The obituary read;

In faith lay its essence

Spirituality defined its vision

To serve for a healed humanity 

Was undying passion

Quest for Truth

Remained undying inspiration

And yes -

In love, this soul found

Itself.

पराई

लक्ष्मी जब जन्मी थी

सूनी कोख सजी थी

स्वर सही कर्णों से टकराया थी

मुबारक!

पर तुमने पराया धन तो पाया है।

जब खेली घर प्रांगण में

यौवन छुपा आँचल में

हर चपल चरण की आहट पर

संसार ने यूँ चौंकाया था -

संभालो!

कि पराया धन मदमाया है।

लाली सिंदूरी जब सजा

ड्योढ़ी के बाहर पग धरा

जननी के आँसु बह निकले

मन ने बावरी मामता पे

यह कह बाँध लगाया था -

रो मत!

तु ने पराया धन ही तो गँवाया है।

Jotted down in 1989

Diamonds aren't forever

I value -

The diamonds You sent 

Lovingly my way

With gratitude I bow yet

To humbly say - 

No, thank You, 

While I am honoured 

I won't accept

This is shortchange 

For my desire to getaway

From humdrum and trappings

Holding soul to sway 

Away from purpose

Of receiving Your ray;

In gift if You're giving

Give relief to my pine  

Give that which I ask

Of You again and again

Its only eternal Union

With Your Presence

That I seek

In its bliss and peace

I am so content

Forever in this radiance 

Happily I shall lay.

जाने क्या खोज रहा है दिल

इसकी कसक में एकाकी है

मिल के भी ना मिली जो मंज़िल

सो दर्द के मलबे तले पूर्ण होने को

इक गहरी ख़िला बाक़ी है।

So long as I have You

Wealthy I am indeed -
for a stock take
of all I have reveals
even if I let go
of every possession
what'll still remain
as forever mine
along with scoresheet of total loss
is my mortal form,
an immortal soul
and my Source
that is Eternal.

In the light of Firewalk

Words fall short

Do not suffice 

In expression of experience

Where as I walked 

With little choice

The glowing embers 

Having fuelled the Firewalk

Revealed without dispute

In life I've always 

Found peace and truth

With faith in You.

हँसी ढ़ूंढ़ने चली इस बार

तो ना पिया के द्वार

ना प्यार की गली

खुला आसमान, समस्त संसार

हर खिलखिलाहट थी छुपी

तुम संग मूक वार्तालाप में।

living in material world
has revealed a truth
in humdrum
of must-haves of life
not the pricey
nor one with a brand,
rather its the immaterial
that brings forth
much mirth
most joy.

अब ख़्याल भी थक, साथ छोड़ना चाहते हैं

सफ़र में अकेले को अब तो मंज़िल का साथ दो!

Toughest duality

to wade through 

in life has been 

to not be busy doing 

but ust be

Exasperation

More than -

Seven billion ways

Crisscross one another 

Striving to attain

The seat of Oneness 

Where from You reign

Oh come spare me now

From wonder of how

Ascends that other 

Make my agilely traverse

One that's my very own. 

Joyfully eccentric

I live in

World filled with those

vying to compete

to outdo the rest

in being seen -

Successful, sane and centred.

I open an eye
to peek
and glance

at tight medley and commotion,

charged by promise
of law of attraction
all endeavour 

to shun soothe of dark

tending to seek
glare of good and glorious alone. 

Driven by no goal
having no desire to make a mark

I stretch with yawn,

shut eyes to close

with languor and ease

I revel in beauty of the Whole

that lies within

when both light and dark

come together
to set glow and awaken;
in realisation of dawn
here I put down my sign
on card of gratitude
to say -
I am grateful and blessed
to be placed 
eccentrically in my parole!

There are many faces of love - 

the fairest is one 

where you just know 

it's there forever
to stay 

without having to say

or search for reason

its expressed 

bonded together with One

in being human.

अब क़दम थमते नहीं

हौसले थकते नहीं

राह की गहराईयाँ

वजूद की तन्हाईयाँ

क्यों कर क़दम उलझा सकें

ढ़लते उफ़क़ पे जो नजर गई

नित बदलते गुलाबी सायों में

तुम्हारे क़दर की छवी दिखी;

फिर मंज़िल का जबपता रहे

क्युं लापता से हम फिरें?

