Do not assume. Try to find the Truth.

इशारा तो मदद  का कर रहा था डूबने वाला

मगर  याराने साहिल ने सलामे अलविदा समझा 

Ishaara to Madad ka kar raha tha Doobne wala

Magar yaaraane saahil ne slaame alvidaa samjhaa

 

 A drowning man was signaling for help,

But people at the shore 'assumed' 

he was waving a 'good bye'

 

Do not assume. Try to find out the Truth.

​Dost ban ke log daghaa dete rahe ​

​Dost ban ke log daghaa dete rahe ​

Phir bhi hum unko duaa dete rahe 

Us nay to mudh ke bhi phir dekhaa nahin

Hum magar usko sadaa dete rahe

Pehale jo in raaston se guzare thay 

Manzilon ka vo pataa dete rahe 

Aese bhi kuchh log hum nay dekhe hain

Jo lagaa ke aag havaa dete rahe

Zurm kya tha ye unhen bhi yaad nahin

Umar bhar lekin sazaa dete rahe

Unkaa bhi aehsaan mujh pe hai ki jo
Har qadam pe hauslaa dete rahe 

Un ki himmat dekhiye 'Rajan' Zaraa

Zakhm khaa ke jo duaa dete rahe

                                 'Rajan Sachdeva' 

                                   (August 28, 2015)

दोस्त बन के लोग दग़ा देते रहे

दोस्त बन के लोग दग़ा देते रहे 

फिर भी हम उनको दुआ देते रहे

उसने तो मुड़ के भी फिर देखा नहीं 

हम मगर उसको सदा देते रहे 

पहले जो इन रास्तों से गुज़रे थे 

मंज़िलों का वो पता देते रहे 

ऐसे भी कुछ लोग हमने देखे हैं 

जो लगा के आग हवा देते रहे 

ज़ुर्म क्या था ये उन्हें भी याद नहीं 

उम्र  भर लेकिन सज़ा देते रहे 

उनका भी एहसान मुझ पे है कि जो 

हर  क़दम  पे  हौसला  देते  रहे  

उन की हिम्मत देखिये 'राजन 'ज़रा 

ज़ख़्म खा के जो दुआ देते रहे 
                            'राजन सचदेव' 

                                (28 अगस्त 2015) 

On Buddha's message...'Choose your path'

A question on:  Choose your path:
"I am not clear about what Buddha's message signifies"

Buddha said:
"Know well what leads you forward

and what holds you back

and choose the path that leads to wisdom"

                                                                       

I believe this message is quite significant in both the worlds; materialistic as well as spiritual.

First, we must know what we want and choose our path wisely.

Once we do, it is important to make sure that we are moving forward, and not backward. We need to know if something is holding us back, such as false ego, jealousy, greed or excessive attachments etc. 

Later, Guru Arjun Dev, the fifth Guru also said the same; to choose the right path and keep moving forward towards the goal without turning back. He says:

ਆਗਾਹਾ ਕੂ ਤ੍ਰਾਘਿ ਪਿਛਾ ਫੇਰਿ ਨ ਮੁਹਡੜਾ ॥
ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿਝਿ ਇਵੇਹਾ ਵਾਰ ਬਹੁੜਿ ਨ ਹੋਵੀ ਜਨਮੜਾ 

"Aagaaha koo traagh pichhaa pher na muhdadha

Nanak sijh ivehaa vaar bahudh na hovi janmadha" (M:5)

"Look ahead; (move forward) don’t turn your face backwards.

Says Nanak, be successful this time, (by staying on the right path) and there will not be another birth; the cycle of reincarnation will end".

Buddha's message is same as all other saints and sages, Gurus and messengers: to choose the wisdom over ignorance, Truth over falsehood, Light over darkness and Spirituality over rituals.

'Asato ma, Sad gamaya 

Tamaso ma, Jyotir gamaya

Mrityurma, Amritam gamaya'

Lead me from falsehood to Truth

From darkness to light

and from death to immortality. 

  'Rajan Sachdeva'

Attachments and Expectations

We all have expectations form everyone around us.

Parents from children and children from parents, students from teachers and teachers from students, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands, friends and relatives, employees and boss, people and government; all have some expectations from each other. 
Even Gurus have certain expectations from their disciples.

