Bhaja Govindam भज गोविन्दम्

This content is based on a page that was earlier present in www.bhagavadgitausa.com which had copyright© Veeraswamy Krishnaraj. I hereby thank Sri V. Krishnaraj as I am unable to reach him at myumbra-bgusa@yahoo.com to get his permission. I have made some changes to the content. For the grammatical aspects of each shloka, please refer the individual pages in this site under the category “Bhaja Govindam”.

Note that this content will undergo changes. You may come back later to check for updates or mail me (nivedita(dot)yrsk(at)gmail(dot)com) to get a file with better formatted text like the one shown below. I am unable to upload the file due to technical issues (i.e., formatting problems and file type issues).

Sample Bhaja Govindam content

1) Faustian knowledge does not liberate you.
भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं
गोविन्दं भज मूढमते ।
संप्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले
न हि न हि रक्षति डुकृञ् करणे ।।01।।
bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ
gōvindaṃ bhaja mūḍhamate,
samprāpte sannihite kāle
na hi na hi rakṣati ḍukṛñ karaṇe.(01)
 भज1 गोविन्दं2 भज3 गोविन्दं4 गोविन्दं5 भज6 मूढमते7 संप्राप्तेसन्निहिते9 काले10 न हि11 न हि12 रक्षति13 डुकृञ् करणे14

bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ gōvindaṃ bhaja mūḍhamate samprāpte  sannihite  kāle na hi na hi rakṣati ḍukṛñ karaṇe

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
भज1 गोविन्दं2 भज3 गोविन्दं4 गोविन्दं5 भज6 मूढमते7
bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ gōvindaṃ bhaja mūḍhamate
Worship Govinda worship Govinda Govinda worship O Fool
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
संप्राप्ते8 सन्निहिते9 काले10 न हि11 न हि12 रक्षति13 डुकृञ् करणे14
samprāpte sannihite kāle na hi na hi rakṣati ḍukṛñ karaṇe
when available set time never certainly never certainly protect grammar rules like“ḍukṛñ karaṇe”
 भज गोविन्दं =  bhaja gōvindaṃ1  =  Worship govinda; भज गोविन्दं =   bhaja gōvindaṃ2 =  worship Govinda; गोविन्दं =  Govinda;  मूढमते =  mūḍhamate4 =  O Fool;  संप्राप्ते =  samprāpte5 =  when available; सन्निहिते काले =  sannihite kāle6 =  set time; न हि =  na hi7 =  never certainly; न हि =  na hi8 =  never certainly; रक्षति  =  rakṣati9 =  protect; डुकृञ् करणे =  ḍukṛñ karaṇe10 =  grammar rule .(01) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O fool. When the Time comes for departure, rules of grammar will not save you. 01

2) Give up desires; entertain good thoughts. Be contented with what you have.
मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां
कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम् ।
यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं
वित्तम् तेन विनोदय चित्तम् ।। 02 ।।
mūḍha jahīhi dhanāgamatṛṣṇāṃ
kuru sadbuddhiṃ manasi vitṛṣṇām,
yallabhase nijakarmopāttaṃ
vittaṃ tena vinodaya cittam.(02)
मूढ1 जहीहि2 धन  आगम3 तृष्णां4 कुरु5 सद्बुद्धिं6 मनसि7 वितृष्णामं8 यत्9  लभसे10 निज कर्म11 उपात्तं12 वित्तमं13 तेन14 विनोदय15 चित्तम्16

mūḍha Jahīhi dhana agama tṛṣṇāṃ kuru sadbuddhiṃ manasi vitṛṣṇām yat labhase nijakarma upāttaṃ vittaṃ tena vinodaya cittam

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
मूढ1 जहीहि2 धन  आगम3 तृष्णां4 कुरु5 सद्बुद्धिं6 मनसि7 वितृष्णामं8
mūḍha Jahīhi dhana agama tṛṣṇāṃ kuru sadbuddhiṃ manasi vitṛṣṇām
Fool give up desire to acquire wealth entertain good thoughts in [your] mind free of desire
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
यत्9 लभसे10 निज कर्म11 उपात्तं12 वित्तमं13 तेन14 विनोदय15 चित्तम्16
yat Labhase nijakarma upāttaṃ vittaṃ Tena vinodaya Cittam
Whatever you gain by your own actions obtained wealth That be happy in your mind
मूढ =  mūḍha1 =  Fool!;  जहीहि धन  आगम तृष्णां =  jahīhi2 dhana āgama3 tṛṣṇāṃ=  give up desire to acquire wealth (give up-wealth-acquiring-desire);  कुरु5 सद्बुद्धिं6 मनसि7 वितृष्णामं8 =  kuru sadbuddhiṃ manasi vitṛṣṇām3 =  entertain good thoughts in [your] mind free of desire (entertain-good thoughts-in [your] mind- devoid of desire);   यत्9  लभसे10 निज कर्म112 उपात्तं12 =  yat labhase nija karma upāttaṃ4 =   Whatever you gain by your own actions (whatever-you gain-your own-actions-obtained); वित्तमं13 तेन14 विनोदय15 चित्तम्16 =  vittaṃ tena vinodaya cittam=  be happy in your mind with that wealth (wealth-with that-be happy- in [your] mind);  (02) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Verse 02. O fool, give up the thirst for wealth; rub out your desire; develop (invite) good thoughts in your mind; whatever your actions bring to you by way of wealth, be happy with it in your mind.

 

3) Don’t go berserk on seeing a woman with shapely breasts and beautiful navel….

 

नारीस्तनभर नाभीदेशं

दृष्ट्वा मागामोहावेशम् .

एतन्मांसावसादि विकारं

मनसि विचिन्तय वारं वारम् ||३||

nārīstanabharanābhīdeśam
dṛṣṭvā mā gā mohāveśam,
etan-maṃsavasādi-vikāraṃ
manasi vicintaya vāraṃ vāraṃ (3)
नारी1 स्तन भर2 नाभीदेशं3 दृष्ट्वा4 मा5 गाः6 मोह आवेशम्7 एतत्8 मांस9 वस10 आदि11 विकारं12 मनसि13 विचिन्तय14 वारं15 वारम्16
Nārī  stana bhara Nābhīdeśam dṛṣṭvā mā gāḥ moha āveśam Etat māṃsa vasa  ādi vikāraṃ manasi vicintaya vāraṃ vāraṃ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
नारी1 स्तन भर2 नाभीदेशं3 दृष्ट्वा4 मा5 गाः6 मोह आवेशम्7 एतत्8
nārī stana bhara Nābhīdeśam dṛṣṭvā gāḥ moha āveśam Etat
of women the weight of their breasts their navel seeing do not fall victim delusional ecstasy this [is]
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
मांस9 वस10 आदि11 विकारं12 मनसि13 विचिन्तय14 वारं15 वारम्16
māṃsa vasa ādi vikāraṃ manasi vicintaya vāraṃ vāraṃ
flesh fat such things transformation in [your] mind consider again Again
नारी1 =  nārī =  of women; स्तन भर2 =  stana bhara =  the weight of their breasts; नाभीदेशं3 =  nābhīdeśam =  their navel;  दृष्ट्वा4 =  dṛṣṭvā =  seeing; मा5 =  mā =  do not; गाः6  =  gāḥ = fall victim;  मोह आवेशम्7 =  moha āveśam =  delusional ecstasy; etat8 =  etat =  this [is] māṃsa9 =  māṃsa =  flesh; वस10  =  vasa =  fat; आदि11 =  ādi =  such things; विकारं12 =  vikāraṃ =  transformation; मनसि13  =  manasi =  in [your] mind; विचिन्तय14 =  vicintaya =  consider; वारं वारम्15 =  vāraṃ vāraṃ =  again and again/many times.  (3) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Verse 3.  Having seen a woman with full breasts and a beautiful navel, don’t go into a fit of crushing infatuation. It is mere modification of flesh and fat; think it well in your mind, think it well again.

 

4) Live a fruitful life apart from evil ways of the world.

