एक छोटा बेबी

Papa's early childhood poem for Savitur & his younger brother Prakhar - 

एक छोटा बेबी गाना गाता है , गाना गाता है , गाना गाता है 

एक छोटा बेबी खाना खाता है , खाना खाता है, खाना खाता है

एक छोटा बेबी नहाने जाता है, नहाने जाता है, नहाने जाता है

एक छोटा बेबी घूमने जायेगा, घूमने जायेगा, घूमने जायेगा || 

एक छोटा बेबी सोता रहता है , सोता रहता है , सोता रहता है

एक छोटा बेबी गाना गाता है , गाना गाता है , गाना गाता है 

एक छोटा बेबी खेलने आता है, खेलने आता है,  खेलने आता है

एक छोटा बेबी सोना चाहता है, सोना चाहता है, सोना चाहता है ||

While you were away Dad !! Winters came by

While you were away Dad !! Winters came by

Air was cold and water just froze,

I sat alone in bed, and no one kissed me good nigh…

While you were away Dad !!, Winters came by…

Last Sunday, I fell from the bike,

I looked around, but you were nowhere to be found,

I stood on my own, brushed the dirt from my thigh…

While you were away Dad !! Winters came by

A week before, I got my stars,

Class stood to clap and the report was hung in hall,

Teacher said, your Dad will have his head high…

I shivered and smiled, but you know,

While you were away Dad !! Winters came by…

Mom says, you are out in lands of torn,

Clowning day & night to keep us warm,

I know in my heart, that you are not shy, but

While you were away Dad !! Winters came by…

एक कौवा प्यासा था - Thirsty Crow - Home version

एक कौवा प्यासा था

पात्र:
सवितुर: 9 Year Elder Son: कौवा
प्रखर : 4 Year Younger Son:जिज्ञासु ज्ञानी
ह्रदेश : Dad (सवितुर , प्रखर) : पापा

Introduction:
This act is done at home, baseline being short story - Thirsty Crow. Everyone know the original story, wherein a Thirsty Crow was in search of water, finds a earthen pot with little water, uses pebbles to bring up the level and drinks it to quench. There are poems illustrating the simple story as follows:

एक कौवा प्यासा था, घड़े में थोड़ा पानी था
कौवा लाया कंकड़, घड़े में डाला कंकड़
ऊपर आया पानी, कौवे ने पिया पानी
ख़तम हुई कहानी ||

The Act however, doesn't goes as is, when it's done at home. Savitur is grown up and follows the story, but Prakhar is natural kid, he has many questions and they are real questions, tough to answer.

 Act 1 Scene 1

Background: एक कौवा प्यासा था  ... उड़ता हुआ आ रहा है कौवा ...

सवितुर : मैं एक कौवा हूँ और बहुत देर से उड़ रहा हूँ... कँहा है पानी कँहा है पानी। ..
प्रखर : (खी खी खी  ..) अरे बुद्धू भैया table पर रखा है पापा ने, खी खी खी ||

सवितुर: (गुस्से से ) पापा ..  ये प्रखर को बोलो की अपनी बारी पर बोले

to be continued....

तो कुछ अपना लिखना

जब मिले न कुछ, पढ़ने के क़ाबिल,
तो कुछ अपना लिखना,

जब मिले न वास्तव में, कोई पास अपना,
तो कोई सपना लिखना,

न दैन्यं न पलायनम, कह कर भी मन न माने
तो कृष्ण की सुनना,

जब सूझे न हाथ को हाथ, अंतर्मन को कर शांत, 

पुकारना एक बार, कृष्ण दिखेगा तुझे, अपने आस पास,

जब मिले न कुछ, पढ़ने के क़ाबिल,
तो कुछ अपना लिखना ||

कई रातें जाग कर, एक सुबह बनायीं है

कई रातें जाग कर, एक सुबह बनायीं है
मैंने सिर्फ तेरे लिए ओस की चादर बिछाई है

न जाने कितनो की सुन कर, ये कुछ अल्फ़ाज़ लाया हूँ
मैं सिर्फ तेरे लिए भीनी भीनी खुशबू बटोर लाया हूँ


 .... अभी आगे.…लिखना बाकी है… 

तुझे याद कर फिर लौट रहा हूँ मैं।

Savitur, this is written remembering you during my visit to Mumbai in June 2015.

