Time Unbound Faith

We are in a fast-living world; the life is running faster according to us; and most of us can’t help but agree that before we can understand the meaning of our life, we are made to run here and there for all that we desire. Here desire includes everything - even feeling for peace of mind is finally a ‘desire’.

Here I want to give a short practical example that stresses us to know more about ‘age and experience’. I think I learn a very important lesson by reminding myself of this small but true example.

Consider a very small infant; playing in a garden – and suddenly he sees a snake sleeping (resting) at one corner. The child is not terrified; he does not know that it is a dangerous snake. If you were present over there, what would you do?

Firstly maybe you would tell him,”Beta, don’t go near that dirty little thing.” And you will thus try to distract him. Now suppose the child is too engrossed and does not mind dirt around him. It does not know what a snake is – he actually just wants to “toy” with it.

Now you will try to distract your child by giving him some other attractions. Maybe you’ll tell him,”Beta, come I’ll get you chocolate, come here quickly now.” The child turns back and sees the daily offered “Éclairs” in your hand. He’s yet too interested to possess the so interesting “toy” left alone just for him at one corner of the garden.

Now you turn a bit anguished, and you retort in a sharp stern voice, “Look Beta, if you go towards that thing, I’ll not take you in the evening to the ride on that big brown ‘Horsey’ like yesterday. By now the child is in serious interest. Unfathomable power of desire has gripped him; and he wants that “toy” by all means now.

When you see nothing is working, you shout at your child, in a commanding voce, and order him immediately to stay at his place. You hurry by his side, and even as the heart-broken child is sobbing at the top of his voice, you carry him to safety.

By all means, you do not let your child touch the snake.

Here is a biggest and the finest example of truth of ignorance and experience; two most unbroken events of human being life-cycle. We know that the child is ignorant; he needs to be constantly cared with. It is not possible to tell him that the thing is not a ‘toy’ but a dangerous snake. You try all means to keep him away from it; and when you cannot succeed, you have to use force. What do I infer from this?

“Life in it its untold journey teaches us lots of lessons – a few very memorable and lovely, while a few harsh and forgettable. The child here had yet not learned the lesson of keeping safety from the animal so dangerous – he is ignorant. He has the right virtue in thought (he just wants to play with that “thing”). For him it is like all entertaining things around – a toy. However, our experience tells us that we should not allow him to do so – since it will be dangerous for the child.
Similarly we have a life of adventure; where we do NOT learn the true lessons – till we actually experience it - even if it maybe a failure sometimes. However, we must keep our thought-clock moving. A clock hands keep revolving in circular motion on the same path. But it is always moving ahead in time. We must like the clock – keep moving ahead in time; but keep revolving and reflecting our experiences and our past.

The child is just so mindless; but you are present to take his care. Similarly you must have a faith that all my good work, all my hard work will surely be paid up, because we have somebody behind us – somebody who is waiting for the right time to give you back your worth.

Now observe that by the end of the whole incident – what the child has learned. The child has learnt that he cannot get everything he wants and also that he may not be always explained why he cannot get it. But he still believes you – gives you the same good night kiss and hug at the end of day. He sleeps sumptuously, plays without any hesitation; not fearful of anything.

In a similar fashion – life may have gone hard at you and may not explain the reason behind what happened to it. It may be for good and it may be for bad. But you must still; like the good lord’s child; keep believing on what is the most important to you – it may be the almighty, or just the good person within you!

Race Of Thoughts - Negativity

There have been numerous ocassions where I have made a self-analysis and found that in our general life, we get instinctive thoughts of negativity - maybe because we are too worried about wanting something and are overwhelmed by the loss in the risks associated. However, this fear evades us from being a true self. That loss is factually the biggest loss we can imagine of - to loose the true oneself.

Let me explain you in a very simple story, what is instinctive race of thoughts and their influence on negativity.

One day a laborer is traveling through a very small district, where the houses are far apart from each other. This man, after extreme hard work in the day, has left for further work in the scorching heat.

