Heer Ranjha - An Epic Story of Love

Heer Ranjha (Punjabi: ਹੀਰ ਰਾਂਝਾ, ہیر رانجھا, hīr rāñjhā) is one of the four popular tragic romances of the Punjab. The other three are Mirza Sahiba, Sassi Punnun and Sohni Mahiwal. There are several poetic narrations of the story, the most famous being 'Heer' by Waris Shah written in 1766. It tells the story of the love of Heer and her lover Ranjha. The other poetic narrations were written by Damodar Daas, Mukbaz and Ahmed Gujjar among others.

Heer is an extremely beautiful woman, born into a wealthy Jatt family of the Sayyal clan in Jhang. Ranjha (whose first name is Dheedo; Ranjha is the surname), also a Jatt of the Ranjha clan, is the youngest of four brothers and lives in the village 'Takht Hazara' by the river Chenab. Being his father's favorite son, unlike his brothers who had to toil in the lands, he led a life of ease playing the flute ('Wanjhli'/'Bansuri'). After a quarrel with his brothers over land, Ranjha leaves home. In Waris Shah's version of the epic, it is said that Ranjha left his home because his brothers' wives refused to give him food. Eventually he arrives in Heer's village and falls in love with her. Heer offers Ranjha a job as caretaker of her father's cattle. She becomes mesmerised by the way Ranjha plays his flute and eventually falls in love with him. They meet each other secretly for many years until they are caught by Heer's jealous uncle, Kaido, and her parents Chuchak and Malki. Heer is forced by her family and the local priest or 'mullah' to marry another man called Saida Khera.

Ranjha is heartbroken. He is left to walk the quiet villages on his own until eventually he meets a 'Jogi' (ascetic). After meeting Baba Gorakhnath, the founder of the "Kanphata"(pierced ear) sect of ascetics('Jogis'), at 'Tilla Jogian' (the 'Hill of Ascetics', located 50 miles north of the historic town of Bhera, Sargodha District, Punjab (Pakistan)), Ranjha voluntarily becomes a Jogi, piercing his ears and renouncing the material world. Reciting the name of the Lord, "Alakh Niranjan", on his travels around the Punjab, he eventually finds the village where he is reunited with Heer.

The two return to Heer's village, where Heer's parents agree to their marriage. However, on the wedding day, Heer's jealous uncle Kaido poisons her food so that the wedding will not take place. Hearing this news, Ranjha rushes to aid Heer, but he is too late, as she has already eaten the poison and died. Brokenhearted once again, Ranjha takes the poisoned Laddu (sweet) which Heer has eaten and dies by her side.

Heer and Ranjha are buried in a Punjabi town in Pakistan called Jhang, Punjab. Lovers and others often pay visits to their mausoleum.

Link to Source Site : <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heer_ranjha>

I Can't Smile Without You

The Soundtrack from Hell Boy - Performed by Barry Manilow

And the Journey Begins

And thee was walking down a lonesome long road; feet tired, shoulders down and path way long. The times was as such when one thinks if he can make it up to the end the way he wanted or if one can ever make it there. Suddenly there was a bilateral in front of him and he looked, paused and thought which way to go. The heart pointed a path and smiled and thee followed. Not sure he was if the decision was right. "What if I go back and take the other path??", asked himself the guy and the heart said "Believe in me and continue for you will have your fair reward in due time". And suddenly there was this bright light in front of him through which he couldn't see. He was stunned. The light was testing yet soothing and thee was astonished as of the source of such a light.

and than came down someone from that light; someone whose beauty was unmatched and how had this soothing aura around her. She was like someone divine and his heart skipped a beat. "And you have your due reward now" said the heart. Thee was looking there in confusion. "What if doesn't work? What if I fail?" asked the mind. "How can you know unless you try?", replied the heart. Thee was standing there listening to all this dialog not sure what to do. And than the sound came from the divine light "Don't worry and don't question yourself. I am afraid too. Remember, I am not here to take your fears away but here so that we can fight them together. Lets move on this journey and see the wonders of the path we chose and all that come around us. Let us be each other shoulders and I promise I won't let you down".

and now thee walked with her, arms in arms to the destiny unknown on the mysterious path but with spirits high and hearts filled with joy, love and hope. No one knows if and when they will make it to destination but their determination and conviction. Than the heart and mind said in unison

"And the Journey Begins ........."


