Farewell to Imma

We meet many people in our lifetime. Some just come and go, and some leave an everlasting impression on our mind. One such great - caring and loving person who came in my life was Mrs. Vimal Purohit- who was affectionately called Imma by everyone. Three days ago, she left this physical world at the age of 92. Though physically she has left us, her memories will always be cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her. 

In 1983, Dr. Sugandha Purohit called me and requested to teach a group of about fifteen students in Toledo Ohio and offered the basement of her house to be used for the classes. It was about an hour and a half away from my place, and the classes were supposed to be once a week.
That is when I first met Imma, Dr. Purohit's mother, who also wanted to continue learning Sitar, the instrument of her passion. Then, within a couple of weeks, I saw the other side of Imma's personality - the compassionate and loving side of her nature. Every hour or so she will ask if I need anything. Every couple of hours she would make some tea and snacks and tell me to take a break and insisted on having dinner before leaving.
The classes in their home continued for about fifteen years. 
Imma was a great cook. Week after week, I enjoyed delicious north and south Indian dishes she used to prepare for lunch and dinner. But more than the food, it was that look in her eyes - the look of motherly love and the way she cared. She did not have to do any of those things, yet she did all those things selflessly - out of love. And that was the most valuable thing for me. 
She was brought up with South Indian cultural traditions which she continued to follow while living in the USA as well. She spoke Marathi, Telugu, and Hindi fluently - had learned Kannada and had enough knowledge to communicate in English as well. Twice a year, on the day of Guru-Poornima and my birthday, she along with her daughters, arranged a get-together with all the students (about 20 by then) and told everyone to pay respect by touching my feet. However, when she wanted to touch my feet, I asked her not to do that. 
"You are like my mother," I said. 
"But you are my guru too." She said. "At least today - on the day of Guru-Poornima you must let me do it."
That showed how strong her cultural background was. 
Meeting such wonderful people in life is always a great privilege and good fortune. My only regret is that I was never able to do anything to repay her love and kindness towards me. But her sweet memories will always be cherished in my heart. 
May the Almighty Lord bless her and give strength to her family to bear this loss. 
                                        'Rajan Sachdeva'

The Emptiness

If there is no emptiness in between - the letters cannot be formed.
If there is no emptiness between the letters, then the words cannot be formed.
If there is no emptiness between the words - then the sentences cannot be formed.
We cannot build a room with few walls and a roof without some emptiness in between. 
We certainly cannot fill the whole room with some objects - we must have some emptiness to live. 
There is emptiness between everything we see.
We need emptiness around us to walk.
Bigger the emptiness, farther we can go.
There is always a little emptiness between the thoughts - between one thought and the other. 
Longer the emptiness between the thoughts - more peace, and bliss we will attain.

Living in that Emptiness, Nothingness or Formless is called living in Nirankar. 
Try to attain that state of ‘Emptiness’.
Although, it's not possible to do that all the time - however, we should try to spend some time at least living in that state of Emptiness or Thoughtlessness every day. 

                            ' Rajan Sachdeva '

The Missing Goat

It all started one lazy Sunday afternoon in a small town.
Two school-going friends had a crazy idea.

They rounded up three goats from the neighborhood and painted the numbers one, two and four on their sides. 
That night they let the goats loose inside their school building.

The next morning, when the authorities entered the school, they could smell something was wrong.

They soon saw goat droppings on the stairs and near the entrance and realized that some goats had entered the building.

Immediately a search was launched, and three goats were found in the building. 

But the authorities were worried. They wondered where goat number three was?

They spent the rest of the day looking for goat number three.

The school declared classes off for the students for the rest of the day.

The teachers, students, helpers, and guards - all were searching for goat number three - which, of course, was never found- Simply because it did not exist.

Those among us - who in spite of having a good life, are always feeling a lack of fulfillment - are actually looking for the elusive, missing, non-existent goat number three.

Whatever the area of complaint or dissatisfaction - relationships, job, finance, or achievements - the absence of something is always larger than the presence of so many other things. The thought that our life will be fulfilled after we achieve that one missing thing, does not allow us to enjoy our present life. 

