Samay Samay ki Baat re Udho

At the behest of Sri Krishna when Uddhav went to Vrindavan to console and appease the Gopi's

The gopi's said to him - 

Samay Samay ki baat re Udho - Samay Samay ki baat
Ek Samay Prabhu hum nay dekhay maang maang dahi khaat
Ab to Krishn bhaye hain raja chadhay sinhaasan jaat

It all depends on time.
There was a time when Lord Krishna used to come to us begging for curd and butter.
Today he is a King - sitting on the royal throne !!
(He doesn't need us or care for us anymore)

With time, everything changes.

When we were young, our elders used to say -

                    'Atithi Devo bhava'
"A guest at the door is like God." 

Today with this pandemic around us - 

                   'Atithi Risk Bhava'
"A guest at the door is a High Risk!!"

See - How things change with time?

समय समय की बात रे ऊधो

जब भगवान कृष्ण के कहने पर उद्धव जी गोपियों को समझाने के लिए वृन्दावन गए तो गोपियों ने उद्धव से कहा -

                         समय समय की बात रे ऊधो समय समय की बात
                         एक समय प्रभु हमने देखे मांग मांग दही खात
                        अब तो कृष्ण भये भए हैं राजा चढ़े सिहांसन जात

सब समय समय की बात है
बहुत सी बातें समय के साथ बदल जाती हैं

बचपन में हम सुना करते थे
                                 अतिथि देवोभवः
अर्थात अतिथि देवता के समान होता है 

आजकल कहा जाता है
                                 अतिथि रिस्कोभवः
कोरोना की वजह से अब किसी अतिथि का घर में आना एक रिस्क - एक ख़तरा बन गया है

                             समय समय की बात है 

Being Arrogant or Humble is a Personal Choice

Every day we meet a lot of people - at workplaces, schools, markets, social gatherings, religious places, and Satsangs, etc. Some people we meet are very humble, polite, gentle, kind, and generous - and some people are exactly the opposite - quite arrogant and self-centered. 

Some times we meet people who continually keep on repeating God's name all day long - teaching religion and spirituality, and yet they are so arrogant and self-centered - always showing off their knowledge and talking about how much good they do for others. They continually demand respect and try to dominate and control everyone within their circle. 
On the other hand - we must have seen many who do not even believe in the existence of God, and yet they are very polite and humble - always trying to help everyone without showing off - without any publicity. 

Perhaps it has something to do with their past Karmas - DNA and Sanskaras; their surroundings and upbringing. 
Perhaps, being arrogant or humble is a personal nature as well as a personal choice.

However, with determination, persistence, and regular practice, one can change his or her nature - if they sincerely wish to do so. 
Spirituality is not about controlling crowds - or others. 
It is about self- control, and rising above the present state of mind. 
Because, in the end, we are only responsible for our own growth and progress - not others. 
                                           ' Rajan Sachdeva '

A Fool can become a Genius

A Fool can become a Genius 
             when he understands he is ignorant.

And a Genius can become a Fool 
               when he thinks he is a Genius.

Every interaction is an opportunity

Eyes are useless 
             when the mind is blind.

Every interaction is an opportunity to learn 
   - if we are interested in improving 
                  - Rather than proving. 

अगर मनचाहा बोलना चाहते हो

अगर मनचाहा बोलना चाहते हो 
   तो अनचाहा सुनने की हिम्मत भी होनी चाहिए 

अक़्सर हम दूसरों को कहते हैं कि आलोचना को सकारात्मक रुप से लेना चाहिए। 
हम औरों को तो विशालता और सहनशीलता की प्रेरणा देते हैं -  
लेकिन यदि कोई हमारी आलोचना करे, तो हम स्वयं उसे सकारात्मक रुप से नहीं लेते 
हमारी प्रतिक्रिया अक़्सर नकारात्मक अथवा कुछ अलग ही होती है। 

क्या दोनों स्थितियों में समानता नहीं होना चाहिए?
अगर हम अपने प्रति कोई आलोचना सुन नहीं सकते - 
तो हमें दूसरों की आलोचना करने का भी कोई हक़ नहीं है। 
                                   ' राजन सचदेव '

If you want to Criticize

If you want to say whatever you want to say to others, 
if you like to criticize others, 
then you must have the patience to listen to other's harsh criticism towards yourself as well.  

