One of the World’s Most Prominent Nepali Communities Mobilizes After the Quake

I am obviously moved by the tragedy that has struck NEPAL. Nepalese are the most resilient people, sure enough, they will fight back this tragedy to. God come to the succour. It is badly required.

Himalayan Natural Tragedy

Himalayan Natural Tragedy

Yesterday. at about 11.41 AM, as we were sitting and busy in our daily routines, we were jolted by an earthquake which later on was found to be at 7.9 magnitude – an intensity which could have devastating effect on the life and property on the affected populace. Then, we came to know all about the earthquake.

It was a powerful earthquake which had its epicenter near Kathmandu the capital of Nepal thus engulfing Eastern and Western India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar etc. There were deaths and destruction in Nepal. Indian Government launched its rescue mission under code named : OPERATION MAITRI (ACT OF FRIENDSHIP). In this PM of India has lead from the front. For this, he also mentioned this in his MAN KI BAAT to the people in general.

Teams of NDRF were airlifted to Nepal and they are rendering yeomen’s service. There is also a lesson from this tragic and unpredictable earthquake that if we be prepared in peace we can face any eventuality  natural and man-made whenever any contingency arises.

With this intention in mind, I’ve penned down a poem, do go through.

   

Himalayan Natural Tragedy

 

Absence of any perceptible anticipation

 When a natural tragedy of any dimension

Will visit / come about – unsolicited indeed

Himalayan earthquake that occurred unexpected.

The excited tectonic plates

Owing to under the earth tensional stresses

Built up and thenceforth ferocious release

From a fracture in the earth crust

A weak spot for eruption, so violent

Termed as – epicenter of wild tremble

Causing vibrations in its sphere, so ferocious

In wave variety

Causing deaths and destruction all around

Resulting in avalanches & landslides.

 

The worst Saturday that was woefully

Witnessed awfully by the affected people

A shallow earthquake of 7.9 magnitude

Affecting South Asian Peninsula

With its epicenter at thereabouts of Khatmandu (Nepal)

Engulfing the entire North India

Including Bangladesh & Bhutan

Causing ripples affects

Like a stone when thrown

In stationery water

More swells at the impact site

And less and less as distance increases

Causing shocks and after shocks

Multiples – many times over

Taking in its grips Indian Eastern states

And also Northern Indian states

Causing deaths and destruction.

The humanitarian assistance rendered to Nepal by Indian Government

Code named ‘Operation Maitri’ (Act of Friendship) is so mitigating & humane in nature

Dispatching relief personnel and materials

For rendering rescue operations

To save human lives, so precious

By rendering them succor so badly needed

Thus saving affected ones from jaws of sure deaths

Over 1900 killed and unfortunately and still counting unfortunately

And more than 5000 injured severely

Besides rescuing those stranded

In the inaccessible places, so badly affected.

 

God, Thee’ve created this earth

And all the living beings, so dear to Thee

Pray keep intact thy graces on thy creations

So that everyone lives just naturally

And not a death is caused unnaturally

Thus leaving the dependents to fend for themselves ultimately.

 

Harbans Khajuria

 

 

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHARACTER BUILDING AND TYPES OF CHARACTERS

 

God has created every individual differently; physically and mentally, besides trait of discrimination is also bestowed in us humans. Being so, it is natural that every person’s personality is different. These traits may be inherent or imbibed from the environs in which a person is living. In the initial stages our family lays solid foundation of our character and afterwards formal and informal institutions chip in and play their respective roles. These personality traits which we imbibe in ourselves leave a lasting / permanent impression on our psyche and we act accordingly in an emergent situation based entirely on strength or weakness of our character.

 

Abraham Lincoln had very rightly said: ‘Character is a tree and reputation is its shadow’. The shadow, so formed, is commensurate with the size or measure of the tree. Similarly, the stature or standing of a person increases as the size / stature of a person matures and undergoes a positive change. The quality of fruit given by the tree depends on the nutrition and watering that a plant gets from the time of a seedling to onward growth. The scope and meaning of character has been changing as per change in the society. Here customs, traditions and conventions too play their role in ascertaining the character of an individual. Though words moral and immoral are inevitably associated with the character of an individual yet here too there is a thin line. A tradition or a custom immoral for one society may not be so in other cultures. What is considered a normal thing in some societies may be construed as a moral degradation in other!

 

 

History is replete with several examples to show us that the rock-hard foundation laid down by the parents had lasting impression on the great personages who shined like bright starts in the pinnacles of history; that values learned in early days make huge difference.

 

• Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother, developed in Shivaji a spirit of noncompliance of unethical rulers and self assertion thus made him in essence an epitome of indomitable courage which he exhibited in abundance while facing his detractors.

