13 verses · ~1 min
ज्ञान ध्यान कुछ काम न आए हम तो जीवन-भर अकुलाए ।
पथ निहारते दृग पथराए हर आहट पर मन भरमाए ।
झूठे जग में सच्चे सुख की क्या तो कोई आस लगाए ।
देवालय हो या मदिरालय जहाँ गए जाकर पछताए ।
तड़क-भड़क संतो की ऐसी दुनियादार देख शरमाए ।
माल लूट का सबने बाँटा हम ही पड़े रहें अलसाए ।
जो बिक जाता धन्य वही है जो न बिके मूरख कहलाए ।
टिकट बाँटने के नाटक में धूर्त महानायक बन छाए ।
शिष्टाचार भ्रष्टता दोनों— ने अपने सब द्वैत मिटाए ।
जहाँ बिछी शतरंज वही ही शातिर बैठे जाल बिछाए ।
अब के यूँ खैरात बँटी है सारा किस्सा दिल बहलाए ।
दुर्जन पार लगाता नैया सज्जन किसका काम बनाए ।
राही तो सीधे-सादे है कौन भला क्या उनसे पाए ।
इति
The Poet
बालस्वरूप राही
Balswaroop Rahi
1936 · 1970s
Balswaroop Rahi holds a highly distinguished position in Hindi literature as a writer who moves with absolute grace between profound existential ghazals and joyous children's poetry. Born in 1936 in Delhi, he became a prominent voice in the Navgeet movement, crafting lyrics that resonated with the emotional complexities of modern life. In collections like Jo Nitaant Meri Hain and Rahi Ko Samjhaye Kaun, he approaches themes of longing, memory, and personal grief with a deeply touching vulnerability. Yet, parallel to his serious verse, he has been a towering figure in the realm of Bal Sahitya, shaping the imaginations of countless Indian children with immensely popular rhymes and songs. His lifelong dedication to literature earned him prestigious honors, including the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar. Whether he is dissecting the pain of a broken dream or writing about the innocent wonder of the sun, Rahi brings the same masterful precision to his words, proving that true poetry can speak to every stage of the human journey.
Paired Painting
Vidura Leaving the Hastinapur Court
This poignant scene captures one of the most tragic moments in the Mahabharata, where the wise Vidura, unable to bear the moral degradation and arrogance of Duryodhana, chooses to walk away from his family and duties. Vidura, the embodiment of righteousness and inner peace, remains calm even as he is insulted by the enraged Duryodhana, who stands behind him with a gesture of mockery. The heavy atmosphere of the royal assembly reflects the impending doom of the Kuru dynasty. Vidura leaves his position as an advisor, signaling that the light of truth has departed from the throne, leaving only the shadow of pride that would eventually consume the kingdom in war.
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