So, Stop worrying about goat number three and start enjoying life as it is.

Happy Holika Dahan

According to Bhaagvat Purana, a king named Hiranyakashyap who, like many demons and Asuras, had the intense desire to be immortal. To fulfill this desire, he performed some hard Tapa or penances until he was granted a boon by Brahma. 
Having received that boon, he became extremely egotistic and ordered everyone to worship him. However, his son Prehlad refused to do so. He said none other than God. which is Omnipresent - prevalent in the earth, waters, and the sky is worthy of worship. 
This made Hiranyakashyap extremely angry, and he made various attempts to kill Prehlad. During a particular attempt on Prahlad's life, King Hiranyakashayap called upon his sister Holika for help. Holika had a special cloak - a garment that prevented her from being harmed by fire. Hiranyakashayap asked her to sit on a bonfire holding  Prahlad on her lap. However, as the fire roared, the garment flew from Holika and covered Prahlad. Holika burnt to death, and Prahlad came out unharmed.

Like all other ancient Hindu stories - regardless of whether it is a true story or not, it has a deeper meaning. 
Holika was a demon - with evil thoughts. But she was able to cover her evil intentions with the special cloak -the mask of goodness - that prevented her from the fire of people's anger. However, when she faced that fire of test along with Prehlad, her cover was blown away. Everyone saw her real face, without the mask, and the goodness of Prehlad became obvious. She lost, and Prehlad came out unharmed.
We often see these kinds of scenarios in our life as well. Many people pretend to be saints by hiding their real intentions behind the masks of sainthood. They think that they cannot be harmed by anyone - because they are wearing that cloak - the mask of goodness - which will save them from the fire of people's anger. 
However, when the real saints like Prehlad appear on the scene, the falsehood is blown away - and the Truth prevails. 
When we understand the hidden meanings and messages behind these stories, the celebration of these festivals makes more sense and beneficial to all. 
                                          ' Rajan Sachdeva '

To Accept the Truth

To accept the truth as true is acceptance of Truth.
To accept the untrue as untrue is also acceptance of the Truth.

Becoming Desireless

                          निर्वासनं  हरिम दृष्ट्वा  तूष्णीं विषयदन्तिनः 
                          पलायन्ते न शक्तास्ते सेवन्ते कृतचाटवः 
                                                  अष्टावक्र गीता 18 -46 

Nirvaasnam Harim drishtvaa tooshneem vishyadantinah 
Plaayantay na-shaktaastay, sevantay kritchaatvah

Translation:
Just as seeing a lion, the elephants quietly move away -
Seeing a desireless mind, the desires find themselves helpless, and they leave. 
And the senses become servants (of the awakened mind).

                                                          Ashtavakra Geeta  18-46

Whenever we read such phrases in the Holy Scriptures, we may start wondering- is it even possible to become desireless? 

Desires to fulfill our physical needs and requirements are necessary for our survival. Moreover, everyone has a desire to live a secured and comfortable life. Even an ascetic, a hermit must have the desire to find food and shelter for his survival. Therefore, it is not possible for the human mind to become desireless. 

Secondly, what would be the purpose of senses serving the mind that has absolutely no desires?

So, I believe, for all practical purposes, we should translate the word desireless as free of excessive and unwanted desires. Desires that make us greedy, dishonest, cruel and relentless. Desires that make us want to rule over everyone and keep everything for our-self. Such desires not only hurt others but make us restless as well. We become over-jealous, anxious and over-worried, and lose our own peace of mind.

                                                   ' Rajan Sachdeva '

कामयाबी के नुस्ख़े Kaamyaabi Kay Nuskhay/ Rules for Success

                            कामयाबी के  नुस्ख़े 

दिमाग़ ठंडा और ज़ुबान पे शक़्कर रखना 
और अपने पाँव में थोड़ा सा चक्कर रखना 
ख्याल हों ऊंचे -  इरादे नेक हों  'राजन '
हर एक क़दम अच्छी तरह सोच कर रखना 

                        Kaamyaabi Kay Nuskhay
Dimaagh thandaa aur zubaan pay shakkar rakhnaa
Aur Apnay paanv me thodaa saa chakkar rakhnaa 
Khyaal hon oonchay - iraaday naik hon 'Rajan'
Har ek qadam achhi tarah soch kar rakhnaa

                           Rules for Success
Keep your mind cool and sweetness in your language.
Explore the world - don't become a prisoner in your cage.
Keep your thoughts higher with clear and honest ambitions
Take every new step after thorough considerations. 
                                  ' Rajan Sachdeva '

हम क्या हैं - सम्राट या भिखारी ?

