सच घटे या बढ़े - तो सच न रहे Such Ghatay ya Badhay

ज़िन्दगी से बड़ी सज़ा ही नहीं
और क्या जुर्म है पता ही नहीं

सच घटे या बढ़े - तो सच न रहे 
झूठ की कोई इन्तहा ही नहीं 

चाहे  सोने के फ्रेम में जड़ दो 
आईना झूठ बोलता ही नहीं 

इतने हिस्सों में बंट गया हूँ मैं 
मेरे हिस्से में कुछ बचा ही नहीं 

जिसके कारण फ़साद होते हैं 
उसका कोई अता -पता ही नहीं 

ज़िंदगी - मौत तेरी मंज़िल है 
दूसरा कोई रास्ता ही नहीं 

अपनी रचनाओं में वो ज़िंदा है 
"नूर " संसार से गया ही नहीं 

                       (कृष्ण बिहारी ' नूर ')

Zindagi se badi sazaa hi nahin
Aur kya jurm hai pataa hi nahin 

Such ghatay ya badhay-to such na rahay 
Jhooth ki koi intahaa hi nahin 

Chaahay sonay ke frame me jad do 
Aaina jhooth boltaa hi nahin

Itane hisson me bant gayaa hoon main 
Mere hissay me kuchh bachaa hi nahin 

Jis kay kaaran fassad hotay hain 
Uska koi ataa pataa hi nahin 

Zindagi -- Maut teri manzil hai 
Doosra koi raastaa hi nahin 

Apani rachnaaon me vo zindaa hai 
"Noor" sansaar se gayaa hi nahin 
      
               By: Krishn Bihaari 'Noor'


Intahaa ..... End or Limit
Fasaad ..... Fightings , uprisings, riots,
Rachnaaon me ...... in the writings and poetry

Nazar nahin to andhera hai नज़र नहीं तो अंधेरा है

हज़ार शम्अ फ़रोज़ाँ हों रौशनी के लिए

नज़र नहीं तो अंधेरा है आदमी के लिए

                                        "नुशूर वाहिदी"

Hazaar shamma firozaan ho raushni ke liye

Nazar nahin to andhera hai aadami ke liye 

                                   "Nushoor Waahidi"

 ہزار  شمع   فروزاں  ہو  روشنی  کے لیے

نظر  نہیں  تو  اندھیرا   ہے  آدمی  کے لیے

Shamma ....... Candle 

Firozaan ......... Lit - Ignited - Shining

Act of Kindness

Any act of kindness may not be really an act of kindness if:

•    It's done without wisdom
•    Or there is any kind of selfish motive behind it. 

1.  A child (or a monkey) saw a fish swimming in a stream of water and thought it was drowning 

and struggling to come out. So, he took the fish out of water and placed it on the ground.

2.  A leader gathered hundred poor men who could not afford even food or clothing, and gave them 

a thousand rupees each to throw stones and create disturbance at his opponent's premises.

In the first scenario, the child's intentions were very good but he had no wisdom. 

So, his act of kindness actually turned out to be a cruel one which ended in the death of the fish 

he was trying to save.

In the second scenario, the money given to the group of poor people would surely have done some 

good for them - to help them buy food and clothing for their families - but the rich and powerful 

leader's intentions were not good. His act of kindness was in fact an act of selfishness - to destroy 

his opponent.

Many people do some kind of ‘charity work’ – just to get their name and picture in the newspapers 

or magazines. How an act performed for the sake of promoting personal ‘Name & Fame’ can be 

considered a true act of kindness?

An act of kindness can only be a true act of kindness if it is done with 'Gyana'; wisdom and 

without any kind of selfish motive behind it. 

                                              'Rajan Sachdeva'

Height of Positivity

Gyan Ka Soorya .... The Sun of Enlightenment

When the sun rises, darkness disappears.

Similarly, upon receiving the Gyan; the Knowledge of Truth, the darkness of delusions 
and ignorance disappears and without any effort, the devotee becomes free from the false 
attachment with “Naam and Roop”; the ‘Name and Form’.

Gyana - the sacred knowledge establishes the devotee in ‘Truth’, and by dwelling upon 
‘Nirakaar - PaarBrahm’, the Formless, all-pervading ultimate Reality’- his mind becomes 
free - beyond the turbulence of fear and attachments and attains the state of pure bliss and 
equanimity.