 

नलिनीदलगत जलमतितरलं

तद्वज्जीवितमतिशयचपलम् |

विद्धि व्याध्यभिमानग्रस्तं

लोकं शोकहतं च समस्तम् ||४||

nalinīdalagatajalam atitaralam
tadvaj-jīvitam atiśayacapalam,
viddhi vyādhy-abhimāna-grastaṃ
lokaṃ śokahataṃ ca samastaṃ.(4)

 

नलिनी-दल-गत-जलम्1 अति2 तरलं3 तद्वत्4 जीवितम्5 अतिशय6 चपलम्7 विद्धि8 व्याधि9 अभिमान10 ग्रस्तं11 लोकं12 शोक13 हतं14 15समस्तम्16

Nalinīdalagatajalam  ati Taralam tadvat jīvitam atiśaya capalam viddhi vyādhi abhimāna  grastaṃ lokaṃ śoka hataṃ ca samastaṃ

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
नलिनी-दल-गत-जलम्1 अति2 तरलं3 तद्वत्4 जीवितम्5 अतिशय6 चपलम्7 विद्धि8
Nalinīdalagatajalam ati Taralam tadvat jīvitam atiśaya capalam Viddhi
The water remaining untattached on the lotus leaf extremely moves to and fro Similarly life excessively unsteady understand
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
व्याधि9 अभिमान10 ग्रस्तं11 लोकं12 शोक13 हतं14 15 समस्तम्16
vyādhi abhimāna grastaṃ lokaṃ śoka hataṃ ca samastaṃ
disease conceit is seized world misery is struck and all [whole]
नलिनी-दल-गत-जलम्1=  (nalinī =  lotus lake; dala =  leaf; gata =  unattached; jalam =  water) The water remaining untattached on the lotus leaf;  अति2 =  taralam =  moves to and fro; अति2 =  ati =  extremely.  तद्वत्4 =  tadvat =  Similarly; विद्धि8  =  viddhi =  understand; अतिशय6 =  atiśaya =  excessively; चपलम्7 =  capalam =  unsteady; जीवितम्5 =  jīvitam =  life;  ग्रस्तं11 =  grastaṃ =  is seized; [with] व्याधि9 =  vyādhi =  disease; च15 =  ca =  and; अभिमान10 =  abhimāna =  conceit.  समस्तम्16 =  samastaṃ =  all [whole]; लोकं12 =   lokaṃ =  world; हतं14 =  hataṃ =  is struck; [with] शोक13 =  śoka =  misery.  (04) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Verse 4. A drop of water on a lotus leaf moves to and fro; likewise, know for sure, this wonderful and yet up-and-down life is prone to diseases and seized by conceit; know that the whole world is struck by misery. Worship Govinda. (04)

 

Verse 5. Wealth invites company; penury invites loneliness.
यावद्वित्तोपार्जन सक्तः

स्तावन्निज परिवारो रक्तः |

पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जर देहे

वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे ||५||

yāvad-vittopārjana-sakta-
stāvannija parivaro raktaḥ
paścajjivati jarjara dehe
vārtām ko’pi na pṛcchati gehe.(5)
यावत्1  वित्त2  उपार्जन3  सक्तः4  तावत्5  निजपरिवारः6  रक्तः7  पश्चात्8 जीवति9 जर्जर10 देहे11 वार्तां12 को अपि13 14 पृच्छति15गेहे16

Yāvat vita upārjana saktaḥ tāvat nijaparivāraḥ raktaḥ paścāt jīvati jarjara dehe vārtām ko’pi na pṛcchati gehe

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
यावत्1 वित्त2 उपार्जन3 सक्तः4 तावत्5 निजपरिवारः6 रक्तः7 पश्चात्8
Yāvat Vita upārjana saktaḥ tāvat nijaparivāraḥ raktaḥ paścāt
As long as wealth to earn is able so long your family have affinity Later
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
जीवति9 जर्जर10 देहे11 वार्तां12 को अपि13 14 पृच्छति15 गेहे16
Jīvati jarjara dehe vārtām ko’pi na pṛcchati gehe
Live decrepit body a word no one utters in the house
यावत्1 =  Yāvat =  As long as; [one has] वित्त2 =  vitta =  wealth; [and] सक्तः4 =  saktaḥ =  is able;  उपार्जन3 =  upārjana =  to earn;  तावत्5 =  tāvat =  so long ; निजपरिवारः6 =  nijaparivāraḥ =  your family; रक्तः7 =  raktaḥ =  have affinity; [to you]. पश्चात्8 =  paścāt =  later; [when you]जीवति9 =  jīvati =  live; [with a] जर्जर10 =  jarjara =  decrepit; देहे11 =  dehe =  body; न14 कः अपि13 = na ko’pi = no one;पृच्छति15 =  pṛcchati =  utters; वार्तां12 =  vārtām =  a word; [to you] गेहे16 =  gehe =  in the house .(5) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

As long as you have wealth and are able to earn, your family is attached to you.  Later, when you live with a decrepit body, no one in the household utters a word to you. (05)

 

 

Verse 6. Breath is life; body without life is feared.
यावत्पवनो निवसति देहे

तावत्पृच्छति कुशलं गेहे |

गतवति वायौ देहापाये

भार्या बिभ्यति तस्मिन्काये ||६||

 

yāvat-pavano nivasati dehe
tāvat-pṛcchati kuśalam gehe,
gatavati vāyau dehāpāye
bhāryā bibhyati tasmin kāye.(6)
यावत्1  पवनः2 निवसति3 देहे4 तावत्5  पृच्छति6 कुशलं7 गेहे8 गतवति9 वायौ10 देह11 अपाये12 भार्या13 बिभ्यति14 तस्मिन्15  काये16 ||६||

Yāvat pavanaḥ nivasati dehe tāvat pṛcchati kuśalam gehe gatavati vāyau dehāpāye bhāryā bibhyati tasmin kāye.(6)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
यावत्1 पवनः2 निवसति3 देहे4 तावत्5 पृच्छति6 कुशलं7 गेहे8
yāvat pavanaḥ Nivasati dehe tāvat pṛcchati kuśalam Gehe
As long as Breath Dwells in the body so long enquire welfare at home
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
गतवति9 वायौ10 देह11 अपाये12 भार्या13 बिभ्यति14 तस्मिन्15 काये16
Gatavati Vāyau Deha apāye bhārya bibhyati tasmin Kāye
Leaves Breath the body at the end wife is afraid of that Body
यावत्1  =  yāvat =  As long as; पवनः2 =  pavanaḥ =  breath; निवसति3 =  nivasati =  dwells; देहे4 =  dehe =  in the body; तावत्5 =  tāvat=  so long; [the family members and others] पृच्छति6 =  pṛcchati =  enquire, ask, utter; कुशलं7 =  kuśalam =  [your] welfare; गेहे8 =  gehe =  at home.  वायौ10 =  vāyau =  When the breath; गतवति9 =  gatavati =  leaves; देह11 अपाये12 =  deha apāye =  the body at the end; भार्या13 =  bhārya =  wife; बिभ्यति14 =  bibhyati =  is afraid of; तस्मिन्15  काये16  =  tasmin kāye =  that very body .(6) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Verse 6.  As long as breath dwells in the body, people in the house enquire about your welfare; once the breath leaves the body, even the dear wife is afraid of the remains (lifeless body).

 

Verse 7. Attachment is ubiquitous; attachment to Brahman is rare.
बालस्तावत्क्रीडासक्तः

तरुणस्तावत्तरुणीसक्तः ।

वृद्धस्तावच्चिन्तासक्तः

परमे ब्रह्मणि कोऽपि न सक्तः ।।७।।

bālastāvat krīḍāsaktaḥ
taruṇastāvat taruṇīsaktaḥ
vṛddhastāvac-cintāsaktaḥ
parme brahmaṇi ko’pi na saktaḥ(7)
बालः1 तावत्2  क्रीडा3 आसक्तः4 तरुणः5 तावत्6 तरुणी7 सक्तःवृद्धः9  तावत्10 चिन्ता11 आसक्तः12 परमे13 ब्रह्मणि14 कः अपि न15 सक्तः16 ।।७।।

bālaḥ1 tāvat2 krīḍā3 āsaktaḥ4 taruṇa5 tāvat6 taruṇī7 saktaḥ8 vṛddha9 tāvat10  cintā11 āsaktaḥ12 parame13 brahmaṇi14  kaḥ api na15 saktaḥ16 (7)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
बालः तावत् क्रीडा आसक्तः तरुणः तावत् तरुणी सक्तः 
bālaḥ tāvat krīḍā āsaktaḥ taruṇaḥ tāvat taruṇī saktaḥ
During Childhood Play is attached to youth [So long] During young girls one is attached to
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
वृद्धः तावत् चिन्ता आसक्तः परमे ब्रह्मणि कः अपि न सक्तः
vṛddha tāvat cintā āsaktaḥ parame brahmaṇi kaḥ api na saktaḥ
old (age) During

so long

anxiety [one is] attached to to the Supreme Brahman no one is attached

 