As he walks past a vast barren stretch of land; he starts feeling extremely thirsty. He continues however; but with course of time realizing that he cannot continue anywhere further. Straining his eyes to see ahead of the dusty path he notices that at the end of the lane is a huge mansion, and he gallops with new vigor. On reaching the mansion he finds another person on the top floor trying to call him over. The laborer calls out to the man, to help and give him some water if possible.

The man immediately nods and shouts back, “I’ll get you some, right away, you wait there sir! I’ll come downstairs myself to give you the water.” The laborer is all but more than pleased to find such a courteous man to help him. He wishes from inside, “Let this man live a long life God. He is a patron of selflessness, great conduct and true fellowship.” Thinking so, he settles himself on the rock beside; waiting eagerly for the man to return.

However, after 10 minutes, the man does not return, and the laborer is furious. He gazes at the skies and retorts, “Why do you create such being GOD!! Can’t they have the little courage to practice honest conduct? Why do they be so selfish, for a pail of water? Couldn’t you nurture a seed of fellowship in their minds? It really is worst that he did not flatly refuse me; instead fooled me by making false promises and then backing off. Oh God! Oh virtuous, do punish him severely for that, if at all you cannot do anything else for me.

So saying, with his heart still sobbing for the ‘lost faith’, he trudges the way ahead. But had he not moved even a few feets ahead, he suddenly hears a cry from behind, calling out. He turns behind to see the same man running towards him. But what is this…he is carrying a few sliced lemons in one hand, and a glass in the other. The man reached over him and said, “Hey man! Sorry for the delay in coming down. When I saw your face, I found you almost crestfallen from body and soul, tired maybe after that long journey. So I thought I might as well prepare some lemon juice for you and also provide you some more for your long and exhaustive journey ahead.”

The laborer…he was speechless. He did not have words to believe and express gratitude for this unknown man who had thought so good for him. Not to mention, the laborer felt like killing himself for thinking so badly about a man so kind and generous.

Now what to infer from this? Lots of time we have been in a situation where we have struggled and dedicated completely for a task/event/relation or for that matter any such entity. We feel so happy when we are at its peak, and we give all our support, blessings and good belief to the Almighty, or to that matter to ourselves, in some cases.

But when there is a delay in the oncoming fruits/opportunities/results, we start frustrating ourselves easily. We become negative in the race of thoughts.

And by the time you have known the delay was for some good, the same thoughts have crippled your power of belief in hard times. How do we counter this then?

Just look at the small child for an instance. Look how engrossed he is in his toy, even if half-dozen people around him have struck to the ‘CLIMAX’ of some super-hit action thriller Hollywood movie, forgetting anything else. The child does not care whether it is 10 people around him staring at the TV or even more than that. His focus is only on that toy and how lovely it is to play with.

Do not run or act like the crowd does or where the crowd goes! Focus on what exactly you wish to achieve. In a similar manner, get yourself embraced in the web of complete faith on the one you believe – it may be the Lord – or it maybe your SELF too. It may not help you in your cause for your well-being, but it will at least instil complete positiveness to your life - making each and every moments of your life fruitful and enjoyable.

On Being Married..!!

What is Marriage?

A sacred relation built out of total understanding of being one with somebody whom you had never seen before the first time you met? A way by which we play the biggest gamble of our life to make ourselves combine into oneness with the person you learn to love?

What is marriage...is it better that what I have written above, or it sums up to something similar to what I uttered above?

I have read many books on fascinations, books that relate God to your successful leading of life. Even while we have not seen this ultimate supernatural, we believe in God! What makes us trust him, love him, care for him, dedicate ourselves to him. We havent even seen God....have we? Since we dont see him, we characterize saying that he is somewhere inside us...this is of course to give him some figure that we can realize or see.

If God is our ultimate friend, our ultimate goal, our ultimate master....lets bring him in, and pray to him in this biggest event influencing the life of those 2 lovable beings that advent to make their life not their own alone. Lets pray to God on your marriage.
On this, make a sincere and a grand prayer to God...an make sure you hear and understand all the words you repeat below, as you pray to God for your own happiness and your own being.

Prayer :

Oh Lord!
Today is a new beginning of life for me. With your blessings, do keep our way ahead green and gay. Do remain in the center of our married life, and also in the aim of our journey in life – always.