If on the other hand, we are still attached and bound with ‘Naam-Roop’; with ‘Name and Form’, 
then this is indicative that the bright sun of enlightenment has not yet risen. And if it has, then 
it might have been engulfed by the clouds of doubts and greed. Not just of worldly wealth, but 
greed or longing for ‘name and fame’ also takes us far away from the ‘Truth’, and the darkness, 
that previously was a result of our delusions or lack of clarity, lingers on.

The Satguru enlightens the seekers towards this Truth by giving the sacred Gyan and encourages 
them to dwell upon Nirankar– Formless Almighty - the ‘Ultimate Realty’. This has been the way 
of the past Satgurus as well, which is clearly defined in the Holy Scriptures. It is the duty of the 
devotee to look within himself and be constantly introspecting to make sure if his mind is established
in Truth – with Nirankar, or is it still attached with worldly forms of temporary existence?

Rising above the clutches of ‘Naam and Roopa’, and establishing the mind in Truth is the core 
essence of Gyana and Bhakti.                                        

                                          ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

ज्ञान का सूर्य Gyan ka soorya

ज्ञान का सूर्य उदय होते ही मोह और भ्रम का अँधेरा दूर हो जाता है।   
'नाम-रूप ' की असत्यता का ज्ञान हो जाने पर स्वयंमेव ही नाम और रूप से भक्त का मोह टूट जाता है
और मन निराकार पारब्रह्म परमात्मा के चिन्तन में लीन हो कर - भय और मोह से मुक्त हो कर 
एकरस तथा शान्त हो जाता है। 
यदि यह अँधेरा दूर नहीं हुआ - यदि मन नाम और रूप के मोह में ही बंधा रहा - 
तो इसका अर्थ है कि ज्ञान का सूर्य अभी उदय ही नहीं हुआ 
और अगर हुआ भी तो किसी शंका या लोभ के बादल ने उसे ढ़क लिया होगा। 
लोभ का अर्थ सिर्फ धन से ही नहीं - मान और प्रतिष्ठा का लोभ भी सत्य से दूर ले जाता है 

सत्गुरु तो हरएक युग में सत्य का ज्ञान दे कर - केवल निराकार पारब्रह्म परमात्मा के साथ जुड़ने की प्रेरणा देते हैं । 
भक्त का काम है अपने मन में झाँक कर देखना - कि वो सत्य यानि निराकार परमात्मा से जुड़ा है ?
या फिर नश्वर नाम और रूप के साथ ही बंधा हुआ है। 
नाम-रूप से ऊपर उठ कर सत्य के साथ नाता जोड़ना -
और हर समय सत्य का अहसास रखना ही ज्ञान और भक्ति का एकमात्र उद्देश्य है।  
                                  
                                                              'राजन सचदेव '

All Great People Think Alike

                                                         1.
Brahmaarpanam Brahm Havi, Brahm-agnau Brahmnahutam 
Brahmaiv Taina Gantavyam  Brahm Karma Samaadhina
                                                               Bhagavad Gita 4: 24

“Brahm is the oblation; the offering or presentation 
Brahm is the Ghee or Saamagri (the objects of offerings), 
Brahm Himself is the Agni; Fire - in which the offerings are poured when yagna (action) is performed.
Brahm verily shall be reached by the one who always sees Brahm in all actions.”               
                                                                  (Bhagavad Gita 4: 24)

In other words, in the eyes of a perfect sage, Truth alone exists and everything else is delusion. For him the performer; provider and receiver, the objects of offerings and even the Karma; the action – all are same. 
He sees God behind everything. 

                                                          2.
Aape knadaa tol taraazi, aape tolanhaara
Aape vaikhai aape boojhai, Aape hai vanjaara
                                                                  (Gurubani)
He himself is the scale, Himself is the weights
He Himself is the seer, Himself is the knower
And He himself is the trader.

