Reflection...

Oh clouds in the infinite sky,
Ye never fail to allure me and I wonder why...

Rushing East when the wind wants otherwise,
making your way, thrusting to break the ties...
A whirlpool like the one inside, I can then see,
pushing everything aside, a force then driving me...

At times moving West, towards the setting sun,
knowing that it is but destiny to be One...
Covering it completely & darkening the sky,
Only to give way to a beautiful morn as I sit by...

At others, I see you as placid as can be,
gently moving, as if the sky were your sea...
Telling me to accept what comes my way,
display fortitude and sail away, sail away...

At times as violent as the sea can be,
sparing no one, whoever it be...
Heavy with water, like I am with pain,
pouring down then, driving me insane...

You've shown me the vast expanse of the desert too,
when I've felt low, on those occasions few...
Like the thirsty traveller searching for an oasis,
I'm left to wonder about it all, death or genesis...

My eternal companion, my aide, my Life...
You're but a reflection of my inner strife...

The message...

I sat in despair, looking at the skies;

it was all dark, no way I could rise...

Doubts about myself, the way I was;

a thousand questions,no time to pause...

I looked back, at the years gone;

thinking, if I'd ever meet the dawn...

The world at pace, moving ahead fast;

as I sit grim, reflecting at the past...

Is it the hardwork, they do that pays?

or is it beyond their meticulous ways?

Is it my destiny, that I am to fight?

Answer me, show me a ray of light...

A thousand questions or maybe more;

in the middle of the sea,find me the shore...

Will this confusion forever prevail?

help me, Oh God, for I want to sail...

And then, the Divine voice I heard;

I was left astonished, my soul stirred...

The answers my child, within you lie;

don't look around, no one can hear you cry...

This is the greatest truth of all;

look within and thou shalt never fall...

I gave each of you a piece of me;

find it in there, thou shalt be set free...

Work to your best, coz that's all you can do;

for the world shall leave you with choices few...

Work and you shall be rewarded well;

for the eyes of truth, everywhere dwell...

Innocent, as a child, I questioned Him then;

is the world always fair to men?

One last question I have Oh Lord!

what if I work, and there is still no reward?

The ultimate assurance then, just came by;

as I saw the white dove , across the sky...

Reminding me of the presence Divine;

this time, my child, you shall surely shine...

The Royal Rajasthan...

After a smooth four hour drive on the newly built Highway, a series of huge pink gate like structures and wide six sectored roads beckon you to the first planned city of India, located in the desert lands of Rajasthan.The neat and broadly laid-out avenues, painted in pink provide a magical charm to the place. Its rare to find a city where, not only the landscapes, but also the ambience and the architecture change at every few kilometres, like they do at Jaipur. The city transcends smoothly from the hustle bustle of the crowded Hawa Mahal area to the queit bliss of forts like Jaigarh and Amer.

These famous structures like the Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Jal Mahal and Jantar Mantar are ancient testimonials which remind us of the past ages. The royal lifestyle of the kings as described by the entertaining guides and the magnificient picture painted by the movie Jodha Akbar, reinforce the belief that the spirit and the vision of Rajputs is still alive. Artistic temples and gardens of Jaipur, marks the atmosphere of serenity and aestheticism to the lands of Rajasthan. The lively city observes its ethnicity by celebrating various festivals like Kite festival, Elephant festival and many others, of Indian origin. The city also boasts of rustic retreats like Chokhi Dhaani, a palette of brick red structures and terracotta pots and figures, deep greenery and brown earth that reminds you of your long lost connect with the Indian villages. The delectable Rajasthani cuisine served to you in the most hospitable manner is bound to leave you wanting more.

The wish to explore the sacred side of Rajasthan, found us at Ajmer and later at Pushkar. The former, rightly called “Madina of India”, invites devotees of all sects and faiths to seek the saint’s blessings. Pushkar on the other hand boasts of a beautiful temple of Lord Brahma, the only one of its kind.
This column shall be incomplete without a mention of the privileged company of my indistinguishable friends, 13 weirdoes who made this trip so beautiful. Each one of them, in their own special ways contributed towards making this trip very special. Striking scenery with great company makes Jaipur a perfect weekend getaway.

WHY?

Its been several years, i removed dust from this one...
or felt this way either...
To question every belief, fact, statement is equally important as it is child like...
Most of us know the answers to what i am going to say...
but maybe then, i didn't...
and maybe now, i still hope i dint...
Coz it is more important, TO QUESTION, THAN TO KNOW...

I faintly remember writing this somewhere in the summer of 2001...
8 years later, I've fallen for it once again...

I have many doubts in my mind,

to find the answers I must strive.

Why does the sun shine?

Why does the clock strike nine?

Why are their spines on a porcupine?

Why do bees love honey?

Why do people die for money?

Why do stars twinkle in the sky?

If you know the answer, please tell me why.

Why are their planets, Venus and Mars?

Why is life only then on ours?

Why are people always in a hurry?

Why do some eat mutton and curry?

Why does a baby cry?

Why do we have to try,try and try?

Why are their mishaps in life?

Why do people stab each other with knife?

Why do we have to live and die?

If I knew the answer,

I would have told you why...

This one’s to You, Daddy…

March 3, 2009
It feels like magic…
To have begun this journey, reminiscing over you…
For you been and shall always be…
My art, my faith, my inspiration…
MY GRANDFATHER…

Those sculpted hands,
that placid pose…
The reassuring smile,
the contentment it shows…
Oh! my li’l one,
I’m proud of you he said…
Wherever you go,
whichever path you tread…
The golden values,
shall be with you…
On every road,
in rain or dew…
The Glorious Gita,
and the Quran great…
Shall guide you,
like your own soul mate…
When I’m gone,
don’t shed a tear…
Stir yourself up,
fight bravely each fear…
Right within you,
I shall always be…
Look into yourself,
should you need me…
You are but,
my love, values and more…
I’ll always live,
through you I assure…