Usually, we preach others to take criticism positively - with an open mind. 
But when it comes to ourselves, we feel and react differently. 
Shouldn't it be the same way in both situations?
If we can't handle any criticism towards us, then we should not criticize others either.        
                               ' Rajan Sachdeva '

My Father

                                                      By: karuna Sachdeva Chander
                                                         on Father'e day

The Origin of the Universe - Creation versus Manifestation

                               The origin of the Universe    
                           Creation versus Manifestation 

There are mainly three popular theories about how this universe came into existence. 

1. The scientific theory of Big Bang. 
2. Creation - The Judo-Christian-Islamic concept of how God created the world.
3. Manifestation - The Hindu or ancient Vedantic theory of Brahm - the supreme conscious energy manifesting itself into Nature - the universe.

                                                   1. Big Bang 
According to Science, no one designed or created the universe; it just happened with a ‘Big Bang’ and evolved over a long period of time, and is still expanding. Some updates and a few new scientific theories have also developed lately. Tons of material is available on this subject on the net, so I do not need to go into the details.

                                                  2. Western theory of Creation

According to the western religions, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - the universe was designed and created by an all-powerful Almighty God. Since Christianity and Islam, both draw their main philosophy from Judaism - their concept of God and the universe comes from the Torah, the Holy Scripture of Judaism - adopted in the Christian Bible as the Old Testament. 
According to them, God created the universe in six days, and the seventh day, He rested. 
Therefore, Christians all over the world believe that Sunday, the seventh day should be kept only for worship and rest. There was a time when almost the whole world was ruled by the British and the Europeans.
They officially made Sunday as the Holiday in their territories - which is still being followed in most parts of the world.  

They believed that the earth was the center of the universe, and everything was created around it. 
The sun, moon, and stars were created to divide the day from night and to provide light. 
 "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. (Genesis chapter 1 -14)
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser lights to rule the night: he made the stars also.  (1-16)
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. (1-17)
And to rule over the day and over the night. and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. (1-18)
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. (1-19)

Interestingly, the earth was created on the first day - grass, plants, and the trees were created on the third day - and the sun, and moon, and stars were formed on the fourth day.
(How was it calculated that it was the fourth day if there was no sun before that?)
Whales and all other sea creatures and all kinds of birds were created on the fifth day. 

"On the Sixth Day, God said; Let the earth bring forth the living creatures, cattle, and creeping things and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God saw that it was good. And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle and all over the earth… So God created man in his own image. And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them. And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it".   (Bible, Genesis chapter 1)

However, several questions arise in scientific and logical minds about this theory of Creation in seven days. 
A scientific mind can not accept that the earth is the center of the universe, and everything was created around it - that the sun, moon, and stars were created to divide the day from night and to provide light.
Moreover, how was it calculated that it was the fourth day if there was no sun before the fourth day? 
On the sixth day, the man was created in God's image and to rule over everything on the earth. 
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female he created them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 
And God saw everything he had made, and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.   (Genesis Chapter 1 - 27, 28, 31)

Conclusion:
According to this concept of creation, God created the universe in six days. 
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. 
The third day he created Grass, all kinds of plants and trees - and 
Sun moon and stars on the fourth day - and all kinds of sea creatures, birds, and beasts on the fifth day.
On the sixth day, he created man in his image to rule over the earth and everything on it.
God rested on the seventh day - blessed it and sanctified it (for worship).

                                            3 Vedantic theory of Manifestation

According to the Hindu Vedantic theory, since, in the beginning, there was no material available to create from, everything came out of the Brahm - The Absolute Nothingness - The Supreme energy and Supreme Consciousness.

This is how the Mundak Upanishad explains it.  
               यथोर्णनाभिः सृजते गृह्णते च 
               यथा पृथिव्यामोषधयः संभवन्ति।
               यथा सतः पुरुषात्‌ केशलोमानि 
               तथाऽक्षरात्‌ संभवतीह विश्वम्‌ ॥

             Yathorna Naabhih Srajte grahmyate cha 
             Yatha Prithvyaam Aushdhyah Sambhvanti
             Yatha Satah Purushaat kesh lomaani
             Tathaakshraat Sambhavteeh Vishvam
                                             Mundakopanishad ||1 - 7||

“Just as a spider brings forth from within the material to build its web
Just as the plants and trees grow out of the ground,
And Just as the hair comes forth from a living person’s scalp
Thus the universe came into existence from the Imperishable”.