                                                3.
khud Kooza-O, Khud Kooza Gar-O, Khud Gil-e-Kooza Khud Rind-O Subu Kush 
Khud Bar Sar-e-Aan Kooza Kharidaar Bar Amad Ba Shikast O Ravaan Shud.”
                                                                               (Rumi)

He Himself is the vessel and its maker and the clay it’s made from; And He is the celebrator - 
drinking from it…
He himself is the one who buys this vessel and breaks it after having drunk from it. 
                                                                               -Rumi


In other words, the Creator and the creations are one: 
“Sabh Gobind hai Sabh Gobind hai – Gobind bin nahin koi” 
                                                                            (Sant Namdev ji)

We need to evolve to reach a level where the maker and the medium; 
creator and creation become one.
                           ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Blissful Memories (Baba Hardev Singh ji)

I took four months off in 1987 to finish my thesis for Ph.D. and went to India. 

As always, I stayed in S. N. Bhavan Delhi for couple of days to see and get blessings from 

Satguru Baba Hardev Singh ji. After enquiring how long I would stay in India, Baba ji said: 

“We are going on a three weeks long tour to your area and I want you to come along.”

I was surprised and asked “which is my area Huzoor?” 

He smiled and said Jammu & Kashmir. Then he said that tour starts early morning on September 1^st 

and if the dates of presentation of my thesis does not fall in that period – 

I should come to Delhi by evening of August 31^st.  

I said ‘Sat-Vachan’, did Namaskar and left for Chandigarh.

Couple of weeks later, I went to Delhi to be with Baba ji again for couple of days. Obviously, 

He remembered the previous conversation and asked me if I knew the dates for my ‘exam’. 

I said no… not yet. 

Then He reminded me again by saying that his tour to J&K has been replaced for Himachal, 

but the dates are same so I should still reach Delhi on August 31^st. After enjoying the bliss 

of being with him for three days, I went back to Chandigarh to finish my work.

Suddenly, on August 30^th - when I was getting ready and looking forward to go on tour with Baba ji
 - I received a letter to appear in front of the panel of judges for my thesis – on September 12.

My first thought was “now…how can I go on tour with Baba ji?”

My mother said I should call Baba ji to let him know that I cannot accompany him and apologize. 
I said no – I will go to Delhi and apologize personally. So, I went to Delhi on the eve of August 31^st. 
Baba ji was taking a walk in the Bhavan’s premises with few saints. 

I stood on the side with folded hands. Few minutes later, he looked at me and signaled to join him. 

I did Namaskar, and he said…. “Aa gaye”. I was struggling to find the proper words to say that yes, 

I have come but I will be unable to accompany – when he asked “koi date tan nahin aayi exam di?” 

(Have you received the date for exam yet?)

I said “yes I have. It’s September 12.”

“Oh. September 12? Then you cannot come with me during this tour. “Chalo theek hai. Agali vaar sahi” 

(Well…. it’s ok. You can join me next time.)

I felt so relieved that I did not have to say it. It was like he knew I was having hard time saying it, 

so, he excused me on his own. I apologized by saying “Khima karna Maharaj” (Please forgive me lord)

He said “It’s OK.

Hor? Tayaari ho gayi poori? (Are you all prepared?)

“Not really” I said.

“Kinne din da kumm reh gya?” (How many days’ worth work is still left?)

I was about to say that I needed 2-3 weeks to finish it but I have only 11 days.

But suddenly, something happened - like a flash of thought, and I said:

“Huzoor. Aap ji ne hi taiyaari karni hai – aap ji ne hi exam laina hai te aap ji ne hi exam dena hai”. 

(You are going to do the preparation, you are going to give the exam and you are the one 

who will be taking the exam)

He laughed loudly and said in his typical style “Achha………. Phir chalo mere naal tour te”

 (Really? Then come along with me on this tour)

And without a second thought, I said “Sat vachan ji”. He placed his hand on my back to bless and 

walked away to his room.

I don’t know how did I get that idea - that strength and conviction to say those words. But I am 

thankful to the unseen almighty force that made me say those exact words at that moment. 

I called my mother to inform that I am going on tour with Baba ji. She said “what about your exam?”

I said I don’t know. Whatever happens - let it be. I don’t want to think about it.

“What about clothes?”

Since I had come to Delhi only for a night - to let Baba ji know that I won’t be going with him - 

I had brought nothing except a night suit and one pair of pants and shirt for the next day.