आधी रात फिर उठ बैठा हूँ मैं।
तुझे याद कर फिर सिमट रहा हूँ मैं।

किसने क्या क्यूँ कहा भूल रहा हूँ मैं।
तुझे याद कर फिर झूल रहा हूँ मैं।

अकेले ही सबसे मिल रहा हूँ मैं।
तुझे याद कर फिर खिल रहा हूँ मैं।

सब कुछ जान कर भी अनजान बन रहा हूँ मैं।
तुझे याद कर फिर इन्सान बन रहा हूँ मैं।

गलत औ सही के पार उस मैदान पर पहुंच गया हूँ  मैं।
तुझे याद कर फिर लौट रहा हूँ मैं।
तुझे याद कर फिर लौट रहा हूँ मैं।

पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा

पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा
स्कूल गया तो मैं बड़ा हो जायूँगा ,
फिर आपकी गोदी कैसे आऊंगा ,
कैसे उंगली पकड़ आपकी मैं बाज़ार जायूँगा ,
पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा !!!

पापा मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा
स्कूल गया तो मैं भी रीति सीख जायूँगा ,
स्वाभिमान के बहाने दूर चला जायूँगा ,
कैसे फिर आपके हाथ से रोटी के निवाले खाऊंगा ,
पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा !!!

पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा
स्कूल गया तो ये संसार वास्तव हो जायेगा ,
आपकी कहानियों का राजकुमार एक प्रतियोगी हो जायेगा ,
किसी अनजान दौड़ का चूहा या फिर किसी दीवार की ईंट बन चिन जायेगा ,
कैसे फिर आपके सीने पर  सर रख सो पायूँगा
पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा !!!

पापा , मैं स्कूल नहीं जायूँगा
 मेरे बचपन को बचपना ही बने रहने दो ,
स्कूल एक साज़िश है, बड़ा होना - ये कैसी ख्वाहिश है ,
स्कूल एक भुलावा है, ये संसार छलावा है  ,
मुझे मेरे बचपन में जीने दो, कुछ भी करो पर मुझेअपनी गोदी में ही सोने दो ,
पापा , मैं स्कूल  नहीं जायूँगा , स्कूल गया तो मैं बड़ा हो जायूँगा !!!…

मर्म धर्म कर्म श्रम

प्रिय पुत्र सवितुर,

ध्यान रखना ॥

सतयुग में मर्म प्रधान था (देव, मानव औ दानव की परिभाषा बनायीं गयी )
त्रेतायुग में धर्म प्रधान था (राम ने धर्म स्थापना की)
द्वापरयुग में कर्म प्रधान था  (कृष्ण ने कर्म को सर्वोपरि बनाया)
कलियुग में श्रम प्रधान है ।

श्रम में शर्म नहीं - क्यूंकि ये  कलियुग है इसलिए कर्म का धर्म समझो, धर्म का मर्म जानो, यथार्थ में जियो, श्रम का आनंद अनुभव करो.

तुम्हारा पिता
 

मुंह धो माधो, माधो मुंह धो

मुंह धो माधो, माधो मुंह धो…
माधो मुंह धो, मुंह धो माधो ॥

जल्दी जल्दी मुंह धो माधो,
जल्दी जल्दी तैयार हो माधो ॥

स्कूल है जाना, जाना है स्कूल रे माधो
चल रे माधो, मुंह धो माधो ॥

मुझको है ऑफिस रे जाना तुझको तो स्कूल है जाना
आलस मत कर, मत कर आलस, जल्दी जल्दी

मुंह धो माधो, माधो मुंह धो…
माधो मुंह धो, मुंह धो माधो ॥

- everyday, now a days, I sing this fast track song while bathing you & getting you ready for school. It's a run together, a joy trail as we run to get you ready for school, and I getting ready for office.

Note: माधो (Maadho) is another name for lord Krishna (Maadhav, माधव) - After the name Savitur, you actually like to be called 'Hari' - (Another name for Lord Vishnu).