During happy times or sad days; in illness or storm of ill-fate; we remain together with trust and love for each other. Never do we happen to neglect the other or show dishonor. Never do we try to force our thoughts on other. I always respect the others thought freely and truly from my heart. I must protect him/her from any loneliness that the heart may breed.

Now we are not just travellers. In all stages of life, being together like real partners; is the cause of our life. Our love to each other; should be a medium to reach your infinite love; even if it is a small but important way of attaining you. Precisely so, we do not consider our relation a ‘worldly’ relation of rights; but a relation of friendship in the path of life’s journey. We do not depend on each other to put steps forward together; at all times in the journey of life.

If I ever become self-centered, you step in. You remind me of my loving partner to whom I have vowed to give my time, my energy, my concern and my support. Do not let us forget that marriage is a partnership that demands adjustments, acceptance, tenderness, tolerance, forgiveness and most importantly – generous doses of love.

We do not try to know each other too much – but we keep trying to find the other in the openness of lovable times. We do not forget the other – in ourselves – but actually find ourselves by knowing the other so well. Our love should not be a ‘chain of slavery’ for the other; but the 2 wings that carry the bird to new heights and farther – towards you.

We are two different individuals and will react differently to situations. Please remind us to respect the differences. Do not let us assume that our own way is better than the others. Teach us to learn and consider generous alternatives.

Oh Lord! Fill my heart with kindness and generosity. Give us immense wisdom and understanding to build a compatible and satisfying life. We do not live in a mechanical life of satisfaction in everyday chores; we always find the vastness of love in the other and let the life be a season of joy – all ever and all together.

Oh Lord! Teach us to communicate openly with each other. Let us risk being open with our deepest feelings, fears, joys and hopes. Teach us to share our successes, failures, our doubts, our dreams and our love with the other to the fullest. Let us realize each other through strong dialogue and come to appreciate our partner.

We do not engage ourselves only in the thought of happiness and security of our oneself; but we open new doors of opportunity for the other; love everybody he/she cares for. Whoever comes in the nest of our life should just get the blessings of shelter and care. A relation that is blossoming like a flower; that spreads its fragrance all around; is an important relation for humanity. Instead of being inter-mingled in each other’s destiny; we both stay together like two ‘DIYAS’ in the prayer-dish.

After long years of togetherness – when you carry away anyone of us; at that time let not the other cry in grief. Let him/her be satisfied with the memories of how sweetly did we live together; and remember that we reached the end of ladder due to each others support.

Today, on my marriage; I pray thus to you, Oh my Lord!

- Reader of this prayer

Marriage....it is like your own house. It must be constantly tended and kept in good condition.

1. We must remove the residue of selfishness, thoughtlessness, just like how we keep our house clean.
2. We must repair it with patience and understanding, just like how we together keep our house well maintained.
3. Lastly, repaint it with trust, forgiveness and love, just like we keep our house attractive and peaceful.
Surely thus, the marriage is like owning and building a home sweet home!

What more could I say…..GOD BLESS YOU...!!

- When my heart speaks,

Chirag Khara

Surmising Life at 25..!!

Looking into 25 years of your life! Its such an amazing day on your 25th birthday for you! You have completed a quarter of centenary years...and what a life it has been! At the age of 25 years you have seen enough to at least engulf the truth of the life cycles in human beings. You have enough time beyond being matured now!

At the age of 25 years, you now try to reflect all that you have experienced in the general human life. And to give it an essence of being a nature's gift, lets try to relate the different stages of life with nature itself!

"Life is like the river. At its source the river is as small as the streamlet. However the water in it is crystal clear and very pure. It has huge potentials – and is ready to join other streamlets on the way. Similarly as a child; you have many hidden potentials and are filled with purity and innocence. Your actions, therefore are pure in conduct. You are ready to accept things more easily, make friends more easily, grasp things more easily. You believe in the concept of believing!