 

• Jhansi Ki Rani, lost her mother at her childhood itself.. She was brought up by her father. She was embodiment of courage, self-respect and heroism besides being a symbol of womanhood which is recounted by historians. She was also the great heroine of the First War of Indian Freedom.

• Abraham Lincoln said of his mother: God bless my mother; all that I am or ever hope to be I owe to her.

• Mahatama Gandhi was immensely influenced by his mother Putlibhaji in his early days. She was highly religious and most austere beliefs which had a lasting impression on Gandhiji.

 

• Martin Luther King, Jr. was both idealistic and realistic with a strong sense of justice. The traits of dynamism were imbibed from his father and the qualities of commitment to faith were imbibed from his mother.

 

 

Once character is thus formed, it has to be assiduously maintained / up-kept like a spotless sheet of white cloth. Even a pin-size of black ink spot on that spotless cloth will spoil the entire cloth piece; its blackness cannot be easily omitted totally. Character is also like this; it cannot be redeemed at leisure, if its sanctity has been tarnished through our immoral acts of omissions and commissions even once.

A few days back, I was flabbergasted by an employee’s immoral act; to what limit a person can stoop when that personal has not got control over his senses! He is presently around 45 years with his wife and children grown up. He is having around 25 years unblemished service with the institute. There was no red or black ink entry in his service documents till yesterday. All his good things done during these long years just were nullified / paled to just nothing by a single act of immoral act which he resorted to! The crime was so heinous that his services were terminated and would be facing further repercussions even hereinafter too. We can deduce from this that how best we can keep away from immoral or unethical actions depends on our personality traits or character. People with strong character exercise control over their irrational stimuli and thus come out from the situations wherein a normal person may have stuck irretrievably. How we react on the spur depends on the strength or weakness of our character.

Initially parents and afterward teacher play a prominent role in molding the character of a child. The amount of value education (physiological, psychological, mental, moral, et al) that a child gets determines the character of an individual child for its all round development. Value education, in other words, is like nutrition to a plant which ensures its growth. There are customary and distinctive characteristics that are inherent in character. The former are the ones we acquire from our families, formal and informal institutions of the society and the latter ones are the ones which we get from our parents genes and are particular to an individual.

A person of character will act according to the need; what a situation demands and not swayed by the stimulus. He will take into cognizance pros and cons of the situation and circumstances then go all out in solving a problem. A man with steadfast character will take every event a new experience. Failure for that person is a stepping stone for still more tries. Equanimity is his strength no matter what happens. A person with character will have more positive qualities like patience, persistence, perseverance and a quality of head and heart besides forgetting and forgiving are his strong personality traits.

What is more important is the meaning we attach to character and the place one gives in daily life experiences which counts. Character depends on not only heredity but also the environment in which one is brought up.

All said and done, character is the index of the state of mind of a person. It is a sum total of motivation one gives to the persons around him and also does course correction whenever there is a dire need for same. Characters may differ as an individual differs but one thing is certain the special characteristics form the solid basis of his stability in the society of which he is a part. Character, thus is an index of a person’s standing in the society.

 

Characters differ as a man differs. Following are some of the characters:-

1. Self-realized Character. A self realized person is ever enthusiastic for he knows his potentialities and limitations. Our past karmic debits have to be neutralized with the persistent efforts of good Karmic credits with fullest spiritual inroads even can triumph over his destiny with the grace of our Creator. This sort of a character is an asset not only to the family but also the society in which he/she lives.

 

2. Covetous Character. A person with greed will endeavour to go all out in collecting worldly possessions and fulfilling his personal petty ambitions by adopting any means open to him even crossing all the limits of moral and ethical limits. The status acquired makes that fellow most arrogant, repulsive, slanderer and fully bereft of any moral feelings for the humans. He is the burden not only on the family but also the society in which he lives.

 

3. Superstitious Character. In a way all are superstitious but when we’re over superstitious then problem starts. It is not merely bad for the individual concerned but also for those who come in contact with this unpredictable person, who may change his tag any moment thus leaving everybody around in the lurch. Too much reliance on superstitions also robs us of scientific temper and forward looking approach in our life. But we should not compare superstitious and traditionalists.

 

4. Egoistic /Overbearing / Bossy / Tall-Talker. The person who thinks that world runs due to him and everything and everybody should respect him as such. His overbearing and bossy disposition puts him in the category of hard-to-please (fastidious). This like person learns his lesson after sometimes. This fellow with ‘I-DAMN-CARE- ATTITUDE’ hardly cares for others. Day before yesterday, what happened in a public rally where a farmer committed suicide in everybody’s glare, including leaders of a political party, is a case in point. Multiple of thousands people were there but nobody including the people sitting on the dais cared for a crying farmer and saved his life in time! Passing the buck for the episode hardly absolves those ego ridden people. This sort of egocentric characters are the bane of any society, irrespective of their status in the society.

