Raze Vehdat

Here is a full reading and breakdown of my poem, "Raze Vehdet" (The Secret of Oneness / Raz-e-Wahdat).

It is a deeply reflective and beautiful piece that bridges Sufi mysticism (Wahdat al-Wujud) with Advaita Vedanta (non-duality). Writing Urdu/Persian-infused poetry in the Devanagari script gives it a distinct Kashmir Shaivism / Indo-Persian syncretic charm.

"Raze Vehdet" (राज़-ए-वहदत)

by Ramesh Kaul

जब से मेरी पहचान में आया है वह पुरनूर ब्रहमन। बहुत शादमान है तब से मेरे दिल की अन्जुमन।। (Ever since I came to realize that luminous Supreme Being / Brahman, the gathering of my heart has been filled with joy.)

और पिलाया है उसने जब से मुझे जामे उल्फत। सरशार हूँ मैं तब से जानकर उसकी अज़मत।। (And ever since he made me drink the goblet of love, I remain intoxicated knowing his grandeur.)

बहुत ही मुश्किल है समझना यह राज़-ए-वहदत। मैं भी वही हूँ यह एहसास करता है कोई ख़ुशक़िस्मत।। (It is very difficult to comprehend this secret of unity/non-duality; only a fortunate one realizes, "I am That as well.")

कैसे बयान करूँ मैं उसके दिल में कितनी है शफ़क़त। शादाब है हर शै और हर बशर ऐसी है उसकी रहमत।। (How do I describe the compassion in his heart? Every thing and every human is vibrant and flourishing under his mercy.)

जिसको ख़ुद-शिनासी का एहसास से तआरुफ़ हुआ है। वही ज़िन्दगी और दुनिया के हर राज़ से वाक़िफ़ हुआ है।। (The one who gets introduced to the feeling of self-realization/self-knowledge becomes acquainted with every secret of life and the world.)

आदि शंकर ने बोला 'शिवोहम' और सबसे अज़ीम से बनाई अपनी पहचान। अष्टावक्र को भी हर शै और हर बशर में आता था नजर भगवान।। (Adi Shankara proclaimed 'Shivoham' [I am Shiva], forging his identity with the Supreme; Ashtavakra, too, perceived the Divine in every object and every human.)

अभिनवगुप्त ने भी 'शिवस्तोत्र' का किया मुताला। वह भी अद्वैत वेद ही था जिसका उसने किया खुलासा।। (Abhinavagupta also studied/elaborated upon the Shiva Stotra; it was none other than Advaita wisdom that he revealed.)

मंसूर भी राज़-ए-वहदत से ही पुर-असर था 'अनल-हक़' का जब उसने नारा लगाया। मगर जाहिलों ने उसको काफ़िर समझकर बड़ी बेरहमी से सूली पर चढ़ाया।। (Mansur Al-Hallaj was also deeply possessed by this secret of oneness when he raised the cry 'Ana al-Haq' [I am the Truth]; but the ignorant mistook him for an infidel and brutally crucified him.)

Key Themes & Terminology

• Raaz-e-Wahdat (राज़-ए-वहदत): The divine secret of non-duality / oneness.
• Pur-noor (पुरनूर): Luminous, filled with light.
• Khud-shinasi (ख़ुद-शिनासी): Self-realization or self-knowledge (akin to Atma-jnana).
• Parallels Drawn: You have seamlessly tied together:
  • Adi Shankara (Shivoham - I am Shiva)
  • Ashtavakra (Ashtavakra Gita's pure non-dual witness stance)
  • Abhinavagupta (The great master of Kashmir Shaivism and Advaita)
  • Mansur Al-Hallaj (The Sufi mystic who declared Ana al-Haq — "I am the Truth" — and suffered martyrdom for it)

It's a powerful homage to the eternal truth that across traditions, languages, and eras, the ultimate realization of non-duality remains identical.

Are you currently compiling these verses into a larger collection or manuscript?

