№ MMXXVI

RACHNA · A LIVING ARCHIVE

Rachna by M.

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MM · XXVI

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Vidura Leaving the Hastinapur Court

Raudra

विडम्बना

Vidambana

Gopal Prasad Vyas
2 min read 8 versesव्यंग्यsatireराजनीति

8 verses · ~2 min

गाँधी बाबा के सुराज में, सुरा बहुत है, राज नहीं है। राज़ बहुत खुलते हैं, लेकिन खिलता यहां समाज नहीं है।

यह देखो कैसी विडम्बना ! राजनीति में नीति नहीं है। और राजनैतिक लोगों को, नैतिकता से प्रीति नहीं है।

सदाचार का आंदोलन है, नोटों से भारी थैला है। दर-दर पर छैला की दस्तक, घर-घर में बैठी लैला है।

यह देखो कैसा मज़ाक है, कला बिक रही बाज़ारों में। रूप खड़ा है चौराहे पर, जंग लग रही हथियारों में।

यह कैसा साहित्य की जिसका, हित से कुछ संबंध नहीं है ! सभी यहां मुक्तक हैं, यारो, कोई यहां प्रबंध नहीं है।

हर अध्यापक आलोचक है, हर विद्यार्थी गीतकार है। सभी नकद सौदा करते हैं, एक नहीं रखता उधार है।

हर आवारा अब नेता है, हर अहदी बन गया विचारक। जिसके हाथ लग गया माइक, वही बन गया प्रबल प्रचारक।

आलोचना लोच से खाली, अब मज़ाक में मज़ा न, ग़म है। सत्ता से सत निकल गया है, सिर्फ अहं में हम-ही-हम है।

इति

Gopal Prasad Vyas

The Poet

गोपालप्रसाद व्यास

Gopal Prasad Vyas

1915 · 2005

Gopal Prasad Vyas possessed the rare and difficult gift of using humor to speak profound truths. Born in 1915 near Govardhan in Mathura, his formal education was cut short by his active participation in the Indian independence movement. This early exposure to political struggle shaped his worldview, giving him a deep understanding of human nature and societal contradictions. He became a giant of Hasya Ras, the tradition of humorous and satirical poetry, writing verses that made audiences laugh before forcing them to confront their own hypocrisies. Collections like To Mein Kya Karoon and Ras Rasamrit showcase his ability to dissect social norms with sharp wit and absolute clarity. He was the visionary founder of the Rastriya Kavi Sammelan, an annual gathering at the Red Fort that brought poetry directly to the masses. Honored with the Padma Shri in 1965, Vyas lived until 2005, leaving behind a legacy that proves laughter is one of the most effective instruments of social critique.

Vidura Leaving the Hastinapur Court

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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If this held you

Four more, in the same key.

Chosen for their rasa and their register, not their popularity. Each one carries some part of what Vidambana carries.