Bhaja Govindam Meaning — Line by Line
भज गोविन्दम्
Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi
Meaning — Line by Line
Every verse of Bhaja Govindam with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.
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- Verse 1. Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate
- Verse 2. Mudha jahihi dhanagamatrishnam kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishnam
- Verse 3. Naristanabhara nabhidesham drishtva ma ga mohavesham
- Verse 4. Nalinidala gatajalamatitaralam tadvajjivitamatishaya chapalam
- Verse 5. Yavadvittoparjanasaktah tavannijaparivaro raktah
- Verse 6. Yavatpavano nivasati dehe tavatprichchhati kushalam gehe
- Verse 7. Balastavatkridasaktah tarunastavattarunisaktah
- Verse 8. Ka te kanta kaste putrah samsaroyamativa vichitrah
- Verse 9. Satsangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam
- Verse 10. Vayasi gate kah kamavikarah shushke nire kah kasarah
- Verse 11. Ma kuru dhana yauvana garvam harati nimeshatkalah sarvam
- Verse 12. Dinayaminyau sayam pratah shishiravasantau punarayatah
- Verse 13. Ka te kanta dhanagatachinta vatula kim tava nasti niyanta
- Verse 14. Dvadasha manjarikabhirasheshah kathito vaiyakaranasyaishah
- Verse 15. Jatilo mundi lunchhitakeshah kashayambara bahukritaveshah
- Verse 16. Angam galitam palitam mundam dashanavihinam jatam tundam
- Verse 17. Agre vahnih prishthe bhanuh ratrau chubuka samarpita januh
- Verse 18. Kurute gangasagaragamanam vrata paripalanamathava danam
- Verse 19. Suramandira nivasah shayya bhutalamajinam vasah
- Verse 20. Yogarato va bhogarato va sangarato va sangavihinah
- Verse 21. Bhagavadgita kinchidadhita gangajala lavakanika pita
- Verse 22. Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam punarapi jananijathare shayanam
- Verse 23. Rathyacharpata virachita kanthah punyapunya vivarjita panthah
- Verse 24. Kastvam koham kuta ayatah ka me janani ko me tatah
- Verse 25. Tvayi mayi chanyatraiko vishnuh vyartham kupyasi mayyasahishnuh
- Verse 26. Shatrau mitre putre bandhau ma kuru yatnam vigrahasandhau
- Verse 27. Kamam krodham lobham moham tyaktvatmanam pashyati soham
- Verse 28. Geyam gita namasahasram dhyeyam shripati rupamajasram
- Verse 29. Sukhatah kriyate kamabhogah pashchadanta sharire rogah
- Verse 30. Arthamanartham bhavaya nityam nastitatah sukhaleshah satyam
- Verse 31. Pranayamam pratyaharam nityanitya vivekavicharam
- Verse 32. Gurucharanambuja nirbharabhaktah samsaradachiradbhava muktah
- Verse 33. Mudhah kashchana vaiyakarano duhkrinkaranadhyayanadhurinah
- Verse 34. Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate
भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं गोविन्दं भज मूढमते । सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृञ्करणे ॥
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate Samprapte sannihite kale nahi nahi rakshati dukrinkarane
MeaningWorship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind! When the appointed time of death draws near, the rules of grammar (Dukrn-karane) will not save you at all.
Mudha jahihi dhanagamatrishnam kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishnam
मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम् । यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम् ॥
Mudha jahihi dhanagamatrishnam kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishnam Yallabhase nijakarmopattam vittam tena vinodaya chittam
MeaningO fool, give up the thirst for amassing wealth; cultivate right thought in your mind, free of craving. With whatever you obtain through your own honest deeds, content your mind.
Naristanabhara nabhidesham drishtva ma ga mohavesham
नारीस्तनभर नाभीदेशं दृष्ट्वा मा गा मोहावेशम् । एतन्मांसवसादिविकारं मनसि विचिन्तय वारं वारम् ॥
Naristanabhara nabhidesham drishtva ma ga mohavesham Etanmamsavasadivikaram manasi vichintaya varam varam
MeaningSeeing a woman's body, do not fall prey to delusion and infatuation; reflect again and again that this is but a modification of flesh and fat.