This is an excellent explanation.
However, there are a few significant points to be considered in this verse.
Many a time - in Sanskrit and Hindi poetry - the poet begins with an analogy - and then adds other parallels to explain his point.
There are three analogies used in this verse - one after the other, and sort of nullifying the previous ones. 
Even though they might seem to be similar, they are quite different - and the author emphasizes on the last one.

                          The analogy of Spider weaving its web

Spider has a selfish motive; to catch other insects in its web - whereas God has no such purpose in creating the universe. 
Secondly - though the spider brings out the material from within itself to build the web, the web is not really a part of the spider - nor it can grow on its own.
 Whereas the universe is a manifestation of the Brahm - and is ever-evolving and expanding.  
The Sanskrit word for universe is Jagat - from Gati - meaning ever moving - changing and expanding. 
So the Rishi (Sage) rejects this first analogy and moves on to the next.

              The analogy of plants coming forth from the earth

Plants and trees are the living beings that spring forth from the ‘non-living’ earth, whereas the universe, with such precise design and order, could not have come from a ‘non-living and non-conscious' field of energy. 
So the author moves on to the next example.
                                         
                            Analogy of Hair

The hair grows out of a living and thinking conscious scalp - Instinctively. 
It is an integral part of the body, and it keeps on growing as well - Involuntarily.

Satisfied with this third analogy, in the fourth line, the writer says:

Similarly, the universe came into existence from the Akshar - the Imperishable; Living and super-conscious source of energy - inherently. 

Now, logically thinking, the current scientific theory is very much in agreement with this theory of the Mundakopanishad stated above.
According to both - the Mundakopanishad and Science - the universe was not created - it just happened - just as hair appearing in a living body and keep on growing naturally - automatically.
The analogy of hair growing out of the scalp has another meaning also. 
It does not grow to its full length instantaneously. It keeps on growing slowly over the period of time. 
Similarly, according to science as well - the universe did not instantly begin as it is today. It expanded and developed for billions of years slowly - and it is still expanding and evolving along with life on the earth. 

According to the ancient Vedantic philosophy, the universe is not a creation - it's a manifestation - expression of the Akshar Brahm. 
                                            ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Note: The Mundak Upanishad was written around 1000 BC.

Also, note that the word Brahm should not be confused with Brahmaa.

ग़म ना कर इसका Gham na kar iska

ग़म ना कर इसका कि आज पिंजरे में तेरी जान है
इतना शुकर कर तेरा पिंजरा तो आलीशान है

Gham na kar iska ki aaj pinjray me teri jaan hai
Itnaa shukar kar tera pinjraa to aalishaan hai 

We are born as Thinkers

We are not born winners
We are born as thinkers

We are not born losers
We are born as choosers

So, Choose 
Patience and Tolerance
Peace and Acceptance
Positivity and Equanimity
Truth and Honesty
And Choose 
Simplicity - Not Complexity
                 'Rajan Sachdeva'

The Cockroach Theory

                     The cockroach theory for self-development

At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady.
She started screaming out of fear.
With a panic-stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach.
Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky.
The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away - but it landed on another lady in the group.

Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama.
The waiter rushed forward to their rescue.
In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter.
The waiter stood firm, composed himself, and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt.
When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.

Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior?
If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed?
He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos.

It is not the cockroach, but the inability of those people to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach, that disturbed the ladies.

I realized that it is not the shouting of my father, or my boss, or my wife that disturbs me, but it's my inability to handle the distress caused by their yelling. 
It's not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me - it's my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam, which bothers me.
More than the problem, it's my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.

Lessons learned from the story:
I understood I should not react in life.
I should always respond.
The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.
Reactions are always instinctive - whereas responses are well thought of - just and right to save a situation from going out of hands, to avoid cracks in relationship, to avoid taking decisions in anger, anxiety, stress, or hurry. 
This is a beautiful way to understand life.
If a person is happy - it's not because Everything is RIGHT in his Life.
He is happy because his Attitude towards Everything in his Life is Right.