 

5. Anti-social Character. A person who neither care for the norms set by the society nor cares fig for the moral or ethical values is an anti-social character. This like character is both a sinner and a criminal.   He could also be termed as an offensive character. This like character resorts to offense besides being abusive on even a pettiest pretext. This anti-social behavior cuts him off from the community in which he is living and has to fend for himself ultimately for his acts of omissions and commissions.

 

6. Insincere Character. When a person does something good for us, we express our sincere thanks and go extra mile in being sincere to that person in whatever way it is possible for us. Contrarily, a person who thinks others are there for serving him and is without any warmth in the feeling for others. This like person is not only a insincere to his own family, society and even to the Creator who had created him!

 

7. Complacent Character. We all should have confidence on ourselves. It is good for day to day functioning of our society. But when we cross the threshold of confidence and step into the realm of complacency then problem starts. A person who imbibes this trait finally faces ignoble defeat for being so and learns a lesson.

 

Conclusively, it could be inferred that which kind of personality traits we want to emulate and practice is our freewill. Want to have magnetic character which pulls everybody towards him / her or a repulsive one depends solely on us. Let’s imbibe the former traits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why are there so many poor people in India?

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Best Answer:  Rich or poor counts taking into account their satisfaction quotients. In India, a poor fellow may be earning his daily bread on day-to-day basis yet he is satisfied by what he has. He sleeps well anytime anywhere without any difficulty. A fellow does menial job without any inhibition to earn a living for the entire family. There are no debilitating diseases which may be an impediment in his day to day functioning. It is also a fact that who exert themselves can eke out a living without any botheration. Do you call that man a poor. By all reckoning not. The poor man lives with his family feeling all emotional attachment with them. Feeling their rhythm completely, have broad smile whenever there is a festival – which are aplenty. If you tell them poor then it is good for you. A life spent in satisfaction is better although with less riches than a bundle of money with less degree of satisfaction – a life full of internal conflicts, leading to many upheavals in life.

Also, in India, a poor fellow is the one who is reluctant to eke out his living, is lazy, whiles away his time for there are many opportunities for a person who wants to work. There are so many schemes opened for the poor and downtrodden by the Govt and non-governmental agencies / Companies to help the needy. Hence, on the whole I can say with utmost certainty that in India being ‘poor’ is self-imposed malady adopted by some and not as it used to be in bygone days.*

*I consider poverty as a self-induced malady. Those who are having some skill or unskilled can earn a decent amount if he is willing to working. Willingness to work counts a lot. Contrarily, those who just while away their time in day dreaming, despite being educated, are just the burden on the family or the society in which they are living. I consider poverty as a self inflicted malady in which a poor person himself is responsible for not doing a job which is available for that job is below his standing! I just am of the opinion, a job which brings you something in return, with which the sustenance of our family is dependent is the most honorable. All jobs are honorable, it is the spirit in which we perform that ‘job’ counts. Thus India is not a ‘poor’ country. It is rich with its rich culture and civilization where all the people of different religions just subsist with some difference sometimes but there is a freedom to express and get their problems reflected in the free and fair media etc.

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Harbans  · 4 years ago

The Bible ! / God’s Truthful Visible Presence . (Post # 563)

ON EXCITED STATE OF MIND AND PEACE OF MIND

ON EXCITED STATE OF MIND AND PEACE OF MIND

Under the influence of anger so unpredictable

Divest the reins of our mind forcibly

And fastens our mind with its tentacles so hard

Putting a smoke screen of uncertainty

In the process, filling us with negativity

Blocking the flow of positive thoughts

Resulting in impediments and inertia

In our life’s journey ahead.

How best we imagine

And sweat for making that imagination a reality

Determines our life’s quality

Physical, mental and spiritual health

Are important cogs for steering us forward

Ensuring ample mental peace

A sure sign of better life ahead

With enough graces of our Creator.

 

 

EXCITED STATE OF MIND & PEACE OF MIND

It is our common our experience that whenever we are in extreme excited state, we’re not able focus on the job at hand simply because of inertia created in that state. A decision taken in excited state disappoints us ultimately. Peace of mind is a necessity for ensuring quick and qualitative results.

Our mental state is prime-mover of our life. How best we react to a situation / unforeseen event, and handle the same determines the quality of our life. A life lived naturally brings in its wake happiness and satiety, positivity and ultimately prosperity. When we feel positive in our mental outlook, we tend to face the ups and downs of our life with utmost determination and composure. Also, if some mental block knocks at our door, we can train ourselves to turn to our imagination and think about an incident from which we had extricated ourselves earlier on and feel sure that this time too good results will ensue. Moot point is to bring in peace of mind.

MENTAL BLOCKS

We generally block our efforts (deliberately or otherwise) or condition ourselves with certain kinds of attachments and we want to cling ourselves to these even after coming to know that these conditions are dangerous for us and there is utter need of de-conditioning ourselves. These attachments are far too many like: material possession, our relations, our body etc.

