Why God created the world.

Yesterday, a young man asked me why God created this world.

If we think about it, we don’t really know why even the simplest things happen around us. For example, no one can explain why someone falls in love with a particular person and not with someone else.

  

Even Science cannot answer the question of ‘Why’ things happen the way they do.

Science can tell us how things happen but not why.

For example, science tells us that when two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen are put together, it becomes water, but it cannot tell us why it does.  

 Science has discovered that the light travels at the speed of 186,282 miles (299,800 kilo meters) per second, but can it tell why it travels at this particular speed?

We don’t know why we love and respect certain individuals more than others when there is no obvious reason for it.

Similarly, we may be able to find out when and how the universe was created, but not ‘why’.

Almost all religions, theologians and many philosophers have tried to answer this question according to their own assumptions.

Such as:

God was alone and bored so he created the world and living beings for his entertainment.

He created the worlds to rule over them and to establish his supremacy.

He created the humans to obey and worship him.

    I find the next one particularly amusing…..

He looked around and there was nothing. He got scared and created the world around him.

God … scared? Wow.

And there are many more assumptions like these.

I think, just like most other phenomena, we may be able to know when and how, but not why the world was created or manifested.

As Guru Nanak said:

Jaa kartaa sirthi kau saaje aape jaanai soi

                                                     (SGGS page # 4)

(The one who created, he himself knows.)

And here is my favorite beautiful Vedic verse; that I like the most:

“No one knows why the world was created.

Only the one, who created, knows.

But then again, maybe He does not know either.”

          ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥

जा कर्ता सिरठी कउ साजे आपे जाणै सोई 

                           (SGGS page # 4)

Look Further

Disciple said, 'This is all there is, the body.'

Guru said, 'Look further. Look inside'

Disciple said, 'There's nothing inside.'

Guru said, ‘Look deeper. Go deeper inside and you will find’

Disciple: ‘How can I go deeper?’

Guru: ‘Shhhhhh... No more words.

Just hear the voice inside; Quietly, Silently.

A Question on 'Oneness'

Recently, a question was asked in the comment section by Mr. Sandeep from Toronto.

Rajan Ji, 

Could you please help me elaborate the following?

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

                                                                   ‘Swami Vivekananda”

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

There is ‘oneness’ among all things in the universe because according to the Eastern Scriptures, everything and every creature is ‘manifestation’ of Nirakaar Brahm.

“Sab Gobind hai, Sab Gobind hai, Gobind binu nahin koi”

                                                             (Sant Naamdev)

The modern science has also shown that the basic fundamental building material of every living or non-living being is the same. In this regard, there is ‘oneness’ among everything and every creature.

Yet, there is a difference in the degree of this ‘oneness’.

Though there is ‘oneness’ among all the creatures, yet some life forms are considered higher than the others because of the higher level of their intelligence, such as human beings.

And though, philosophically all human beings are equal, practically some difference has to be maintained considering certain factors that we may call ‘different degrees’.

Take the example of the family members or teachers and Gurus. There is oneness among all people because of the common factor that all are human beings. But yet there is a difference in 'degree". Teachers and Gurus should be respected more because they have more knowledge and experience; parents should be respected more because of their place in children’s lives.

One should treat every member of his or her family equally; with ‘oneness’, but at the same time, the proper relationship between the father, son, husband or brother, and mother, sister, wife or daughter must also be maintained.

A soldier and a commander have ‘oneness’ in the fact that they both are an integral part of the army, yet there is a difference in degree of their status.

In one of my previous articles, I gave another example about the gold ring. A ring, a necklace and a bracelet all have 'oneness' in the fact that they are all made of gold but their ‘degree’ would vary according to the amount of gold used in each of them. So their value might be different even though there is 'oneness' of gold amongst them.

Similarly, every individual is part of the ‘whole’. There is oneness, because all are of the same kind....humans, and part of God. But some people may have more qualities of truthfulness, kindness, benevolence, faith, honesty, Seva, Bhakti, and Vishaalta etc. than others, so they would be naturally considered higher in degree, though 'oneness' is still there among all.

If we remember this secret of oneness, we will not discriminate or hate anyone, even though we may respect someone more than others because of the difference in 'degree'. The ‘degree’, which is not based on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, or language etc. but based upon purity, intelligence and higher qualities.

Perhaps this is what Swami Vivekananda meant in his statement.

Perhaps everyone who believes and advocates the ‘Oneness among all’ means the same.

But at the same time, if one denies the respect to the elders that they deserve by raising the slogan of ‘oneness’; by claiming to be equal and not less, then it might be mere ‘ego’ on one’s part.

I hope this answers your question.  