हम सम्राट होने का दावा तो करते हैं, लेकिन अगर ध्यान से देखा जाए तो हम सिर्फ एक भिखारी हैं। 
क्योंकि हर रोज़ हम किसी न किसी चीज के लिए भीख मांगते ही रहते हैं। न तो हम कभी संतुष्ट होते हैं और न ही कभी मांगने से थकते हैं ।
क्या हमारे असंतुष्ट होने का कारण यह तो नहीं कि हमने जो माँगा वह देने वाले ने हमें एक ही बार में नहीं दिया?
                             "दाता ओह न मंगीऐ फिर मँगन जाईये"                     
अगर वो एक ही बार में सब कुछ दे दे तो हमें  दाता के पास बार-बार जाने की आवश्यकता ही क्यों पड़ेगी ? 
इसका अर्थ ये हुआ कि या तो दाता एक ही समय में सब कुछ देने में सक्षम नहीं है या हमारी मांग सही नहीं है। 
या कहीं ऐसा तो नहीं कि उसने जो दिया उसे हम सही ढंग से समझ नहीं पाए ? 
निश्चित रूप से सर्व का दाता - सर्वशक्तिमान निरंकार ईश्वर पूर्ण-रुपेण समर्थ और दयालु है जो एक ही बार में हमें सब कुछ दे सकता है और देता है। ईश्वर ने हमें अपने जैसा बनाया - सम्राट बनाया लेकिन हम भूल गए कि हम क्या हैं । हम अपनी आत्म-शक्ति को भूल कर भिखारी बन गए। 
फिर सतगुरु ने हमें ज्ञान दे कर आत्म और इसकी शक्ति का एहसास करवाया और नाम-रुप एवं शरीरों के बंधन से ऊपर उठने के लिए कहा लेकिन हम इस ज्ञान को हर रोज़ भूल जाते हैं और फिर से भिखारियों की तरह व्यवहार करना और माँगना शुरु कर देते हैं। 
सच्चा गुरु एक पिता की तरह होता है जो न केवल अपने बच्चों को भोजन और  सुख-सामग्री उपलब्ध कराता है, बल्कि उन्हें कमाने के साधन भी सिखाता है ताकि उन्हें भविष्य में कभी दिक्क्त न हो।  
लेकिन शायद हम उन बच्चों की तरह हैं जो हर रोज़ ये सबक भूल जाते हैं और बार बार पिता के पास मांगने के लिए आ जाते हैं।
मैंने एक भिक्षु की कहानी सुनी, जो एक छोटे से गाँव में रहता था। 
एक शाम, उसे लगा कि उसे भूख नहीं है तो उसने सोचा किआज खाना न बनाया जाए। लेकिन कुछ घंटों के बाद, जब उसे भूख लगी तो वो चावल पकाने के लिए उठा, तो देखा कि उसके चूल्हे में आग नहीं थी ।
उन दिनों गांव के लोगों के पास माचिस नहीं होती थे। वे लकड़ी का एकाध टुकड़ा पूरी रात चूल्हे में जलता रहने देते थे और सुबह उठ कर जब ज़रुरत  होती थी तब चूल्हे में कुछ और लकड़ियां डाल देते थे।
लेकिन वह भिक्षु आग बुझा कर सोता था और सुबह किसी पड़ोसी के घर से एक जलती हुई लकड़ी मांग लाता था। 