 बालः1 तावत्2  = bālaḥ tāvat = so long During childhood; [one] आसक्तः4 = āsaktaḥ = is attached to ; क्रीडा3  = krīḍā = play. तावत्6  tāvat = so long During;  तरुणः= taruṇah = youth; सक्तः= saktaḥ = one is attached to; तरुणी7  = taruṇī = young girls. तावत्10 = tāvat = so long During ;वृद्धः9  = vṛddhah = old [age]; आसक्तः12  = āsaktaḥ = [one is] attached to. चिन्ता11 = cintā = anxiety.  कः अपि न15 = kaḥ api na  = no one; सक्तः16  = saktaḥ = is attached; परमे13 = parame = to the supreme; ब्रह्मणि14 = brahmaṇi = Brahman.  (7)  bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Child is attached to play, youth to young girls, and the old to worries. No one is attached to the Supreme Brahman. (07)

 

Verse 8. Know who you are?
का ते कान्ता कस्ते पुत्रः

संसारोऽयमतीव विचित्रः|

कस्य त्वं कः कुत आयातः

तत्त्वं चिन्तय तदिह भ्रातः ||८||

 

kā te kāntā kaste putraḥ
samsāro’yamatīva vicitraḥ |
kasya tvaṃ kaḥ kuta āyātaḥ-
tattvaṃ cintaya tadiha bhrātah.(8)
का1 ते2 कान्ता3 कः4 ते5 पुत्रः6 संसारः7 अयं8 अतीव9 विचित्रः10 कस्य11 त्वं12 कः13 कुतः14 आयातः15 तत्त्वं16 चिन्तय17 तत्18 इह19 भ्रातः20 ||८||

kā te kāntā kaḥ te putraḥ samsāraḥ ayam atīva vicitraḥ kasya tvaṃ kaḥ kuta āyātaḥ  tattvaṃ cintaya tad iha bhrātah.(8)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
का ते कान्ता कः ते पुत्र संसारः अयं अतीव विचित्रः
Te kāntā kaḥ te putraḥ samsāraḥ ayam atīva vicitraḥ
Who is Your wife who is your son samsara this very Wonderful
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
कस्य त्वं कः कुतः आयातः तत्त्वं चिन्तय तत् इह भ्रातः
kasya tvaṃ kaḥ kuta āyātaḥ tattvaṃ cintaya tat iha Bhrātah
of whom You who are [you] from where have you come Truth think of that in here Brother
 

का1 = kā = Who is;  ते2 = te = your;  कान्ता3 = kāntā = wife?  कः4 = kaḥ = who is; ते5 = te = your; पुत्रः6 = putraḥ = son?  अयं8 = ayam = This; संसारः7 = samsāraḥ = samsara; [is]  अतीव9 = atīva = very;  विचित्रः10 = vicitraḥ = wonderful.  कस्य11 =  kasya = of whom;  त्वं12 = tvaṃ = you?  कः13   कः13 = kaḥ = who are [you]?  कुतः14 = kutaḥ = from where;  आयातः15 = āyātaḥ =  have [you] come? चिन्तय17 = cintaya = think of;  तत्18 = tat = that; तत्त्वं16 =  tattvaṃ = Truth;   इह19 = iha = in here;  भ्रातः20  = bhrātah = O brother. (8) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Who is your wife? Who is your son? This Samsara is very wonderful. Of whom are you? Who are you? From where have you come? Think of that Truth, O brother. (8)

 

9) Good company leads to liberation of the embodied soul.
सत्सङ्गत्वे निस्स्ङ्गत्वं

निःसङ्गत्वे निर्मोहत्वम् ।

निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं

निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ।।९।।

Satsaṅgatve nissaṅgatvaṃ
niḥsaṅgatve nīrmohatvam
nirmohatve niścalitatvam
niścalitatve jīvanmuktiḥ.(9)
सत् सङ्गत्वे1 निःसङ्गत्वं2 निःसङ्गत्वे3 निर्मोहत्वमं4 निर्मोहत्वे5 निश्चल6 तत्त्वं7 निश्चल8 तत्त्वे9 जीवन्मुक्तिः10 ।।९।।

Sat saṅgatve1 niḥsaṅgatvaṃ2 niḥsaṅgatve3 nirmohatvam4 nirmohatve5 niścala6 tatvam7 niścala8 tatve9 jīvanmuktiḥ10.(9)

 

1 2 3 4 5
सत् सङ्गत्वे निःसङ्गत्वं निःसङ्गत्वे निर्मोहत्वमं निर्मोहत्वे
Sat saṅgatve niḥsaṅgatvaṃ niḥsaṅgatve nirmohatvam nirmohatve
through good company non-attachment through non-attachment absence of delusion through freedom from delusion
6 7 8 9 10
निश्चल तत्त्वं निश्चल तत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः
niścala tatvam niścala tatve jīvanmuktiḥ
Immutable Truth, Reality Immutable through Reality liberation of the embodied soul
 

सत् सङ्गत्वे1 = Sat saṅgatve =Through a good company; [comes] निःसङ्गत्वं2 = niḥsaṅgatvaṃ = non-attachment. निःसङ्गत्वे3 = niḥsaṅgatve = through non-attachment; [comes] निर्मोहत्वमं4 = nirmohatvam = freedom from delusion. निर्मोहत्वे5 = nirmohatve = Through absence of delusion; [comes] निश्चल6 = niścala = immutable; तत्त्वं7 = tatvam = Reality. निश्चल8 तत्त्वे9 = niścala tatve = through Immutable Reality; [comes] जीवन्मुक्तिः10 = jīvanmuktiḥ = liberation of the embodied soul. (09) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Good company leads to non-attachment which gives rise to freedom from delusion, which again gives rise to Immutable Reality, which helps the embodied soul obtain liberation. (09)

 

10) Youth, wealth and water evaporate. [Eternal]Truth leads to liberation.
वयसि गते कः कामविकारः

शुष्के नीरे कः कासारः ।

क्षीणे वित्ते कः परिवारो

ज्ञाते तत्त्वे कः संसारः ।।१०।।

Vayasi gate kaḥ kāmavikāraḥ
Śuṣke nīre kaḥ kāsāraḥ
kṣīṇe vitte kaḥ parivāro
jñāte tattve kaḥ samsāraḥ.(10)
वयसि गते * कः * कामविकारः * शुष्के नीरे * कः * कासारः * क्षीणे वित्ते * कः * परिवारः * ज्ञाते तत्त्वे * कः * संसारः ।।१०।।

Vayasi gate * kaḥ * kāmavikāraḥ * Śuṣke nīre * kaḥ * kāsāraḥ * kṣīṇe vitte * kaḥ * parivāraḥ * jñāte tattve * kaḥ * samsāraḥ.(10)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6
वयसि गते कः कामविकारः शुष्के नीरे कः कासारः
Vayasi gate kaḥ kāmavikāraḥ Śuṣke nīre kaḥ kāsāraḥ
With youth gone Where is lustful play? With water dried where is the lake?
7 8 9 10 11 12
क्षीणे वित्ते कः परिवारः ज्ञाते तत्त्वे कः संसारः
kṣīṇe vitte kaḥ parivāraḥ jñāte tattve kaḥ samsāraḥ
with dwindling wealth where is the family? Knowing the Truth where is Samsara?
With youth gone, where is lust and the rest? With water evaporated, where is the lake? With dwindling wealth, where is the family? Knowing the Truth, where is Samsara or life on earth? bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

11) Pride in ephemeral possessions is delusion. Brahmanhood is Realization.
मा कुरु धन जन यौवन गर्वं

हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वम् ।

मायामयमिदमखिलं बुद्धवा

ब्रह्मपदं त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा।।११।।

ma kuru dhana jana yauvana garvaṃ
harati nimeṣāt kālaḥ sarvam,
māyāmayamidamākhilam buddhvā,
brahmapadaṃ tvaṃ praviśa viditvā.(11)
मा1 * कुरु2 * धन3 * जन4 * यौवन5 * गर्वं6 * हरति7 * निमेषात्8 * कालः9 * सर्वम्10 * मायामयं11 * इदं12 * आखिलं13 * बुद्धवा14 * ब्रह्मपदं15 * त्वं16 * प्रविश17 * विदित्वा18 ।।११।।

mā * kuru * dhana * jana * yauvana * garvaṃ * harati * nimeṣāt * kālaḥ * sarvam * māyāmayam  idam * ākhilam * buddhvā * brahmapadaṃ * tvaṃ * praviśa * viditvā.(11)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
मा कुरु धन जन यौवन गर्वं हरति निमेषात् कालः
kuru dhana jana yauvana garvaṃ harati nimeṣāt kālaḥ
Do not Take wealth  people youth pride destroys in a moment Time
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
सर्वम् मायामयं इदं आखिलं बुद्धवा ब्रह्मपदं त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा
sarvam māyāmayam idam ākhilam buddhvā brahmapadaṃ tvaṃ praviśa Viditvā
all these replete with delusion this all after knowing Brahmanhood you enter into after realization
Do not1 take2 pride6 in wealth3, people4, and youth5; time9 destroys7 all these10 in a moment8.  After knowing14 all13 this12 replete with delusion11, realize18 and enter into17 Brahmanhood15 . (11) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Do not take pride in wealth, people, and youth; time destroys all these in a moment. After knowing all this replete with delusion, realize and enter into the state of Brahman. (11)