Nalinidala gatajalamatitaralam tadvajjivitamatishaya chapalam
नलिनीदल गतजलमतितरलं तद्वज्जीवितमतिशय चपलम् । विद्धि व्याध्यभिमानग्रस्तं लोकं शोकहतं च समस्तम् ॥
Nalinidala gatajalamatitaralam tadvajjivitamatishaya chapalam Viddhi vyadhyabhimanagrastam lokam shokahatam cha samastam
MeaningLife is as fleeting as a drop of water trembling on a lotus-leaf. Know that this whole world is consumed by disease, pride and grief.
Yavadvittoparjanasaktah tavannijaparivaro raktah
यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्तः तावन्निजपरिवारो रक्तः । पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे ॥
Yavadvittoparjanasaktah tavannijaparivaro raktah Pashchajjivati jarjaradehe vartam kopi na prichchhati gehe
MeaningAs long as you can earn wealth, so long is your family attached to you; afterwards, when the body grows frail, no one at home even asks after you.
Yavatpavano nivasati dehe tavatprichchhati kushalam gehe
यावत्पवनो निवसति देहे तावत्पृच्छति कुशलं गेहे । गतवति वायौ देहापाये भार्या बिभ्यति तस्मिन्काये ॥
Yavatpavano nivasati dehe tavatprichchhati kushalam gehe Gatavati vayau dehapaye bharya bibhyati tasminkaye
MeaningAs long as breath dwells in the body, those at home ask after your welfare; once the breath departs and the body falls, even your wife dreads that very corpse.
Balastavatkridasaktah tarunastavattarunisaktah
बालस्तावत्क्रीडासक्तः तरुणस्तावत्तरुणीसक्तः । वृद्धस्तावच्चिन्तासक्तः परमे ब्रह्मणि कोऽपि न सक्तः ॥
Balastavatkridasaktah tarunastavattarunisaktah Vriddhastavachchintasaktah parame brahmani kopi na saktah
MeaningThe child is absorbed in play, the youth in his beloved, the old man in worry — but no one, alas, is absorbed in the Supreme Brahman.
Ka te kanta kaste putrah samsaroyamativa vichitrah
का ते कान्ता कस्ते पुत्रः संसारोऽयमतीव विचित्रः । कस्य त्वं कः कुत आयातः तत्त्वं चिन्तय तदिह भ्रातः ॥
Ka te kanta kaste putrah samsaroyamativa vichitrah Kasya tvam kah kuta ayatah tattvam chintaya tadiha bhratah
MeaningWho is your wife? Who is your son? Utterly strange is this samsara. Whose are you? Whence have you come? O brother, ponder that truth here.
Satsangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam
सत्सङ्गत्वे निस्सङ्गत्वं निस्सङ्गत्वे निर्मोहत्वम् । निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः ॥
Satsangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam Nirmohatve nishchalatattvam nishchalatattve jivanmuktih
MeaningFrom the company of the good comes non-attachment; from non-attachment, freedom from delusion; from that, the changeless Truth; and from the changeless Truth, liberation-in-life.
Vayasi gate kah kamavikarah shushke nire kah kasarah
वयसि गते कः कामविकारः शुष्के नीरे कः कासारः । क्षीणे वित्ते कः परिवारः ज्ञाते तत्त्वे कः संसारः ॥
Vayasi gate kah kamavikarah shushke nire kah kasarah Kshine vitte kah parivarah jnate tattve kah samsarah
MeaningWhen youth is gone, where is lust? When the water dries, where is the lake? When wealth is lost, where is the family? When the Truth is known, where is samsara?
Ma kuru dhana yauvana garvam harati nimeshatkalah sarvam
मा कुरु धन यौवन गर्वं हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वम् । मायामयमिदमखिलं हित्वा ब्रह्मपदं त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा ॥
Ma kuru dhana yauvana garvam harati nimeshatkalah sarvam Mayamayamidamakhilam hitva brahmapadam tvam pravisha viditva
MeaningTake no pride in wealth, people or youth; Time snatches them all away in an instant. Renouncing this whole illusory world, know and enter the state of Brahman.
Dinayaminyau sayam pratah shishiravasantau punarayatah
दिनयामिन्यौ सायं प्रातः शिशिरवसन्तौ पुनरायातः । कालः क्रीडति गच्छत्यायुः तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशावायुः ॥
Dinayaminyau sayam pratah shishiravasantau punarayatah Kalah kridati gachchhatyayuh tadapi na munchatyashavayuh
MeaningDay and night, dusk and dawn, winter and spring come round again and again; Time sports on, life ebbs away — yet the gale of desire never lets go.
