मजधार और मैं

हमने सुना था
मजधार में डूबती हैं कश्तियाँ
पर, देखा न कभी कि
मजधार की ओर जाती भी हैं कश्तियाँ

हुए अपनी कश्ती पर सवार
जीवन नदिया की बह रही थी धार
दिशा ली, अनुकूल धार
चल पडे, गुनगुनाते हुए खेवैये का सार

लहरों में हिचकोले खाती
कश्ती मेरी बढती जाती
राह में मिले कई मुसाफिर
पूछा, "किधर है तेरी मंजिल"
अहं ने मेरे दिया जवाब कुछ ऐसा
कि, "निकला हूँ मैं तो
ढूँढने को मजधार"

घबराकर सबने देखा
अथक समझाया, मैं न माना
"मूरख है तू, हारेगा
या तो लौट जा, या डूब जायेगा"

जब होंश आया
कश्ती थी जा लगी किनार
न कश्ती मेरी, न मेरा किनार
न जाने, कब आ गया मजधार
न जाने, कब टूटा मेरा अहंकार
डूब गयी थी मेरी नैया
डूब गया मेरे सपनों का संसार

The palace which need not be named

Had it been an unnamed place, we would have survived from identity crisis. The story begins from the glance at the beautiful signboard. Chocolaty, Mota Bhai and Taauji were on the way to excel in shaping their final idea of Robosapiens, although it could never taste its final shape. And all of sudden Mota Bhai turned our attention to a beautifully designed signboard of a place to hang out, which certainly sensed us to go for the experiment. The signboard belonged to a palace which need not be named Royal, if somehow mistaken. It let us little difficulty to find the entrance, but we made it as we IITians are made to solve the difficulties only, however it has turned from being technical to something else which nobody can be confident of. Entry to the palace let us feel that we can never make mistakes in choosing our hangout, and let us feel proud too that our spouses will be happy always. The village people are finally rewarded with such a nice hangout and we are proud to discover it… Hurray… Hats off to the three Lords.

A nice table attached to couch and well cushioned seats were vacant for Lords; fortunately (for them) or coincidently, it depends on the inference only. And we let our muscles to be loosened. Glassfuls of cold water and even three round trips of waiter could not let us decide our plan of action and if someone doesn’t annoy in such circumstances, does it mean he is well trained as a waiter? Can’t be said exactly. We finally settled for some viscous liquids with chicks and some noshes, and produced our experimental recipe before honorary waiters (though they are well paid, they die out for tips). And, Mota Bhai’s Nokia 6610 rang up. On the line were Lefty and Chhote Miyan (how can there be two people on one line??). Our exaggeration made them feel to join us in the experiment of survival from everyday onslaught of mess food. I don’t know how they made Mr. Sporty Hunk (courtesy to Lefty, as the name was first given by you) and Chiraunjee joined them, but just can figure out a bit of conversation among them.
Lefty: “Hey guys!! 3 of Lords have discovered a nice hangout while wandering. We are following them. Would you be pleased to join us?”
Sporty: “Where is it? I would certainly be pleased (It may help me in increasing the number of options for my most awaited date)”
Lefty: “Not so far. It’s in the village only.”
Chiraunjee: “Guys lets have a look at the mess menu. Hope something is edible today.”
Chhote Miyan: “No way. I can smell of their lovely, sweet/salty tasty pedigree only.”
Chiraunjee (with heavy hearts, at least you people would have let me check once): “Then no option left with me too.”
And the royal transport took them out of the Farmhouse dynasty towards the palace. Though Lefty, even with 2.5 cm thick glasses, could not find the signboard (as it happens usually with him), Chhote Miyan led all of them to the divine palace.
During those conversations, let’s looks at the changes which have taken place in the experimental plan of action. Mota Bhai suggested that we should now go for something heavy or light to welcome rest of our dearest pals and we nodded accordingly.
(After giving orders for final experimental recipe)
Mota Bhai (to the waiter): “As some of our friends have to come, so please bring all the orders only after they come.”
Waiter: “Yes sir. (Seems I will follow your instruction, hunh)”
(After a while, waiter came)
Waiter: “Sir, liquid dishes are ready, so please have it.”
Mota Bhai: “No problem. Please keep it in the kitchen only and follow our instruction. (Are these kind of lab assistants we provided with. Hunh. Paplu and Taplu are much better choice)”
(This waiter followed us, but as he reached the kitchen, he was unexpectedly booted out. Followed him a villainous person zoomed towards our dynasty like a rocket)
Villain: “Sir, this is prepared for you and do have it. Is it clear to you?”
Mota Bhai (frightened a bit): “Yes ssss… I got you. (Thank god! even mistakenly I did not say sir)”
Taauji (breaking the silence): “Amazing taste dude. (It reminds me of mess only and nothing else: P)”
Decidedly Mota Bhai goes for one request.
Mota Bhai (to the waiter, though a bit frightened of denial): “Please bring rest of the orders after the arrival of our guests only.”
(And reply was)
Waiter: “Sir, the orders are ready and we don’t want to mesh up. So, I am going to bring them”
Mota Bhai (amusingly saw our faces, and we gave a sympathetic smile, “sorry, we can’t help”): “Okie ssss… Bring those items also.”
(Courtesy to outsiders, as they would have confused that who is actually Lord Hanumana among the three, though we were normal IITians only. This IIT brand name at least serves the purpose to let us pay 10 % lesser than general public in the village hangouts)