तुम ने भेजा था रूह लिये

कई क़तरे हैं आँसू के

कुछ किचड़ से भी मलिन हुऐ 

कोरे दामन को इन छींटों से 

कहां मैं कभी बचा सकी

बेशक समझ में देर हुई 

पर सुना पश्चताप की है 

ताप खरी - तो क्या

आशा की करूँ उम्मीद नहीं?

निर्बल, निश्छल, निर्भीक

चल पड़ी समझ बस राज़ यही

तुम से तुम तक आ 

फिर जाने का आदम की

प्रकिती से चार पहर का नाता है

रस्मों रिश्तों के परदे ने

अपने जाल में सब को बाँधा है।

सेहर सजी थी जब 

मेरे रूत की 

उरूज पे था उफान खड़ा

बेपरवाह मेरा सुरूर था

लेकिन वह पहर कटा  

थी दोपहर की धूप कड़ी, 

जिस्म तप व तपिश से चूर हुआ

रहज़न. राहगीरों से लूटता था

साँझ ढ़ले सब छोड़ चुके

खंडहरों में क्या बसता है!

हैं बिछड़ चुके सब हमसफ़र

जिन पे बेवजह मुझे सदा

हक़, गुमान और ग़ुरूर रहा।

०इस रहगुज़र पे मेरे रब

बस तेरा मेरा साथ है अब

इसी यक़ीन पे साहस कर

मैंने निगाह और सर उठाया है, 

कुछ चिराग़ जो दूर टिमटिमा रहे

तुम्हारी क़ुदरत ने ही 

तो झलकाया है,

थोड़ी उनकी लौ को और 

अपनी रौशनी से हयात दे दो,

बड़ी मुश्किलों से मेरे खुदा 

मैने टूटे दिल को ज़िदगी के

अंधेरों में बिखरने से बचाया है 

मंज़िल देखो है क़रीब दिखे

इस ठौर क़ल्ब फिर कैसे टिके

ज़रा कुन-फ़यकून की फूँक तो दो 

कि साँस को दम और आस मिले

कुछ युं कि बस 

हम यूँ चले और युँ मिले

पकड़े तुम्हारी रज़ा की डोर  

हर राज-रास से मूँह को मोड़ 

तुम्हारी अमानत पहुँचाने को

अपनी जान लिये हम आते हैं।

 

जाने क्या मैंने सुनी

लफ़्ज़ जो लब की जुम्बिश से

कानों पे सजा करते थे

अब साँस से 

ईमान की हरारत के

हैं तलबगार बने - 

दिल की धड़कन जब

लहू की गर्मी का अहसास  

देने से लाचार रहे -

तो बेहतर है ख़ामोशी के

चिलमन की परत खिंची रहे, 

कि सुना है जब सिले लब 

तब कहीं जा के

क़ल्ब में हक़ीक़तों के

मृदंग बजे!

इक तुफान है

उधेड़ता, उजाड़ता

कई पहचान को तारता

विधाता - किधर का

इरादा है?

I am grateful that I am

I am grateful that You are

I grateful that between 

You and me

Expressions are felt

Not seen. 

i won't ask why

I am letting go

of whys in my life

no answer is worth the query

when all is meant

to deliver

i to I.

हम से तुम से 

ही चल रहा है

सिलसिला प्यार और पहचान का -

पहचान पहले अपने ख़ुद से

फिर प्यार सब के

एक खुदा और रब से।

till date 
I am a mere clot

a congealed mass
of bone, flesh and blood

waiting to metamorphose

to peel

and reveal

my essence

from underneath layers
that I am not.

Reflections after reading Surah Alaq (The clot)

Is this the full stop?

Everything has come 

to standstill - 

ambition, desire

craving of heart

meanderings of will

cause no bother

for heart has experienced

yearn of the seeker

who looks only

for abiding Truth.

मूड़ मूड़ के ना देख

वक़्त की गरदिश को

बेवजह पलटते पन्नों की 

क्यों हवा देते हो

है ये लम्हा मेरा सर्द सही

बेहतर है यही 

जो इस पल को

आज की साँस का 

अहसास बना लेते हो ।

The Invisible Teacher

Big thanks to 

The Invisible Teacher

He knows what is the lesson

most suited for us

In this and every hour.

As tons of gratitude

Flow from heart

I choose to pray

May His Light 

Lovingly guide

Every seeker of truth 

on the way

that leads

to His grace 

and acceptance. 

PS: Feeling grateful for reads of Deliverance from Error and The Just Balance - Both by Ghazali in the 11th/12th century.