It is extremely hard, almost impossible to get rid of ‘attachments and expectations’.

Sant Tulasi Das Says:

“Mamataa tu na gayi mere man tay 

Paake kes janam ke ssathi, laaj gayi Lokan tay

Pag thaake kar kampan laage, Jyoti gayi nainan tay

Sarvan bachan na sunat kaahu ke, Bal gaye sab indrin tay

Tootay dasan bachan nahin aavat, sobha gayi mukhan tay”

“Hair turned grey and gradually gone,

 No more worry what people would say (about my appearance)

 Feet are tired and hands are trembling

 Eyesight has weakened

 Ears don’t hear when someone talks

 Body organs have lost their strength

 Teeth are gone and it’s hard to speak

 The face has lost its shine and glow

 But still, the ‘attachment’ has not left me yet.

 It is very much there.”       (Sant Tulsi Das)

Though attachment could be with anything, like people or the possessions or even thoughts and certain ideology, ‘Mamataa’ means attachment with the loved ones.
And, attachments and expectations go hand in hand. 

Since there is an attachment to the loved ones, we have certain expectations from them too. If not much, we expect them at least to take care of us when we grow old or become helpless.

Not only from children, relatives, and the loved ones, we also have expectations from God, the Almighty.

We usually expect some returns and rewards for our Bhakti, devotion, and prayers. 

We expect God to get rid of the ‘evil’ and protect us from disasters and natural calamities etc.

And it is also believed that God too, has certain expectations from us.

Does it ever end?

                   ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

ममता तू न गई मेरे मन तें 

पाके केस जनम साथी, लाज गई लोकन  तें  

पग थाके कर कंपन लागे, ज्योति गई नैनन तें 

सरवन  बचन न सुनत काहू के , बल गए सब इंद्रिन  तें 

टूटे दसन बचन नहिं आवत सोभा गई मुखन  तें 

कफ पित्त वात  कंठ पर बैठे, सुतहिं बुलावत कर  तें  

भाई बंधु सब परम प्यारे नारी निकारत घर  तें  

जैसे ससि मंडल बिच स्याही छुटै न कोटि जतन  तें 

'तुलसीदास' बलि जाऊँ चरन ते, लोभ पराए धन  तें  

Choose your path

Know well what leads you forward

and what holds you back

and choose the path that leads to wisdom.         

                                                                       'Lord Buddha'

What consumes your mind

What consumes your mind, 
controls your life 

Ik Ghazal Kabhi Uthati hai (Roman script)

Ik ghazal kabhi uthati hai mere seenay say

Kehane ko alfaaz magar miltay hi nahin

Mil jaayen to lub pe atak jaatay hain 

Likhoon - to kaagaz pe thehartay hi nahin

Sochoon - to har aqs har khayaal tera 

Naqsh ban kay mere dil me utar aata hai 

Chaahoon - ki rakh loon chhupaa ke seenay me 

to khushbuon ki taraha bikhar jaata hai 

Likh ke tera naam saaday kaagaz par 

Aqsar usko yoon ji chhod deta hoon

Samajh me jab aur kuchh aata nahin 

To sajday me haathon ko jod letaa hoon 

Ehsaas tujh se mil ke bichhad jaane ka 

Dard ban  seenay me kaskassata hai 

Dekhoon lekin dil ki aankhon say agar

Har taraf bus Tu hi nazar aata hai 

Roop Tera tab sajaa ke aankhon me 

Dheeray say palkon ko moond letaa hoon

Chun ke 'Rajan' phool teri yaadon kay

Saanson ki maalaa me goondh leta hoon 

                        'Rajan Sachdeva' 

                                                 (August 27, 2015)