As the river starts from its source; it flows rapidly through mountains and huge terrains; gathering dust, sand and pebbles alongwith. Similarly we grow rapidly in childhood and collect all good and bad experiences along. We are breeding our nature – but the best part is that we ourselves don’t quite know about this (we are young enough to not understand that we are short tempered, or diplomatic, or lazy/crazy etc). The streamlets that joins the river add to the power flow. They are the friends and relatives we make. The larger rocks standing besides; are those special people whom we meet only a few times and who try to surmise what we would become. The water from these streamlets has helped to form the river. So also the good times and bad times with your set of friends and relatives, have brought about that nature of yours within you.

While going through the terrains; the river meets lots of hurdles. Stones and mud try to settle down the speed of its water, but the slope of these terrains and mountains help the river to carry on. This time of the journey characterizes YOUTHHOOD. While we are young and strong, we carry ourselves with full stamina and zeal against any problems that may arise. But the mud gathered due to our mistakes; tries to slow us down. The river however, knows how to deal with. It flows playfully and lets the mud accumulate on its banks, so that it can continue its journey. Similarly we tend to settle up; or ignore the consequences of our misdoings – and let it meet shores, so that we continue our youthful life.

As the river advances, it meets a plain land. It has flowed and grown from strength-to-strength. Even without a slope, the river continues to flow towards the sea. This is that part of transition in our life; where we become a responsible person. We have gained enough experience to become mature in behavior. We carry enough diverse experiences, learnings from the past, so can continue without a slope (a push from elders). This is that period of LONELINESS which everybody comes up with – that’s when the river learns its potential and also how much he needs the other river (eventually his/her life partner). In the plain region, the mud is settling; and water is clearer. As we mature, we learn from our mistakes, we become more rational and better individual, adapting to situations with our past experiences to help in better decision making. The amount of experiences gained; decides the spread area (or river bed) that the river occupies in the plain region. The wider the river, the more regions it can travel!

In its life; the river also experiences waterfalls. They are the symbols of sudden successes or failures in human life. These waterfalls erode the rocks on which they fall; creating further dents and making mud on the river bed. The waterfalls create sound and activity. These rocks here are those people who were closely affected during our success or failure. They are the people whom we may have hurt; in the ego during our success - or the people whom we have harassed out of the expectation of help and support during our failures. The dents symbolize those marks that are left while we experienced events learning the hard way out. The splatter and resounding voice of water hitting the rocks is the collections of emotions that come out and which affect our soul and its behavior with time. These dents are permanent; and every now and then; water keeps falling on the dent; which symbolizes how we always keep remembering our past.

At some stage the river passes through forests; where there is silence around. The sound of the flowing water is crystal clear and commanding. This time of the journey symbolizes the period of our supreme success. The trees and the greenery are the people around us who seem to be so good, during those success days. Your success makes you authorative and demanding in those moments. The clear clatter of water is the echo of your voice which is so demanding in the time of your success. Animals come to swim in, drink water from the river. It symbolizes those few people who have had some business association with you for sometime; or for whom you have done some favors in your life.

As you pass through; you embrace yet another river – your life partner. The other river has had its past; has gone through its share of hurdles, terrains, waterfalls and forests. When these rivers join the result is a covalent union of their flow rate - it’s their behavior in the combined sacred event of marriage. Now you face life in a covalent way, living for each other, even if you may complement in behavior and nature.

As the river is nearing the sea; it WIDENS. The water spreads and the mud settles down; as if it is never going to move. In our old age, we settle down. We cannot carry our mis-doings, ego or bad conduct any further. Small streamlets have found their source in the river. They are your children, breeding a new river further.

In the end, we meet the sea... our inevitable end. We are calm, unperturbed when we meet it. In our life as a river; we have always been accompanied with 2 characters; those about whose importance; we realize the least in our journey. That is the BANKS of the river, who are our parents and our SOUL which forms the RIVER BED. The banks of the river always follow the river. Our parents are our companions throughout the journey. When the river is overflowing, the mad rage of water affects the banks first. This symbolizes the times when a bad event or any decision made out of frustration, worsens situations in life, and more than anything or anybody else, our parents are affected the most. Still the river cannot flow or direct without the banks. The banks are like the two supports on which the river continues its journey.

The RIVER BED is always present, whether the river is dry or filled with water. It is our SOUL which remains with us always, even after our physical body leaves the ABODE of life.

