Contemplation Poems

Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century AD undertook to revive the Vedantic interpretation of Hindu scripture in order to wean people away from elaborate Karmakand rituals. He roamed through the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent and debated countless religious leaders. He was remarkably successful in his aim. Credit goes …

Here is a sound advice for a traveller embarking on a long and uncharted journey. Harivansh Rai Bachchan warns about possible hardships and challenges on the path. An inspiring poem indeed. Rajiv Krishna Saxena पूर्व चलने के बटोही पूर्व चलने के बटोही, बाट की पहचान कर ले पुस्तकों में है …

A village kachchi road is converted into a black tar-coal modern road. With that the old magic is buried forever. Only memories remain, and nostalgia… Here is an excerpt from a poem by Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena. Rajiv Krishna Saxena कच्ची सड़क सुनो ! सुनो ! यहीं कहीं एक कच्ची सड़क …

A son turns out to be a copy of his father. As we grow, we gradually realize that in our mannerism, thinking and opinions, we become more and more like our fathers. Here is a touching poem that brings out this truth out in the voice of the son at …

In early summer, fields are empty and dried leaves fallen from trees fly all over in warm wind. Poet presents a shabda-chitra and likens the scene to the loneliness in life. Rajiv Krishna Saxena थकी दुपहरी थकी दुपहरी में पीपल पर काग बोलता शून्य स्वरों में फूल आखिरी ये बसंत …

Madhushala is one of the most popular book of Hindi poetry. There was a time that this work of poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan Ji, comprising 135 verses, was a craze. Here are few selected verses from Madhushala. Rajiv Krishna Saxena मधुशाला मृदु भावों के अंगूरों की आज बना लाया हाला‚ …

Life is so short. At times it seems rather pointless and absurd. Here is a very down to earth perspective on life that is very Indian. Rajiv Krishna Saxena कांच का खिलौना माटी का पलंग मिला राख का बिछौना। जिंदगी मिली कि जैसे कांच का खिलौना। एक ही दुकान में …

Tradition (parampara) is strong in India but the forces of post-modernism are chipping at it. Tradition may appear irrational but it provides the inner strength to a society. One is resigned to the fact that in due course of time, Indian society would give up its traditional ways. While this …

Daily rut and unchanged routine… doing the same thing day after day with no joy of creativity… drains a man. There seems no escape … regrets linger on with us. Perhaps things could be better if we had not compromised in life. Yet now we almost willing remain in the …

Laughter they say is the best medicine. After all life is so temporary and brooding on perceived losses serves no particular purpose. Fortunate are those of us who retain their ability to laugh off the adversities. Here is a description of such a heartfelt laughter by Kusum Sinha. I especially …