Ehsase Khudi

अहसास-ए-ख़ुदी

(The Awareness of Self)

ख़ल्वत में बैठकर, मैं तलाशता रहा अपने वजूद को बहुत सोचकर भी, मैं आगाह न कर सका अपने शहूद को

Sitting in solitude, I kept searching for my existence, Despite deep reflection, I could not awaken to my own inner reality.

ग़ूरूर था मुझे कि पढ़ा है मैंने रूहानी अदब कि अपने वजूद और ख़ुदी की, मैं पूरी करूँ तलब

I was proud that I had studied spiritual literature, Believing I could fulfill my quest to understand my existence and the Self.

लाख कोशिशों के बाद भी, कामयाबी का रस्ता न मिला मायूस होकर मैंने, यह ख़याल भी छोड़ दिया

Despite a million efforts, I found no path to success, Despondent, I gave up on this pursuit entirely.

फिर एक दिन उस्ताद ने, वेदांत और उपनिषद से मिलाया हिम्मत व मुस्तैदी से मैंने, फिर उनका मुतालआ कराया

Then one day, my master introduced me to Vedanta and the Upanishads, With renewed courage and diligence, I immersed myself in their study.

वेदांत ने सोच सँवारी, उपनिषद को ज़ेहन में उतारा इस विरासत पर माइल हुआ, ख़्‍ुद-आगाही ने मुझे निखारा

Vedanta refined my thinking, and the Upanishads settled in my mind, Drawn to this sacred heritage, self-awareness transformed and polished me.

वह वाहिद है, बे-शक्ल है, हर सिम्त उसका निशान है वह नूर-ए-शऊर है, जिसका जलाल ज़र्रे-ज़र्रे में अयाँ है

He is One, Formless, yet His presence is in every direction, He is the Light of Consciousness, whose glory shines through every particle.

वह बे-इब्तिदा, बे-इंतहा, लाफ़ानी है, बे-अय्याम है उसके हुक्म से जारी, ज़मीं व आसमाँ का निज़ाम है

He is without beginning, without end, immortal, and beyond time, By His divine command, the order of the earth and heavens endures.

जिसे मैं ढूँढता रहा, बयाबानों और कोहसारों में इस हर्फ़ का तो नक़्श था, मेरे अपने ही अस्रारों में

That which I kept seeking in deserts and mountains— Its sacred imprint was hidden within my own inner secrets.

क़ुदरत एक नूर-ए-शऊर है, जो ब्रह्मा से तिनके तक झलके हर सिम्त, हर तरफ़ वही, एक जादू की तरह चमके

Nature is a Light of Consciousness, reflecting from Brahma down to a blade of grass, In every direction, everywhere, it sparkles like divine magic.

मैं तो एक इंसान हूँ, मेरे दिल से भी वह गुज़रता है इसी अक्स से मेरे अंदर, पहचान का जज़्बा उभरता है

I am merely a human, yet He resides within my heart as well, From this very reflection, the feeling of self-realization awakens in me.

मालूम हुआ मैं जिस्म नहीं, न यह ज़ेहन, न अक़्ल, न ग़ूरूर मैं इनसे परे, उस परम ब्रह्म का एक अक्स-ए-पुरनूर

I realized I am not this body, nor this mind, intellect, or ego, I am beyond them all—a radiant reflection of the Supreme Consciousness (Param Brahma).

फिर नाकामियों के बाद, कामरानी की एक किरन नज़र आई तब से मुझ में ही नहीं, हर शै में उसी की झलक आई

Then, after all failure, a ray of true success appeared, Since then, I see His glimpse not just within myself, but in every created thing.

वही दिखता है पेड़ों में, वही जंगल और कोहसारों में वही चमन में, वही गुलशन में, वही सहरा व रेगज़ारों में

He alone is seen in the trees, in the forests, and in the mountains, He alone is in the gardens, the meadows, the wilderness, and the deserts.

वही दरिया में, समंदर में, वही चाँद, सूरज, तारों में ज़मीं में वही, आसमान में वही, दिल में वही, जान में वही ग़रज़ यह कि तमाम कायनात और हर एक मकान में वही

He is in the rivers, the oceans, the moon, the sun, and the stars, He is in the earth, in the heavens, in the heart, and in the soul— In short, He pervades the entire universe and every single realm.