Beyond heaven and hell

I seek to define
a niche for myself
that steers clear
of promises
of any boundaries of heaven or hell.

for these neither inspire
nor instil any fear

to incline me to seek to possess
a paradisal fortune

grand opulence or charm of youth
there's no desire
to rest by rivers of milk
i thirst not to drink
of goblets of wine
for these appear
mere trappings that lure

to clothe ego
with pretence of eternal shine.

neither do I wish
to experience fire of hell
purulent drinks, its stench or the slime
or repugnant feel of crawl 

when reptile or insect
comes to creep inside
in crevices of singed, scorched skin.

I've had leisure
of many a pleasure
and I've burned enough
with anguish and pain
without loyalty and love
tasted venom of betrayal
which couldn't have been less
than sting of viper
or another poisonous snake!

So release me
set free with Your Love
set my records to clear
for i am willing to reside
let me be
on scroll of Your roll
to honour and serve
I'll eternally abide
with promise of intent -
despite foil and folly
I'll  endeavour
to follow, what little
Ive understood of Your will.

Do take me to Yourself
beyond inferno and bliss
You've been my quest
since a while ago
just let me dwell
in a humble abode
by base of Your throne
i'll find a seat
and keep equanimity and peace
to give company to soul.

वक़्त के कोलाहल से परे

सन्नाटों मे बसना अच्छा लगता है

यूँ कि इसके अंतराल में

तुम्हारे क़ुदरत के ताल की 

सरगोशी सुनती हुँ।

यहां दस्तक ना दो

मेरा कोहबर मेरा वजूद है

और यहाँ ख़ामोशी ही मौजूद है

चमक-दमक, रंग-वंग के ख़रीदार 

यहाँ दस्तक ना दो -

तुम्हारी हसरतें परवाज़ की ख़्वाहिशमंद ठहरीं

मेरी चारदीवारी बहुत महदूद है ।

No one, none other than You
Casts a spell so serene
That no matter where I dwell
I am immersed in
Silent remembrance of You.

दिल ने कई बार

तुम्हें ज़िंदगी से मिलवाया है

कभी हँसी से

कभी मुस्कुराहटों से 

दो चार करवाया है

वो ना होता तो ज़िंदगी से गले 

तुम क्या ख़ाक मिलते

तुम्हारी तन्हाईयां उस की 

धकधक से सदा गुलज़ार बनी

कई ऊँचाइयों को

इसी धड़कन ने सर करवाया है

तो आज इतनी आसानी  से

क्यूँ दामन झटक यूँ मूंह मोड़ चले

इक तो वक़्त संगदिल ठहरा
और तुम भी चिरागों को बुझा छोड़ चले?

थोड़ा ठहरो मेरे दोस्त

सुनो ज़ौक़े तक़ाज़ा ये है -

प्यार में रूठने मनाने की

अदा बाक़ी रहे

कल तुम रूठे पिभरे थे
दिल ने था साथ दिया 

आज मनाने की तुम्हारी बारी है

रूठा दिल है अपने दिलबर से 

है तव्वजह  का तलबगार बना

हक़ है उसका, बहला लो ज़रा

आख़िर दिल अपना ही तो है

और वो तो बच्चा है जी
साथ बैठो उसे वक़्त के अंधेरों
से कहीं डर  न लगे
प्यार की लौ को हवा दो
कि बेवक़्त कहीं सर्द न पड़े। 

इस साल का संकल्प

अबके बरस मेरे घर

बस एक दीया जले

हम तुम की महफिल 

बहुत ख़ूब सजे

कुछ यूँ कि 

बिखरती रौशनी मे

ख़ुदी को सिर्फ़

मेरा ख़ुद 

या खुदा दिखे।

Mellow me not,

Let my cinders burn

Turn to amber and glow

I hear the promise 

Of winter's thaw, 

As winds of time 

Make a switch

To fan and drive out chill

Off me 

The flames will leap and rise

In it's varying hue

You shall see

My spirit dance -

In abandon 

I'll move only for You.

On and on 

In life as I strive to row

I've found -

People have come

And people will go

Some have broken my heart 

Some healed my soul

Through them I learned

To evolve and grow

With their support

I engaged to sow

Seeds of Karma that'll yield 

In harvest I could reap

Shades of sorrow

Or, Colours of joy 

Regardless what I crave for most

Is liberation and ability to know

When curtain's called down to end 

I click my heels to return

I know for certain 

When I leave to exit

I have ended well my final show!