No one can hurt us

No one can hurt us without our cooperation.
We are hurt the moment we believe to be.

Beautiful things happen when we distance ourselves from negativity.
Positive thoughts gradually start to change our surroundings
Because - Thoughts are powerful.

Does God Test our Faith and Loyalty?

Does God need to test our faith?
Does He really want to test our loyalty?

If God is omniscient and all-knowing, then he already knows our capacity and limitations. 
He does not need to test - He already knows what the outcome of the test would be.
Moreover, if his love is unconditional, then why would he want to test whether we deserve his grace and benevolence or not? 
The Hindu philosophy describes God as
               Sarv Lokaik Naatham
He is the Naath - the protector of all - Not only his loved ones - or who love him - but all. 
Nor He hates those who do not love Him.
So, where this idea comes from that God tests our faith?
Perhaps this notion comes from the western thought that God created man in his own image. 
If A is like B, then B must be like A. 
Hence, if the man is the image of God, then God must be like a man too. 
We think since we are his image, then he must be like us.
Therefore, we tend to attribute human emotions and weaknesses such as jealousy, anger, and favoritism to God also. 
For example, it is written in the Bible that: 
 "I am the Lord - thy God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt. 
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. 
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me".
                  Exodus chapter 20 - verses 2, 3, 5 and 6

Just as the jealous spouses like to keep a watch on their spouses and continually want to test their loyalty - we assume that God is also like them - and He also occasionally tests the faith of his subjects by making them suffer. They believe that God showers blessings upon his favorite ones, or becomes angry and throws wrath upon those who disobey him.
Perhaps, this is a way of denying the responsibility of our Karma - our actions - by blaming it on a jealous and discriminative God who needs to test our loyalty and faith in him - before giving us his full attention and love.

There is an old Indian story of a man who invited an old man to his home for dinner. 
But later, the host kicked the old man out of his home without giving him food - because he refused to pray and thank God before eating. The man was angry that his guest did not want to join him in praying and thanking God for that wonderful meal they were about to enjoy.
Then a voice said to the host, who considered himself a sincere devotee of the Lord.
"You could not provide even a single meal to a person whom you think is a nonbeliever and unfaithful - And I have given him until now for all his life - even though he has been cussing me for the past 60 years.'  
This is the difference between man and God.
God's love and benevolence are unconditional and equal to all believers and nonbelievers without any discrimination.
So, does he need or want to test our faith?
Some people say that God gives suffering to those whom he loves - to make them stronger. 
'Whom he loves? 
Does he not love everyone equally and unconditionally?
If he does, then he would give equal suffering to everyone to make them stronger.
Moreover, The Omnipotent - all-powerful God can make us stronger if he wants to - without giving us any suffering and tests.

Undoubtedly, Sufferings and hardships of life can make some people stronger - but some people might come out broken and disheartened also. Surely God would know that too. 

Some people say that God knows our capacity and gives us as many sufferings as we can handle. 
If God already knows our capacity, then why is there a need for testing it?

The thought that God is testing our strength and patience by giving us suffering might help those who do not wish to accept the law of Karma -  That whatever we experience - joy or misery is the result of the actions of our present and the past lives.  
Therefore, they put everything upon God - because they do not wish to feel guilty.
It might make it easier for them to go through such a time by excepting it as a test of their faith. 
Psychologically, it's a fact that faith - knowingly, or unknowingly - or even Blind Faith can have wondrous effects on our mind and body. 

However, a Gyani - an enlightened person understands that since God knows everything - including the strength and capabilities of His subjects, He does not need to test their faith and loyalty. 

