formless, Almighty, All-knowing, Most-kind and most merciful “Active Being” and named IT Ishwar; the creator and sustainer with virtuous attributes.  

4.   ‘Bhagvaan’: which has Form and attributes; all great virtues such as love, compassion, kindness and mercy etc.

Bhag, according to Sanskrit dictionary means light, brightness and high. It can be used for Sun and moon also since they are bright and high.

Vaan means: having, owning or possessing.

So, Bhagvaan literally means the one who is ‘Bright’ and ‘high’.  

Technically God’s light shines in everyone but do we see it in ourselves or every being that we see?

It is the Guru, the ‘Enlightened one’, through whom we can see and experience the ‘Light’.

There is a beautiful and meaningful popular story of Lord Rama’s childhood.

One night, mother Kaushalya was holding baby Rama in her arms at the terrace of her palace. A very bright full moon was shining in the sky right in front of them. She pointed her finger toward the bright moon and said “look! There is moon. See how beautiful it is?”

Baby Rama smiled and jumped with open arms to hold the moon in his hand. Though the moon seemed to be so close, it was out of his reach. He tried again and again and started crying; saying “I want it. I want it. I want to hold it.”

Mother tried to console him and to divert his attention but failed.

She asked a maid to bring a big bowl full of water and placed it on the ground in front of Shri Rama. There was a bright image of the moon shining in that clear water and it was also within his reach. He became very happy and started playing with it.

It’s not just a children’s story.

The ancient Indian epics and most scriptures are written in metaphoric language. This story also has a deep meaning.

Though God’s light is present in everyone, it shines bright and clearly in the ‘Enlightened ones’ just like the moon shines in a body of clear water.

Bhagvaan is generally understood to be an incarnation of God, a source of Light and enlightenment; who is ‘higher’ but still within our reach.

Even though “Sab Gobind hai, Sab Gobind hai, Gobind binu nahin koi”, (All is God, All is God, there is nothing but God), it is the Guru who can be considered and seen as God.

“Guru Parmesar eko jaan”

Since it is extremely difficult to focus upon the ‘Incomprehensive Formless God, the scriptures advise us to meditate upon the Guru; Bhagvaan in a human form with attributes; great virtuous qualities of love, compassion and kindness.

“Dhyaan Moolam Gururmurti
 Pooja Moolam GururPadah

Mantra Moolam GururVaakyam 
Moksha Moolam GururKripah”                    

                                                           (Guru Gita)

Gur ki moorat man mahi dhyaan

Gur ke shabad mantra man maan

Gur ke charan riday lai dhaarou

Guru Paarbrahm sadaa namaskaarou 

                                                 (Mehala 5, Page 864)

Therefore, if we are unable to perfectly empty our mind and become ‘nothing’ to meditate upon ‘Nirankar’, we can think and focus on the image and holy words of the Guru.

In the minds of the ‘Bhakta’, Guru and Brahm are synonymous and they can enjoy meditating upon either Nirakaar Ishwar or Sakaar Satguru.

                        “Rajan Sachdeva”

Turn Inward

The mind which always wanders outward will never have an end to cravings. 

We can only find satisfaction by turning inward.

                                         ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Never give up.

Never give up.

If you believe in some, keep fighting for it until you achieve it.

                                                       “Rev. Kamal Dadlani”

Happy Holi to All

HAPPY HOLI TO ALL

WITH COLORS OF ONENESS 

How to be victorious / Haar Chale Gurumukh jag Jeeta

The easiest way to be victorious in this world is to lose.

Sounds strange?  But it’s true.

To be happy, to be victorious, we have to lose lot of things; such as arrogance, jealousy, ego, excessive pride and anger.

We can never win anyone by being jealous or showing arrogance and anger towards them.

By using other people for our selfish motives, we eventually push them away.

We can win them by ‘losing selfishness’.

 “While among the apes leadership was earned by how much one could grab, among the primitive bands of early man, how much one gave away determined whether others would follow him and listen to what he has to say.” (From World History page 14)

Parents earn respect and love by sacrificing their own comfort and even ambitions for the happiness of their children.