NATURAL WAY OF LIVING

Natural way of living is to live, to the extent possible, keeping ourselves away from extremes with the idea ‘too much of everything is bad’. Meaning, without much burden of knots that bind us. De-knotting is required every time knot hass come about. It is like cleaning our clothes or cleansing our body after whenever required. In Bhagwad Gita clearly mentions that a satisfied person is: One who has no animosity for any being, who is friend of everyone, who is compassionate to all, free from the sense of mine, and free from egoism and maintains equanimity of mind and is every satisfied.

The Bible gives is a key to physical and spiritual health: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity . . . This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones”

 

Natural way of living is to take care of aspects like; physical health, psychological health, physiological health`       , intellectual health, conscious health (life element with which our very existence is sustained) and finally spiritual health. Spiritual health is of utmost importance. In Bhagwat Gita it has been rightly enunciated by Lord Krishna: ‘He, who with his mind fixed in Yoga (of practice) through meditation, and without wavering mind attains me’. And having attained Him means liberation from all births and deaths (Moksha).

DAILY ROUTINES

Our daily behavior counts much; it is not that every moment we remain serious. We ought to have zeal and zest, will to fight where fighting is required, flight when it is called for, some humour and some mirth; all combined together in certain degrees will make difference. Yesterday, was really appalled to observe the behavior of a grocery store owner when he was rebuking his assistant simply because he was slightly jokingly with a customer! Many of our psychological and physiological problems are due to missing humour from our day to day interactions with others. Humour, besides other positive traits should form part of our behavior otherwise our day’s routines would turn out to be day’s burden for us and monotonous. For this to happen, we have to seriously de-condition ourselves so to say and for that we’ve to approach every problem with understanding. It is not at mere ‘understanding’ level itself our that our problem gets solved but when this ‘understanding’ is translated into tangible outcome. The quality of understanding reached by our mind should follow quality output by our physical body through right karma (Action). Let anything happen, we can control any situation, good or bad, provided we are in total control of our mind.

FOCUSED MIND

A depressed person could be found out from his physical behavior in comparison with a person who is happy who will show positive traits in every step. Also, sad or depressed mindset brings in total depletion of energy for taking up any further task – mental or physical.

 

It is also a fact that we can have unhindered focus on one thing at a time. If we want to focus on a multiple of things then nothing fruitful would be coming out of that divided attention. For a focus to be of benefit, it is also important how much significance we attach with the contentious point we are focusing on coupled with emotional reaction that may result. Heightened internal urge should spring from our heart. Right atmospheric, right attitude, controlled state of mind and de-conditioning the negativity though always help.

 

Conclusively, it could be concluded that we possess the key in the form of inner potential but how best to tap that one is the need for bringing in peace of mind.

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What is purity of body, mind, heart or soul and how it is attained?

What is purity of body,  mind, heart or soul and how it is attained?

The word, pure means free from any foreign elements or contaminants which impede our growth. It means being free from any toxins. It is in its original form. Healthy diet too is responsible for keeping our body free from toxic poisons. Over-indulgence of any form leads to abnormality in our health. We have the example of water purity or purity of milk etc. In the same manner, we have the purity of our body and mind. Our body could be made purified when it is kept hygienically clean but could it be applied to our mind or soul? Purity of our body is attained when we remove any unwanted contaminants from it.

Purity of our mind is attained when our mind is naturally pure, is free from unnatural impulses or negative emotions which hinder our onward march. Natural emotions are love, compassion, piety, pity, – these ensure our further growth and unnatural ones are violence/anger, greed, deceit, rancor, etc – stifle reason and further growth. How best to attain the natural beauty or purity of heart (just an innocent child) is by following the righteous course while enjoying all sorts of experiences (good or bad) in our lives?

It is a fact that we hide many things. Everybody does that. I am no exceptional in this. I also do this. This may be for procuring a job, having alliance with some influential person for getting things in our favour or while selecting a life partner. We always showcase our best qualities, as though, we’ve no negative traits – a pure soul? This is not only for ordinary souls like me, but also so called preachers who dole out sermons about how and why to keep our soul pure but when their real self comes under the scrutiny the gullible masses felt appalled and dismayed. But exceptions are always there – these chosen few are the epitome of inspiration and people quote their examples while talking about purity in life.

We can have perceptible improvement in our lifestyle by following the teachings of great saints who did selfless service to the humanity and in the process removed their shortcomings. To imbibe sound traits for some is not an easy task but with persistent effort and through inner resolve nothing is impossible and when it is done under the guidance of a Guru, it is easier. Each day is a learning day through self analysis first and then earnestly working for removing those weaknesses.