Good and bad times are not because of God's desire but because of one's own thoughts and past actions - including some inevitable circumstances. 
                                                        ' Rajan Sachdeva '

Prayer vs Work

Pray as though everything depended on GOD
Work as though everything depended on you
                         

पानी में अक्स देखकर Sitting by a calm, peaceful lake

पानी में अक्स देखकर ख़ुश हो रहे थे हम
पत्थर किसी ने मार कर मंज़र बदल दिया 

Paani me aqs dekh kar khush ho rahay thay hum
Patthar kisi nay maar kar manzar badal diya 

Imagine you are sitting by a calm, peaceful lake - enjoying watching a clear image of yourself in the quiet and still waters. 
Suddenly, someone throws a small rock in the lake - and the whole lake is disturbed. 
The ripples move across the lake, and your image also shakes along with the waters and gets distorted. 
Whose fault is it? 
Is it the rock - or the one who threw the rock in?
Is it the weakness of the lake? 
That its water was not quiet and still enough? That the lake could not handle its waters well? 
I think rather than trying to find something or someone to place blame on, its more important to find a solution - how to go back to that calm and peaceful situation again.
Everyone gets disturbed by the distortions - it is natural. 
However, the important thing is how quickly we can calm our minds and go back to a peaceful state again.
                                              ' Rajan Sachdeva '

ख़ुशनुमा कोई तराना ढूंडा चाहिए Khushnuma Koyi Taraana

                                                         Scrol down for the Roman Script
ख़ुशनुमा  कोई  तराना  ढूंडा  चाहिए  
जीने  का कोई  बहाना  ढूंडा चाहिए 

बातों से तो प्यास रुह की बुझ नहीं सकती 
आबशार-ए-जाविदाना ढूंडा चाहिए 

कब तलक भटकोगे आख़िर दर बदर यूँ ही 
मुस्तक़िल कोई ठिकाना ढूंडा चाहिए 

मंज़िलों का कोई निशाना ढूंडा चाहिए
अब तो कोई आशियाना ढूंडा चाहिए 

न हसद की आग हो न बर्फ हों ज़ज़्बात 
ऐसा इक  मौसम सुहाना ढूंडा चाहिए 

जो ज़माने भर का बारे-ग़म उठा सके 
बाख़ुदा वो दस्तो-शाना ढूंडा चाहिए 

आख़िरत में भी जो तेरे काम आ सके 
अब तो 'राजन वो ख़ज़ाना ढूंडा चाहिए 
                  ' राजन सचदेव '

आबशार-ए-जाविदाना       -  अमृत का झरना 
मुस्तक़िल                           -  पक्का 
हसद                                  -  ईर्षा, जलन 
बारे-ग़म                             -  दुःख का बोझ 
दस्तो-शाना                        -  हाथ और कंधा 
आख़िरत                             - परलोक 

Khushnuma  koyi  taraana  dhoondaa  chaahiye  
Jeenay  ka koyi  bahaana   dhoondaa  chaahiye  

Baaton say to pyaas rooh kee bujh nahin saktee 
Aabshaar-e-jaavidaana  dhoondaa chaahiye  

Kab talak bhatkogay aakhir dar-ba-dar yoon hi 
Mustaqil koyi thikaana  dhoondaa chaahiye  

Manzilon ka koyi nishaana dhoondaa chaahiye  

Ab to koyi aashiyaana  dhoondaa chaahiye  

Na hasad ki aag ho, na barf hon jazbaat 
Aesa ik mausam suhaana dhoondaa chaahiye  

Jo zamaanay bhar ka baar-e-gham uthaa sakay
Ba'Khuda vo dast-o-shaana dhoondaa chaahiye  

Aakhirat mein bhee jo teray kaam aa sakay 
Ab to 'Rajan' vo khazaana dhoondaa chaahiye  
                      ' Rajan Sachdeva '


Khushnuma Taraana             Happy Song
Aabshaar-e-Jaavidaana         Spring of Nectar 
Mustaqil                                    Permanent, Stable
Hasad                                        Jealousy, Envy, Rivalry, Hostility 
Baar-e-Gham                           Burden of sufferings, Misery  
Dast-o-Shaana                         Hand & Shoulder
Aakhirat                                    Parlok, Next world, In the end

ग़रुर सर पे चढ़ जाए Garoor sar pay chadh jaaye

ग़रुर सर पे चढ़ जाए  - तो इन्सान भी इन्सान नहीं दिखता 
जैसे छत पे चढ़ जाओ - तो अपना ही मकान नहीं दिखता 