I said I can manage in 2 sets of clothing… won’t be needing more.

Next few days were a total bliss.

Very graciously, Baba ji asked me to travel with him in his car. I forgot all about my thesis and 

appearance in front of the judges. It was a wonderful and blissful time to enjoy the company of 

the Guru in so close proximity.

After 8 days, we reached Kullu and then Manali. It was little cold and next day we were supposed 

to go to Rohtang pass, a very cold place at a much higher altitude. Mata ji noticed that I did not have 

any warm clothes. During the day, she went for sight-seeing and to the market for some shopping. 

When she came back, she handed me a sweater and said “I bought it for you. You will need it 

tomorrow at Rohtang.”

She thought of me while shopping? I was touched.

Next day at Rohtang, she gave me a shawl and said “Wrap this also around you. That sweater is not 

going to be enough in this cold.”

It was very touching to see how she cared for everyone like family.

After we came back to Manali that evening, I had the opportunity to spend some time alone 

with Baba ji and Mata ji. It was one of the best periods of time in my life – to be so close to the Guru 

and get his blessings.

On the morning of September 1o, I got ready and went in front of Baba ji and Mata ji’s room. 

The door was little ajar. Mata ji noticed me standing outside the door and called me in. Baba ji was 

sitting on the bed and playing with little Sudiksha ji. I stood there mesmerized - watching him play 

with his daughter and thinking he is a perfect Guru and a perfect father as well. His face was shining 

with his usual smile.

Suddenly he looked at his wrist watch and said to Mata ji “Parson Rajan ji da exam hai. 

(Day after tomorrow is Rajan ji’s exam). Let’s send him back today.”

“What exam?” Mata ji asked.

“He has to appear for his Ph. D. exam” Baba ji said.

Mata ji looked at me and said “You have a Ph. D. exam in two days? Why are you here then?”

“I told him to come with me.” Baba ji said. “Today he should go back”

So, he remembered it all along? I never said a word about it during the whole tour but obviously, 

he did not forget it.

Mata ji said the bus journey will take almost a whole day. She asked someone to buy a plane ticket 

for me and drop me at the airport. Later, I learnt that she had even called Vivek Shauq ji to pick me up 

at the Chandigarh airport and drop me at my parent’s house in sector 21.

The time, especially the personal moments spent with Baba ji during this unforgettable tour are 

among the most cherished memories of my life.

                                   ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

सूरज निकले तो अँधेरा रह नहीं सकता

सूरज निकले तो अँधेरा रह नहीं सकता 
मैं रात को हरगिज़ सवेरा कह नहीं सकता 

जानता हूँ कुछ भी तो मेरा नहीं लेकिन 
खो जाता है कुछ तो, क्यों मैं सह नहीं सकता 

क्यों तरसता हूँ किसी के साथ के लिए 
क्यों मैं अपने आप में खुश रह नहीं सकता 

प्रेम हो जाता है - प्रेम किया नहीं जाता 
क्यों हो जाता है ये कोई कह नहीं सकता 


रोने से जी हल्का तो हो जाता है मगर   
दिल का दर्द आँसुओं में बह नहीं सकता

गहरी होनी चाहिए ईमान की बुनियाद 
मजबूत किलाआँधियों में ढह नहीं सकता 

नदियां जब समंदर में मिल जाएँ तो 'राजन'
अपना कोई वजूद उनका रह नहीं सकता 
             
                'राजन सचदेव' 

Sooraj Niklay to Andhera Reh Nahin Saktaa

Sooraj niklay to andhera reh nahin saktaa 
Main raat ko hargij savera keh nahin saktaa 

Jaanataa hoon kuchh bhi to mera nahin magar
Kho jaataa hai kuchh to kyon main seh nahin saktaa 

Kyon tarastaa hoon kisi ke saath ke liye
Kyon main apanay aap me khush reh nahin saktaa 

Prem ho jaataa hai - prem kiya nahin jaataa 
Kyon ho jaataa hai ye koi keh nahin saktaa

Ronay se jee halkaa to ho jaataa hai magar
Dil ka dard aansuon me beh nahin saktaa

Gehari honi chaahiye imaan ki buniyaad
Majboot kila aandhiyon me dheh nahin saktaa

Nadiyaan jab samandar me mil jaayen to 'Rajan'
Apnaa koi vajood unka reh nahin saktaa
                                           
                  'Rajan Sachdeva' 

De Apna Vishwas

It's 7 o'clock in the morning

I am in a guest room at Gurubachan-Niwas in the Nirankari colony Delhi, where I was staying since the previous day. Have been up quite early this morning - trying to finish packing and getting ready to fly back home - in USA- on a late evening flight.