इक​​ ग़ज़ल कभी उठती है Ik Ghazal Kabhi Uthati hai

इक​​ ग़ज़ल ​सी उठती है मेरे सीने से

कहने को ​अल्फ़ाज़ ​मगर मिलते ही नहीं

​मिल जाएँ - ​ तो लब पे अटक जाते हैं

लिखूं - तो क़ाग़ज़ पे ठहरते ही नहीं

सोचूँ - तो हर अक़्स, हर ख्याल तेरा ​

नक़्श बन के मेरे दिल में उतर ​आता है

​चाहूँ - कि रख लूँ छुपा के सीने में

तो​ ख़ुशबुओं की तरह बिखर जाता है  ​

​लिख के ​तेरा नाम सादे क़ाग़ज़ पर

​अक़सर  उसको यूँ ही छोड़ देता हूँ

समझ में जब और कुछ आता नहीं                     

तो सजदे में हाथों को जोड़ लेता हूँ ​

एहसास तुझसे मिलके बिछुड़ जाने का

दर्द बन  सीने  में कसकसाता है

देखूं लेकिन दिल की आँखों से अगर

तो हर तरफ बस तू ही नज़र आता है

रुप  तेरा तब सजा के आँखों में    

धीरे  से पलकों  को मूँद  लेता हूँ ​

चुन  के  'राजन'  फूल ​तेरी यादों के

साँसों  की  माला  में  गूंध  लेता  हूँ

                          'राजन सचदेव'

​         (अगस्त 27 , 2015 )

Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib

 My Guru, my inspiration, my motivation

Thinking of him today, on his birthday, along with many others, I remembered, one particular incidence. Just a couple of months before he left this mortal world in 2004, I went to visit him in his Princeton, New Jersey home. He was little sick and weak but in high spirit. After dinner, three of us, Abba, Amma and me, were sitting in the living room, talking and waiting for Hidayat bhai, who was at some concert and was going to be back quite late.  Abba talked about some old times, and like always, told some fantastic stories. We talked till past midnight when Amma said it’s too late and he should go to sleep. I helped Amma to clear the table and took empty tea cups and plates to the kitchen. When we came back from the kitchen, we saw Abba on the stair case, holding the railing and stepping up slowly, one step at a time. Amma asked loudly, “what are you doing? Why are you going upstairs”? I was surprised too since his bed room was on the main floor of the house, not upstairs.

Softly and quite lovingly, he said I am going to see if Rajan’s room is alright. “Dekhoon uske kamre me kambal, pillow vagaira sub theek to hai?”

She said I have made the room, changed the sheets myself. Blanket pillow and everything is fine, you don’t need to check it.

I was astonished and quickly went up the stairs, held his hand and brought him back downstairs saying “Abba! You don’t need to do this for me.”

In this special Indian ‘Guru-Shishya Paramparaa’ (Teacher- disciple relationship), disciples are supposed to respect, serve and take care of the guru for rest of their lives but Guru, other than teaching is not expected to do anything else.

Naturally, I became quite emotional at his gesture of such love for me, who is not even worthy of being called his disciple; since, because of my circumstances, the actual time of my learning under him was very short, and of course, lack of enough practice too.

I often remember this incidence with great reverence, along with many other fond memories of the times I spent with this legendary, one of the greatest personalities of our times.

                Great people are great in every way.

‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Note: The legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan (August 28, 1928 to March 13. 2004) was the greatest and most revered Sitar Nawaaz (Sitarist). He was lovingly called ‘Abba’ by all his students and disciples.

Are we Prisoners?

We usually become prisoners of our desires and ​​attachments. 

Everyone has desires. It’s human nature.

But sometimes, we become attached to certain ‘desires​’. 

​We constantly keep thinking of finding the ways to fulfill those desires. ​If they are not fulfilled, we become sad, angry and even depressed.

And if we get what we want, we temporarily become happy. It boosts up our ego and soon, it loses its charm and we start looking for something else and become prisoner of another desire.

We also become attached to what we have; to our possessions.

We may have been fine when we did not have certain things, like diamonds, but if we lose it after having it for some time, then it becomes very painful. We constantly keep thinking about it and keep on suffering.

We also become prisoners of certain beliefs.

It’s good to have some beliefs but it’s not good to become their prisoners. If we do, then we cannot see beyond the boundaries of those beliefs. Our vision becomes very limited. It diminishes our ability to see and analyze or accept other theories and beliefs. 

Truth cannot be realized by a closed mind with a limited vision.

Rabindera Nath Tagore, receiver of the Nobel Prize, once said that we try to build walls of certain beliefs around ourselves for protection, but sometimes those walls become so high that we become prisoners within them and cannot see anything beyond those walls.

Bhagvad Gita says: Expectations and Attachments are the root cause of all sufferings.

Attachment is the greatest invisible binding force and freedom from it means happiness and Moksha.

‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Every Problem has a Solution

When faced with problems, it seems difficult to maintain the inner peace. The mind gets caught up in the web of negativity, worries and fear. Because of this turbulence in mind, the problem seems to be bigger than it actually is and we lose the ability to think constructively to find solutions.

The first step we need to take when faced with a problem is to take a deep breath and try to relax and remind ourselves that every situation will eventually pass; that there is always a solution to every problem.

We can see an image in still and clear water only, not in boiling water. When the mind is relaxed and calm, we can find solutions more quickly and easily.

We are here to learn, and every situation has something to teach us.

The sooner we learn, the sooner we will accomplish the purpose of coming to this world.

‘Rajan Sachdeva’ 

Open Mind and Closed Mouth

An open mind and closed mouth is better 
than a closed mind and open mouth 

Jisne Jitnaa Dekha जिसने जितना देखा

अच्छे  ने अच्छा,  और बुरे ने बुरा ही जाना मुझे 

जिसने जितना देखा उसने उतना ही पहचाना मुझे 

Achhe ne Achhaa, Aur Bure ne Buraa hi jaana mujhe

Jisne jitnaa dekhaa usne utnaa hi pehchaana mujhe 

Investment

We all tend to invest in something for the future. It’s the human nature. Many people invest money in savings, bank accounts, stocks and bonds or in real estate etc. I think investing in education and children is the best investment of all; educating oneself and the children.

If the parents can instill good education and morality; virtues of modesty, honesty and kindness in the minds of their children, then that would be the best investment they will ever make which will last for long time. The children, who are brought up with unconditional love and affection; when they see how the parents have sacrificed their own luxury and pleasure for the sake of their needs, they will intuitively try to return the same love and affection to the parents when they grow old or become helpless.

A couple of days ago, I went to see my banker for some advice on getting a loan. The bank manager was very nice, courteous and extremely helpful. Out of curiosity, she asked me what I need it for. When I told her that it was for my son, she shook my hand and with a huge smile on her face, she said “You know; this is the best investment you are making”.

During the conversation, she told me that she also strongly believes in investing in the children; not just the money, but love, care, affection, and teachings of the family values and morality.

“You never know what will happen with money”, she said, “stocks may go up and down, money can be lost and health care laws for seniors can be changed, but even if you lose everything, those children will take care of you, because the family values will stay with them forever”.

I believe not only will they take care of the parents in their old age, but since “Children learn what they see”, when they grow up, they will instinctively do the same thing with their children; teaching them the same values. And the legacy of the parents, their cultural heritage will continue through their children from generation to generation.

As they say, we continue to live through our children.

                 ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Journey of Life

Life is not always like a straight journey on a smooth and clear paved road covered with roses. Sometimes it’s a bumpy road with lots of ups and downs. Sometimes it may move smoothly and sometimes we may even hit some speed-breakers. Every turn and diversion along the way is not always predictable.

Sometimes we must get hurt in order to grow, we must fail in order to know, and sometimes our vision clears only after our eyes are washed away with tears.

But one thing is for sure, that it always keeps moving forward.

It neither stops nor does it move backwards; until the final stop called death. (But even then, don’t most people believe in after life?)

Giving up would be the biggest obstacle. If we keep moving forward with hope and courage, we can remove all hurdles and obstacles and clear the path ahead of us. Or we could even take a slight diversion to reach to the destination. 

Keeping an eye on the goal and keep moving forward is the key.

“Seek and ye shall find” 

“Knock and the door shall be opened unto you” (Mathew 7:7)                    

                      ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Quieter

Trinity

Trinity exists in nature as well as in Spirituality.

Everything moves in a cycle, in three steps; from formless to form and then back to formless.

  

Desire – Object - Satisfaction (Or Anger and Frustration in case of failure to get it)

For example, Hunger is formless, but to satisfy the hunger, we need food that is in some kind of form. Ultimately that food turns into formless energy.

   Hunger – Food – Energy

(Formless – Form – Formless)

Similarly, we as ‘Atman’ are formless. We take on a physical form and then, after leaving the body, turn into formless again.

But the cycle never ends. Just like we get hungry again and consume more food, similarly when the Kaamna, (desire) arises, we take up another body, another physical form and the cycle continues.