The team finally arrives. Their liquid dishes are brought too except one. As we were served with the heavier ones, we somehow put an effort to differentiate between the qualities being served elsewhere.
(One more request)
Mota Bhai (off course to the waiter): “Please cancel the left one liquid dish.”
(Waiter nodded in agreement, but did he follow?)
(Experiment is about to be over. And the waiter brings the left liquid dish, and we could just glare in the amusement. "So rubbish a service yaar".)
(The final expectation of ending was that we could be provided with small bowls to dip our fingers in hot lemon water, though we ordered only Chinese. But, in this case, the intelligent people escaped.)
(Okie guys! Now our experiment has almost failed. As, if you follow a hypothesis and succeed it’s the proof of the hypothesis, and if you fail, it’s a discovery. So guys, say aloud, we have made a discovery. Three cheers for 7 lords. Hip! Hip! Hurray)

मन की निरूत्तरता

घनघोर घटा की वादी में
उनमुक्त मनपंछी की आजादी में
गगनदीप था उमड रहा
अलसायी घटा में घुमड रहा
मन मदमस्त हस्ती सा मचल रहा
प्रिय मिलन की तृष्णा में कुचल रहा
थामने को बढाया था हाथ किसी ने
साथ देने का दिया था विश्वास किसी ने
थम गये क्यूँ हमारे बढे हाथरूक गये क्यूँ सहम कर वो कदम
और आज भी
जाने क्यों मन यही सवाल करता है
जाने क्यों खुद से ही ये डरता है
खुद से हीं मन जब ये उत्तर माँगता है
परछायी की ओर मुँह कर
खुद को हीं निरूत्तर पाता है
कस्तूरी की तृष्णा में
दौड लगाते हुए मृग की तरह
अपनी कस्तूरी हीं नहीं ढूंढ पाता है

एक ऐसी भी हसरत...

आँखों में हसरत है, इस दिल में शरारत है
हमारे दिल में अब बस आपकी मुहब्बत है
लब पे है जिसका नाम, वो आप हीं तो हैं
आँखों में जिसका जाम,वो आप हीं तो हैं
बस एक तमन्ना है, वो है आपको पाने की
जो मिले न आप हमें, ली कसम मर जाने की
बेचैनी बढती है, जब आप न होते हैं
ये दिल खो जाता है, जब आप से मिलते हैं
हम खोये रहते हैं, बस आपकी यादों में
सूना सा लगता है, जब आप न होते हैं
हर खुशी मेरी आप हीं हैं, बस आपकी चाहत है
जो हुए न आप मेरे, तो मौत को दावत है
ये दिल जो तडपता है, बस आपसे मिलने को
इसे चैन न मिलता है, बिना आपकी चाहत के
बडी हसरत है मेरी, कि मैं आपको पाऊँगा
जो हुए न आप मेरे, मैं तो मर जाऊँगा

Journey of UTSAV

In Hindu pujas, incense sticks glow, spreading the fragrance, bringing the blessing for all, guide us to the ecstatic journey to have a glimpse of eternity, due the pathway heard is the rhythmic tune of invisible string, that’s what for which people culminate to have bliss.

