Indian Arrival Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey as a people. With the passage of time, there have been both positive and negative changes. Let us choose to focus on the positive. We celebrate Indian Arrival Day in the form of remembering the sacrifice of our ancestors. We are what we are and we have what we have because of them. They kept their traditions alive and it is these spiritual traditions as expressed in various cultural practices that are important. Let’s reflect on their contribution. Our message is based on two original songs written by Mrs. Aarti Persad and used in previous Swaha Swadeshi competitions.
Dharma Deep Tejas De
Satayuga, Treta, Dwaapar mein, dharma jhandaa lahar lahare
Kya huaa kali yuga mein? Kyahuaa isa din mein? Isa din mein …
Chorus
Dharma deep tejas de, Dharma deep tejas de …
Sunoh bachon, bhai aur bahanon!
Hamaaray dharma dukh bharon
Isa samai, abhi abhi, Puraydham-kham se,
Dharma deep tejas de …
Mera naam dharma hoon, Tumhaare pratham guru
Hamesha mujheraksha do, hamesha tujheraksha do
Saccha parivaarsa daakeliye, Saccha parivaarsa daakeliye,
Isa vachan de de, Dharma deep tejas de …
Dharma agni kaisa hai? Dharma deep kahaa hai?
Suniye dhyaan se, man khol rakhiye
Dharma kaam kartavya, Dharma sachhi maataa pitaa
Bandhu sakhaa re, Dharma deep tejas de …
Only dharma withstands,
Your true friend at all times.
Dharma is your duty,
Keep it alive for humanity.
Now is the time for action!
Be a duty-bound champion!
Do what you must, with great trust,
Leave the rest, in His glories be lost.
Here, we reflect on dharma deep, a lamp that gives light. In Satyug, Treta and Dwapar, the flag of dharma flew very high but what is happening now? Fuel the lamp of dharma. Listen, brothers, sisters, children, listen everyone. Let us right now take a vow to rekindle this light of dharma. It will save us all. It will bring us brightness. If dharma were to take a form, what would it say? “I am Dharma. I am your first Guru. Always protect me and I will protect you. I am your true family. I give you this promise if you light the lamp of dharma.”
What does the fire of dharma look like? Dharma is your work. It is your duty. Dharma is being a true mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband, wife – it is all your duties and performing them to the best of your ability. Dharma is your true friend at all times.
Parivartan Pragati Phulan
(Change Brings Progress)
Uthon! Man lagaakar aur suno!
It is time to question what you know.
Beware of all this external progress
Ignorance still reigns we confess.
Is it true progress that you seek?
Remove the mental enemies that make us weak.
Banish lust and anger, attachment and pride,
Greed and jealousy from your inside.
Control your senses and your mind,
Withdraw and endure the daily grind.
Have faith in God when you are in a bind,
Then contentment would be easy to find.
Parivartan jagat mein
Parivartan andar hey
Pragati zaruri hai
Dhaarmik bhi zaruri hai
Baar baar huengay issa charan, issa charan
Parivartan Pragati Phulan
Mere baat suniyay ji
Aakhon aur kaanon se bhi
Sab log badal gayaa
Badal gayee duniya
Vichaaron alag alag rang sapne
Aarmaan havaa mein patang re
Phulan chehra kaisa?
Kaun maapnaa kiskaa?
Adhyayan pragatay
Baahari pragati hongay
Aantarik pragati, sabsay acchi re
Shhesh mein dekho kaisaa badalay?
Man shatru jharo
Kaam krodh moha
Mad maatsarya nikaalo
Shat sampath swaagat karo
Sham dam uparati titiksha hai naam
Samaadhaan shraddha avashya bhagwaan.
In this song, change is supposed to bring progress. The idea behind this song is that there are many advances in science and technology but at what expense? At the expense of spiritual, internal progress. It says, change happens in the world but it must also happen on the inside. Material progress is necessary but spiritual progress is even more needed. Oftentimes it happens in this way and change brings progress.
The song says, listen closely to my words, all eyes and ears. Everybody changes, the world is changing. Ideas and opinions are of a different colour now. Dreams and aspirations float like kites in the wind. What does progress look like? How is progress measured? Changes in science, external advances will continue to happen, but inner progress is far better. Look at yourself in a mirror; how have you changed? Sweep away the impurities of your mind – lust, anger, attachment, pride and jealousy must be banished. Welcome instead the six forms of wealth. They are called control of the mind, control of the senses, withdrawal, endurance, contentment, faith and of course, then you can experience that Supreme Divinity. It all depends on your mind.
From a discourse by Pt. Dr. Umesh Persad