उस रात भी भिक्षु के चूल्हे में आग नहीं थी। कुछ देर तो उसने सब्र क्या लेकिन जब नींद नहीं आई तो उसने सोचा कि यदि उसने खाना नहीं खाया तो वह सारी रात सो नहीं पाएगा। इसलिए उसने अपना लालटेन उठाया और अपने पड़ोसी के पास जाकर आग जलाने के लिए एक जलती हुई लकड़ी मांगी।  पड़ोसी ने माफी मांगते हुए कहा कि उन्होंने भी आग बुझा दी है और उन्हें भी सुबह किसी और से ही आग लेनी पड़ेगी ।
भिक्षु घर-घर जाकर आग माँगता रहा लेकिन सभी से यही उत्तर मिला। 
आख़िरकार, सभी घरों के दरवाजे खटखटाते हुए वो अपनी गली के आखिरी घर तक पहुँच गया। हालंकि वो काफी उदास और निराश हो चुका था, लेकिन फिर भी इक हल्की सी उम्मीद  के साथ उसने दरवाज़े पर दस्तक दी। एक बूढ़ी औरत ने दरवाजा खोला तो उसने कहा:
"क्षमा करें माते, मुझे भूख लगी है और मैं कुछ चावल पकाना चाहता हूँ। मुझे थोड़ी सी आग दे दें ताकि मैं अपना चूल्हा जला सकूं?"
बूढ़ी औरत ने भिक्षु की ओर देखा और हंस पड़ी।
भिक्षु ने कहा: "आप मुझ पर हंस क्यों रहीं हैं? पहले मुझे लगा कि मुझे भूख नहीं है इसलिए मैंने आग बुझा दी। लेकिन अब मैं भूखा हूं और कुछ चावल पकाना चाहता हूं तो इसमें क्या गलत है? 
मैंने गाँव के हर दरवाजे पर दस्तक दी है। आप मेरी आखिरी उम्मीद हैं लेकिन आप तो मेरा मज़ाक़ उड़ा रही हैं"
महिला ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा:
"मैं इसलिए नहीं हंस रही क्योंकि तुम्हें भूख लगी है - या तुम आधी रात को खाना क्यों बनाना चाहते हो। मैं इसलिए हँस रही हूँ कि तुम्हारे हाथ में एक जलती हुई लालटेन है, और फिर भी तुम घर-घर जाकर आग की भीख माँग रहे हो । क्या तुम नहीं जानते कि तुम्हारे हाथ में क्या है? 
क्या तुम भूल गए कि इस पूरे समय में तुम्हारी लालटेन में जलती हुई आग तुम्हारे पास - तुम्हारे हाथ में ही थी ? 
ये सुन कर भिक्षु बहुत शर्मिंदा हुआ ।
क्या हम सब भी ऐसा ही नहीं करते?
हम भी हर रोज़ भीख माँगते रहते हैं। 
हमें एहसास नहीं है कि हमारे पास क्या है। हम भूल जाते हैं कि हमें क्या दिया गया था।
सत्गुरु  परमात्मा का ज्ञान देता है - आत्मा का एहसास कराता है, जो सम्राट है, भिखारी नहीं।
जैसे एक साधु ने किसी ग़रीब आदमी को एक पारस-पत्थर दे कर कहा कि इस से तेरी ग़रीबी दूर हो जाएगी। उस आदमी ने उस पारस को एक सुंदर रेशमी कपड़े में लपेट कर ऊंचे स्थान पर रख दिया और रोज़ उसकी पूजा करता रहा। न पारस का स्पर्श लोहे से हुआ और न ही उस ग़रीब की ग़रीबी दूर हुई। 
यदि हमने इस ज्ञान रुपी पारस को सुंदर कपड़ों में लपेट कर पूजा के लिए सजा कर रख लिया और मन रुपी लोहे से इसका सम्पर्क न होने दिया तो हमारे मन की ग़रीबी कभी दूर न हो पायेगी और सम्राट होते हुए भी हम भिखारी ही बने रहेंगे। 
                                            ' राजन सचदेव '