 

 

12) Seasons come and go. And yet desire hangs on.
दिनयामिन्यौ सायं प्रातः

शिशिरवसन्तौ पुनरायातः ।

कालः क्रीडति गच्छत्यायुः

तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशावायुः ।।१२।।

 

dinayaminyau sāyam prātaḥ
śīśiravasantau punarāyataḥ
kālaḥ krīḍati gacchatyayuḥ
tadapi na muñcatyāśāvayuḥ.(12)
dinayaminyau1 sāyam2 prātaḥ3
śīśira4 vasantau5 punaḥ6 āyataḥ7
kālaḥ8 krīḍati9 gacchati10 ayuḥ11
tat api12 na13 muñcati14 āśā15 vayuḥ16.(12)
दिनयामिन्यौ1 * सायं2 * प्रातः3 * शिशिर4 *  वसन्तौ5 * पुनः6  * आयातः7 *   कालः8 * क्रीडति9 * गच्छति10 * आयुः11  * तत् अपि12 * न13 * मुञ्चति14 * आशा15 * वायुः16 ।।१२।।

dinayaminyau1 * sāyam2 * prātaḥ3 * śīśira4 * vasantau5 * punaḥ6 * āyataḥ7 * kālaḥ8 * krīḍati9 * gacchati10 * āyuḥ11 * tat api12  * na13 * muñcati14 * āśā15 * vayuḥ16.(12)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
दिनयामिन्यौ1 सायं2 प्रातः3 शिशिर4 वसन्तौ5 पुनः आयातः कालः8
dinayaminyau1 sāyam2 prātaḥ3 śīśira4 vasantau5 punaḥ6 āyataḥ7 kālaḥ8
Day and night dusk dawn winter spring again come Time
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
क्रीडति9 गच्छति10 आयुः11  तत् अपि12 13 muñcati14 āśā15 vayuḥ16
krīḍati9 gacchati10 āyuḥ11 tat api12 na13 muñcati14 āśā15 vayuḥ16
plays goes life and yet does not give up desire the winds of
Day and night1, dawn3 and dusk2, spring5 and winter4 come7 again and again [and go] . Time8 plays9 and life11 goes10. And yet12 the winds of16 desire15 does not let up13-14. (12) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

Day and night, dawn and dusk, Spring and winter come and go again and again. Time plays and life goes. And yet the winds of desire does not let up. (12)

 

 

13) Don’t be anxious about wealth and wife. Keep good company to attain liberation.
काते कान्ता धन गतचिन्ता

वातुल किं तव नास्ति नियन्ता ।

त्रिजगति सज्जनसंगतिरेका

भवति भवार्णवतरणे नौका ।।१३।।

ka te kāntā dhana gata-cintā
vatula kim tava nāsti niyantā
trijagati sajjanasaṅgatirekā
bhavati bhavārṇavataraṇe naukā.(13)
Kā* te * kāntā * dhana* gata * cintā * vātula * kim * tava * na asti * niyantā * trijagati * sajjana * saṅgatiḥ * ekā * bhavati * bhava arṇava taraṇe * naukā.(13)
का1 * ते2 * कान्ता3 * धन4 * गत5 * चिन्ता6 * वातुल7 * किं8 * तव9 * न अस्ति10 * नियन्ता11 * त्रिजगति12 * सज्जन13 * संगतिः14 * एका15 * भवति16 * भव17 * अर्णव18 * तरणे19 * नौका20 ।।१३।।

1* te2 * kāntā3 * dhana4* gata5 * cintā6 * vātula7 * kim8* tava9 * na āsti10 * niyantā11 * trijagati12 * sajjana13 * saṅgatiḥ14 * ekā15 * bhavati16 * bhava17 * arṇava18 * taraṇe19 * naukā20.(13)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
का1 ते2 कान्ता3 धन4 गत5 चिन्ता6 वातुल7 किं8 तव9 न अस्ति10
1 te2 kāntā3 dhana4 gata5 cintā6 vātula7 kim8 tava9 na āsti10
Who are you? wife wealth with regards to anxiety crazy one is there to you Not
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
नियन्ता11 त्रिजगति12 सज्जन13 संगतिः14 एका15 भवति16 भव17 अर्णव18 तरणे19 नौका20
niyantā11 trijagati12 sajjana13 saṅgatiḥ14 ekā15 bhavati16 bhava17 arṇava18 taraṇe19 naukā20
rule maker three worlds of the good company alone becomes become ocean cross Boat
O Crazy one7, who are1 you2? Why are you so anxious5 – 6 about wife and wealth3-4? is there not one who ordains for you 8-9-10-11? In the three worlds12, good company13-14  alone15 serves as 16-17the boat20 to cross19 the sea of Samsara18. (13) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

O Crazy one, who are you? Why are you so anxious about wife and wealth? is there not one who ordains for you? In the three worlds, good company serves as the boat to cross the sea of Samsara. (13)

 

 

14) Many-fangled disguises like matted locks and ochre robes serve to fill the belly.
जटिलो मुण्डी  लुञ्चितकेशः

काषायाम्बरबहुकृतवेषः |

पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढो

ह्युदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेषः||१४||

 

jaṭilo muṇḍi luñcitakeśaḥ
kāṣāyāmbarabahukṛtaveṣaḥ
paśyannapi ca na paśyati mūḍho
hyudaranimittam bahukṛtaveṣaḥ.(14)
jaṭilaḥ muṇḍi luñchita keśaḥ
kāṣāya  ambara bahukṛta veṣaḥ
paśyan api ca na paśyati mūḍhaḥhi udara nimittam bahukṛta veṣaḥ.(14) 

 

जटिलः * मुण्डी * लुञ्छित * केशः* काषाय * अंबर * बहुकृत * वेषहः * पष्यन् * अपि * च * न * पश्यति * मूढः * हि * उदर * निमित्तं * बहुकृत * वेषः||१४||

jaṭilaḥ * muṇḍi *luñchita * keśaḥ * kāṣāya *  ambara * bahukṛta * veṣaḥ * paśyan *api * ca *na * paśyati * mūḍhaḥ * hi * udara * nimittam * bahukṛta * veṣaḥ.(14)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
जटिलः मुण्डी लुञ्छित केशः काषाय अंबर बहुकृत वेषहः पष्यन् अपि
jaṭilaḥ muṇḍi luñchita keśaḥ kāṣāya ambara bahukṛta veṣaḥ paśyan api
one with matted locks one with shaven head one with plucked hair ochre robes ‘many-fangled’ disguises seeing Though
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
पश्यति मूढः हि उदर निमित्तं बहुकृत वेषः
ca na paśyati mūḍhaḥ hi udara nimittam bahukṛta veṣaḥ
and not seeing fool certainly stomach for the sake of ‘many-fangled’ disguises
One with matted locks1, one with shaven head2, one with plucked hair3-4, and11 one with ochre robes5-6:  these fools14 with ‘many-fangled’7 disguises8 claim to see9 though not seeing10-12-13. Indeed15 the ‘many-fangled’18 disguises19 are certainly15 for the sake of17 the stomach16. (14) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

15) Toothless limping old man with a walking stick insists on carrying a heavy suitcase of desires.
अङ्गं गलितं पलितं मुण्डं

दशनविहीनं जातं तुण्डम् ।

वृद्धो याति गृहीत्वा दण्डं

तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशापिण्डम् ।।१५।।

 

aṇgaṃ galitaṃ palitaṃ muṇḍaṃ
daśanavihīnaṃ jātaṃ tuṇḍaṃ
vṛddho yāti gṛhītva daṇḍaṃ
tadapi na muñcatyāśāpiṇḍaṃ.(15)
aṇgaṃ galitaṃ palitaṃ muṇḍaṃ
daśanavihīnaṃ jātaṃ tuṇḍaṃ
vṛddho yāti gṛhītva daṇḍaṃ
tadapi na muñcati āśāpiṇḍaṃ.(15)
अङ्गं * गलितं * पलितं * मुण्डम् * दशनविहीनं * जातं * तुण्डम् * वृद्धः * याति * गृहीत्वा * दण्डं * तदपि * न * मुञ्चति * आशापिण्डम् ।।१५।।

aṇgaṃ * galitaṃ * palitaṃ *muṇḍaṃ * daśanavihīnaṃ * jātaṃ * tuṇḍaṃ * vṛddhaḥ * yāti * gṛhītva * daṇḍaṃ * tadapi * na * muñcati * āśāpiṇḍaṃ (15)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
अङ्गं गलितं पलितं मुण्डम् दशनविहीनं जातं तुण्डम् वृद्धः
aṇgaṃ galitaṃ palitaṃ muṇḍaṃ daśanavihīnaṃ jātaṃ tuṇḍaṃ vṛddhaḥ
body ripe w old age grey head toothless has become mouth Oldman
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
याति गृहीत्वा दण्डं तदपि मुञ्चति आशापिण्डम्
yāti gṛhītva daṇḍaṃ tadapi na muñcati āśāpiṇḍaṃ
goes taking staff even then never givs up body of desire
Body1 is ripe with old age2, head grey4-3, mouth toothless7-6-5.The oldman8 goes [limps]9 taking a staff10-11; even then12 [he] never13 gives up14 the body of desires15. (15) Pindam = body; here a bag, suitcase, bundle. (15) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