We identify ourselves with our possessions, our status, our relations, our bodies and so forth. This identification results in attachment and prevents us from becoming more inclusive in our outlook on life. We could be all inclusive when we look inwards for our solutions. Our mind is like a flickering light. It has to be steadied or reined in through our inner resolve. When we keep ourselves away from the attachments, we shall have a different perspective in our life. We’ve to rise above the consciousness and adopt impersonal consciousness. For this to be reality, we’ve to erase the negativity from our system. Purity also means keeping ourselves away all those internal and external factors which defile us.

Then there is a requirement of having a balance of reason and emotion. If we take into account only the former one giving scant importance to latter or vice versa then there would be problem.

Purity is all encompassing. Purity plays a stellar role in our life. All the religions stress the importance of purity in our life. This purity is spotlessness in thought, action, being ethical, moral purity, innocent, have understanding, uprightrightness, purity in love, speech, faith and worship.

It is not merely in humans that purity is considered important, even in worlds of animals and birds, cleanliness plays a predominant role. Stimuli of cleanliness are bestowed in these by the Mother Nature. We must have observed how a dog cleans the place of before sitting with its tail or the snake sheds its outer skin layer to keep its skin healthy and clean. Even in plants there is a natural phenomenon of shedding its extra bark which has outlived its utility. The birds make their nests for their protection from Taveta Golden Weaver bird makes its nest which provides protection from weather, predators besides a place for keeping its eggs.

All these traits are there in other creations. Then why not in human beings who are graced with the characteristics of differentiation by our Creators. Despite this, some humans act like a silk worm which makes its cocoon with its own larva and closes from all around and perishes in it. Such is their attachment with the unnatural things.

The evolution of humans from ape-like ancestors in physical and behavioural traits is the prime example of how we should approach purity as a basic requirement of all human beings. It is the process of getting rid of the baser and unnecessary tags which keep us attached. The sufis and saints or Sadhus (hermits) rid themselves or cleansed / freed themselves from the clogs or bindings that normal humans may have. It is the process in which rhythm of life becomes noticeable.

When we are slave of our intellect through bad habits of ours then things get out of our hands but if we want to get rid of these bad habits through self effort and penance then things could go our way. We have not to be slave but have to have mastery over our habits. Demon king Ravana was intellectual (having knowledge of Veda and Puranas etc) of highest order besides being the most liked Bhakta of Lord Shiva; but when he became slave to his intellect and ego, he lost everything including his loved ones as a consequence. It goes to show our intellect can make us famous while we exploit it to our advantage. It can give us worldly possessions, it can give us name and fame but when it makes us insensitive, it takes us away from our own self which in fact is pure.

All the experiences that we get in our lives – of joys and sorrows should make us realize that life of ours is sum total of experiences that we get in our life. These experiences should make us still more pure by discarding from our system what is impure and help save our existence from becoming a virtual hell.  

Spiritual life and Purity

After having ensured cleanliness of our body, we can take the next step of imbibing all those traits which ensure our inner purity. The following are the steps for this:-

 

1. Keeping our body hygienically neat and clean.

 

2. For the mental health of ours, it is a must that we possess sound health keeping in mind the dictum: sound mind dwells in sound body. For this, regular exercise or Yogic postures should be regularly done.

 

3. Next step is to know ourselves, through SELF REALIZATION. This could be done through self-analysis in the absence of which our life becomes a hub of contradictions and confusions. Our true nature has to be found out. In this, we’ve to pen down our finer points and weak areas. Then how best to plug those weak areas taking into account the situations / conditions that we have to surmount taking into consideration that everything happens in the temple of our body only. Anything untoward or unnatural has to be weeded out / undone and mental attitude changed. Mental blocks in the form of anger, jealousy, greed, envy, etc should have no place in our daily routines. These mental blocks dissipate energy from our system. Each and every day should be a learning experience for us.

 

4. We ought to follow purity in social, ethical, moral and religious standpoints for achieving higher plane of our life.

 

5. We have to act naturally since unnatural speech or actions create impediments not only to our body but also to our mental outlook. Living naturally means living and acting with freedom which our soul cherishes.

 

6. Meditation/Prayer should be an integral part of our daily routines taking in view that we all are the image of our Creator and cannot live apart from Him. Loving His creations is synonymous with loving our Creator.

 

When we are living a life which is compatible and amiable physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and finally spiritually means we are living a life as ordained by our Lord and that is a pure life.

 

Finally, it is opined, we have the freedom of choice whether we like to be pure or puerile in thought and action. None but we’re responsible for it all. Passing buck will stand nowhere neither here on this earth nor in the domain of our Creator.

 

 

 

BAISAKHI OR VAISAKHI – A FESTIVAL MOST REVERENTLY CELEBRATED

BAISAKHI or VAISAKHI

 

Baisakhi marks ushering in the New Year,

Of Vikrami Samvat Calendar,

A lunar calendar based on ancient Hindu tradition of yore,

Falling, Surprising on 13th April on every year!