 एक आदत की तरह हम भी जिये जाते है

युंकि हर सुबह को शाम, रात को सेंहर तक ले जाते हैं

मक़सद ढ़ुंढ़ने की फ़िक्र है ना अंजाम का ख़ौफ़

हम तो ख़ुश है कि खुशरंग साथ व सफ़र मे

मेरे रात और पहर बहुत ख़ूब कटे जाते हैं।

Namaste -

I say 

From depth of soul

It bows to honour

The undaunted courage

That leave it's mark on 

Every human 

Who thru suffering and pain -

When every duality 

Detracts to digress

With utter humility and bond of love

Travels forth with unyielding spirit

From the seen

To unseen domain 

With faith to surrender soul

Alone to Divine

To attain his Whole.

तो पकड़ ली मैंने 

एक ही राह

एक ही रही डगर 

एक ही ठौर मैं चली

तुम ही मद

रस, मधु, मदीरा, स्वाद

सब तुम से

तुम में रन के।

चल पड़ी सही

पर मोड़ों की ख़बर नहीं

कमज़ोर क़दम हैं

और इकमात्र सारथी

है इक घायल दिल

और अटूट यक़ीं -

जो सफ़र रहा 

तुम से तुम तक

तो फिर लाज़िम

दिवाने का ठौर

पहुँच जाना है।

कहने और सुनने का 

तो रिश्ता है हमारा तुम्हारा

मैंने ख़ूब कहा

तुमने भरपूर सुना - 

अब मेरे सुनने की है बारी ।

Emotion wells

Love is here 

Refusing to be withheld 

By any holding dam

Threatening to burst

Heart at seam

So tell me my Love -

How I ought express 

My fondness or yearn

That"s been seeded 

Now raring to sprout

It wants to dig deeper at root

I wonder 

From where to learn

How to cuddle, embrace

Surrender to Grace

Burying the material to unite

How does indeed 

The form of finite 

Dissolve itself to be one

With the formless Infinite?

हर कहानी वही है

वक़्त के दलदल पे

लुढ़कते फिसलते

कई रस्सी लगी हाथ -

बस वो जो सिरा

था तुमसे जो मिला

जब उसे पकड़ लिया 

तब जा पैर जमा 

तेरे बन्दे ने ली

राहत की अंगड़ाई है ।

कहाॅ आता मुझे

बाँधना, बंधाना

जो तुमपे कोई रोक धरूँ

सो ख़ूब उड़ो

स्वच्छन्द फिरो

ये आकाश तुम्हारा है।

For my sons

दुख से तो दिल का 

गहरा रिश्ता है

हर दुख दर्द का बीज धरता है

आँसुओं से सिंच 

इक नया अस्तित्व सजता है!

Life is lived fully

When only

It's experienced from heart

From truth.

Taste of freedom

How are you she asked

A friend from grieving times -

I pondered then with playful smile 

I am good

Feel very very good

And, what may be the reason behind?

Is it shattered illusion

That brings such joy

Or, clarity of vision

That has pierced surround 

The smokescreen fell

To reveal the Real behind?

The hand that punched

Feels hurt, still sore

Throb of pulse and beat of heart  

Let freedom surge at it's core

No name, relation, beiief or dutiful chore

Tugs pointlessly

At strings of my being

No longer I'm bound 

To pretence any more

I feel jaunt and cheer

Light skip is here 

For finally i feel i am 

The one I was meant to be

Yahoo with surrender

I am free.

I have a dream

I have a dream:

To live -

Each day with smile 

Then let go of life

With contented sigh

Having lived 

With gratitude 

Simply to be one

With the One

Having delivered 

On promise

To do His will 

On earth, as in heaven.

As men and women 

We meet many - form relation

Some sour, some sweet

And in trying to attain

Our highest and good

There'll always be 

Choices to make

It stands there with guarantee

It'll never go wrong

Won't ever cause lasting hurt

So long it is feeling

Of joy, truth and love 

That we take

To side with.

मंज़िल बदलती है

ठहराव की मंज़िल पा ठिठकी

ठहर, पड़ाव डाल जो नज़र उठी

तो पाया -

अब मंज़िल बदल चुकी!

Confession

In yearn to belong

I sold my soul

To another

And realised

My heart's master

Was possessed

To all else he belonged.

Yoga for me

Yoga -

A path

A union

A knowing

A living

A return

to Self

to Source

to Truth.