                     

हमारे पाँव का काँटा Hamaaray Paanv ka Kaanta

न हम-सफ़र न किसी हम-नशीं से निकलेगा
हमारे पाँव का काँटा - हमीं से निकलेगा

Na hum-safar, na kisi hum-nasheen say niklega
Hamaaray paanv ka kaanta - hamin say niklega 

ये मोहब्बत नहीं है Ye Mohabbat nahin hai

शेक्सपियर के क़ौल की पासदारी कर रहा है 
वो  मोहब्बत  नहीं -  अदाकारी कर रहा है

Shakespeare kay kaul ki paasdari kar raha hai 
Vo mohabbat nahin - Adaakaari kar raha hai   


क़ौल                   कथन  Statement, Promise
पासदारी             निरीक्षण,  Analysis, To copy etc.
अदाकारी            अभिनय  Acting      

What are we - Beggar or King?

We pretend to be an emperor - a king, but in reality, we are just a beggar.
Every day, we keep on asking and begging for one thing or the other.
We are never satisfied. We never get tired of asking for more.

                             "दाता ओह न मंगीऐ फिर मँगन जाईऐ"
                     “Daata oh na mangiye, phir mangan jaaiye"
Why do we need to go to the Daata, the supreme provider again and again? 
Either Daata, the provider, is not capable of giving everything at one time or we are not asking for the right thing. 
Which one is it? 
Of-course Sarv ka Daata, the true Guru; the almighty Nirankar is all-powerful and most merciful who not only can but gives us everything. He makes us the king. Satguru gives us the Gyan to make us realize the “Self” and its power, but we forget it every day and start behaving like the beggars again. True Guru is like a father who not only gives his son a loaf of bread but also teaches him how to earn it. Perhaps we are like those children who tend to forget the lesson every day and keep going back to the father to ask for more help.
I heard a story of a monk who lived in a small village. One evening, he decided not to cook because he thought he was not hungry. However, a couple of hours later, he regretted it and wanted to cook some rice, but he did not have any fire in his stove. 

In those days people in small villages did not have the matches. They used to keep a small piece of wood burning all night in the stove and add some more wood in the morning when they needed to cook.
The monk thought he would not be able to sleep at night if he did not eat. So he picked up his lamp and went to his neighbor and asked if they had any fire. The neighbor apologized and told him that they have already put out the fire and they would also need to get it from someone in the morning.
The monk went from house to house asking for fire and got the same reply from everyone until he reached the last house on his street. Sad and disheartened, but yet with a dim light of hope he knocked and an old lady opened the door.
“Pardon me ma’am, but I am hungry and want to cook some rice. Would you please be kind enough to give me a little fire so I may be able to light my stove? ” The monk asked.
The lady looked at him and laughed.
“Ma’am, I have knocked at every door in the village. You are my last hope.” The monk said, “I thought I was not hungry so I put out the fire. Now I am hungry and want to cook some rice. Is it so wrong to change my mind and cook at this time? Why do you make fun of me O’ mother?”
The lady smiled and said “I am not laughing at you because you are hungry and want to cook so late at night. I am laughing because you are carrying a lamp in your hand with burning fire, and yet you are going from house to house begging for it. Did you not know what was in your hand? Did you forget that you had the fire in your lamp with you all this time?”
The monk felt ashamed.
Don’t we all do the same thing? 
Day after day, moment after moment, we keep on asking and begging. Give me this - give me that - and then begging for some more. We don't realize what we have. We forget what was given to us. 
Guru gives the Gyan to realize the Self, which is a king, not a beggar.

                                            'Rajan Sachdeva'

Writing History

Happiness is our nature

Happiness is a part of our nature.
It is not wrong to desire it.
What is wrong is that we keep on seeking it outside.
While in reality, it is inside.
A happy person went to a garden early in the morning. He saw some drops of dew on the flowers that seemed like shining pearls to him. 
While another person, who was feeling sad, saw those drops of dew as tears - and he thought that nature was also crying with him. 
Although the drops of dew were the same - they were perceived differently by both the visitors according to the state of their mind.
So, depending on our mood - the same thing or incidence can make us happy or sad - 
Because Happiness is inside - not outside. 
                                 ' Rajan Sachdeva '

Great Powers in the World

There are two great powers in the world.
One is the sword, and the other is a pen.
And there is a great rivalry between the two.

However, there is a third power 
Stronger than both -
The power of the women. 
                        M. A. Jinnah

                                Happy Women's Day

You cannot change the world

You cannot change the world 
                      by helping one person
But you can surely change his world. 