16) The indigent living under the tree hangs by the noose of desires.
अग्रे वह्निः पृष्ठेभानुः

रात्रौ चुबुकसमर्पितजानुः ।

करतलभिक्षस्तरुतलवासः

तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशापाशः ।।१६।।

 

agre vahniḥ pṛṣṭhe bhānū
rātrau cubukasamarpitajanuḥ
karatalabhikṣastarutalavasaḥ
tadapi na muñcatyāśāpāśaḥ.(16)
agre vahniḥ pṛṣṭhe bhānuḥ
rātrau cubuka samarpita jānuḥ
karatala bhikṣaḥ tarutalavasaḥ
tat api na muñcati āśāpāśaḥ.(16)
अग्रे * वह्निः * पृष्ठे * भानुः * रात्रौ * चुबुक * समर्पित * जानुः * करतल * भिक्षः * तरुतलवासः * तत् अपि * न * मुञ्चति * आशापाशः ।।१६।।

Agre * vahniḥ * pṛṣṭhe * bhānuḥ * rātrau * cubuka *samarpita * jānuḥ* karatala * bhikṣaḥ * tarutalavasaḥ  *tat api * na * muñcati * āśāpāśaḥ.(16)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
अग्रे वह्निः पृष्ठे भानुः रात्रौ चुबुक समर्पित जानुः
agre vahniḥ pṛṣṭhe bhānuḥ rātrau cubuka samarpita jānuḥ
In the front of the fire in the back of the sun at night chin placed Knees
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
करतल भिक्षः तरुतलवासः तत् अपि मुञ्चति आशापाशः
karatala bhikṣaḥ tarutalavāsaḥ tat api na muñcati āśāpāśaḥ
cupped palm of the hand alms living under the tree and yet never let go of the noose of desires
In front of the fire1-2, in the back of the sun3-4, and at night5, [he sits]  with his chin6placed7 to the knees8. [He receives] alms10 by the cupped palms of his hands9, living under a tree11 and yet12 never13lets go of14 the noose of desires15. (16) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

17) All bereft of spiritual knowledge do not confer liberation even over 100 lifetimes.
कुरुते गङ्गासागरगमनं

व्रतपरिपालनमथवा दानम् ।

ज्ञानविहीनः सर्वमतेन

भजति न मुक्तिं जन्मशतेन ।।१७।।

 

kurute gaṅgāsāgaragamanam
vratapāripalanamathavā dānam,
jñanavihīnaḥ sarvamatena
bhajati na muktiṃ janmaśatena.(17)
kurute gaṅgā sāgara gamanam
vrata pāripalanam athavā dānam,
jñana vihīnaḥ sarvamatena
bhajati na muktiṃ janmaśatena.(17)
कुरुते * गङ्गा * सागर * गमनं * व्रत * परिपालनं * अथवा * दानम् * ज्ञान * विहीनः * सर्वमतेन * भजति * न * मुक्तिं * जन्मशतेन ।।१७।।

kurute * gaṅgā * sāgara * gamanam * vrata * pāripalanam * athavā * dānam * jñana * vihīnaḥ * sarvamatena * bhajati * na * muktiṃ * janmaśatena.(17)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
कुरुते गङ्गा सागर गमनं व्रत परिपालनं अथवा दानम्
kurute gaṅgā sāgara gamanam vrata pāripalanam athavā Dānam
go [on pilgrimage] Ganges ocean go [join] vows observe moreover Charity
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
ज्ञान विहीनः सर्वमतेन भजति मुक्तिं जन्मशतेन
jñana vihīnaḥ sarvamatena bhajati na muktiṃ janmaśatena
knowledge bereft of according to all schools of thought attains never liberation in hundred lifetimes.

 

[One may] go to1 Gangasagara2-3-4, foster6 vows5 or give to charity7-8. [If he] is bereft10 of spiritual knowledge9, [he] never attains13-12 liberation14 in one hundred lifetimes15.  (17) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

18) Happiness is dispassion.
सुर मंदिर तरु मूल निवासः

शय्या भूतल मजिनं वासः .

सर्व परिग्रह भोग त्यागः

कस्य सुखं न करोति विरागः ।। १८।।

suramandiratarumūlanivāsaḥ
śayyā bhūtalamajinaṃ vāsaḥ
sarvaparigrahabhogatyāgaḥ
kasya sukhaṃ na karoti virāgaḥ.(18)
Sura * mandira * taru *mūla *nivāsaḥ *
śayyā * bhūtalaṃ * ajinaṃ * vāsaḥ *
sarva * parigraha * bhogaḥ * tyāgaḥ *
kasya * sukhaṃ * na * karoti * virāgaḥ.(18)
सुर * मंदिर * तरु * मूल * निवासः * शय्या * भूतलं * अजिनं * वासः * सर्व * परिग्रह * भोगः * त्यागः * कस्य * सुखं * न * करोति * विरागः  ।। १८।।

Sura * mandira * taru *mūla *nivāsaḥ * śayyā * bhūtalaṃ * ajinaṃ * vāsaḥ * sarva * parigraha * bhogaḥ * tyāgaḥ *
kasya * sukhaṃ * na * karoti * virāgaḥ.(18)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
सुर मंदिर तरु मूल निवासः शय्या भूतलं अजिनं वासः
Sura mandira taru mūla nivāsaḥ śayyā bhūtalaṃ ajinaṃ vāsaḥ
God’s temple tree base abode/house sleeping bare ground deerskin Clothing
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
सर्व परिग्रह भोगः त्यागः कस्य सुखं करोति विरागः
sarva parigraha bhogaḥ tyāgaḥ kasya sukhaṃ na karoti virāgaḥ
all renounce enjoyment renunciation whose happiness do not bring Dispassion
[He takes] shelter5 in the temple1-2 and under a tree4-3, sleeping on the bare ground6-7, wearing deerskin8 for clothes9 and foregoing all enjoyments11-10-12 and [practicing] renunciation13. Would not16 his14 dispassion18 bring17 happiness15? (18) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

19) O Yogis, Bhogis…:He whose mind revels in Brahman truly revels.

 

योगरतो वा भोगरतो वा

सङ्गरतो वा सङ्गवीहीनः |

यस्य ब्रह्मणि रमते चित्तं

नन्दति नन्दति नन्दत्येव ।।१९।।

yogarato vā bhogarato vā
saṅgarato vā saṅgavīhinaḥ
yasya brahmaṇi ramate cittaṃ
nandati nandati nandatyeva.(19)
yogarataḥ * vā * bhogarataḥ * vā * saṅgarataḥ * vā * saṅgavihīnaḥ * yasya * brahmaṇi * ramate * cittam * nandati * nandati * nandatyeva.(19)
योगरतः * वा * भोगरतः * वा * सङ्गरतः * वा * सङ्गवीहीनः * यस्य * ब्रह्मणि * रमते * चित्तं * नन्दति * नन्दति * नन्दत्येव * ।।१९।।

yogarataḥ * vā * bhogarataḥ * vā * saṅgarataḥ * vā * saṅgavihīnaḥ * yasya * brahmaṇi * ramate * cittam * nandati * nandati * nandatyeva.(19)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
योगरतः वा भोगरतः वा सङ्गरतः वा सङ्गवीहीनः
yogarataḥ bhogarataḥ saṅgarataḥ saṅgavihīnaḥ
enjoyer of Yoga  or enjoyer of Bhoga or enjoyer of company or recluse
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
यस्य ब्रह्मणि रमते चित्तं नन्दति नन्दति नन्दत्येव
yasya brahmaṇi ramate cittam nandati nandati nandatyeva
for whom in Brahman enjoys mind enjoys revels certainly enjoys
[One may be] an enjoyer of yoga1, bhoga3, or  company5, or6 a recluse7. [He] whose8 mind11 revels12-13 in Brahman9, truly revels14. (19) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

20) One who has read Bhagavadgita…has no quarrels with Yama.