When new resolutions are made,

And old ones introspected,

A festival known variously in countless parts of our land.

Whilst the farmers toil in the fields on months on ends,

Tilling lands from morn till fall of night,

Occasionally forgetting even siesta and meals,

Sow seeds and water the crop that grows,

Bestowing care for the crop in the fields,

Observes its growth with keenness,

So that his crop’s yield may surge,

Like he observes the growth of his dear ones at home.

On this auspicious day the farmers,

Having collected all the harvested crops,

Join together in singing, merrymaking with full gusto,

Celebrate Baisakha with Bhangra and gidha at full throttle,

In their colourful mesmeric folk attires,

Distributing sweets and good wishes in delight,

At the holy monuments of ‘pirs’ and ‘fakirs’,

Known for their piousness and ocean of wisdom,

Offer prayers for the prosperity all around,

And also for their crop yield to grow, years after years.

The nature too is at its colorful best,

With flowers emitting fragrance,

The blanket of greenery spreading,

Everywhere your eyes could see,

Making the environs invigorating and heady indeed,

Surprisingly without even intoxicating agent!

This day too has a history of its own,

Guru Gobind Singh established Khalsa Panth,

To bestow security to the hapless,

People too gather in various Gurudwaras,

Shri Golden Temple emits its splendour as ever,

Devout take a dip in the holy tank,

And pray for wellbeing of nears and dears.

 

Harbans Khajuria

 

India is a land of festivals. All festivals are in commemoration of certain historical events, change of season, cultural and religious events, traditional based et al. The well-known amongst several ones are Dussehra, Diwali, Eid, Gurpurbh, Lohri, Holi and others having regional leanings. In all these festivals, people of all hues celebrate with gaiety and religious fervour. Baisakhi is generally celebrated in Northern India on 13th OR 14^th April every year. It is also a starting of New Year of Vikrami Samvat Calendar.

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi: It is celebrated due to the following reasons:-

 

• It is celebrated on the occasion of 1^st day of Baisakh month of Bikrami Calendar (samat).

 

• BAISAKHI is a seasonal festival and it is especially celebrated in Punjab region and in Jammu province.

 

• After harvesting the wheat crop the farmers feel joyous and to express their joy they celebrate it by staging Bhangra in different groups, Bhangra competitions are also held and award presented to the one which wins this competition. This is in the form of fairs (melas) wherein people gather in majority and make merry. Different stalls selling wooden crafts and other household earthen wares are sold there at reasonable prices. Then there are the stalls selling the seasonal fruits like water melon, musk melon etc make brisk sales. All age group people including children enjoy Baisakhi fair.

 

• Baisakhi also affords an opportunity or an occasion to thank God for bestowing the formers with bountiful crops besides praying for more crops in future too.

• Baisakhi has special significance for Sikhs since on this day, Khalsa Panth was established by 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. On this day Sadh Sangat take organise religious congregations and sing prayers and rhymes from Sri Granth Sahib.

• Hindus and Budhists too worship Baisakhi with zeal and jest. Hindus take sacred bath in River Ganges They pray to God for His grace. Even in parts South India this day is celebrated but with different name.

With this intention in view, I have penned down a poem on Baisakhi. Kindly comment.

 

What are the distractions and how best to remove these for better results?

What are the distractions and how best to remove these for better results?

Many a times we are not able to pay adequate attention to the work at hand due to one reason or another; this state is due to varieties of distractions which bedevil our path. These distractions could be due to internal state of mind (due to annoyance or distressed mentality owing to some untoward incident etc). Besides, these distractions could be extraneous conditions – like noise pollution or somebody wants our attention first etc. All these create a sort of mental block or confusion. These distractions come in the way of our job being fructified or our intractable problem cannot be solved because we are unable to pay undivided attention to the work at hand. Lack of full concentration is a condition of mental derangement wherein total focus is hard to attain. Edgy focus results in intangible results. This sort of a distraction is negative in nature as far as the result of our effort is concerned.

Other times, when we are confronted with intractable problem and that problem has made us puzzled/confused then distraction from that confused mentality in the form of some soothing music or some diversion as a total surrender to our Creator could take us away from that dreary predicament. This distraction could also afford us some leeway in the form of ‘time’ (a God sent opportunity) and calm our nerves so as to attack the problem afresh and with new found vigor and zeal and could take us away from improper traction and may deliver us of problem, provided we apply our mind well then. This sort of distraction is positive in nature.