Garoor sar pay chadh jaaye to insaan bhi  insaan nahin dikhta 
Jaisay chhat pay chadh jaao to apna hee makaan nahin dikhta 

सागर को ढूँढती हैं Saagar ko dhoondati hain

                       सागर को ढूँढती हैं नदियाँ न जाने क्यों
                       पानी के लिए पानी की ये प्यास - अजीब है

आत्मा रुपी नदियां परमात्मा रुपी सागर से मिलने के लिए बेचैन रहती हैं
कितनी हैरानी की बात है कि पानी - पानी के लिए ही प्यासा है

स्वयं का ज्ञान ही इस तृष्णा का समाधान है

        Saagar ko dhoondati hain nadiyaan na jaanay kyon
       Paani kay liye paani kee ye pyaas - Ajeeb hai

Aatma - like a river - invariably tries to find a way to reach Parmatma - the vast ocean of existence.
Water is thirsty for water - what a great wonder it is.

Self-knowledge is the only solution to this craving
                              'Rajan Sachdeva' 

Complaining hurts you more

We all want more - more Success - more love - more money - intelligence - health - more of everything. 
But we tend to overlook that which we already possess in abundance.
We continually keep on complaining about the things we do not have.
But we never appreciate what we already have. 
A person can do a hundred things for us, but if he misses one thing, we forget about all the hundred things they did for us and start complaining about the one thing that was not done right. 
The reason is simple. 
It's because we are too selfish and self-centered. 
We cannot think of anything and anyone else - other than our own self-interest. 
This tendency of selfishness keeps us unsatisfied and unhappy all the time. 
We try to become more dominant and start insulting and hurting others - including our families, for not serving our personal interests thoroughly. 
However, in the end, it is us that suffer more. 
Just because of our selfishness - and because of our inability to see our selfishness, we end up being more miserable. 
No one likes to hear complaints all day long - all the time. The more we complain, the farther we push them away. 
So, stop complaining - and start appreciating the things they do for you.
Even if they do one thing wrong, appreciate the other ten things they did right. 
Saying things like - you never do anything right - or you have never done anything for me in your whole life - will turn them away. Knowing that they will still have to hear the complaints, they would want to stop doing whatever they have been doing to help - and stop caring.
Even a mother starts ignoring the child who complains and cries all the time.
So, if you want to be happy - then stop complaining and start appreciating everyone around you.
Be grateful for whatever they do for you. 
Seeing the appreciation, they would want to do more for you.
And in the end, that will make you happier. 
                            ' Rajan Sachdeva '

The Essence of Wisdom

The essence of wisdom is using what we know
And confessing to what we do not know. 

Dukh Daaru - Sukh Rog Bhayaa

Usually, when we are happy and satisfied with our circumstances, we do not remember God. 
But when we are suffering or if we need something, we suddenly remember and start praying to God. 
And even if we do pray in the happy times - during joyous festivities and celebrations, it’s not with the same intensity as when we pray in distress.
When in distress, we desperately start looking for some help - and when nothing else works, we turn to God. 
That moment of distress and helplessness - that intensity of prayer is what brings us closer to Almighty.

When a child is full of energy, he does not want to be held by the mother and sit in her lap for long. 
He wants to play and run around. 
When full of energy and not hungry, he moves away from the mother - but when he is hurt and hungry, he runs towards the mother. 
Though the child always needs the mother - but the intensity of his love is different in different situations.
It’s when he is hurt or hungry he wants to nestle in the mother’s lap. 

Most of us also tend to do the same when it comes to God.
It’s natural to get absorbed with the joys of life - with dancing and entertainments during the parties and festivities and forget everything else. 
We may thank the Almighty occasionally for that joy and happiness - but the sincerity and intensity of our gratitude would be different.
It’s like that passenger, who is scared to death, praying for a safe arrival while riding in a cab with rough and reckless driver - versus praying in an air-conditioned congregation hall as a part of the routine or ritual.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could remember the Almighty and pray with the same passion during the happy moments also? 
It sounds good and reasonable, but it may not be so easy.
The human mind can’t stay focused on one particular thought all the time - or for too long with the same intensity. 
It needs a diversion.
Then, how can we remember God all the time with the same intensity? 