The great emperors and warriors in the past history may have won many lands and peoples but their victory was limited to only the land and people’s bodies; not the hearts.

But those, who gave up everything and sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the masses, won the hearts and minds of millions for ever.

Losing is the key to victory.

Haar Chale Gurumukh jag Jeeta (Bhai Gurudas ji)

Let’s try to ‘lose’ the arrogance, pride and jealousy, and be victorious.

       ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Dukh me Sumiran sub karen

When a child is full of vigor, he does not think of his mother. It is only when he is tired that he wants to nestle in her lap.

                                                                  (Dr. S Radhakrishnan)

When we are healthy, strong, happy and enjoying life, we hardly think of God.

When we face sorrow, when we get hurt or something goes wrong then we remember God, Guru, Almighty or whoever we believe in.

How strange is this fact that:

“Dukh daaru, Sukh rog bhayaa”

That pain and sorrow become the instruments in bringing us closer to God while happiness moves us away from Him.

Shouldn’t it be other way around?

Shouldn’t we be thankful and remember the Almighty more in the moments of joy and happiness?

Saints and sages tell us to be with the Almighty in every moment; however favorable or unfavorable it might be.

“Sukhaavasaane idmaiv Saaram

 Dukhaavasaane idmaiv gneyam

 Dehaavasaane idmaiv Jaapyam

 Govind Daamodar Maadhvaiti”

                                

In the moments of joy and happiness

In the times of pain sorrow

As long as we live in the body

Remember Almighty    (with every breath till the last breath)

A beautiful comprehensive introduction of Bhagvad Gita

I think this is the most beautiful comprehensive introduction of Bhagvad Gita I ever came across in a verse from 'Vaishnaviya Tantra Saar':

"Sarvopanishdo Gaavo, Dogdhaa Gopal Nandanah
Paartho Vatsah, Sudhir bhoktaa, Dugdham Gitaamrtam mahou"

Meaning:

“The Upanishads are the cows, and the cowherd's son, Krishna*, is the milker.
Arjuna is the calf, the wise men are the drinkers and the excellent pure nectar-like milk* is Gita.”

Though the cow produces its milk for its calf but is consumed and benefitted by many.  Similarly Bhagvad Gita, although addressed to Arjuna, benefits the whole humanity.

Notes:
1. As we know, Krishna, raised by cowherds, spent his early life as a 'Gopal', (the cowherd), joined his biological royal parents later, and became the king of Mathura.

2.  The Upanishads, many in numbers, have different approach towards the 'Truth'. Gita is a comprehensive synthesis of the seemingly different thoughts such as Non-dualism of the Upanishads, Dualism of the ‘Saankhya’, tender devotion and complete surrender of ‘Bhaagvatam’ and the Yoga of Meditation etc. It's like collecting milk from many different cows and presenting in one pot.

Lord Krishna chooses the method, not of denial like many, but of understanding and shows how these seemingly different lines of thought; Duality of Bhakta and Bhagvaan, of devotion and surrender eventually becomes Non-Duality of Atman and Paramaatman.

                            ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Awareness

Mind is required to be cultured and nourished both in society and solitude.

Awareness is like a virus; that destroys all pre-programmed ideology and conditions.

Spirituality affects body, mind, and spirit in the form of action, thoughts, and feelings respectively.

                                                                  

Yield

Yield: and ye shall not break.

Bend: and ye shall not be torn.

Tall trees get uprooted in storms.

But the grass that yields and bends down, straightens up again when the storm has passed.

“Sukhi base maskeeniaa, aapu nivaar talay

Bade Bade Ahankaariya, ‘Nanak’ garb gale” (GGS 278)

(The meek and humble beings live in peace; by subduing egotism.

The proud and arrogant people, O ‘Nanak’, are consumed by their own pride.)                 

“Jadon hankaar nu chhadiye, odon Nirankar milda ae”

                                                             (Avtar Bani 284)

(When we subdue egotism, only then we can reach God.)

“Kahe ‘Avtar’ nimarta de naal banda rub nu panda ae”

                                                              (Avtar Bani 342)

 (Says ‘Avtar’ by humility, one finds God.)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”.

                                                               (Matthew 5:5)