bhaja-govindamshankaracharyagovindadevotion

Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate

Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Any time of reflection; especially during satsang, bhajan, or morning prayer·📜 Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara), verse 1 and refrain

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This is the iconic opening and recurring refrain of Adi Shankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam — perhaps the most famous single line in all of Sanskrit devotional poetry. It calls upon the deluded mind to abandon dry intellectualism and worship Govinda (the Lord), for mere book-learning cannot rescue anyone at the hour of death. It is sung again and again throughout the hymn as a direct, loving wake-up call from the guru.

Origin & Story

Bhaja Govindam (Moha Mudgara), verse 1 and refrain · Adi Shankaracharya · 8th century CE (circa 788-820)

According to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya was walking through the streets of Varanasi (Kashi) with his disciples when he saw an aged scholar laboriously memorizing Panini's grammar rules. Moved by compassion, he spontaneously sang this verse, urging the old man that grammar would not save him at the hour of death and that he should instead worship Govinda. This opening verse became the refrain of the entire hymn, repeated after each subsequent verse.

✦ As told in scripture

It is said that the old grammarian of Kashi, on hearing this verse, was awakened from his lifelong absorption in mere scholarship and turned his heart to the Lord. The line has since become a household call across India, sung in temples and homes alike to rouse the soul from the slumber of worldliness.

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The Mantra

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Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudhamate Samprapte sannihite kale nahi nahi rakshati dukrinkarane

Meaning:Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind! When the appointed time of death has drawn near, the rules of grammar (Dukrin-karane) will not save you at all.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Bhaja🔊Worship, seek, turn to, adore

Govindam🔊Govinda — Lord Krishna/Vishnu, the protector of cows and the senses

Mudhamate🔊O foolish/deluded mind!

Samprapte🔊When it has fully arrived / drawn near

Sannihite🔊When it is close at hand, imminent

Kale🔊The (appointed) time — of death

Nahi nahi🔊Not at all, never (emphatic repetition)

Rakshati🔊Saves, protects, rescues

Dukrinkarane🔊The grammar rules (Panini's conjugation of the root 'kr') — a symbol of dry, mechanical scholarship

Benefits of Chanting Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate

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A constant reminder to place God above mere intellectual pursuit

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Cultivates detachment and the remembrance that death is certain

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The single most quoted line of Bhaja Govindam — easy to memorize and chant

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Turns the restless mind toward Govinda's holy name

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Sung in satsang and bhajan to instantly evoke devotional mood

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Carries the grace of Adi Shankaracharya, the great Acharya

How to Chant Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate

Repetitions11times

Best TimeAny time of reflection; especially during satsang, bhajan, or morning prayer

This refrain may be sung repeatedly as a bhajan, drawing out 'Bhaja Govindam' with melody and feeling. Let each repetition of 'Govindam' settle the mind, and hear 'Mudhamate' (O foolish mind) as a gentle correction addressed to your own wandering thoughts. It is traditionally sung in a call-and-response style in groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It means 'Worship Govinda (the Lord), O foolish mind!' Govinda is a name of Krishna/Vishnu, and 'mudhamate' addresses the deluded intellect. The line urges the mind to turn from worldly distraction toward God.

'Dukrin-karane' refers to the rules of Sanskrit grammar (the conjugation of the verb-root 'kr'). Shankaracharya uses it as a symbol of dry, mechanical scholarship, saying such book-learning will not save you when death arrives.

It is the refrain (dhruvapada) of the whole Bhaja Govindam, returning between verses. The repetition hammers home the central teaching — hence the work is also called 'Moha Mudgara,' the hammer that shatters delusion.

Adi Shankaracharya composed it. Tradition says he sang it spontaneously in Varanasi on seeing an aged scholar memorizing grammar rules instead of seeking God.