Distractions or obstacles which come in the way for attainment of God’s connectivity

Desire for fame, over-indulgence in food and drink, greed for money, having friendship with people with negative traits, anger and jealousy, being vicious from inside is a great distracting factor, lust, greed, laziness/escapist attitude, lack of endurance/patience, being lethargic or negligent. Sincere prayer saves us from being: angry, fearful, quarrelsome, and many other vices. Prayer thus is a panacea which keep us away from these evils. Then ego also produces in us distraction of highest order and is self-destructive.

 

In Holy Quran ordains: Have you seen the one whose has taken his ego as his god? Will you be his trustee?” and God does not like the arrogant showoffs.

 

Steps to remove distractions.

Compassion, friendliness, humbleness, conduct as per scriptures, penance, purity in thought and action, repentance, boundless mercy, love and cordiality, living in sync with scriptural commandments, doing japa one can purify oneself. Everything detrimental to the bhakti marg onward march should be avoided and becoming avid follower of the religious preaching.

 

Our ego and arrogance

When we want to act in a particular way taking into account the sensitivities of the people around, our ego and arrogance put roadblocks in our path. Thus these are the impediments of highest order.

In Sikhism it has been mentioned: True Bliss is experienced when ego is non-existent. True Bliss fills the void created by the exit of ego, of total surrender of ego at the lotus feet of the Lord. With ego surrendered, there is no more seeking, all desires disappear, the Sweet Will and Bliss of the Lord takes over.

Doubt the mother of all distractions

I’ve observed, at least I feel it so, whenever I am in doubt about anything at any time then I am not able to focus on the topic I intend to do. So best course of action is to remove the gnawing doubt and then proceed on. This is also true in respect to prayer to our Lord – when in doubt of connectivity with Him, there is no positive results. The sum total of effort remains just negative with lingering skepticism.

Bhagwad Gita exhorts us: The one who is ignorant who does not have trust and who is a skeptic perish. They do not have this ordinary life or the higher life. There is no sense of well-being for the skeptic. Hence, efforts should be to introspect why doubt about something has arisen and what has to be done in order to remove that doubt. After having done that, half the problem is solved since only sincere execution is required.

 

Equanimity in happy and sad occasions

 

It is a skill which could be attained or developed over a period of time. Equanimity could come through experience of facing life’s realities head on and not by distancing ourselves from them. It is observed that we can get equanimity through meditation. There are things we have to espouse and there are things we have to let go because these are intractable ones. Thus ‘let go’ could help us in making our task easier and also could help us save from the headache of distractions. If need be, we can seek or explore alternatives for such things.

In Bible it has been said: To one who has so lived as to obtain the good name, ie dying day will be better than his birthday, quite downweighing all the vanity and misery of life in this world.

Prayers/Meditation

If we learn to rein in our mind then there is every possibility that we can focus ourselves on prayers. In actual practice, while meditating, we are confronted with the problem of distractions. We may try avoiding them but this problem barge in and do not let us get our intended connectivity with our Lord. But beginning has to be done by us. Initially, we may face several hurdles but with time and persistent practice our sincere efforts pay dividends and we are able to establish our connection with Him. His eternal peace will dawn if honest effort springs from the inner recesses of our heart. We can even imagine how we’ve to succeed and then make it happen practically through self effort. Finally success comes certainly if we have got unflagging faith that we’ve to have His eternal love. Distractions are like house flies which have to be shooed off with our efforts for getting that ETERNAL LOVE.

Putting off things to be avoided

It has rightly been said; a stitch in time saves nine. When a problem comes, it ought to be attended / tackled otherwise, it may be too late and we may miss the bus altogether. Putting off things or procrastinating is not a solution. It makes the matter still more complex and tardy thus becoming a cause of distraction.  

Setting goals

We’ve to be realistic while setting goals. Expecting too much from a limited effort will hardly pay. Initially goal set ought to be easier to be solved and then graduated to difficult ones when one gets proficiency / experience in brainstorming / tackling problems. Then goals could be set for a single day, two days and then when we get experienced and success in our endevour, we can go ahead in our future planning as well. But in all this goal setting, we’ve to be realistic. We cannot ‘get moon’ simply by our imaginative thinking.

Prioritize plans

Setting priority pays in the long run. We ought to take in hand those things first, the solving of which involve our very existence or where our honour is at stake. After we’ve set ourselves on track, then, we would be able to take on anything that comes in our way with clarity and vision with ample grace of our Lord.

Conclusively, it is opined that our words remain hollow and paper oriented if these words are not altered into thoughts which could be tested through our action for tangible results on ground. While translating those thoughts into action, it is imperative that we keep our protective mechanism handy against any deviation or diversion or distractions which may just without warning.. When we nurture lurking skepticism on our own intentions then that thought cannot deliver wholesome results. For instance, if we want to ask forgiveness for an offence, we’ve to have cent per cent positivity that we shall not commit an offence again. That confession should spring from our heart. No distraction should come in our way for that then only our Creator’s graces would be forthcoming without even asking.