 

भगवद्गीता किञ्चिदधीता

गङ्गा जललवकणिका पीता ।

सकृदपि येन मुरारिसमर्चा

क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा ।।२०।।

 

bhagavadgītā kiñcidadhītā
gaṅgā jalalavakaṇikā pītā,
sakṛdapi yena murārisamarcā
kriyate tasya yamena na carcā.(20)
Bhagavadgīta * kiñcit * adhītā *
gaṅga * jala * lava * kaṇikā * pītā *
sakṛt *  api * yena * murāri-samarcā *
kriyate * tasya * yamena * na * carcā.(20)
भगवद्गीता * किञ्चित् * अधीता * गङ्गा * जल * लव * कणिका * पीता * सकृत् * अपि * येन * मुरारिसमर्चा. * क्रियते * तस्य * यमेन * न * चर्चा ।।२०।।

Bhagavadgīta * kiñcit * adhītā * gaṅga * jala * lava * kaṇikā * pītā * sakṛt *  api * yena * murāri-samarcā * kriyate * tasya * yamena * na * carcā.(20)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
भगवद्गीता किञ्चित् अधीता गङ्गा जल लव कणिका पीता सकृत्
Bhagavadgīta kiñcit adhītā gaṅga jala lava kaṇikā pītā sakṛt
Bhagavadgīta a little studied Ganges water trace a drop has sipped once
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
अपि येन मुरारिसमर्चा क्रियते तस्य यमेन चर्चा
api yena murāri-samarcā kriyate tasya yamena na carcā
even by whom worship of Murāri is done to him with Yama no discussion
[He who has] studied3 the Bhagavadgita1 a little2, who has sipped a drop of Ganges water5-6-7-8, and who has worshipped Lord Murari12 even10 once9, for him14 there is no16 discussion17 with Yama15, the Lord of death. (20) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

21) O Murare, protect us from transmigration of souls.

 

पुनरपि जननं पुनरपि मरणं

पुनरपि जननीजठरे शयनम् ।

इह संसारे बहुदुस्तारे

कृपयाऽपारे पाहि मुरारे ।।२१।।

punarapi jananaṃ punarapi maraṇaṃ
punarapi jananī-jaṭhare śayanam,
iha samsāre bahu-dustāre
kṛpayā’ pāre pāhi murāre.(21)
punaḥ api jananaṃ punaḥ api maraṇaṃ
punaḥ api jananījaṭhare śayanam,
iha samsāre bahu dustāre
kṛpayā’ apāre pāhi murāre.(21)
पुनः अपि * जननं * पुन: अपि * मरणं * पुनः अपि * जननीजठरे * शयनम् * इह * संसारे * बहु * दुस्तारे * कृपया * अपारे * पाहि * मुरारे ।।२१।।

 

punaḥ api * jananaṃ * punaḥ api * maraṇaṃ * punaḥ api * jananījaṭhare * śayanam * iha * samsāre * bahu * dustāre * kṛpayā * apāre * pāhi * murāre.(21)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
पुनः अपि जननं पुन: अपि मरणं पुनः अपि जननीजठरे शयनम् इह
punaḥ api jananaṃ punaḥ api maraṇaṃ punaḥ api jananījaṭhare śayanam iha
once again birth once again death once again in the mother’s womb lying here
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
संसारे बहु दुस्तारे कृपया अपारे पाहि murāre
samsāre bahu dustāre kṛpayā apāre pāhi murāre
in Samsara very insurmountable  mercy no end protect O Murare
Again and again1-3-5 birth2, death4 and sojourn in mother’s womb7-6: here this Samsara (transmigration of the soul)8-9 is very insurmountable10-11 with no end13. O Murare15 protect us14 with You mercy12 . (21) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

22) Yogi steady in Yogam enjoys God-consciousness.

 

रथ्याचर्पटविरचितकन्थः

पुण्यापुण्यविवर्जितपन्थः ।

योगी योगनियोजितचित्तो

रमते बालोन्मत्तवदेव ।।२२।।

rathyā-carpata-viracita-kanthaḥ
puṇyāpuṇya-vivarjita-panthaḥ,
yogī yoga-niyojita-citto
ramate bālonmattavadeva.(22)
rathyā-carpata-viracita-kanthaḥ
puṇya-apuṇya vivarjita panthaḥ,
yogī yoga-niyojita-cittaḥ
ramate bālo unmattavat eva.(22)
रथ्या * चर्पट * विरचित * कन्थः * पुण्य-अपुण्य * विवर्जित * पन्थः * योगी * योग * नियोजित * चित्तो * रमते * बालवत् * एव *  (वा) [उन्मत्तवत् एव] ।।२२।।

Rathyā *carpata * viracita * kanthaḥ * puṇya-apuṇya * vivarjita * panthaḥ * yogī * yoga *niyojita * cittaḥ * ramate * bālavat eva or  unmattavat eva.(22)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
रथ्या चर्पट विरचित कन्थः पुण्य-अपुण्य विवर्जित पन्थः
Rathyā carpata viracita kanthaḥ puṇya-apuṇya vivarjita panthaḥ
the road rags formed = stitched together shawl merit and demerit exempt from the path
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
योगी नियोजित चित्तो रमते बालवत् एव उन्मत्तवत् एव
yogī niyojita cittaḥ ramate bālavat eva unmattavat eva
Yogi attached to mind enjoys  like a child like a madman
The Yogi8 who wears the shawl4 stitched together3 from rags2 cast off on the roadside1, who walks the path7 exempt from6 merit and demerit5, and whose mind10 is anchored9  [in Yogam] enjoys11 [in god Consciousness] like a child13-12 or madman14. (22) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

23) Leave aside the external world of names and forms. Look within.

 

कस्त्वं कोऽहं कुत आयातः

का मे जननी को मे तातः ।

इति परिभावय सर्वमसारम्

विश्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वप्नविचारम् ।।२३।।

 

kastvaṃ ko’ham kuta āyātaḥ
ka me jananī ko me tātaḥ,
iti paribhāvaya sarvamasāram
viśvam tyaktvā svapnavicāram.(23)
Ka tvaṃ kaḥ aham kutaḥ āyātaḥ
kā me jananī kaḥ me tātaḥ
iti paribhāvaya sarva asāram
viśvam tyaktvā svapnavicāram.(23)
क * त्वम् * कः * अहम् * कुत * आयातः * का * मे * जननी * क: * मे * तातः * इति * परिभावय * सर्व * असारम् * विश्वं * त्यक्त्वा * स्वप्नविचारम् ।।२३।।

Ka * tvaṃ * kaḥ * aham * kutaḥ * āyātaḥ * kā * me * jananī * kaḥ * me * tātaḥ * iti * paribhāvaya * sarva * asāram * viśvam * tyaktvā * svapnavicāram .(23)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
त्वम् कः अहम् कुत आयातः का मे जननी क:
Ka tvaṃ kaḥ aham kutaḥ āyātaḥ me jananī kaḥ
Who [are] you? Who am I? from where did I come? Who [is] my mother? Who [is]
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
मे तातः इति परिभावय सर्व असारम् विश्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वप्नविचारम्
me tātaḥ iti paribhāvaya sarva asāram viśvam tyaktvā svapnavicāram
my father? thus investigate all devoid of essence the world leaving aside a dream world
Who are you? Who am I? Where did I come from? Who is my mother? Who is my father? Thus make an enquiry leaving aside all devoid of essence and a world of dreams. (23) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

24) Vishnu is all-pervasive. Even-mindedness helps attain Vishnuhood.

 

त्वयि मयि चान्यत्रैको विष्णुः

व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मय्यसहिष्णुः ।

भव समचित्तः सर्वत्र त्वं

वाञ्छस्यचिराद्यदि विष्णुत्वम् ।।२४।।

tvayi mayi cānyatraiko viṣṇuḥ
vyarthaṃ kupyasi mayyasahiṣṇuḥ,
bhava samacittaḥ sarvatra tvaṃvāñchasyacirādyadi viṣṇutvam.(24)
tvayi mayi ca anyatra ekaḥ viṣṇuḥ
vyarthaṃ kupyasi mayi asahiṣṇuḥ
bhava samacittaḥ sarvatra tvaṃvāñchasi acirāt yadi viṣṇutvam.(24) 
त्वयि1 * मयि2 * चा3 * अन्यत्रै4 * एकः5 * विष्णुः6 * व्यर्थं7 * कुप्यसि8 * मयि9 * असहिष्णुः10 * भव11 * समचित्तः12 * सर्वत्र13 * त्वं14 * वाञ्छसि15 * अचिरात्16 * यदि17 * विष्णुत्वम्18 ।।२४।।

tvayi * mayi * ca * anyatra * ekaḥ * viṣṇuḥ * vyarthaṃ * kupyasi * mayi * asahiṣṇuḥ * bhava * samacittaḥ * sarvatra * tvaṃ * vāñchasi * acirāt *yadi * viṣṇutvam * (24)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
त्वयि मयि चा अन्यत्रै एकः विष्णुः व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मयि
tvayi  mayi ca anyatra ekaḥ viṣṇuḥ vyarthaṃ kupyasi mayi
In you in me and in others one Vishnu in vain  you are irate with me
10 11 12 13 17 14 15 16 18
असहिष्णुः भव समचित्तः सर्वत्र यदि त्वं वाञ्छसि अचिरात् विष्णुत्वम्
asahiṣṇuḥ bhava samacittaḥ sarvatra yadi tvaṃ vāñchasi acirāt viṣṇutvam
impatient become even-minded everywhere if you desire soon Vishnuhood
[There is] one Vishnu5-6 in you1, in me2 and in others3-4. Being impatient10 you are angry8 with me9 unnecessarily7. [You should be] even-minded12 at all times13, if17 you14 want15 to attain11 Vishnuhood18 soon16. (24) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

25) See the Self in all: enemy, son, friend, and relative with a sense of oneness of all.