निराकार परमात्मा

तुम्हारी आडंी तिरछी लकीरों़ में समाई सृष्टि

और उस में बध मैं भी

ढूंढती हुँ उसका आधार

जो मेरी आत्मा 

का स्वरूप पूरा कर दे;

युं जो तुमने ही खींची 

हर आकार की सीमा 

उसकी रूह के संकुचित निर्माण 

या विस्तार का ज़िम्मा

तुम्हारी रचना के 

सरल अध्याय का पन्ना ठहरा,

सो अब -

सबक़ मुकम्मल कर दो ।

Misunderstood

Intense intensity

of my harboured emotions

has been misread

labelled abject dejection

when in self perception,

my friend

there is felt not any other than

a rosy realisation

a cheerful acceptance 

of all that's here

is to ground and align

to designated dimension

of a pre-determined entity

that constitutes me -

I live content

In its every moment.

It's good enough

Every end of day

my mantra is -

I can only do my best

whether lists get done

or, there are no hearts won

I can only accept

with gratitude

that what's been done today

is the best I could
and whatever has seen
light of my day
whatever did come about
through tear and toil 

is good enough
to simply be
a reason to rejoice

and celebrate.

Being in the moment

We try

To make other smile

Conscious of 

What's been left behind

It was precious

It was rare

So what remains

Is worthy of care

For this moment 

Is only for a while.

Here I'm about to turn

another page -

knowing full well

climax is over;

it's time to focus Scribe

the epilogue is here -

every act, each character

has had a play
while my back's bare,

plate empty

hands in clear
I sigh in content

for Mulan of my soul 

has had her day
Pixie has flit about
in gay abandon
while the Puckish me
imp-ed without a care
the well meaning truant
has delved in all -
so pick pen afresh

with final stroke
prepare for curtain call

let the finale be a line
that lays me to somber rest 

in happy sleep of oblivion

to any clap and roar.

Two faces of love

I fell in love 

When I turned 

To others seeking some affection.

I rose in love

When I turned to You

For healing of my affliction.

Let peace remain

News of war

Breaks in my space

Conquer, plunder - 

The hideous game is on once again
World of many being made to feel 

An unsafe place to be 

In despair, I hold on to my seat 

On prayer mat today

To say - 

Love, mistrust, blame, let down

Seem all too trivial

To complain or moan about
When ravages of war plummet to plunder
With loss of life and honour
It makes sense to pray 

Forego all that I've asked
Let all desires go away

Every item

Ever placed on my list of wish

Turn them to dust and ash

Yes, let every call
Issued from depth

Of this pining heart 

Be ignored

As not worthy

Of being being heeded or fulfilled
But, please just and just

Let peace remain
Every single day

For one and all.

लहरों की तरह 

रेलते हैं  ख़्याल

कुछ सपने कई याद

दोनों की दस्तक,

निरंतर तकरार

मुझे समोने नहीं देतीं

अपने समस्त को

उस सागर में

जिस की असीमता में

सुकून का आभास है

तो या तो लहर रोक दो

या मुझे खींच लो

झूठे किनारों से परे

कि मैंने पाया है -

लहरें किनारों से 

टकरा, उनपे ही अपना

दम तोड़ती हैं ।

तुम मुकम्मल

मुकम्मल तुम्हारी कायनात

और ये तुम्हारे नामुकम्मल अंश 

होने का नर्म सा अहसास!

पानी और आग

आक्रोश अग्नि है

प्यार पानी

जल जिलाता है

क्रोध मानवता का

अहसास धूँऐं में

उड़ाता है,

बारिश रेत या पहाड़

को अपनी निर्मलता से 

यकसाँ गीला कर जाती है

आग अपने ताप में समां

हर शैय को भस्म

हर अस्तित्व निगल

खुद भी बुझ जाती हैै

यूँ तो हमारे संचार में

दोनों का योगदान है

बिन अग्नि जीना मुमकिन

पर बिन जल ज़िंदगी का 

कोई ईमकान है?

Water flows..fire rises up

On pages of Facebook
a friend titillated
to comment -
how I felt 
about water that 
always flows down
while flames of scorch
rose to height;
I responded to say -

Water is life giving;

it flows down to human

from the Source of Divine;

it is mercy released

to quench thirst
of earth and earthly kind,
it cleanses and purges,

washes to prepare 
removes mark and stain

leaving vessel as clear

with a glint and shine.