Isn’t it so apt then; that life is like a river? That is why maybe after the death; the ashes of our body are put in the river GANGA. It is out of the hope that this human being, after his birth has gone through so many stages like the river; and is therefore worthwhile to live in the purity of the water of GANGA after his death.

It would thus be the best chance for him to experience REBIRTH.....the rebirth of his fine remembrance, his sweet memory in the heart of his relatives and his friends."

When your heart speaks,

- Chirag Khara

On My Birthday!

Oh Lord! Truly speaking, every new dawn that you gave, is a fresh gift to me from you. For every person everyday is a new start; but Lord, today is my birthday. That’s why, today’s day should be a day of special prayer, special remembrance and special resolutions that I must make.

Today O lord! I do not ask for health, fame, honour or richness; but if I at all get it; I want the strength from you; so that I can use all these powers for everybody’s welfare.

On this day Lord! I do not wish you to give me an easy and paved path to success; nor do I wish for great luck to by-pass all problems; but if that happens; than that success should make me obliged of you; and if it does not, than that failure makes me softer at heart and stronger at mind.

People say that childhood days are the best days of life. Days of youth bring excitement and joy. But this energy, this strength, this ‘MASTI’, I do not loose in vengeance; and I do not stray away from you; that’s what I wish Oh Lord! I ask from you that great understanding so that I can strive to live as a better self and in a truthful way.

At present all I should do is earn more and more; go more into competition and go ahead of others in the race of success; prayers will have to wait till my old age – this is what I should NOT BE THINKING – is what I wish from you, oh Lord. I know this because doing prayers; or coming nearer to you is not the matter of money or wishes, it’s just the matter of heart and desire.

When we are young, we live as if we are never going to be old, but even sunset cannot be averted, and no flower can stop withering. That’s why my pride, desirous success, and all these destroyable things around me should not remain with me, I plead so. And when they do get destroyed, I become more sound, more receptive, more kind and I get the energy to make my heart more softer – this is what I wish from you.

I am grateful to you that you gave me birth in this world. I wish for a heart which loves this world for you. You happily created this wondrous nature to spread happiness; and I wish that I do not pollute it with my ignorance, my own-wishes; and I try to love all animals, plants and water and this land as a whole.

Each day, I climb one step of the ladder. Each day I come closer to you. Everyday, with some god deeds, I express you O Almighty! Who stays in my heart. I, in my small way, will make this world a better place to live in. Every moment I try to cheer myself, impress myself with good deeds, so that in the process of finding you in me - I start loving myself. Every year when today comes; I take another oath to make my next year more fruitful and I come more nearer to you.

Each birthday’s comes, and adds one more year to my life. It reminds me how quickly time is crossing, moving or rather flowing. Every moment is precious, when the inevitable end comes – I do not know. Tomorrow, I may not be there, so today I need to live to think that all my days - I begin a new life. At the same time, each day I am ready to spread my violet cloak in front of you.

Oh Lord, today on my birthday; I ask thus from you.

- Chirag Khara

कुछ नई चार पंक्तीयाँ

कुछ नई चार पंक्तीयाँ


१. दिल मे गेहरा ज़ख्म आज बैठा है यू...
बस जाम-के-जाम खर्च किए जा रहे है !!
तुटे हुए सपने, घूल रहे है हर गिलास मे,
होठो पे रख प्याली, बस पिए जा रहे है..!!

२. इस दिल मे बसकर, कितने आए-गए क्या जाने,
संभलने-से पहले ही ये दिल तोड दिया जाता है..!!
यूही नही मूह मुडता उस मैखाने की तरफ़,
वहाँ हर शराबी अपनी दास्ताँ सुनाने फ़िर आता है..!!

३. इतना दर्द भरा है तेरे उस दामन का साथ..
पता होता तो हम अपनी रुह बचाके रखते..!!
तुझे भूलाने मे शराब इतनी पीनी पडेगी मुझको..
पता होता तो शराब खाना ही जमाके रखते..!!