मैं ग़फ़लत में पड़ा था, पता न था कौन हूँ, क्यों आया वेदांत ने सीख दी, उपनिषद ने हर ग़फ़लत से उभारा

I lay lost in ignorance, knowing neither who I was nor why I came, Vedanta guided me, and the Upanishads lifted me out of every delusion.

शनाख़्त मिल गई जब से, उस अपने बंदगी के परवरदिगार की तह से मिट गई मेरे अंदर से, हालत-ए-अहसास-ए-कमतरी की

Ever since I gained true awareness of the Lord of my devotion, The deep-rooted feeling of inferiority vanished entirely from within me.

मैं समझ गया हूँ, तू परम ब्रह्म है, मैं तेरा ही एक आधा क़िस्सा तू है मुकम्मल सच्चाई, मैं तेरे ही नूर का एक अदना सा हिस्सा

I have come to realize: You are the Supreme Truth, and I am but half the story, You are the absolute reality, and I am merely a humble spark of Your light.

अब बस यही है हसरते, कब मिलूँ मैं अपने दिलबर से और ख़त्म हो यह आना-जाना, इस फ़ानी दुनिया के मंज़र से

Now, this is my only yearning: when will I merge with my Beloved, So this cycle of coming and going in this fleeting world may finally end?

My Wanderings 167. Hungama hai kyon barpa

Akbar Allahbadi a great  urdu poet was born in 1846 and died in 1921 in Allahabad. His small couplets in urdu  written  more than a century ago are very fascinating and have amazing similarities with the political, ethical and cultural values of present times.

1.Quom ke  GAM me dinner khate hain hukkaam ke saath
    Ranj  leader KO bohut hain magar aaraam ke saath.
   (They cry over the community's woes with rulers over fine dinners.
   The leader talks of sorrows but in comfort.)

This couplet has  similarity with present political set up in our country. Our leaders like  Mr.Kejriwal  who represent themselves as common man , to entice public and subsequently  win elections . After getting elected to highest posts,  they  give vent to their feelings and aspirations. They spent large amounts of public exchequer  on their official residenes and name them as Sheesh Mahals. They also prefer to have  lavish life styles and elite decorum but present themselves as chappal clad babus.

2.Beparda nazar aaye Jo kal chend bibyan
   Akbar zameen mai  gayrate qomi se garh gaya
   Poocha Jo Maine apka purda tha kya hua
   Kahney lage ki aqal pe mardoon ke pad gaya
( yesterday when I saw a few women without  a veil, I was stunned for lack of morals in community. When I enquired about their veil. They told me that it has covered the intellect of men.)

It is true in present scenario also.  All types of morals and ethics are  imposed upon the women only. In Islamic countries women are advised to remain in veils and are  deprived of all rights. In our secular country also newspapers are full of news items of rape  and exploitation against women. Whenever such incidents happen some of our moralists start lecturing on the dress etiquette and make up of women. They say women should not enjoy full liberty in society as they are prone to high risk. Therefore, they are advised not to use cellphone or not to celebrate velentaine day which is direct attack on their fundamental rights. But it is not actually attire of women or liberty enjoyed by women but mindset of  some men that needs to be transformed, which is covered with the veil of lust and male ego. Men and women are inseparable parts of our society. Men should not perceive woman as an object of entertainment . Woman should always be respected as  she represents the image of our mother, sister and daughter. Such type of mindset in men will definitely ensure safety of woman. Ramakrishna paramhansa   regarded every woman as the incarnation of Maa Kali. However we can not expect all men  to be having such high morals but at least mindset of some men need to be changed so that they can respect woman.

3.Sidharenge Sheikh Kaba to hum  Englistan jayenge
   Woh Khuda ka ghar dekhenge, Hum  Khuda ki Shaan dekhenge
   (When Sheikh will go to Kaba we shall visit  England
   He will see the home of Lord and we shall see the grace of Lord).