Fire is passion 

of matter and flesh -

it rises to expand
engulf and scorch
all in its way,
it serves to cook
yielding life through 
simmer of digestive fire

it turns raw to tender,

yes, like water
it too purifies -

while raging in splendour

the offering is consumed 

the dance of flames
leaves nought of desired
taking all in its fold
it chooses to devour
pent up life is thus

burnt to ash.

Let's be connected

Lets be one

In collective consciousness

Let each come together 

To make a peaceful whole

Coz VIBGYOR 

When it emerges 

To exit illusion out of prism

It is inevitable -

That rays will join to meet 

Merge to form

A Radiant white 

That's to illuminate 

Reason behind 

Cycles of death and birth.

Light had fragmented 

As it passed 

From ether to earth

To manifest Its beauty

In creative splendour

Serve the purpose

Then rejoin as One

In this Eternal truth

Lies our strength

From Him have we come 

To Him shall we return

And whilst still in prism

Its to live the intent 

With which we colour

Rainbow of life.

दीवानगी

कई दीवाने

तुम्हें चाहने वाले

सब छोड़ तुम्हें पाने 

की होड़ में 

वीरगति पाने वाले

गुरू बन 

राह दिखाते है ,

इस तलब की

एक मात्र तपस -

सनमः हरी नाम

सब गुनगुनाते हैं ।

Be free

Love presents in life 

In several form - 

Some gives and takes

Blames and praise

Support and share,

The fairest face 

that I have known

My dear was of One 

that frees to raise.

Reflecting on that

Which Shams asked of Rumi-

What do you seek?

What's worth seeking?

Mate? Money? Mirth?

All fade and pall

When faced with lure 

Of having You in all

That life brings

You are the sought sole 

Every wayfarer's 

Desired destiny.

मेरा दीन

मैंने पढ़ा तुमको

जनगण से सुना तुमको

प्रकृति में दृशा तुमको

अस्तित्व में महसूस किया

फिर जा के पाया वह

जिसे दिल ने परम आत्मा मान

अपने आपे का 

रब क़ुबूल किया ।

Undoing the bond

Snatam hums ...

breathe love in your quiet centre

And I breathe in

With all my gut

My love that dwells 

In your never ceasing thought

Then realisation spells -

Breath of love

Is beyond bondage

In truth
Inspired knowledge

Of love and loved one

Decimates self and ego

Paving way to freedom
For both

It's with this knowing 

that out I blow 

with all might mustered in my being

I send your thoughts away.

I matter not

I am not Sabina,

Then 'who am I?'-

The heart speaks the eternal truth

Who else then I could be

But That 

Which permeates all

I am you and you 

And in all you

Is He.

I belong

Long ago

When windmills that fuelled

Me with energy for life 

Shut down

I realised then

In darkness of that time

What the throb of soul 

Calls upon

Is for belonging to One

Rest all gives solution

Too transient and transitory

To truly rely upon.

Happy alone

Illusions leave -

There isn't room

Nor space, nor time

To believe

Or receive

Empty words 

That'll never be actioned.

He loves me, he loves me not

He calls me confused

When truth is 

I've never before seen

With such clarity 

And understood

That when lover

Rather than reach

Beyond all matter

To simply be together

Melt in other 

With peace and serenity

Of plain expressions,

Plays games 

Of blame or ardour, questions

Dons cover

Chooses excuse and ease

One after another 

Of dearth or distance -

He wasn't ever

He is not

He will never be

In love at all.

इश्क़ दूभर है

कलमा पढ़ा तो ज़िन्दगी
आसान से दुश्वार हो गयी
कुफ़र लापरवाह था -
ईमान में मैं आशिक़
रब्बे दो जहाँ हो गई !

Mount of snow

I sit still in wait

Like a snow clad mount

Immovable and wrapped

In my cover of cold

Drawing a breath

I listen to echo

That calls on heart

To let go

Of all that I hold

To strike and kindle

Fire of faith

It's flames will enlighten

Burn fear of unknown.

बात क्या है

जब भी किसी बात का

लगता है मतलब समझ लिया

ज़िंदगी का कम से कम 

एक पाठ तो रपट लिया

तुम झट पृष्ठ पलट

अक़्ल की औक़ात बतला देते हो

उसी बात का

दूसरा नया पहलू दिखा देते हो!

बस साथ बहो

सेहरा और समुन्दर 

दोनों हैं सागर;

एक रेत के कण लिये फिरता है

दूजा आब की बूंदों में बहता है - 

कण का अस्तित्व तभी तक

जब तक लहर के साथ बहे

नहीं तो गर्द का धब्बा या 

पानी का पड़ा और क़तरा -

पुंछना ही इनका नसीब है।

Desires - pause!