 

शत्रौ मित्रे पुत्रे बन्धौ

मा कुरु यत्नं विग्रहसन्धौ

सर्वस्मिन्नपि पश्यात्मानं

सर्वत्रोत्सृज भेदाज्ञानम् ।।२५।।

 

Śatrau mitre putre bandhau
mā kuru yatnaṃ vigrahasandhau,
sarvaminnapi paśyātmānaṃ
sarvatrotsṛja bhedājñānam.(25)
Śatrau mitre putre bandhau
mā kuru yatnaṃ vigrahasandhau,
sarvamin api paśya ātmānaṃ
sarvatra utsṛja bhedājñānam.(25)
शत्रौ* मित्रे * पुत्रे * बन्धौ * मा * कुरु * यत्नं  * विग्रहसन्धौ *  सर्वस्मिन् अपि * पश्य * आत्मानं * सर्वत्र उत्सृज * भेद अज्ञानम् ।।२५।।

Śatrau * mitre * putre * bandhau * mā * kuru * yatnaṃ * vigrahasandhau * sarvamin api * paśya * ātmānaṃ * sarvatra *  utsṛja * bheda ajñānam.(25)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
शत्रौ मित्रे पुत्रे बन्धौ मा कुरु यत्नं 
Śatrau mitre putre bandhau kuru yatnaṃ
with an enemy with a friend with a son with a relative no do endevour
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
विग्रहसन्धौ सर्वस्मिन् अपि पश्य आत्मानं सर्वत्र उत्सृज भेद अज्ञानम्
vigrahasandhau sarvamin api paśya ātmānaṃ sarvatra utsṛja bheda ajñānam
for fight or friendship in all things see the Self everywhere expel or reject sense of difference due to ignorance.
Spend no effort6-5-7 for fight or frienship8 with an enemy1, a friend2, a son3 or a relative4. Seeing10 the Self11 in all things9 everywhere12, expel or reject13 the sense of difference [between people and things] due to ignorance14— see the Self in all. (25) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

26) Giving up all dross, the aspirant sees in the Self SOHAM. The fools devoid of Self-Knowledge fry in hell.

 

कामं क्रोधं लोभं मोहं

त्यक्त्वाऽत्मानं पश्यति सोऽहम् |

आत्मज्ञान विहीना मूढाः

ते पच्यन्ते नरकनिगूढाः ।।२६।।

 

kamaṃ krodhaṃ lobhaṃ mohaṃ
tyaktvā ātmanaṃ paśyati so’ham
atmajñāna vihīnā mūḍhāḥ
te pacyante narakanigūḍhāḥ.(26)
kamaṃ krodhaṃ lobhaṃ mohaṃ
tyaktvā ātmanaṃ paśyati saḥ aham
atmajñāna vihīnā mūḍhāḥ
te pacyante narakanigūḍhāḥ.(26)
कामं क्रोधं लोभं मोहं त्यक्त्वा आत्मानं पश्यति सः अहम् आत्मज्ञान विहीना मूढाः ते पच्यन्ते नरक निगूढाः ।।२६।।

kamaṃ * krodhaṃ * lobhaṃ * mohaṃ * tyaktvā * ātmanaṃ * paśyati * saḥ aham * atmjñāna * vihīnā * mūḍhāḥ * te * pacyante * naraka *nigūḍhāḥ.(26)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
कामं क्रोधं लोभं मोहं त्यक्त्वा आत्मानं पश्यति सः अहम्
kamaṃ krodhaṃ lobhaṃ mohaṃ tyaktvā ātmanaṃ paśyati saḥ aham
desire anger greed delusion giving up the Self see I am He
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
आत्मज्ञान विहीना मूढाः ते पच्यन्ते नरक     निगूढाः ।।२६।।
atmajñāna vihīnā mūḍhāḥ te pacyante naraka          nigūḍhāḥ (26)
Self-Knowledge devoid of the fools they are cooked hell     (concealed) = captives (26)
Giving up5 desire, anger, greed, and delusion1-2-3-4, [the aspirant] sees in the Self7-6, ‘I am He8‘ lacking Self-Knowledge10-9, they, the fools12-11, held as captives in hell15-14, are cooked13 (tortured). (26) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

27) Chant theBhagavadgita and Sahasranama meditating on Sripati. Keep good company. Distribute the wealth to the needy.

 

गेयं गीतानामसहस्रं

ध्येयं श्रीपतिरूपमजस्रम् .

नेयं सज्जनसङ्गे चित्तं

देयं दीनजनाय च वित्तम् ।।२७।।

 

geyam gītānāmasahasraṃ
dhyeyaṃ śrīpatirūpamajasraṃ
neyaṃ sajjanasaṅge cittaṃ
deyam dīnajanāya ca vittaṃ(27)
geyam gītā nāma-sahasraṃ
dhyeyaṃ śrīpati-rūpam ajasraṃ
neyaṃ sajjana saṅge cittaṃ
deyam dīnajanāya ca vittaṃ(27)
गेयं * गीता * नामसहस्रं * ध्येयं * श्रीपति रूपं * अजस्रम् * नेयं * सज्जन-सङ्गे * चित्तं * देयं * दीनजनाय * च * वित्तम्  ।।२७।।

geyam gītā nāma-sahasraṃ dhyeyaṃ śrīpati-rūpam ajasraṃ neyaṃ sajjana saṅge cittaṃ deyam dīnajanāya ca vittaṃ(27)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
गेयं गीता नामसहस्रं ध्येयं श्रीपति रूपं अजस्रम् नेयं
geyam gītā nāma-sahasraṃ dhyeyaṃ śrīpati-rūpam ajasraṃ neyaṃ
to be recited Bhagavadgita one thousand names for meditation the form of Sripati always to be guided
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
सज्जन-सङ्गे चित्तं देयं दीनजनाय वित्तम्
sajjana saṅge cittaṃ deyam dīnajanāya ca vittaṃ
company of good people mind to be given to the poor people and wealth or money
Bhagavadgita and Sahasranama1-3 are to be recited1 with meditation on Vishnu in the form of Sripati4-5. The mind should always be guided10-6-7 towards the company of good people9-8. wealth should be given to the poor and the needy14-11-12. (27) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

28) Knowing death brings everything to an end, one does not give up sinful conduct.

 

सुखतः क्रियते रामाभोगः

पश्चाद्धन्त शरीरे रोगः .

यद्यपि लोके मरणं शरणं

तदपि न मुञ्चति पापाचरणम् ।। २८।।

sukhataḥ kriyate rāmābhogaḥ
paścāddhanta śarīre rogaḥ
yadyapi loke maraṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ
tadapi na muñcati pāpācaraṇam.(28)
sukhataḥ * kriyate * rāmābhogaḥ *
paścāt *hanta * śarīre * rogaḥ *
yat api * loke * maraṇaṃ * śaraṇaṃ *
tat api* na * muñcati* pāpa ācaraṇam.(28)
सुखतः * क्रियते * रामाभोगः * पस्चात् * हन्त * शरीरे * रोगः * यत् अपि * लोके * मरणं * शरणं * तत् अपि * न * मुञ्चति * पाप * आचरणम् ।। २८।।

sukhataḥ * kriyate * rāmābhogaḥ * paścāt *hanta* śarīre * rogaḥ * yat api * loke * maraṇaṃ * śaraṇaṃ * tat api* na * muñcati* pāpa * ācaraṇam.(28)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
सुखतः क्रियते रामाभोगः पस्चात् हन्त शरीरे रोगः यत्  अपि
sukhataḥ kriyate rāmābhogaḥ paścāt hanta śarīre rogaḥ yat api
for happiness  one engages sexual pleasures at the end alas body disease even though
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
लोके मरणं शरणं तत् अपि मुञ्चति पाप आचरणम् ।।
loke maraṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ tat api na muñcati pāpa ācaraṇam
world death end of all that even no leave sinful conduct
One engages2 in sexual pleasures3 for happiness1. Alas5 at the end4, the body6 [suffers] disease7. Though8 death10 is the end of all11 in the world9, even then12 one does not13 give up14 sinful15 conduct16. (28) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

29) Wealth is fraught with little happiness and fear; that is its ordained way.