Ka te kanta dhanagatachinta vatula kim tava nasti niyanta
का ते कान्ता धनगतचिन्ता वातुल किं तव नास्ति नियन्ता । त्रिजगति सज्जनसङ्गतिरेका भवति भवार्णवतरणे नौका ॥
Ka te kanta dhanagatachinta vatula kim tava nasti niyanta Trijagati sajjanasangatireka bhavati bhavarnavatarane nauka
MeaningWhy this anxiety over wife and wealth, O frenzied one? Have you no one to guide you? In all three worlds, the company of the good alone is the boat to cross the ocean of existence.
Dvadasha manjarikabhirasheshah kathito vaiyakaranasyaishah
द्वादश मञ्जरिकाभिरशेषः कथितो वैयाकरणस्यैषः । उपदेशोऽभूद्विद्या निपुणैः श्रीमच्छङ्कर भगवच्छरणैः ॥
Dvadasha manjarikabhirasheshah kathito vaiyakaranasyaishah Upadeshobhudvidya nipunaih shrimachchhankara bhagavachchharanaih
MeaningThis complete teaching, told in twelve verses (the Dvadasha-Manjarika), was given to the grammarian by the venerable, knowledge-perfected feet of Bhagavan Shankara.
Jatilo mundi lunchhitakeshah kashayambara bahukritaveshah
जटिलो मुण्डी लुञ्छितकेशः काषायाम्बर बहुकृतवेषः । पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढः उदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेषः ॥
Jatilo mundi lunchhitakeshah kashayambara bahukritaveshah Pashyannapi cha na pashyati mudhah udaranimittam bahukritaveshah
MeaningOne with matted locks, one shaven, one with plucked hair, one decked in ochre robes — the fool, though seeing, does not see; these many guises are donned merely for the belly.
Angam galitam palitam mundam dashanavihinam jatam tundam
अङ्गं गलितं पलितं मुण्डं दशनविहीनं जातं तुण्डम् । वृद्धो याति गृहीत्वा दण्डं तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशापिण्डम् ॥
Angam galitam palitam mundam dashanavihinam jatam tundam Vriddho yati grihitva dandam tadapi na munchatyashapindam
MeaningThe body worn out, the head grey, the mouth toothless; the old man walks leaning on a staff — yet even then he does not let go the lump of desire.
Agre vahnih prishthe bhanuh ratrau chubuka samarpita januh
अग्रे वह्निः पृष्ठे भानुः रात्रौ चुबुक समर्पित जानुः । करतल भिक्षस्तरुतलवासः तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशापाशः ॥
Agre vahnih prishthe bhanuh ratrau chubuka samarpita januh Karatala bhikshastarutalavasah tadapi na munchatyashapashah
MeaningFire in front, the sun at his back; at night crouched with knees to chin; alms in his palm, dwelling at the foot of a tree — yet the noose of desire does not loosen.
Kurute gangasagaragamanam vrata paripalanamathava danam
कुरुते गङ्गासागरगमनं व्रत परिपालनमथवा दानम् । ज्ञानविहीनः सर्वमतेन भजति न मुक्तिं जन्मशतेन ॥
Kurute gangasagaragamanam vrata paripalanamathava danam Jnanavihinah sarvamatena bhajati na muktim janmashatena
MeaningOne may journey to Gangasagar, keep vows or give in charity — yet, devoid of knowledge, by all these creeds one does not gain liberation even in a hundred births.
Suramandira nivasah shayya bhutalamajinam vasah
सुरमन्दिर निवासः शय्या भूतलमजिनं वासः । सर्व परिग्रह भोगत्यागः कस्य सुखं न करोति विरागः ॥
Suramandira nivasah shayya bhutalamajinam vasah Sarva parigraha bhogatyagah kasya sukham na karoti viragah
MeaningDwelling in a temple, the bare earth for a bed, a deerskin for clothing — renouncing all possession and enjoyment: whose dispassion does not bring happiness?
Yogarato va bhogarato va sangarato va sangavihinah
योगरतो वा भोगरतो वा सङ्गरतो वा सङ्गविहीनः । यस्य ब्रह्मणि रमते चित्तं नन्दति नन्दति नन्दत्येव ॥
Yogarato va bhogarato va sangarato va sangavihinah Yasya brahmani ramate chittam nandati nandati nandatyeva
MeaningEngaged in yoga or in enjoyment, in company or in solitude — he whose mind delights in Brahman, he rejoices, he rejoices, he truly rejoices.