४. तुझसे मिलते नही हम तो अच्छा होता सनम...
प्याले खर्च होते है, अब तुम्हे भूलाने के लिए!!
क्या करू के हर वक्त, गम होता भी तो नही...
अब बहाने ढूंढते है हम, महफ़िल जमाने के लिए!!

५. कुछ एसा सफ़र कटाँ, के याद बनके रेह गए..
आपका साथ यू रहा, के हम आबाद बनके रेह गए..
कुछ यादे यू बूनी, के खुशी के मैखाने मिले हमे,
ये पल यू छू गए, के जीने के बहाने मिले हमे!!!

- When my heart beats,
Chirag

A Trait to be sometimes Alone

-: A Trait to be sometimes Alone :-

It is always good to have good friends around us. Man is social animal; maybe because he knows he alone cannot be perfect in all senses, or he alone cannot achieve everything that he wishes for. Sometimes, though we feel that we should have left things on our own; because in some critical points of life; only you would understand yourself completely.

In our life, we try to keep ourselves busy with others, we may have come to know that we committed a mistake, but we try to hide it and if it keeps following us in our conscience, we become wise enough to always keep ourselves busy with others, till the time we find an excuse to justify that false action, or till the time the memory of that false act gets washed-off to a remote place in our senses.

One day I was watching my 8 months old niece, Harshi, playing with some toy. She was loosing interest in it and I had to make sure that she does not start crying because she now wanted another one. So I gave her a steel torch; that was with me handy at that time.

As soon as I introduced it to her; with the light ON, she looked at it in wonder. She was thinking what this shiny thing was coming from it. She saw it fall on all the things around her, the sofas, the cupboard, even the TV screen. I think she did not like it, because she started finding the source of it, she started throwing the torch around, then tried to lick it, tried to swallow it, and what not. Suddenly she gave up and threw it as if it had something wrong in it. When I tried to put it in front of her, she just avoided the instrument.

I forgot the incident as I had an important phone call to attend. But after the call, I suddenly saw a surprising change.

In the meantime my niece had accidentally discovered how the switch could be used to turn the light ON and OFF. Immediately a sparkle of amazement crossed her eyes. She now wanted it from me, by hook or by crook. She knew that it had something in it; that she could control on. I put the torch on a high table and she crawled all the way across to reach it. Her excitement was overwhelming, she was ready to risk crawling and climbing through a sofa to reach the new toy.

When she was finally able to switch it on, she cried in sheer excitement. She again tried to switch it OFF, and again turned it ON. She was now paying more attention to the source of the light. She now stared at it, and then when the light hit her eye-lids she immediately switched it off. She had learnt a new thing, a new game, and a new lesson. Little did she know that there is a lesson to learn in it for me too....a lesson she taught me.

I realized that when the first time I gave her the toy, with the light ON, she did not know that the light could be switched off.

She had just to look at the light of the torch and nothing new from it. She lost interest immediately. Similarly when I have people around me who give me advices, who give me suggestions and who try to tell me what is right and wrong; have switched the light ON and given the torch to me. From their side, they have been nice to me, just like I had been nice to my niece since I wanted to entertain her by giving the lit torch.

But by looking from their perspective, I had come to wrong conclusions. Just like my niece tried to throw the torch, lick it and do everything that was utter nonsense with the torch – in a similar manner I may decide for actions which are incorrect for my perspective.

But when she did not give up and on her own learnt that the light can be switched ON and OFF, she handled it better. On the same lines - when I accept all that others had to say; but kept to my own logics and reasoning, I would be better judge.

That’s when we need to be alone sometimes. Sometimes we need to understand such small happening around us on our own. We observe them, but just ignore them. Sometimes on being alone, I am able to think more rationally. It’s easier for me to find out, accept and pledge and avoid mistakes that I may have committed in the past experiences - maybe just because I have nobody around to be ashamed from. So I would digest a hard truth about myself, more easily.

Since my niece discovered it herself, she remembered her findings very well. She tried to show me how it could be done. And when she looked at me and I made an expression of awe. She felt so happy that she started moving her hands up and down in acknowledgement, and I immediately took her in a tight embrace.

I told her, “Thanks dear for teaching this lesson, let me practice this method which you just taught me.”