Winds of desire

Pause - what you seek

And plunge and forge

Through me

Is wasted spent

of your might

If indeed you want

To wreak havoc

Do roar and thunder

To uplift me in swoon

As one-pointed force

To be handed 

In submission

To Source of Divine

For that's only worthwhile 

Pursuit and goal

The rest - mere figments

Of this and that

Are pointless chase

Meaningless and futile!

घायल से दवा का सवाल क्या करना,
वह तो खुद ही
कभी नश्तर कभी हकीम का दर ढूंढता है!

Spring clean

I've spring cleaned

Taken stock

In my heart's abode

All is gone

I've rid

All frivolous frolic 

There upon 

On inventory list

Is only my name  on record

It gives me strength 

To muster grit

Have this writ

Lord may I propose -

I wanna be just with You

Will You also be mine?

Here I ask

Night of ascension

Here see

I am on my knee

Many a deed

Have gone wrong

When I tried 

In face of rejection, treachery

And failed to be strong

I have nought

No excuse, 

I will use

Just foolish ignorance is my plea 

Befriend me today

here it seems

There's little purpose left

Let me rest in your arms

And when it's time for dawn

Just take me along

To meet Him far away

Where Truth illumines to say

No need to try 

To be this way or that

You are near just

As you are

My dear you've just got

To be.

शब्द तुम

शब्द रस तुम्हारा 

व्यथा में रचित

लीला तुम्हारी

बस कृतित हूँ मैं 

और कथा हमारी -

जो सुनो सही

हो  कृपा तुम्हारी।

how r you ? -
when he enquires
what do i reply then
am i lost?
or, am i found?
am i destined?
or have i willed,
where i stand?
my here and now -
was it imposed
or, a matter of will?
mind drifts again...
what next?
i whisper
no no just stay
taste not joy, nor agony
lets be still
not move
for in love 
mood is just to savour

a happy harmony.

Lonely sojourn

Your melody is sweet

Its taste sufficeth

Longing of this 

Long thirsting soul.

wasn't ever truly loved by you

empty words of love

may to an extent heal and sooth

i am wired however

a wee bit different dear

the sore of this soul

needs sharp and sting

so pain is preferred here

darling -

do prepare, don glove

to scrape its edge

trim off past if you need
take to hand right tool

to cut again through and through

use scalpel of truth...

I know 

I'm not, never was

ever truly loved by you.

प्यार की मर्यादा

बरसों बरस बीत गये

फिर भी सादा साथ

और उस साथ में

सरल प्यार का अहसास

बिन कहे और सुने

करवा रहा है
मूक सही बतला रहा है
रूह को रूह की पहचान

यह हमारे अस्तित्व के

अकेले सच का आभास-

हर काल, उल्लास, वेदना,
या उन्मुक्त भावना 

रिती रिवाज, परिवार से परे

मान अवहेलना के तंग दायरों से मुक्त

बिना कुछ लिये या दिये
प्रिय -

मुझे तुम से अब भी
बेवजह प्यार है ।

Love story that lasts

In true love

the two never meet

says he - so accept

love stories don't last

as noted on pages of history;

I stop in pause

hey isn't that being judged

based on haps

within a moment's snap

when in greater scheme

looking long and broad

we see - 

the eternal tale

of Maker and Man

continues unscathed

bearing promise that story

is meant to last 

uniting spirit with source

beyond meters of time and space

that's the only story meant

to forever last.

another journey begins...

i start anew everyday

hoping this time with my hand in Yours

on this day

i will be led

past deserts and wild

on to a green

that’s shaded with joy

no clouds of sorrow float by

lowliness and loneliness is a myth

that’s spoken only with fond memory

for company of self 

is a happy truth today

fear's been driven off

and demon daren’t look back again

for hero that led campaign

sits gloriously garbed in faith 

with easy peace in descent

bringing shawl 

of surrender and warmth

here i'll lay to rest my will

knowing full well

tomorrow will be another day.

आन मिलो

हर पथिक की तरह

मैंने भी एक ही सच पाया है

जिसे सब खो तुम मिले 

धन्य भाग!

और जिस ने सब पा

तुम्हें हरा तो अभाग

इस सफ़र में

उसने क्या पाया है?