Bhagavadgita kinchidadhita gangajala lavakanika pita
भगवद्गीता किञ्चिदधीता गङ्गाजल लवकणिका पीता । सकृदपि येन मुरारिसमर्चा क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा ॥
Bhagavadgita kinchidadhita gangajala lavakanika pita Sakridapi yena murarisamarcha kriyate tasya yamena na charcha
MeaningHe who has studied even a little of the Bhagavad Gita, sipped a drop of Ganga's water, and worshipped Murari even once — with him Yama (death) holds no argument.
Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam punarapi jananijathare shayanam
पुनरपि जननं पुनरपि मरणं पुनरपि जननीजठरे शयनम् । इह संसारे बहुदुस्तारे कृपयाऽपारे पाहि मुरारे ॥
Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam punarapi jananijathare shayanam Iha samsare bahudustare kripayapare pahi murare
MeaningBirth again, death again, again to lie in a mother's womb — this samsara is so hard to cross. O Murari, save me by your boundless grace!
Rathyacharpata virachita kanthah punyapunya vivarjita panthah
रथ्याचर्पट विरचित कन्थः पुण्यापुण्य विवर्जित पन्थः । योगी योगनियोजित चित्तः रमते बालोन्मत्तवदेव ॥
Rathyacharpata virachita kanthah punyapunya vivarjita panthah Yogi yoganiyojita chittah ramate balonmattavadeva
MeaningClad in a quilt patched from rags of the street, walking a path beyond merit and demerit, the yogi with mind absorbed in yoga sports like a child or a madman.
Kastvam koham kuta ayatah ka me janani ko me tatah
कस्त्वं कोऽहं कुत आयातः का मे जननी को मे तातः । इति परिभावय सर्वमसारं विश्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वप्नविचारम् ॥
Kastvam koham kuta ayatah ka me janani ko me tatah Iti paribhavaya sarvamasaram vishvam tyaktva svapnavicharam
MeaningWho are you? Who am I? Whence have I come? Who is my mother, who my father? Thus reflect, and seeing this whole world as essenceless, like a dream, give it up.
Tvayi mayi chanyatraiko vishnuh vyartham kupyasi mayyasahishnuh
त्वयि मयि चान्यत्रैको विष्णुः व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मय्यसहिष्णुः । भव समचित्तः सर्वत्र त्वं वाञ्छस्यचिराद्यदि विष्णुत्वम् ॥
Tvayi mayi chanyatraiko vishnuh vyartham kupyasi mayyasahishnuh Bhava samachittah sarvatra tvam vanchhasyachiradyadi vishnutvam
MeaningIn you, in me and everywhere there is but the one Vishnu. In vain, impatient, you grow angry with me. If you would soon attain Vishnu-hood, be even-minded toward all.
Shatrau mitre putre bandhau ma kuru yatnam vigrahasandhau
शत्रौ मित्रे पुत्रे बन्धौ मा कुरु यत्नं विग्रहसन्धौ । सर्वस्मिन्नपि पश्यात्मानं सर्वत्रोत्सृज भेदाज्ञानम् ॥
Shatrau mitre putre bandhau ma kuru yatnam vigrahasandhau Sarvasminnapi pashyatmanam sarvatrotsrija bhedajnanam
MeaningMake no effort to quarrel with or befriend enemy, friend, son or kinsman. Seeing the Self in all, give up everywhere the ignorance of difference.
Kamam krodham lobham moham tyaktvatmanam pashyati soham
कामं क्रोधं लोभं मोहं त्यक्त्वाऽऽत्मानं पश्यति सोऽहम् । आत्मज्ञानविहीना मूढाः ते पच्यन्ते नरकनिगूढाः ॥
Kamam krodham lobham moham tyaktvatmanam pashyati soham Atmajnanavihina mudhah te pachyante narakanigudhah
MeaningRenouncing desire, anger, greed and delusion, one sees the Self as 'I am That (So'ham).' Fools devoid of Self-knowledge are tormented, trapped in hells.