Smile & Enjoy

Dear Son Savitur,

It's been a very long time, since I wrote last. You may never know, unless I write it here, this post was written for you after being awake the whole night.

I do not know the reason, and do not even want to know. The only single thing special about 9-Aug-2013 for me - It's the day on which you got rid of month old plaster on your right elbow. Yes my son, you broke your elbow a month back on 8th of July night around 8 PM.

Anyhow, I am actually not very sure of the emotions as of now. There is some sense of relief running very deep in the heart, so deep that it's not even showing up on my face.

All the very best Savitur, be safe, I will be around. keep smiling, enjoy life & giggle...

Your dad,
Hirdu

छोटा सा सवितुर, प्यारा सा सवितुर

छोटा सा सवितुर, प्यारा सा सवितुर
छोटा सा और प्यारा सा, न्यारा सा सवितुर

कभी है हँसता, कभी है रोता तो कभी भागता है सवितुर
छोटा सा सवितुर, प्यारा सा सवितुर

इधर से आता उधर को जाता कभी खड़ा हो जाता सवितुर,
पानी फैलाता, खुद फ़ैल जाता, और खिलखिलाता है सवितुर।..

ऊधम करता, खूब चहकता , बातें बनाता सवितुर
छोटा सा और प्यारा सा, और न्यारा सा सवितुर

साइकिल चलाता, दौड़ के आता, फिर रुकता सवितुर
मेरे पेट पर सोता, खाना खाता औ कहानी सुनता सवितुर

दो बार नहाता, नहाते हुए चावल खाता, फिर भी रूठ जाता सवितुर
छोटा सा सवितुर, प्यारा सा सवितुर, एक छोटा सा, एक प्यारा सा एक न्यारा सा सवितुर।

Drona - The Story

Dear Savitur,
Here is the story for you, Son !!! You can actually get the complete story from many other sources, here is the sketch I want you to know.

"Drona - also known as Dronacharya (Drona = Name of a Mountain, Acharya = Guru) was a sage during Dwaparyug (Time of Lord Krishna). He had only one son named "Ashwathama". 3 incidents are very much important in story of Drona.

1. When Ashwathama was kid - Drona was a poor sage and it was hard for his family to even cope up with daily food. Ashwathama just like any other kid wanted to taste milk. But there was no milk in house, so his mother gave him wheat flour mixed with water. Little kid drank it and told his friends that he too has tasted milk. His friends also tasted what he has tasted, laughed at his innocence and made fun of him. While this episode was happening Drona - the most learned sage heard and felt shame. He was shameful to his soul, on being so learned and still not even able to cope and manage the basic needs for his own son.

2. Drona receives Divine Weapons in alms from Guru Parshuram - After above incident, One day Drona hears about Guru Parshuram who was donating all he had after a yagna. By the time Drona reaches, Parshuram had already donated all he had in worldly possessions. Drona asks for divine weapons, Guru Parshuram agrees & donates the knowledge of Divine Weapons to Drona in alms. Instead of returning back home, he travels to capital city of Hastinapur wherein he is appointed as teacher for all the royal kins named Kaurava (100 sons of King Dhritrashtra) and Pandavas (5 Sons of King Pandu) by Elder Bhishma.

With the appointment Drone became the Royal Teacher (paid by kingdom) and in due course wins over King Drupad and takes away half of his kingdom (that's another story, I will write some time later). His poverty is vanished, his son and family is happy, however Drona's growth as sage took a full stop.

Savitur, In that era, the sage who takes the job of a paid teacher in service was not treated with equivalent respect and his eligibility to become Brahma-Rishi (the Divine Sage - highest rank) will be lost.

Drona was fully aware of it, however he accepted the job and became paid servant only to bring happiness to his son, to fulfill his son's desire to feed on milk.

3. Drona dies in battle field: During the final war (Mahabharat), Drona was made the General of Kaurav's Army. It became impossible to kill him, that is when Yudhishtra (The eldest Pandav - who never lied) tells a half truth sentence that 'Ashwathma is dead'. On hearing Drona's heart fills with remorse, his bow fells down and he quietly sits down in his chariot. He sits in Samadhi, thinking 'all my life, I lived for my son, I myself do not know how many sins I have committed to be happy with my son, today 'coz of all those sins, my son is no more' "Oh Lord !!! Why should I continue to live ?" Watching him disarmed, Dhrishtidhyumna (General of Pandav's Army) beheads Drona with his sword. However, he sliced already dead Drona, who left for heavenly abode thinking to meet his son.