अब जहाँ में कब किसी का.. Ab jahaan mein kab kisi ka

अब  जहाँ  में कब किसी का दर्द  बंटवाते हैं  लोग
रुख हवा का देखकर अक़सर  बदल जाते हैं लोग

Ab jahaan mein kab kisi ka dard bantvaatay hain log
Rukh havaa ka dekh kar aqsar badal jaatay hain log
                                            (Writer unknown) 

क्या वक़्त था जब दिल में - Kya vaqt tha jab dil me

क्या वक़्त था जब दिल में ऐसी सोच होती थी
कि मेहमाँ कोई आ जाए तो मैं खाना खाऊँ

इस दौर पे लाहनत हो कि अब सोच रहा हूँ
ये शख़्स चला जाए तो मैं खाना खाऊँ

Kya vaqt tha jab dil me aesi soch hoti thi 
Ki mehmaan koi aa jaye to main khaana khaaun

Is daur pay lahnat ho ki ab soch raha hoon
Ye shakhs chalaa jaye to main khaana khaaun
            
                                 (Unknown writer)             

Three qualities to learn from a Flute

                    Three qualities of the Flute -
                    That can make our life better.            
First:
There are no nodes, knots or lumps in the flute
Which says, do not keep any nodes or knots in your heart.
Meaning, do not keep a sense of separation from others in your mind.

Second:
It does not keep playing by itself - until someone plays it.
As if it is telling that unless necessary, do not speak. 
Do not give any advice until asked.

And the third quality:
Whenever it sounds, it sounds sweet and harmonious -
Which can also be a lesson for all - 
That whenever you do speak, speak sweet and for the good of others.

                                                         'Rajan Sachdeva'

बांसुरी के तीन गुण

                                     बांसुरी के तीन गुण 
                     जो हमारे जीवन को सुखमय बना सकते हैं 
पहला गुण -
बांसुरी में गांठ नहीं है -
जो संकेत है कि अपने अंदर किसी भी प्रकार की गांठ मत रखो
अर्थात मन में बदले की भावना मत रखो ।

दूसरा गुण -
बिना बजाये ये बजती नहीं है -
मानो ये बता रही है कि जब तक आवश्यक न हो, ना बोलें ।

और तीसरा गुण -
जब भी बजती है, मधुर ही बजती है ।
अर्थात जब भी बोलो....... मीठा ही बोलो ।

Prayer is a Bridge

परखो या समझो ? Judging or Understanding?

अगर परखो...
           तो कोई  अपना नहीं
और समझो...
          तो कोई  पराया  नहीं

If you Judge -
     No one will be yours - you will be left alone.

Understand and empathize -
             and everyone will seem to be your own. 

Can we ask the darkness to leave?

We cannot simply ask or pray for the darkness to leave -
We must turn on the light.

The light appears in two ways:
1. When the sun rises, everything gets illuminated by itself.
2. In the night time, we turn on the light switch or light a candle or a lamp.

In the first scenario, we don't need to do anything. 
It just happens without any effort from us. 
However, in the second scenario, we need to put our effort. 
And by the effort, I don't mean just turning on the switch or lighting a lamp. 
Before we turn the switch on, we need to have the proper electrical wiring installed and the power connection available. Or we need a candle or a lamp and matches or a lighter available at the time of need.

Similarly, illumination of the mind can also happen in the same two above mentioned ways - 
known as Kripa(Grace), and Karma or Abhyaasa; Action or practice.  
When the light of Gyana appears, some minds get instantly illuminated - by the Grace. 
However, they have to be in the open - with the doors and windows of the mind open. 
Just as if we keep our-self locked in a house with doors and windows closed, and curtains or blinds drawn, then the sunlight cannot reach inside the house. 
Similarly, if we keep our mind closed - filled with false dogmas, and irrational beliefs, then the light of Gyana gets blocked - it cannot reach the consciousness to illuminate it. 
The second method would be to practice and prepare our-self to reach a higher level of understanding of the Gyana - by studying the Scriptures and keeping the company of enlightened ones.
                                     'Rajan Sachdeva'