Geyam gita namasahasram dhyeyam shripati rupamajasram
गेयं गीता नामसहस्रं ध्येयं श्रीपति रूपमजस्रम् । नेयं सज्जन सङ्गे चित्तं देयं दीनजनाय च वित्तम् ॥
Geyam gita namasahasram dhyeyam shripati rupamajasram Neyam sajjana sange chittam deyam dinajanaya cha vittam
MeaningThe Gita and the thousand Names are to be sung; the form of the Lord is ever to be meditated upon; the mind is to be led into the company of the good; and wealth is to be given to the needy.
Sukhatah kriyate kamabhogah pashchadanta sharire rogah
सुखतः क्रियते कामाभोगः पश्चादन्त शरीरे रोगः । यद्यपि लोके मरणं शरणं तदपि न मुञ्चति पापाचरणम् ॥
Sukhatah kriyate kamabhogah pashchadanta sharire rogah Yadyapi loke maranam sharanam tadapi na munchati papacharanam
MeaningPleasure is enjoyed readily — but afterwards, alas, disease afflicts the body. Though death is the end of all in this world, still one does not give up sinful conduct.
Arthamanartham bhavaya nityam nastitatah sukhaleshah satyam
अर्थमनर्थं भावय नित्यं नास्तिततः सुखलेशः सत्यम् । पुत्रादपि धनभाजां भीतिः सर्वत्रैषा विहिता रीतिः ॥
Arthamanartham bhavaya nityam nastitatah sukhaleshah satyam Putradapi dhanabhajam bhitih sarvatraisha vihita ritih
MeaningReflect ever that wealth is calamitous; in truth there is not a particle of happiness in it. The wealthy dread even their own sons — such is the way of things everywhere.
Pranayamam pratyaharam nityanitya vivekavicharam
प्राणायामं प्रत्याहारं नित्यानित्य विवेकविचारम् । जाप्यसमेतसमाधिविधानं कुर्ववधानं महदवधानम् ॥
Pranayamam pratyaharam nityanitya vivekavicharam Japyasametasamadhividhanam kurvavadhanam mahadavadhanam
MeaningBreath-control, withdrawal of the senses, discrimination between the eternal and the transient, and the practice of samadhi joined with japa — perform these with great care and heedfulness.
Gurucharanambuja nirbharabhaktah samsaradachiradbhava muktah
गुरुचरणाम्बुज निर्भरभक्तः संसारादचिराद्भव मुक्तः । सेन्द्रियमानस नियमादेवं द्रक्ष्यसि निजहृदयस्थं देवम् ॥
Gurucharanambuja nirbharabhaktah samsaradachiradbhava muktah Sendriyamanasa niyamadevam drakshyasi nijahridayastham devam
MeaningDevoted wholly to the lotus-feet of the Guru, become quickly freed from samsara. Thus, through discipline of the senses and mind, you shall behold the Deity dwelling in your own heart.
Mudhah kashchana vaiyakarano duhkrinkaranadhyayanadhurinah
मूढः कश्चन वैयाकरणो डुःकृङ्करणाध्ययनधुरीणः । श्रीमच्छङ्कर भगवच्छिष्यैः बोधित आसीच्छोधित करणः ॥
Mudhah kashchana vaiyakarano duhkrinkaranadhyayanadhurinah Shrimachchhankara bhagavachchhishyaih bodhita asichchhodhita karanah
MeaningA certain dull-witted grammarian, engrossed in the study of grammatical rules, was set right and his understanding purified by the disciples of the venerable Bhagavan Shankara.
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate
भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं गोविन्दं भज मूढमते । नामस्मरणादन्यमुपायं नहि पश्यामो भवतरणे ॥
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate Namasmaranadanyamupayam nahi pashyamo bhavatarane
MeaningWorship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind! For crossing the ocean of existence, we see no means other than the remembrance of the Lord's Name.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Origin & History
Source: Composed independently by Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: 8th century CE (circa 788-820)
According to tradition, Shankaracharya was walking through the streets of Varanasi (Kashi) with his disciples when he saw an aged scholar laboriously memorizing Panini's Sanskrit grammar rules. Moved by compassion, Shankaracharya spontaneously composed 'Bhaja Govindam' — urging the old man that grammar rules would not save him at the hour of death and that he should instead turn his mind to God. Each of his 14 disciples then added one verse, making it a collective composition. The work is also called 'Moha Mudgara' — the hammer that shatters delusion.
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