Infinitely in Love

He asks -

What does it mean

to love infinitely for infinity

and I ponder

on loves of my life;

all were good

all gave and took away

with every breath and sigh,

there was Only One however

that with Hand so constant and steady 

took to me in terror and tremble

so sure and gentle 

He drew me close when 

I fumbled and 

had utterly, completely given up

time and time again
unheard, unasked, unseen
He took charge - to lead
from unreal to real

from untruth to truth

darkness to light

from bondage of earth

vastness of open sky was revealed 

He persevered 

when I floundered!

In tiniest wisp of my emotion thus

this heart bears witness

of what I came to know thereby

with all certitude hence

I say -

His Love alone is infinitely infinite

all else mere and slight.

कल्पना से प्रत्यक्ष तक

हवा के भी पंख होते हैं

जब हम आस व आशा

का दम भर

सिसकियों के करवट बदलते हैं -

पोर पोर सिहरा

हर रोम को सहला

हलके दबे पाँव

पलकों से ख़्वाब उठा

मन की लरगोशी से

संगीत चुरा - मददहोश लय

फिज़ाओं में कुछ यूँ

बिखेरते हैं कि प्रत्यक्ष रेगमय

हो उठे उस इंद्रधनुषी प्रतिबिम्ब से

जो कल्पना के पट पर

ख़ुद हम बिखेरते हैं -

सो तुम्हारी चाहत अब मेरी धुन हैैै

लब पे मिलन का है गीत

चित्र पट की लकीरों

में मैंने बस तुम्हारा नाम

कर दिया है अंकित ।

i am ordinary

don't pour in my ear 

words of empty ardour -

they're meaningless

i know full well

and so do you too

i'd rather be ordinary

pall into insignificance 

in your embrace

be held safe in your arms

than be announced 

and pronounced

- as sacrificial special

especially by you.

अगर चित का कटोरा 

तुम्हारे नाम की नमी से

पहले ही पुर हुअा होता

फिर इश्क़ की प्यास में

सरे बाज़ार

दिल क्यूँ बदनाम होता ?

Pulse of universe

My heart beats in me

Sends blood rushing 

To let tips and toes  

Vibrate with pulse

That makes me arch and rise

To smell, hear and see

Beyond slums of mundane

Lies surge that brings

Life in waves to my shore;

I sense -

All that's here 

reverberates  with pulse

That begins in Thee.

With them in love

I read of Tagore

And feel the ache that fills

The heart of so many 

From Aurelius to Rumi

Wise Plato, Arabi, Socrates, Aristotle

And then so many more

Unknown, unheard of names

Drawn by mist and allure

Of Your beauty

Pursuing fragrance 

In their trail -

They turned from world

And You turned to them

And lo time had spun

Yet another God-Man love tale

To fire spirits

Of more to come

In quest of fulfilment

We seek to sip, taste alone

Sweetness of your ale.

Thou art That!

Si si

Tat tvam asi

Through every you 

I express my love

And through you and you

I am loved

By He.

रात सोने को है अब

सो सोचा सुबह की पौ फटने 

से पहले बतला दूँ

तुम बेहतरीन हो रब ।

La ilaha illallah

I want self to heed 

when I'm wrung 

and hung up to dry,

an inner voice 

speaks in whisper

on the wisdom of my time.

Sometimes when we 

surrender to Him our soul

in humble offer

with naive innocence 

then we claim and vow

through chants and invocation

We call -

then He who pines as much

to receive from us love in truth

takes it in His turn 

to question,

and as such

He unwaveringly puts us 

thru life's litmus test

to sieve out true worth

of expressed devout emotion

from transient throe of passion

which solely wants

to control and to possess.

When our world's 

not hunky dory

we're spun topsy turvy,

He returns with humour wry

seemingly upon countenance 

brows arch to quirk

His query's heard with a smirk -

come on dare, do answer

Can now you say

in all earnestness 

do you really do believe

trust and love  Him 

alone - and no other?

do you still so choose, proclaim

in His name say - O Sage

that indeed nowhere else

you'll ever take refuge?

I felt love

I wanted to express

Tenderness of thoughts

Searches for words 

And finds refuge in utterness

Of simply saying: 

I love You.

Love or fear?

Yesterday I caught a glimpse

Passing by the Windows

Of world

I'd left behind -

All seemed to be going places

As spoke postings and timelines

As I sit here enclosed

Feeling safe in silence

Seeking your presence

For company

Ardently I guard my space

Then wonder 

Is it scare of lost wander

Or strength to wait

For love that's tender

That guides this choice?