The Satsang has already started in the hall right across from my room. I can hear everything loud and clear while still gathering and packing my belongings.

The announcer invited the next speaker - who is singing a melodious and quite familiar song:

              "है इतनी अरदास दातेआ - दे अपना विश्वास दातेआ"

         “Hai itani ardaas Daate-aa

          De apna vishwas Daate-aa"

While folding my clothes and setting them in the suitcase, I suddenly found myself humming that song along with the singer.

Now came the next speaker … who is singing:

         "सुपने च वी ना डोले मेरा विश्वास सतगुर"

          "Supne ch’ vi na dolay mera vishwaas Satgur"

Couple of minutes later I realized that I was humming along this song also....... without even realizing what I was singing or its meaning ......it was all mechanical. 

The moment I became aware of this fact, that I was singing along automatically and mechanically, I could not continue my packing anymore. I dropped everything and sat down on the bed - thinking - after all these years of attending Satsangs and listening to the vichaars and experiences of other enlightened ones, and even preaching for so many years, why am I still asking for help to keep my faith strong?

Do I – after all these years, still not have faith in Almighty?

Is my faith shallow and shaky?

Why am I doubtful?

On one hand, I claim that I have seen God.

And they say “Seeing is Believing”. 

If I have really seen God then there should not be any doubt.

If I still have doubts - if I still don't have enough faith- then could it mean that I have not yet really seen or realized God?

Perhaps my focus is somewhere else?

Perhaps my mind is still wandering between ‘Real’ and ‘Unreal’ – between ‘Brahm’ and ‘Maya’; God and the world.

It’s like two sides of the scale moving up and down for a while before stabilizing – as it's weighing both sides again and again to decide which side is heavier before it settles down towards one side.

And I realized - my mind is still wavering between ‘Kaamna’ and ‘Moksha’ – ‘desires’ and ‘freedom from desires’ – between ‘fear’ and ‘fearlessness’.

Until I clearly see and realize which side is heavier, and 'Real' - not verbally - not orally, but within the depth of my heart – my mind cannot become stable. It will keep wavering between the two.

    So, help me God.

                                                                       ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

                                                                (Morning of May 2, 2017)

                                        

Dekha Tujhe to Aesa Lagaa

Dekha Tujhe to aesa lagaa ki main bhi Tere jaisa hoon 
Farq siraf itnaa hi hai Tu saagar hai main qatraa hoon 

Tu hai Anaadi, Anant hai tu, main do pal ka kissa hoon
Kul hai Tu, main juz hi sahi par aakhir tera hissa hoon

Tu har shai mai zaahir hai main apani anaa mai pinhaa hoon
Tu hardam hai saath mere par phir bhi kyon mai tanhaa hoon

Kaisa ajab ye khel hai 'Rajan' dekh dekh mai hanstaa hoon
Tu rehata hai mere andar - mai tere andar rehtaa hoon

                                               'Rajan Sachdeva'

Saagar             Ocean  (from Hindi - not Persian)
Qatraa              Drop
Anaadi             Without beginning
Anant              Without end
Kul                   whole , Complete
Juz                   Part, partial (also without ... as separated)
Har shai me -   in everything - object, matter or every being
Zaahir              Obvious, Evident 
Anaa                Ego , Pride
Pinhaa              Hidden
Tanhaa             Alone

देखा तुझे तो ऐसा लगा --

देखा तुझे तो ऐसा लगा कि मैं भी तेरे जैसा हूँ
फ़र्क़ सिरफ़ इतना ही है तू सागर है मैं क़तरा हूँ

तू है अनादि अनंत है तू - मैं दो पल का किस्सा हूँ
कुल है तू मैं जुज़ ही सही पर आख़िर तेरा हिस्सा हूँ