Drona, lived his life for his son, he even dies for his son, thinking he would meet him in heaven. Story of Mahabharat tells us later that, Ashwathma was cursed by Lord Krishna to live till eternity. Thus separating father from his son for all eternity.

This is the first story I wanted you to know. You should visualize it from perspective of father. The love of a father towards his son, propels him to even agree to the jobs he never wanted to do. The love of father towards his son, which propels him to even accept alms from his peer.

This is the story of a father who lived and died in love of his son.

This is the story of love.

Story of Drona

Dear Savitur,

It took me a while to finalize the 1st story I wanted to tell you. There were so many, with whom I could have started the label "Stories". Finally, Story of Drona won. The reason is the sole existence of character of Drona in Great Epic Mahabharat which is love of Drona for his son "Ashwathama", for who lived the way he lived.

To continue: Let me tune the Art of Story Telling a bit more.

With Hugs and Kisses - Hirdu

Stories

Dear Savitur,

Today on Nov 14, 2011 - Children's Day, Here is another gift to you

A Label "Stories". This label will have all the stories and the moral/learning from the story I want to convey to you. Most of these stories will have direct link to Hindu Mythical Stories, the inference and learning are mine. These stories should guide in the hour of need.

As you will grow you will yourself know the art of comprehension and thereby you will conclusively be able to eye the correct meaning of the story or the passage in front of ...a bit of honing the skill you will be able to comprehend people. On continuing further on the art of comprehension you will soon excel in knowing the lord and his creation.

सृष्टा औ उसकी सृष्टि दोनों ही तुम्हारे समक्ष होंगे, तुमको बस उनको पहचान लेना होगा, अगर ये कर पाए तो महादेव स्वयं तुम्हारे साथ होंगे.

याद रखना की महादेव काशी को भले ही अपने त्रिशूल पर धारण करते हो, वो स्वयं अपने भक्त के ह्रदय में रहते हैं

Creator and Creation both will be in front of you, The need will be to recognize both of them, If you were able to do so, Lord Mahadev (Shiva) will always be with you.

Remember: Kashi (Varanasi, UP) may be on Lord Shiva's Trishul, He Himself resides in the heart of his disciple.

Enjoy your gift Son !!!

You have already received the Chandamama - Art Work Vol 1 and 2 this week and  a year long subscription for Chandamama magzine. I know I have to read it to you as of now and for next few months and I also know both me and you are gonna enjoy these interesting times.

With Lots of Hugs and Kisses
Hirdu

Cartoons

Just like any other kid of your age - your favorite cartoons are Shinchan, Doremon, and now you smile at Tom & Jerry....

Just unlike most other kids you want me to sit along side and watch the series :)

and Just unlike most other dads, I sit with you and watch the series.

Hirdu

Schedule

Dear Savitur,

This is the schedule every week day morning....


7:30 AM (in the bedroom)

Savitur: Papa, Today is holiday ...right ? (पापा, आज छुट्टी है न ?)

Me: (yep) !!! let's sleep more....(हाँ, सो जायो) :)

9:00 AM (in the living room) - We both are dressed up - Savitur for School and Myself for Office - Sad Mood

Savitur: Papa, I do not want to go to school (पापा, मैं स्कूल नहीं जाना चाहता )

Me: Son, I also do not want to go to office (बेटा, मैं भी ऑफिस नहीं जाना चाहता :( )

We both are kicked out of house by your Mom...

9:10 AM (at school)

Savitur: पापा, मम्मा अच्छी नहीं है, मुझे, नींद आ रही है, मुझे घर जाना है (Papa, Momma is not good !!! I am feeling sleepy. I want to go home....)

Me: हाँ, मुझे भी नींद आ रही है, गर्रर !!!!   (Yep, I am also feeling sleepy...Grrrr !!!! )

9:30 AM (me at office)

Me:  हे भगवन, मुझे नींद आ रही है, मुझे घर जाना है गर्रर !!!!( Oh Lord....I am feeling sleepy, I want to go home Grrr !!!!)