With spiritual pursuits and renunciation , development and pursuit of  nature is also necessary because lord manifests in its creation as described by our religions. What is  characteristic  feature of   Kashmiri Shivism that it says all things are manifestations of this consciousness but the phenomenal world (Shakti)  is real ,having its being in consciousness (chit).
Moreover, Development is the sign of life and disaster signifies death.   A person  can not escape from development. It is the reward for persons continuous hard  work for years together in pursuit of achieving excellence.

4. Huye is kadar mohzib kabi ghar ka na muh dekha
     Kati umar hotloo me, mare haspataal me jakar.
     ( we have become so much civilized that we have never visited home
       We spent our life in hotels and died in hospitals)

These days In blind pursuit of materialistic objects,  a person is getting detached with his roots. He is forgetting his language  and culture, which is otherwise necessary for the balanced growth and development of an indudual. A person should not be taken away by the winds of development and prosperity. He should keep his cool and maintain his induduality.

      

My Wanderings 166. Short Story No. 66 Wealth and Honour

It is an old English  maxim  that loss of Wealth is nothing as compared to loss of character or honour.  I was always   feeling guilty of my   wealth in the form of movable and immovable properties, which we left and  lost while migrating from valley of Kashmir at the time of turmoil there. But during my new posting in Kashmir in the year 1998 , it dawned upon me that we lost nothing as compared to people who never left the valley.  Ofcourse, they purchased  our houses at throw away prices. They took our jobs and immovable property. But I always  observed  something amiss on their faces which I could not forsee at that time. Though they sometimes hinted towards   it by saying, you people left once for  all , and lost only your homes and hearths, but we have lost much more  valuable than that. We had to die many deaths  during  those days  .  Moreover, we had  to  face the wrath of  both militants as well as army personell.

        In the beginning, at the time of my transfer to  valley,  I was very skeptical about the behaviour of my new colleagues ,  with whom I had to work and  who were appointed in our place  after the mass migration of our community from the valley in year 1990. But only after joining my duty in  valley,  I realised that our new colleagues, who mostly belonged to Muslim community, were not so bad as I had anticipated. They mostly  appeared to me very obedient and meticulous in discharging their duties except a  few and far between, which can not be ruled out in any  type of society or organisation.

                  One of my colleagues,  whom I remember now was Aslam,  who was not so meticulous but very obedient person . He could never say no to any task alotted  to him,  whether he could complete it or not. But there are always fair mix of employees in any organisation and it's  work does not suffer  at the cost of one  negligent  employee. Aslam was very handsome  and healthy young man  , much junior to me in age and always adorning a smile on his face. He enjoyed eating  good food and meat and hardly could say no to food when offered to him. On Eid days, he would take so much meat that he  mostly  extended  his  leave from office ,a few days  more,  as he often  fell ill with Gout or any other ailment due to excessive eating . Once I also visited his house to ask about his welfare , when he did not return office for a long time after Eid  festival. During my visit to his home  I came to know that his  father had died few years ago and he and his sister were living  with their  mother only . His sister appeared to me  very beautiful and smart prima facie  but she was suffering from depression as disclosed by Aslam  to me. Aslam  further told me that he has shown his  sister to so  many doctors in the valley but  of no avail. Then I suggested   him   to get the consultation from   one of the   renowned  neuro physicians  in the matter, who was  residing at jammu like all other migrants. Aslam readily agreed to my suggestion and implored upon me to arrange for the appointment with the Doctor.

