Thursday, May 28, 2015

On Flow

Just let fear go
and the music shall flow.

Jump in the blue
and the brain will follow through.

Traits of the Balanced-One (स्थित-प्रज्ञ)

(a poetic interpretation of "Sthita-pradnyachi Lakshane (स्थित-प्रज्ञा ची लक्षणे)"  from Vinoba Bhave's Gitai)

Arjun asked Krishna:

He who has become One with Transcendence,
O Krishna, how does he live life in perfect balance?

Krishna answered:

He that lets go of all worldly passion,
At peace with himself, he is the Balanced One.

Unperturbed by sorrow, he lusts not after happiness.
Fearless, devoid of anger, he craves not of excess.

Not prosperity, nor hardship, shall shake his balance.
Not ecstasy, nor rage, shall cause him annoyance.

He withdraws his senses and focuses them within,
Like the tortoise sensing danger, drawing itself in.

Temptations can be avoided with restraint and might,
but all desire is burned only by the spark of insight.

The student's mind is susceptible to bad influence.
Rowdy senses can drag the mind into a life of indulgence.

The mind must be controlled through great ingenuity.
Focusing it through meditation shall restore tranquility.

He who shall hunger after material pleasure,
shall be consumed by lust, lust begetting anger.

Anger produces temptation, rationality turns murky,
A blind intellect engenders the annihilation of the psyche.

With fury and hatred tamed, the senses shall be harnessed.
The controller of senses, shall, with cheerfulness, be blessed.

Joyfulness shall banish all grief and pain;
A balanced intellect is all that shall remain.

An unsteady mind is foolish, cold and emotionless.
Frigidity shall turn to worry, turmoil poisoning happiness.

Uncontrolled senses, sway the mind’s balance,
like a boat being rocked by strong turbulence.

He who withdraws his senses from material pleasure,
shall achieve perfect balance, that shall last forever.

The Balanced One keeps away from earthly distractions.
His mind focusses on thoughts which the common soul shuns.

Like the eternal ocean,
that consumes all the rains,
attachment disappears within,
till only calmness reigns.

Untouched by desire, he walks with unshakable confidence.
Ego and temptation relinquished, he attains perfect balance.

This divine state of timeless balance,
O Arjun, is Transcendence!

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Saraswati, Trivat, Drut Chautaal

ज धज धरा आज ।
'नादरंग' मगन तन मन देखत भूषित रूप! ॥ धृ ॥  
सोना पन्ना तन लपेटे ।
कलियाँ गजरा सोहे ।
गले यमुना माल साजे ।
अतर महके चहुँ ओर ॥ १ ॥  
धुप गूंजे ।
कोकिला करत गान ।
गजराज विराट आनंद तांडव आज करत - 
धा न धा न धा न, तकिट तकिट तकिट, धात्रक धिकिट धिकिट, धिन धिन धिन  तरान,
(धाकिटतक धुमकिटतक धिनतरान [धिन धिन धिन] [धा धा धा]) x ३  ॥ २ ॥     

Explanation:
This is a "Trivat (त्रिवट)". Trivat is a composition that is formed using Lyrics and Pakhawaj bol.

This trivat embodies the 'Pruthvi' or Earth element with descriptions of sights, smells and sounds of a beautiful spring day. Chataal is used to create a measured,  rhythmic and grounding backdrop while Raga Saraswati expresses appreciation, beauty and contentment.

‘Naadrang, upon seeing Mother Earth, is spellbound by her elegant beauty:
Draped in resplendent gold and emerald green leaves, a many-hued garland of flowers adorning her,  she wears the river Yamuna as a sparkling necklace while a bewitching scent of spring sweetens the air.  
Mother Earth's children celebrate this beautiful day with a symphony as bumble bees hum pleasantly, cuckoos sing melodiously and the mighty elephant dances in percussive ecstasy.
This composition also contains a humble tribute to the exceptional composer John Williams and brilliant novelist J. K. Rowling, as their works help in centering and grounding myself.