To end this cycle, Holy Scriptures define another Trinity; a similar three step process.

Jigyaasa – Guru – Gyana

Jigyaasa, the desire (to know the Self) is formless.

Through the Guru, a physical form, we can achieve the Gyana which is formless.

Once the Gyana is achieved, to break the cycle of this ‘trinity’ of Formless to Form and again to Formless, one needs to move on to the next step; next Trinity. That is:

Gyana – Dhyana – Moksha (Gyana, Meditation, Freedom)

Now, as we can see, these all three are formless.

Previously, the original trinity of existence consisted of:

Aatma – Shareer – Parmaatma (Soul – Body - Super Soul)

When we rise above the boundaries of Naam-Roop; the ‘name and form’, when the Shareer, the middle of this trinity is dissolved, not by death, but through Gyana, Realization, then only two Formless entities remain.

       Aatma – Parmaatma that is Soul and Super-soul.

 Moksha is freedom from the form.

Now, since there is no dividing ‘Form’ between the two, both the Formless merge into one and the cycle breaks.

  

But as long as there is ‘Desire’ and ‘Kartaa-Bhaava, the sense of ‘Doer-ship’, the cycle may not break.

Just like if hunger is there, we start craving and searching for food.

If Desire and Kartaa-Bhava still remains, then the Aatma strives to get another body to fulfil the unfulfilled desires and the cycle starts all over again.

   ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Seed and the Tree / Why God created the world

God and the Universe are like seed and the tree. 

The seed when developed in space and time becomes the tree.

In the tree where is the seed? 

The seed has become the tree. Both are the same.

The seed is the unexpressed form of the Tree.
The tree is the expressed form of the seed.
In the tree the seed has manifested.
The tree is not 'created' by the seed, but the seed transformed into the tree.
The seed does not become a tree instantaneously. It grows slowly.
So does the universe. It slowly expands and continues to expand, develop and grow.
We can find out how the seed grows and transforms into the tree, we can understand the process, but no one can answer why it transforms into the tree. The only explanation could be “because it has the potential”.

Why God manifested Himself into Maya, the world?
I guess, because He could; because He has the potential to do so. 

              ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

who can make a difference.

If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.

                     A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - the former president who owned almost nothing.

 Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen "A. P. J." Abdul Kalam

(15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) 

Former president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam has left an indelible, permanent mark on the hearts and minds of Indians, especially the youth, in a manner few other public figures have in recent memory.

Kalam (prononced Kalaam) lived a simple, frugal life. According to the news media, Kalam’s only properties were his books and 64 crore youths in the country.

In material terms, the "People's President", owned very little; his 2,400 books, a wristwatch, six shirts, four trousers, three suits, and a pair of shoes.

Kalam did not own any property, fridge, TV or car.

He spent more than five decades in public service; including one term as the president of the Indian Republic. He neither died in poverty, nor did he live a life of luxury. He survived on the royalty that he received from his books - and his pension. He once had a property in Bengaluru, but he disposed it off for a charitable cause

The day he visited Shillong to address students of Indian Institute of Management, he had some discomfort while climbing the stairs, but still he went ahead after taking a brief rest. While delivering the lecture, Kalam collapsed and died.

He was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. A career scientist turned reluctant politician. After serving a term of five years, he returned to his civilian life of education, writing and public service. He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. 

             2.  A salute to APJ Abdul Kalam Azad 

He is a national hero, who is able to be respected by every Indian all over world. We are proud that we have got such a personality whose whole life is an inspirational source. After the death of this great personality, his property was counted and you will be shocked after seeing the amount of the property owned by a great and popular leader who also held the highest position in the government of India.

Property of APJ Abdul Kalam Azad

6 trousers (2 Uniform) 

4 Shirts (2 Uniform) 

3 Suits (1 western and 2 traditional) 

2400 Books 

An Apartment where he lived till death and it was mentioned in his will to be donated to the social welfare after his death.

                        AWARDS:

 Padma Shree

 Padma Bhushan 

Bharat Ratan (The highest civil award of India) 

16 Doctorate degrees

No luxurious items like TV, AC, Car Jewelry, Shares, Fixed property 

No Bank balance 

Left over pension for eight years was also donated to his village council.   

EVERY INDIAN SALUTES HIM. 

        Source: News Media of India