                 I arranged his meeting with the Doctor at jammu using my resources and good offices , as it was very difficult to get that Doctors  appointment within a short span  of time. One day he came to jammu with his sister. At the scheduled time I also reached to Doctors clinic  to help him. When he was called in by Doctor, I also accompanied him. The Doctor after examining his sister  advised  Aslam to meet him in the  absence of patient. Aslam asked me also to join  the meeting with Doctor. Then Doctor asked  Aslam to apprise him about the whole history of patient. Aslam first hesitated to tell the truth about the reasons behind the depression  of his sister. Then Doctor after observing  his hesitation  said to him," Mr Aslam, I have seen many patients like your sister from valley , who visit my  clinic , for treating themselves :  please tell me the whole story to enable me to treat your sister properly. You should not conceal anything from your Doctor , if you want that your patient  is treated well". On hearing these words of Doctor,  Aslam broke down  bursting  into tears and began to address   Doctor directly, 

Doctor sahab, I will not conceal anything from you for the benefit of my sister,  so that she can be treated well. When you people left the valley for good, we became the soft targets of terrorists. They began to enter our houses in huge  numbers and used  to ask us for  food, which we arranged for them happily , as we considered them  mujahids and freedom fighters.  We thought that they have  left their country and reached Kashmir with great difficulty for our liberation. After taking sumptuous meals ,they would usually ask us to send our young daughters and sisters  to their rooms for their entertainment . We most reluctantly had to fulfil their wishes as there was no other alternative left with us,  because their guns and ammunition would tear us apart within minutes. We could only hear shreiks of our women folk who were being gang raped by them in front of us. Almost every home in valley faced the same problem and nobody was able to make any complaint against them. My sister also became  fodder of their excesses and after sometime became pregnant . 

                One day my father died due to   heart failure, as he could not bear the abuses  they hurled upon his daughter and that too  in  his presence. Then I had to arrange for abortion of my sister in a far off place in jammu with the help of my some  Hindu aquantaces living there. We were not exceptions , this was the tale of each and every home in Kashmir. These terrorists were sent by Pakistan with the allurement that they will go to Kashmir which is called heaven  and can enjoy beautiful damsels available  there. Moreover, hurriat also preached us that they are Mujahids who have come to free us from indian tyranny . You should not hesitate to offer them your sisters and daughters,  so that latter are purified and made sacred by them. No body could complain about these excesses . We  all could only hang our heads in shame and never discussed about the problem with each other. As we   all were helpless and let it happen for decades in the name of freedom. Many who revolted against this were either killed by mujahids or died their own death by heart failure or brain strokes. After hearing this harrowing tale from Aslam,  Doctor began to write the prescription for his sister with shaken hands. He advised Aslam all about the care he should take for his sister. Then Aslam left for Kashmir with his sister and came  back again to   Jammu several  times,  to treat his sister with the same Doctor until I lost contact with him.

            One day after my retirement from service Aslam met me at jammu near Residency Road . When I enquired about his sister , he told me that she is alright and married now with two kids . I was very happy to know about Aslam and welfare of his sister. 