 

अर्थमनर्थं भावय नित्यं

नास्ति ततः सुखलेशः सत्यम्

पुत्रादपि धनभाजां भीतिः

सर्वत्रैषा विहिता रीतिः ।।२९।।

 

arthamanarthaṃ bhāvaya nityaṃ

nāsti tataḥ sukhaleśaḥ satyam
putrādapi dhanabhājāṃ bhītiḥ
sarvatraiṣa vihitā rītiḥ.(29)

artham* anarthaṃ * bhāvaya * nityaṃ*

Na asti * tataḥ * sukhaleśaḥ * satyam *
putrāt api * dhanabhājāṃ * bhītiḥ *
sarvatra * eṣa * vihitā * rītiḥ.(29)

 

अर्थं * अनर्थं * भावय * नित्यं * न अस्ति * ततः * सुखलेशः * सत्यम् * पुत्रात् अपि * धनभाजां * भीतिः * सर्वत्र * एषा * विहिता * रीतिः ।।२९।।

artham* anarthaṃ * bhāvaya * nityaṃ*  Na asti * tataḥ * sukhaleśaḥ * satyam * putrāt api * dhanabhājāṃ * bhītiḥ *
sarvatra * eṣa * vihitā * rītiḥ.(29)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
अर्थं अनर्थं भावय नित्यं न अस्ति ततः सुखलेशः सत्यम्
artham anarthaṃ bhāvaya nityaṃ Na asti tataḥ sukhaleśaḥ satyam
wealth undesirable think about it constantly there is no there from a little happines truth
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
पुत्रात् अपि धनभाजां भीतिः सर्वत्र एषा विहिता रीतिः ।।२९।।
putrāt api dhanabhājāṃ bhītiḥ sarvatra eṣa vihitā rītiḥ (29)
even from his son one endowed with wealth  fear everywhere this imposed/ ordained the way
Wealth1 is undesirable2. Think about it3 constantly4. There is not5 even a little happiness7 there from6. The truth8 is that the rich10 has to fear11 his own son9. Everywhere12, this is13 the ordained14 way15. (29) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

30) Yogi pays attention to eight angas, discrimination, Japa, Samadhi, union with Universal Consciousness….

 

प्राणायामं प्रत्याहारं

नित्यानित्य विवेकविचारम् ।

जाप्यसमेत समाधिविधानं

कुर्ववधानं महदवधानम् ।। ३०।।

 

praṇāyāmaṃ pratyāhāraṃ
nityānityavivekavicāram,
jāpyasameta samādhividhānaṃ
kurvavadhānaṃ mahadavadhānam.(30)
praṇāyāmaṃ * pratyāhāraṃ *
nitya anitya viveka vicāram,
jāpya sameta samādhi vidhānaṃ
kuru avadhānaṃ mahat adavadhānam.(30)
प्राणायामं * प्रत्याहारं * नित्य * अनित्य * विवेक * विचारम् * जाप्य * समेत * समाधि * विधानं * कुरु *  अवधानं * महत् * अवधानम् ।। ३०।।

praṇāyāmaṃ * pratyāhāraṃ * nitya * anitya * viveka * vicāram *, jāpya * sameta * samādhi  vidhānaṃ * kuru * avadhānaṃ * mahat * avadhānam.(30)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
प्राणायामं प्रत्याहारं नित्य अनित्य विवेक विचारम् जाप्य
praṇāyāmaṃ pratyāhāraṃ nitya anitya viveka vicāram jāpya
regulation of Prana[life forces] withdrawal of senses permanence impermanence discrimination Enquiry japa
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
समेत समाधि विधानं कुरु अवधानं महत् अवधानम्
sameta samādhi vidhānaṃ kuru avadhānaṃ mahat avadhānam
go into a state of union accomplishing perform attention Great attention
Pranayamam1, pratyaharam2, enquiry into discrimination between permanence and impermanence6-5-3-4, Japa7, going into Samadhi8, accomplishing union10-9 and performing with care11-12, with great care13-14…. (30) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

 

31) Control your senses. You don’t have to go far to find God; He dwells in your heart.

 

गुरुचरणाम्बुज निर्भर भक्तः

संसारादचिराद्भव मुक्तः ।

सेन्द्रियमानस नियमादेवं

द्रक्ष्यसि निज हृदयस्थं देवम् ।।३१।।

 

gurucaraṇāmbuja nirbhara bhaktaḥ
samsārādacirādbhava muktaḥ
sendriyamanasa niyamādevam
drakṣyasi nijahṛdayasthaṃ devam.(31)
Guru *caraṇa * ambuja * nirbhara * bhaktaḥ *
samsārāt *  acirāt * bhava * muktaḥ *
sendriya * manasa * niyamāt * evam *
drakṣyasi * nija *hṛdayasthaṃ * devam.(31)
गुरु* चरण * अम्बुज * निर्भर * भक्तः * संसारात्  अचिरात् * भव मुक्तः * सेन्द्रिय * मानस * नियमात् *  एवं * द्रक्ष्यसि * निज * हृदयस्थं * देवम् ।।३१।।

Guru *caraṇa * ambuja * nirbhara * bhaktaḥ * samsārāt *  acirāt * bhava muktaḥ * sendriya * manasa * niyamāt * evam *
drakṣyasi * nija *hṛdayasthaṃ * devam.(31)

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
गुरु चरण अम्बुज निर्भर भक्तः संसारात् अचिरात् भव मुक्तः
Guru caraṇa ambuja nirbhara bhaktaḥ samsārāt acirāt bhava muktaḥ
Guru feet Lotus dependent devotee from Samsara soon become released
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
सेन्द्रिय मानस नियमात् एवं द्रक्ष्यसि निज हृदयस्थं देवम् ।।
sendriya manasa niyamāt evam drakṣyasi nija hṛdayasthaṃ devam
sense organs mind through control thus you will see own’s own in-dwelling  Lord
O dependent devotee of lotus-feet of the Guru, you will become released soon from Samsara through the control of the sense organs and the mind. Thus you will see in your own heart the in-dwelling Lord. (31) bhaja gōvindaṃ bhaja gōvindaṃ.

End Bhaja Govindam

 

Reference: Monier Williams Sanskrit English Dictionary

Reference: Vedabase Dictionary

Author: Sankaracharya

Language: Sanskrit

Translation: V.Krishnaraj

Sankaracharya (788-820 CE) the leading proponent of Advaita appeared in South India, when India was afflicted with numerous sects within decadent Hinduism and the ascendancy of decadent Buddhism. Before he attained Maha Samadhi, he was a one-man army who talked Buddhism out of the country and precipitated concomitant conversion of Buddhists back to their Hindu fold. He re-established monistic Hinduism single-handedly in the confused landscape of diverse philosophical thoughts.

He traveled far and wide in India and established mutts. He won over such intellectual titans like Mandana Misra and his spouse Bharati.

Click here for more details on the life of Sankara: Hymns of Sankara.

The popular view among people is that Sankara is a Siva devotee. Not exclusively so. His devotion encompasses all Gods and Goddesses under a monistic sign-post.

A story unfolds as to how a panegyric on Govinda, Bhaja govindam, flowered in the fertile beds on the banks of Ganges River in Benares. This piece tells incontrovertibly that Faustian knowledge serves no purpose, when it comes to liberation. Only uttering the name of Govinda can take you beyond the roiling ocean of Samsara to the shores of liberation. Learning or teaching Grammar is euphemism for Faustian knowledge. The story goes as follows. Sankara was walking along with a flock of fourteen disciples tagging along behind him in Benares. A pundit known for precision in Sanskrit grammar was uttering the rules of Grammar, wasting his intellect and dedication to teaching mere apara vidya. He should have been using that time in advancing his spiritual stature. Sankara came down hard with mellifluous verses on the pundit (with a sledge hammer = Moha-Mudgara =  मोहमुद्गर = Bhajagovindam). The message is that Grammar does not save one from the ocean of Samsara but Govinda does.

Each stanza ends with a refrain, Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam, extolling Vishnu in the name of Govinda.

मोहमुद्गर = delusion-busting hammer.

 

Leave a comment