तू हर शै में ज़ाहिर है मैं अपनी अना में पिनहा हूँ
तू हरदम है साथ मेरे पर फिर भी क्यों मैं तनहा हूँ

कैसा अजब है खेल ये 'राजन ' देख देख मैं हँसता हूँ
तू रहता है मेरे अंदर - मैं तेरे अंदर रहता हूँ
                                 'राजन सचदेव '

सागर          Ocean  (from Hindi - not Persian)
क़तरा          Drop
अनादि        Without beginning
अनंत          Without end
कुल            whole , Complete
जुज़            Part, partial (also without ... as separated)
हर शै में       in everything - object, matter or every being
ज़ाहिर         Obvious, Evident 
अना            Ego , Pride
पिनहा          Hidden
तनहा           Alone

न दुनिया मिली न वो मिला / Na Duniya Mili Na 'Vo' Mila

'उस ' को पाने की चाहत, और दुनिया की हसरत भी 

'राजन ' इस दुविधा में  - न दुनिया मिली न वो मिला 

                                              'राजन सचदेव '
                                         

'Us' ko paane ki chaahat- aur duniya ki hasrat bhi 

'Rajan' is duvidha me - na duniya mili na 'Vo' mila 

                                      'Rajan Sachdeva'
                                             (May 9, 2017)

A Rare Pic - Patiala 1959-60

This picture was taken at Patiala Bhavan around 1959 or 60
In the Middle is Baba Avtar Singh ji
To his right is Bhapa Ram Chand ji Kapurthala, Baba Gurbachan Singh ji and Harwant ji (son of Bhai Sahib Amar Singh ji)
To the left of Baba Avtar Singh ji is Babu Mahadev Sinbh ji, Sidhu Sahib,
Last row standing from left to right:
Bhai Sahib Amar Singh ji Patiala, Zoravar Singh ji, Phuman Singh ji Budhlada,Nihal Singh ji, 
Sitting in front row...From left to right:
 Mata Jasvanti, Lakhi Ram ji, Hans Raj Chadha, Chacha Pratap Singh ji, Man Singh ji(ustad mechanic) Bhabhi ji (wife of Bhai sahib Amar Singh ji) with her youngest son Mullah ji in her lap. 

There are few unidentified faces ........ please advice their names if anyone knows them. 

                                                       'Rajan Sachdeva'

                               Picture received  from Sukhdev ji ... Chicago

Punya Tithi - Bhapa Ram Chand Ji Kapurthala

Today ... May 5th is the Punya-Tithi (Auspicious day) 

when Bhapa Ram Chand ji Kapurthala became Brahmleen.

My shat shat Naman - prostrations to my mentor 

- The greatest soul I met in this life time.

            'Rajan Sachdeva' 

जो मिलया सो ग़रज़ी - ਜੋ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੋ ਗ਼ਰਜ਼ੀ - Jo Mileya So Gharzi

ਪਿਆਰ ਮੁਹੱਬਤ ਦੀ ਜਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ - ਦਿਲ ਨੇ ਥਾਂ ਥਾਂ ਅਰਜ਼ੀ 
ਦਿਲ ਦਾ ਮਹਰਮ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਜੋ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੋ ਗ਼ਰਜ਼ੀ  
ਕਪੜਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਫਟਿਆ - ਤਾਂ ਸਿਲ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ  'ਰਾਜਨ '
ਲੀਰਾਂ ਲੀਰਾਂ ਦਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਕੀਕਣ ਸੀਵੇ ਕੋਈ ਦਰਜ਼ੀ 

प्यार मोहब्बत दी जा दित्ती - दिल ने थां थां अरज़ी 
दिल दा महरम कोई ना मिलया जो मिलया सो ग़रज़ी 
कपडा होवे फटेया - तां सिल सकदा है 'राजन' 
लीरां लीरां दिल नूं कीकण सीवे कोई दरज़ी 

Pyaar Mohabbat di ja ditti dil nay thaan thaan arzi 
Dil daa mehram koi na mileya jo mileya so gharzi 
Kapdaa hove phateya - taan sil sakdaa hai 'Rajan'
Leeraan leeraan dil nu - keekan seevay koi darzi 
                             
                                'Rajan Sachdeva'