 

 

 

 

 

GOOD FRIDAY – A SOLEMN DAY TO REMEMBER

GOOD FRIDAY – A SOLEMN DAY TO REMEMBER

GOOD FRIDAY – A SOLEMN DAY

(ON ^3RD APRIL 2015)

Amongst all Fridays’, the most Holy,
Call it a Good Friday or a Great Friday,
No strings attached whatsoever for us all,
A day long penance and fasting observed without fail,
This Solemn Day is commemorated as an anniversary,
Of death of our beloved & revered Lord Jesus Christ,
This Day’s purity remains alike for a commoner or a priest.

A Day which we reminisce,
When our beloved Lord Jesus Christ,
Offered himself on the Cross,
Without even a slightest emotional upsurge,
Peaceful & compassionate while in real life’s passage,
And serene whilst embracing death by hapless.
Underwent crucification and ultimate surrender,
On this Day – to our common Creator!

Seeking forgiveness for perpetrators

And guilty for His own death!

So merciful even to irreligious ones!

With words: ‘Father, forgive them,

For they know not what they do’

Such sympathy is an extraordinary one

It could be with the heart of one who is the dearest Son

Of Omnipotent and Omniscient

Such Sympathy is a key to Christ Consciousness

Suffering for us – relentless pangs combined with humiliation,
A holy death indeed for our redemption,
His supreme sacrifice is an instrument of compensation,
For the sins of everyone of us on this earth.
AND then followed by a surprise resurrection,
Thus stunning the people at large by this revivification.
Methods may differ of observation,
But the holiness of Good Friday remains above par,
Devout kneel with utmost reverence, they pay,
Before wooden Cross kept in Churches so holy on this day.

Seven last words of Lord Christ are too repeated,
So that HIS utterances remain engraved,
In our memory lane forever and ever.
A symbolic burial of the Lord too is performed,
Differences may be in the methods,
Yet inner most springing of touching feeling is unparalleled,
For our Beloved Jesus Christ,
Who for Truth’s sake gave His everything,
So that we may be absolved of our sins.

 

HARBANS KHAJURIA

 

GOOD FRIDAY

History is witness to the fact that the incarnations of our Creator had to endure trials and tribulations in their life time while living on this earth. People who opposed their ideas and ideals always opposed them tooth and nail because these God’s Incarnations were the messengers of peace and their mission was to spread the TRUTH. They preached ‘Bless them that curse you.’ They presented a living example for us humans to see how best they withstood onslaughts of those who opposed the very ideals departure from their pseudo and outdated beliefs.

While reforming the masses and showing them the true path, the messengers of our God, Jesus Christ faced umpteenth obstacles from those who opposed their ideals. These incarnations faced hurdles at every step but with their foresights and fortitude these Apostles of Peace challenged the old and hackneyed mores of behaviour and came out unscathed ultimately. Surprisingly, after their earthy sojourns they were accepted as the Messengers of God by one and all. This is the tragedy of humans that we do not recognize His Messengers/Incarnations while they are on this planet but when they are no longer with us then we take them as their revered ones!

Lord Jesus Christ is one example amongst others like Prophet Mohammad, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama who gave new meaning and content to the philosophy of living. These Messengers of Peace fought for the common people and were able to rid the society of the evil doers and challenged the very philosophies of people at the helm of affairs during the periods on this earth. In that process these Sons of God had to face opposition. People who mattered suspected these because ideals were counter to their (powerful opponents) own and in upholding these they (Sons of God) had to face trials and tribulations. During the life time Jesus Christ did everything to rid the then society of the evils prevalent and wanted to change the outlook of the people.

Jesus anguished and felt sympathy even for his tormentors while he agonized on the cross for us all. We should never forget that He suffered so that we are redeemed of our sins that we as humans do commit. There were disturbances and upheavals after he gave up his spirit.

Crucification of Jesus Christ gave a new meaning of life to us humans to follow. His ideals and preaching are held dear by us all and will remain so till eternity. May this Day remain etched in our memory as the day of redemption of humanity and He remains a beacon of light for all of us on this earth.

It is well said, there is always a light after the darkness. Jesus used to heal the physical ills of masses, he wanted their highest good while he was in flesh and blood like us. But the insensitive people just crucified him! This is also a fact that he had the power to escape being crucified but he did not do so. And in even in agony he said: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ That is why He had to come back again for our happiness and for our purification. This purification is attained only when we’ve conquered our weaknesses in the form of our ego etc.

If crufication was a dark blot on those who crucified Jesus, the Easter is commemorated as a symbol of resurrection. Easter celebration has a historic perspective. It also symbolizes rebirth; a pious day that is why devotees decorate their houses, rejoice, mass prayers are conducted in Churches. It is a celebration in connection with the rising of Christ – the Son of God. Easter also opens door for a holy association with God through Jesus Christ. Amen