Remembering someone does not mean that we continually keep repeating their name over and over all day long. 
It is the love that keeps their memory alive in our minds. 
Similarly, we can remember God just by being grateful for whatever we have - by being thankful for every moment.
But at the same time, we should try to find some time during the day or night to contemplate God’s name with full intensity and concentration of the mind.
While working and doing the routine activities, we can remember certain other things such as dialogues, events, or people - including the Lord’s name - only in the back of our head. However, paying attention to one particular thought will make us lose the other one.
Therefore, occasionally we should spend some time at least to concentrate upon Sumiran with undivided attention and dedication towards the Almighty.

                                          ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

सारे नशे उतर जाएंगे Saaray Nashay utar Jaayengay

                                     Please roll down for the Roman script

एक   दिन   सारे  नशे   उतर   जाएंगे
तुम भी मर जाओगे, हम भी मर जाएंगे

जब न होंगे तो हम बदलियों की तरह
आसमानों से हो कर गुज़र जाएंगे

तैर कर जो नहीं - डूब कर ही सही
देखना - पार हम भी उतर जाएंगे

रात धूमें मचा लें सर -ए - मैकदा
सुबह दम तुम किधर हम किधर जाएंगे

नाख़ुदाओं की पहचान होने तो दो
लोग ख़ुद कश्तियों से उतर जाएंगे

तू ही 'आ़सी ' बता आख़िरी वक़्त में
तेरा दर छोड़कर किसके दर जाएंगे
                           ~ पंडित विद्या रतन  'आ़सी '  (जम्मू)

Ek Din Saaray Nashay utar jaayengay
Tum bhi mar jaaogay, hum bhi mar jaayengay

Jab na hongay to hum badaliyon ki tarah
Aasmaanon say ho kar guzar jaayengay

Tair kar jo nahin - doob kar hi sahi
Dekhna - paar hum bhi utar jaayengay

Raat dhoomen machaa len sar-e-maiqada
Subah dam tum kidhar, hum kidhar jaayengay

Nakhudaaon kee pehchaan honay to do
Log khud kashtiyon say utar jaayengay

Tu hi 'Aasi' bataa aakhiri vaqt mein
Tera dar chhod kar kis kay dar jaayengay
                             ~ Pandit Vidya Ratan 'Aasi' (Jammu)

This Too Shall Pass

Everything in life is temporary.

So if things are going good, enjoy them -
because they won't last forever.

And if things are going bad, don't worry -
they can't last forever either.

Even a negative situation holds the potential to provide a positive direction.
All we have to do is to examine the situation thoughtfully, learn from it, and find a solution - rather than feeling helpless.
Feelings of failure, helplessness, and inability to do anything makes things worse and do not provide any solution.

So, be positive - and remember the great Mantra that Everything is Temporary.

One day, This too shall pass. 

                                                  'Rajan Sachdeva'

Opinions and Beliefs

On the shore of an ocean, some children were playing on the sand.
Suddenly a wave came on the shore and carried away a child's sandal into the sea.
The child wrote on the sand with his finger - The ocean is a thief.

Nearby, a fisherman caught a fish.
He wrote on the sand - The Ocean is a provider - it provides food for my family. 

Accidentally, a young man drowned in the ocean. 
His mother wrote on the sand - The ocean is a killer. 

At some distance, a poor aged man was walking on the sand with a walking-stick in his hand. 
He suddenly found a precious pearl in an oyster lying on the shore.
He wrote on the sand - 
The ocean is a generous benefactor - an Angel. 

Suddenly a big wave came to the shore from the ocean and wiped off all the beliefs and verdicts written on the sand.

Whether it is the ocean or something else, our opinion about everything is based on our experience and what we have heard from people. And based on them, we try to prove a thing, person, or situation if it is good or bad.
But the opinions that are based on some tales or circumstances may not always be correct.
People may say anything they want to say about the ocean, but the vast ocean remains cool and continues to display its waves as usual.
It decides its roar and peace according to its own mood.

If you want to become like the big and vast ocean, then do not pay attention to what people say.
Explore and examine the truth and untruth-  and try to do what is right.
It is said that untruth never lasts, and truth never fails.
Therefore, never deviate from the path of Truth and righteousness. 
                        ' Rajan Sachdeva '