I have seen lives smiling there. I agreed that perfection is a way of life. Exactly the ways through which UTSAV traveled so far, being myself an eye witness.

Autumn ends, gathering starts to shape the final fantasy of the festive aura. At this stage, however, we don’t bother much about the initial preparations, making up the mindset “Wake me up when December begins…”, but can very well estimate the preparations taking place at far end, across the globe. Mind you, not nation, but globe. And then the sentence which brings the enthusiasm, which motivates most, is “Game On”.

Responsible citizens take their command, guide the up next generation of responsible citizens to optimize their talents to be a good literati, to be a good speaker, to explore their artistic imaginations and entertain with everything. Number of stairs left to climb becomes lesser, lesser and lesser.

Coming to my recent past. Sixth Edison of UTSAV just got over in my witnessing. Officially eighth. With the daybreak, start the test of commitment for their responsibilities assigned. With days being passed, tests toughen, commitments strengthen. Result? A huge success. Success in cultivating the level of intellect. Success in enhancing the learning ability. Mind you, being the successful learner, I feel, is the toughest test in which everyone appears, every moment. And came the end of festive aura, enlightening our souls, guiding us on the way to be the perfect.

Dreamy ocean of zeal

“Dream, dream and dream and convert it into thoughts and later into actions.”
Whenever I use to think over these beautiful inspiring lines by honorable president, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, off course my role model, the wind of inspiration starts blowing from inside of my soul. The zeal starts enlightening me towards my goal. As I dive deep down into the ocean of zeal I find myself approaching my destination.

Destination….? Did I mention correctly? Did I recognize my destination there? Oh yes! It was there. Did I face impedes there? Yaaaaaa…..!!!! Octogenarians and sharks of the ocean of zeal impeded me. Did I pass them? Or, did I get back? Was their influence much enough to deviate my pathway? Did I find some dolphins there which could beware me of such circumstances? The million dollar question, was I finally able to reach my destination?

Oh! So many arguments to be realized. But, what was the realization? Again an interrogative sentence…….ufffff!! Let………Let me realize. Alas!! I found something there at the end of my pathway……My destination. Hurray!! I am on the right path…. I felt. But, what was this? Oh!! I can’t find my destination any more. Where has it gone? Hmmm…… Sharks have come to my pathway. I have to fight to expedite them. Hey!! Something is there, I think, to help me. Ya…. I recognize correctly, the dolphins. Hurray!! I won the first battle. But, was it possible without the help of dolphins?

Dolphins suggested I’ll have to face further more battles and assured me for their help. Was that assurance for good? Won’t it be possible, they reach their destination before I become able to reach mine? Or, will they further accompany me until I reach my destination…………. So many interrogative sentences.

Oh no!!!! The huge army of sharks this time. Will I be able to pass them? Suggestion…. I should change my path. Dilemma….. Should I get back prior to change my path and start my journey again? Influence…… Decision……. No, I must not. I changed my path then, rather unwillingly. But, is it going to be safer than the right one? Or, I am afraid of those sharks? Fear!!!!...... Then I would have got back rather.

Days are past. Some of the companions got their destination, some are still with me.
Oh…… What’s this? Did I recognize it correctly? Hey!! It’s my destination. I am again able to find the right path…….. And, I came out of the dreamy ocean of zeal; as I was awaken of dream.

मेरी प्रियतमा

प्रकृति की एक अद्भुत रचना
काव्य कला का सार हो तुम
प्रेम, दया और क्षमा की
सरिता का संचार हो तुम
सुंदरता की प्रतिमूर्ती हो
ज्ञान खड्ग की धार हो तुम
गौर वर्ण स्वयं उमा का
संतोषी का अवतार हो तुम
युद्धभुमि की शक्ति हो
शांति का आधार हो तुम
हिमालय की सी अचल, हे सखे
दृढता की दीवार हो तुम
यह तो बस एक निमित्त मात्र है
करूणा की पुकार हो तुम
शब्दों की सीमा से परे
संवेदनाओं का संसार हो तुम