My wanderings 165. Nazmo Ghazal 43

My Wanderings 165 

My Urdu Nazmo Ghazal 43

ऐक गजल

किसी ओर के किरदार पे तजकिरा ना कीजिए

पहले अपनी शख्सियत  का जायजा तो लीजये।

कुदरत ने हर बन्दे को  खूबियौ  से नवाजा है

हर एक बन्दे को अपने हुनर का अन्दाज़ा है।

बेवजह किसी के हुनर को ना  आजमा लीजिए

किसी और के किरदार पे तजकिरा  ना कीजिए।

पहले अपनी शख्सियत का जायजा तो लीजिए।

किसी और की नुक्ताचीनी बडी आसान होती है

अपने आप पर तनकीद करना मुश्किल होता है।

कम्मिया कभी किसी की नजर अन्दाज भी कीजिए

किसी ओर के किरदार पे तजकिरा ना कीजिए।

पहले अपनी शख्सियत का जायजा तो लीजिए। 

औरो की खूब्बियू का बयान करना  लाज़मी  है

क्न्योकि हर ऐक मे कम्मियौ से ज्यादा खूब्बिया है।

और अपनी कम्मिया गिनवाने से परिहेज ना कीजिए 

किसी और के किरदार पे तजकिरा ना कीजिए ।

पहले अपनी शख्सियत का जायजा तो लीजिए ।

अगर तुम चाहते हो लोग तुम्हे अच्छा समझे

 तो अपनी अच्छाई  का कभी जिक्र ना कीजिए।

जितना हो सके अपनी बुराईया पहचान लीजिए 

किसी ओर के किरदार पे तजकिरा ना कीजिए।

पहले अपनी शख्सियत का जायजा तो लीजिए।

डून्डनी  है "रमेश' तो दूसरे की खूब्बिया डून्डये।

उसको अपनी खूब्बियू से पहचान करा लीजिए। 

अपनी खूब्बिया निखारने का उन्हे मशवरा तो दीजिए ।।

किसी ओर के किरदार पे तजकिरा ना कीजिए ।

पहले अपनी शख्सियत  का जायजा तो लीजिए ।।

                                  रमेश कौल

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My wanderings 164. Urdu Nazam 42. Raze hasrat

My Wanderings 164

Urdu Ghazal 42

Raze Hasrat

गर कुदरत ने हमारी ख्वाहिशो का ऐहतिराम किया होता

यह हादसा हमारी ज़िन्दगी के साथ कभी हुवा ना  होता

हम तो हरदम रहे किसी कुदरती मौजजे के मुन्तजिर

पर हमे मालूम ना था हम हो  जायेंगे रुसवा इस कदर 

काश हमने अपनी  हसरतौ  का  इखतिलाफ किया  होता

गर कुदरत ने हमारी ख्वाहिशो का एहतिराम किया होता

यह हादसा हमारी ज़िन्दगी के साथ कभी हुवा ना होता

हम तो हर बार रहे कुदरत की  सरगोशियो  के कायल

और मुकद्दर की गर्दिशो ने हमे हर दम किया है घायल

काश हमने इन पर इतना ऐतमाद नही किया   होता

गर कुदरत ने हमारी ख्वाहिशो का एहतिराम किया होता

यह हादसा हमारी ज़िन्दगी के साथ कभी हुवा ना  होता

हम खोदते रहे जमीन को खजाने की तलाश मे अकसर

भेच दी जब जमीन तो खजाना किसी ओरको हुवा मुयसर  

हमने जल्दी की हमेशा, कुछ ओर इन्तिज़ार किया होता

गर कुदरत ने हमारी ख्वाहिशो का एहतिराम  कियाहोता.     यह हादसा हमारी जिन्दगी के साथ कभी हुआ ना होता

शायद मुकद्दर की सख्ती ने हमे हर भार पामाल किया

दिलशिकस्ता होने परभी हमने किसी से सवाल न किया

काश हमने पहले से ही तदबीरू पे ऐतबार किया होता

गर कुदरत ने हमारी ख्वाहिशो का एहतिराम किया होता

यह हादिसा हमारी ज़िन्दगी के साथ कभी हुवा ना होता 

नाकामयाबी से लेकर नाकामयाबी तककामयाब होना हे

सिर्फ इन्सान कोअपना हौसला कभीपस्त नही करना है 

काश 'रमेश' तुमने यह पहले से ही ऐतराफ किया होता 

गर कुदरत ने हमारी ख्वाहिशो का एहतिराम किया होता

यह हादसा हमारी ज़िन्दगी के साथ कभी हुआ ना होता

                                                    रमेश कौल

My Wanderings 163. My Perception with a deception towards none. No 9. SCO Meeting at Tiangen

In recent SCO meeting in Tiangen,China  Trump was bruised, Shahnaz muzzled and Modi walked tall alongwith his old ally Putin and new friend Xi jimping. 

It was visible from their  body language, when Modi and Putin walked smiling and  holding the  hands  of  each other to meet XI jumping and sidelining Shahbaz Sharif,  Pakistan PM, who looked melancholic with his shoulders dropped in a posture of ' karwaan guzar gaya gubbar dekhte rahe'.

In the recent stand off between America and India on tarrifs , which were unreasonably imposed by the later on India, China gave some indications of coming closer to India,  which were well reciprocated  by PM Modi of india himself visiting China for attending SCO meeting and giving a thaw to new relations growing with china and making relation strong with Russia  , which has remained  all weather friend of India since 1947. The move  was also to show America that India is not going to loose Russia and stop buying crude oil from there inspite of tarrif threats of America to India.