                  ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

For every ailment under the sun

For every ailment under the sun

There is a remedy, or there is none

If there be one,   try to find it 

If there be none,  never mind it 

       

                              ​

W.W. Bartley

Gold mines are not visible in plain sight

Gold mines are not present laying and shining on the surface of the ground. They are hidden deep in the heart of the earth. We have to find them.
And it’s not easy to find them because in its original raw form, gold is not glittering and shining. It requires trained eyes to discover it.

Similarly, some saints may not be quite visible either. They may have great qualities hidden deep inside them that are not obvious to all. Only the inquisitive and expert eyes can find the hidden wisdom and qualities in them and try to receive some benefit from their knowledge and experience.

One, who can, not only spot such saintly people and discover the hidden treasure of wisdom in them, but also tries to gain some knowledge from them, is also wise indeed.

Many years ago, I heard the following story from Sant Roop Lal ji of Kota Bundi Rajasthan.

There was an old woman who lived in a small town. Though She was an ordinary woman who wore simple clothes and lived a modest life style, there were rumors among her relatives, friends and neighbors that she had lot of money and gold hidden somewhere in her home. Because of these rumors, some thieves had broken into her house few times but did not find anything that was valuable. When asked, she would simply laugh and say that the thieves did not find anything valuable because she does not have any.

One morning however, the neighbors heard a piercing scream and came running to her house. The woman was crying and wailing loudly saying she had lost everything. Someone broke into her home and stole all the money and gold she had hidden in a pouch in the box of coal (to be used as fuel in the oven) in plain sight in a corner of the kitchen.

While most were sympathizing with her, some people were amazed and admired the thief, saying “Wow! This thief must be a very smart and wise person who was able to spot and find the treasure in that dirty bag of coal. No wonder other thieves could not find it before. Who would have thought that a treasure could be hidden in a dirty place, right in front of them?” They were full of admiration for this thief.

Couldn’t this be true in the search of wisdom also?

There might be many wise and saintly people with great wisdom and hidden qualities living among us. We keep searching for them at far and distant places, and among the unknown ones, while they might be living, working or walking with us, in plain sight. If asked, they will deny possessing any wisdom or great qualities. They might simply say that they don’t have anything valuable to teach but it could be due to one of their greatest quality; the ‘humility’.  

A wise man can find the hidden qualities even in those whom others may discard as ordinary or not-worthy at all.

Wiser is indeed who can learn and receive wisdom from anyone and everyone, without any discrimination.

          'Rajan Sachdeva'

Mat Socha kar ....Gazal in Roman Script

Mat Socha kar, Mat Socha kar

Itanaa Zyaada  Mat Socha kar 

Jo huaa - Vo hona hi tha

Kyon hona tha, mat socha kar 

Jo bhi hoga - achhaa hoga 

Kab kya hoga Mat Socha kar

Kya milega soch soch kar

Dard badhega, Mat Socha kar

Tadbeeren na kaam aayin to 

Pachhtaayega, Mat Socha kar

Hoga vahi jo kismat me hai

Maan le kehna Mat Socha kar

Kaun hai apnaa, kaun paraaya

Rishta Naata Mat Socha kar

Ik hee Rubb ke hain sab banday

Changa Mandaa Mat Socha kar

Karm kiye ja,  Karm kiye ja 

Phal kya hoga Mat Socha kar

Lamhaa Lamhaa jeevan jee le

Kab tak jeena- Mat Socha kar 

Jaana hi hai manzil par, to

Dhoop ya chhayaa Mat Socha kar 

'Rajan' duniya me kya humne

Khoyaa paayaa Mat Socha kar 

        'Rajan Sachdeva'

          July 8, 2015

Note:  Just the Radeef (Mat socha kar) is taken from a Gazal by Farhat Shehzad, rest of the Ghazal is different. 

Gazal by Shehzad Sahib is:

 'Tanhaa Tanhaa Mat Socha kar

  Mar jaayega mat socha kar"

A word or a short phrase that appear as it is at the end of the second line of every Sher, is called Radeef. 

मत सोचा कर

मत सोचा कर, मत सोचा कर 

इतना ज़्यादा मत सोचा कर    

​

जो  हुआ,  वो  होना  ही  था 

क्यों होना था, मत सोचा कर ​

जो भी  होगा, अच्छा होगा 

​कब क्या होगा मत सोचा कर 

क्या मिलेगा सोच सोच कर

दर्द बढ़ेगा,  मत सोचा कर    

तदबीरें  ​न  काम आईं  तो 

पछतायेगा- मत सोचा कर

​होगा वही जो क़िस्मत में है ​

मान ले कहना मत सोचा कर 

कौन है अपना कौन पराया 

रिश्ता नाता मत सोचा कर 

इक  ही रब के हैं सब बन्दे 

चंगा  मंदा  मत सोचा कर 

कर्म किये जा, कर्म किये जा 

फल क्या होगा मत सोचा कर 

लम्हा लम्हा जीवन जी ले      

कब तक जीना,मत सोचा कर 

​

जाना ही है मंज़िल पर, तो 

धूप या छाया मत सोचा कर 

'राजन' दुनिया में क्या हमने 

खोया पाया, ​ मत सोचा कर 

        'राजन सचदेव '          
           जुलाई 8, 2015

नोट :  इस ग़ज़ल का रदीफ़ (मत सोचा कर) मैंने जनाब फ़रहत शहज़ाद की एक ग़ज़ल से

      लिया  है रदीफ़ उन का है  लेकिन बाकी ग़ज़ल मेरी अपनी है

           शहज़ाद साहिब की ग़ज़ल है:

         " तनहा तनहा मत सोचा कर

            मर जायेगा मत सोचा कर "

Take time to fill your Lamp

We cannot shine if we don’t take time to fill our lamps.

Puppies for Sale...a touching story

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down and saw a little boy standing against the fence. Mister," The boy said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well, Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, “Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little puppy appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.... "I want that one," the little boy said, pointing his finger towards him. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would." The little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and rolled up one leg of his trousers. There was a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attached to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need Someone who understands." The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

                                                             ‘From the web’

Essential instructions in the Dharma

Bai Juyi (772-846 CE) was an important poet and government official during the Tang Dynasty in China. On one occasion, he sought essential instructions in the Dharma from a monk.

The monk quoted summary of the doctrine that the Buddha Shakyamuni offered:

 "Avoid evil. Do good. Purify your mind”. 

Bai Juyi was not impressed.  "Even three year old knows these words. What I want to know is the most profound and fundamental statement of the Buddha".

 The monk replied," Yes! A three year old knows these words, but even the elders of eighty still have not put them into practice."

All blame is a waste of time.

All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you.
                                                                  ~ Wayne Dyer​~​

"The true disciple does not take interest in criticism. If someone sings songs of his Guru's praise but still follows the path of criticism and ego, he can't be considered as a true and Blessed devotee."

                                        

                                                   ~​Baba​ Hardev Singh ji~

Confidence......

Confidence does not come when you have all the answers...

It comes when you are ready to face all the questions.

Kabhi Ye Bhi Kar ke dekh in Roman Script

Ae dost zindagi me kabhi ye bhi kar ke dekh

Dushmano ki jholi me bhi phool bhar ke dekh

Miltay nahin hain moti Kinaare pe baith kar

Paana hai kuchh to Samander me utar ke dekh

Raah me qudarat ke nazaare thehar ke dekh

Rang badaltay huye Shaamo-sehar ke dekh

Mausame Gul me kabhi kaliyon ko khiltay dekh

Husne-maahtaab kabhi, jalave abar ke dekh

Seekhay koi in se toofaano me sambhalnaa

Doob ki haleemi, hausalay shajar ke dekh

Maayuus na ho is qadar kaanton ko dekh kar

Khiltay huye ye phool bhi to rahguzar ke dekh

Manzil bhi Mil jaayegi tu be-sabar na ho
Ae Dil zaraa abhi to nazaare safar ke dekh

Vaqt se pehale to kabhi kuchh nahin miltaa

Chhod de shikaayatein aur sabar kar ke dekh

Meri soch bhi to vo pehale si ab nahin 

Log bhi vaise nahin ab is shehar ke, dekh

Raaze-dil khultaa nahin chehare ko dekh kar

Kya chhupa hai peechhe zaraa chashme-tar ke dekh

Rakhtaa hai auron ke to har kaam par nazar

Apane Dil me  bhi to kabhi tu utar ke dekh

Doosron ki galtiyaan hai dekhna aasaan 

Ae dile-naadaan, hunar har bashar ke dekh

Duniya sudhaarne ki fiqar yaara chhod de

Duniya sudhar jayegi, tu khud sudhar ke dekh

Pahunchnaa manzil pe tab ho jaayega aasaan

Chal ke zara saath kisi Raahbar ke dekh

Aayega nazar Khudaa phir apane ander hee

Dil ka aainaa zaraa tu saaf kar ke dekh

Madhoshi me milta hai - sakoon kis qadar

Ye zaraa tu hosh ki had se guzar ke dekh

Achhaa tha Jahaane-rango-boo ka ye safar

Raaste ‘Rajan’ tu ab agalay safar ke dekh

                  By: Rajan Sachdeva

        Written on June 30, 2015

Meaning of some words

Shamo-sehar --  dusk and dawn 

Maahtaab --   Moon

Abar ---  Clouds

Doob ----  Grass

Haleemi ----  Humility

Hausalay-----Courage

Shajar ----- Trees

Maayus ----- Sad, disheartened 

Chashme-tar ---  Wet eyes

Jahaane-rango-boo ---- World of colors and fragrance (the physical world)