Lord: हाँ, मुझे भी नींद आ रही है, गर्रर !!!! (Yep, I am also feeling sleepy....Grrrr !!!!)

This world truly will never understand you and me...Actually speaking it's your Mom, who is ensuring that you become literate and I remain in job :) so be thankful to her.

Hirdu

Story Telling

Dear Savitur,

The art of story telling is the very first capability you showcased and kept enhancing each night. I remember your progression each night, as you started following up the stories. You were around a year &  half old, when your eyes began to show glow, with the story line.

Stories for you were simple, as you started to add to the story - almost every story started as follows:

Me: एक बार एक छोटा बेबी होता है. कितना छोटा बेबी होता है ?

You: बहुत छोटा

Me : उस छोटा बेबी के एक छोटा पापा होते है. कितना छोटा पापा होता है ?

You : बहुत छोटा

Me : उस छोटा बेबी के एक छोटी मम्मा  होती  है. कितना छोटी मम्मा होती है ?

You : बहुत छोटी

and the story continues, to talk about bed, the sleeping room and many many other stuffs...you continue to listen and answer to all the queries about "what you did in the morning and in the afternoon". Each story use to become a real new one, with alternate characters, the plot and climax...Many times we never reached the climax, 'coz you slept in between.

As you grew to 3 Year young and start going to school, you started changing the story line with your own unpredictable inputs. बहुत छोटा use to convert to बहुत बड़ा at your will, followed by giggle...

Your Mom use to amaze at times on your imagination and choice of words.

As of now. Stories do start as they use to every night since last 2 years, however your answers are now unpredictable.

Me: एक बार एक छोटा बेबी होता है. कितना छोटा बेबी होता है ?

You: बहुत बला 

Me : उस छोटा बेबी के एक छोटा पापा होते है. कितना छोटा पापा होता है ?

You : बहुत छोटा

Me : उस छोटा बेबी के एक छोटी मम्मा  होती  है. कितना छोटी मम्मा होती है ?

You : बहुत बली

Anyhow !!! You are young and you have fantastic memory with the amazing will to narrate story. You are fond of "Doremon", "Shinchan" and the character - Action Kamain with his Action Beam. :)

You can recite Gayatri Mantra and repeat any Sanskrit Mantra after me - word by word. I know even Lord Himself might be smiling as they listen these Mantras coming in fumbling, mixed up (- तुतलाती जुबां ) lingo.

You learn to count to 20 already starting from Zero - which is different from most kids of your age, who count from 1.

so son this is a brief bio-graph about you at the age of around 3 Year and 4 months. 

Always remember to smile...smile is infectious...and whenever you feel the need of somebody around you - respire...with each incoming breath of air, you will find ME and My Lord himself near you.

Only Yours forever.

+Hirdu

Sentiyapa

Dear Savitur, 

You have already mastered the art of sentiyapa. 

+Hirdu

Is it all lies ?

Savitur,

This happened, after I completed the full read of "Bhagwad Gita" in my 3rd attempt.  I asked lord - "If this world is not real, then Is it all lies ?"

HE smiled and said,"Well, my son, not the part that matters"

So dear Savitur, remember, though you may also doubt it some of the times, all the glory of the lord, where ever it matters is REAL, else it's all worldly myth... :). 

मैंने पुछा भगवान् से, "हे भगवन, अगर ये संसार माया है, तो क्या ये सब मिथ्या है, झूठ है ?"

भगवान मुस्कुराये, और बोले," हे पुत्र, बस जितना जरूरी है, उतना ही सत्य है "

Introducing Label Hirdu

My Dear Savitur,

Here are some of the straight answers which your father (Hirdu) found as he moved on in his life. These answers will be spread through out the blog with the label - "Hirdu". I know, these will serve the purpose as they are needed. For some of these, you may go into spiral of introspection, while some will pull you out from any spiraling vicious cycle.

As you go through this label, try to free yourself from all prejudice and always know that It's only you, whom I loved and for whom I learned to love.

Anyhow next post will be the first answer for the label. :)