--- Written for Mahwish on our engagement. "You're precious to me dear :) "

Power of Love

The whispers in the morning of
lovers sleeping tight
Are rolling by like thunder now
as I look in your eyes.
I hold on to your body and feel each move you make.
Your voice is warm and tender

a love that I could not forsake.
'Cause I am your lady and you are my man.
Whenever you reach for me I'll do all that I can.

Even though there may be times
it seems I'm far away
But never wonder where I am 'cause I
am always by your side.
'Cause I am your lady and you are my man.
Whenever you reach for me I'll do all that I can.
We're heading for something
somewhere I've never been

Sometimes I am frightened
but I'm ready to learn 'bout the power of love !
The sound of your heart beating
made it clear suddenly.
The feeling that I can't go on is light-years away.
'Cause I am your lady and you are my man. . . .
We're heading for something
somewhere I've never been

Sometimes I am frightened
but I'm ready to learn 'bout the power of love!
Ooh
the power of love
the power of love.
Sometimes I am frightened
but I'm ready to learn 'bout the power of love !

-- Power of Love : Performed by Celine Dion

And She Asked.....

And she asked me if I loved her? She had that doubt in her voice that crushed me into pieces. What can I say, how can i say? If only I could tear my heart and show her what is there for her .... but I couldn't. My heart cried when my eyes smiled and this is how the life is. If only I could make her understand that my love for her is strong enough to endure all thick and thin times yet very helpless not to offer her what she deserves. If only I could tell her that there is nothing I want to do and nothing I can do and she is destined to be no more than a memory and a pain in my heart.

But than the same strengthens the belief that a true love is a bond in heart, a light in the dark and a hope in distress. It is much more than the distance between us. It is not bounded by the sound nor the voice of someone because a true love starts from the heart and travels to the soul.

So my love, I might not be here some day but cherish every day we have. Believe in my love till eternity and have faith when i say that i might not be able to bring down the stars for you but I wish nothing less. Have a faith in my love and lets make the best of today and tomorrow when i am not with you and my thought will bring you a smile, I will know that my love has endured.

Quest of Love

What is it with love that I desire?

I wonder if I can have a shoulder to set my head on after a tiring day. What i want is the hand that will be put on my hand and I will have the strength to do all it takes, the eyes that will look into my eyes and take away all my fears, the heart that will hear my foot steps and will tell me there and than that I am not alone in my quest of life. And than I will know that I have found someone I love.

Triumph of Love

In Freyja's heart there was yet no gratitude, because of the spells that were upon her. Nor answer would she make when Svipdag spoke, nor would she gaze in his eyes to reward him. One brief look was all he desired, and yet she stared upon the ground disconsolate and silent.

Again did Svipdag wax wroth and leave her to wander alone; and she went down among the rocks. Then took she the guise of a bird and flew over the mountains and over the river that separates that wild country from the land in which Svipdag had his dwelling. She reached the house of Orvandel. To Sith, who recognized her not, she said that she was a poor woman who had no home, and she was received with welcome.

But Svipdag knew her and claimed her for his bride, and a wedding feast was set, and the marriage oath sworn in solemnity and state. Yet was Freyja cold and passionless. To the bridal chamber they went, and in her hand Freyja held a candle. She stood motionless before Svipdag until the candle burned low; and when the flame stung her hand, Svipdag spoke words of warning. But Freyja felt not the pain because of the greater pain within her heart.

Then was the spell broken by fire, and she raised her face and looked with eyes of love upon him who had rescued her. Thus had Svipdag his exceeding great reward.

--- Triumph of Love from Teutonic Mythology

Life and Love

How selfish is it to desire to be loved and held closely when there is all turmoil around us??????
Its confusing on as how the feeling of love is aggrevated in all its dimensions when life is a mess. Maybe love is the greatest truth of life.

Path to find

Knowledge is gained by Learning;
Trust by doubt;
Skill by practice;
Love by love

Thomas Szasz

Love vs. Reality

Once in a while right in the middle of a life, love gives us a fairy tale...