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Vaishnav Jan To Meaning — Line by Line

वैष्णव जन तो

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Vaishnav Jan To with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye, je peed parai jane re
  2. Verse 2. Sakal lokma sahune vande, ninda na kare keni re
  3. Verse 3. Samdrishti ne trishna tyagi, parastri jene maat re
  4. Verse 4. Moh maya vyape nahi jene, dridh vairagya jena manma re
  5. Verse 5. Vanlobhi ne kapatrahit chhe, kaam krodh nivarya re
Verse 1#

Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye, je peed parai jane re

वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिए, जे पीड़ पराई जाणे रे। पर दुःखे उपकार करे तोये, मन अभिमान न आणे रे॥

Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye, je peed parai jane re Par dukhe upkar kare toye, man abhiman na ane re

MeaningCall that one a true Vaishnava who feels the pain of others as their own; who serves those in distress yet never lets pride touch the mind.

Verse 2#

Sakal lokma sahune vande, ninda na kare keni re

सकळ लोकमां सहुने वंदे, निंदा न करे केनी रे। वाच काछ मन निश्चळ राखे, धन धन जननी तेनी रे॥

Sakal lokma sahune vande, ninda na kare keni re Vach kachh man nishchal rakhe, dhan dhan janani teni re

MeaningWho bows to all and speaks ill of none; who keeps speech, conduct and mind steadfast — blessed is the mother who bore them.

Verse 3#

Samdrishti ne trishna tyagi, parastri jene maat re

समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी, परस्त्री जेने मात रे। जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले, परधन नव झाले हाथ रे॥

Samdrishti ne trishna tyagi, parastri jene maat re Jihva thaki asatya na bole, pardhan nav jhale haath re

MeaningWho sees all equally, has renounced craving, and reveres another's wife as a mother; whose tongue never speaks untruth and whose hand never takes another's wealth.

Verse 4#

Moh maya vyape nahi jene, dridh vairagya jena manma re

मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने, दृढ़ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे। रामनाम शुं ताळी रे लागी, सकळ तीरथ तेना तनमां रे॥

Moh maya vyape nahi jene, dridh vairagya jena manma re Ramnaam shu tali re lagi, sakal tirath tena tanma re

MeaningWhom delusion and attachment cannot touch, whose mind is firmly detached, ever absorbed in Rama's name — within their body live all the holy places.

Verse 5#

Vanlobhi ne kapatrahit chhe, kaam krodh nivarya re

वणलोभी ने कपटरहित छे, काम क्रोध निवार्या रे। भणे नरसैयॊ तेनुं दरसन करतां, कुळ एकोतेर तार्या रे॥

Vanlobhi ne kapatrahit chhe, kaam krodh nivarya re Bhane Narsaiyo tenu darshan karta, kul ekoter tarya re

MeaningWithout greed and without guile, having banished lust and anger — Narsinh says, the sight of such a one redeems seventy-one generations.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिए
Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye
Call that person a true Vaishnava (devotee of God)
जे पीड़ पराई जाणे रे
je peed parai jane re
who feels the pain of others as their own
पर दुःखे उपकार करे
par dukhe upkar kare
who helps those in sorrow
मन अभिमान न आणे रे
man abhiman na ane re
yet lets no pride enter the mind
समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी
samdrishti ne trishna tyagi
even-eyed to all, free of craving
परस्त्री जेने मात रे
parastri jene maat re
who regards another's wife as his mother
रामनाम शुं ताळी रे लागी
Ramnaam shu tali re lagi
absorbed in the name of Rama
कुळ एकोतेर तार्या रे
kul ekoter tarya re
their very sight redeems seventy-one generations

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Narsinh Mehta (Gujarati bhakti tradition); popularised nationally by Mahatma Gandhi

Author: Narsinh Mehta

Period: 15th century

Narsinh Mehta, the foremost poet-saint of Gujarat, distilled the whole of bhakti ethics into this one song: the true Vaishnava is defined by compassion, humility and truth, not by ritual. Centuries later Mahatma Gandhi made it the anthem of his ashram and freedom movement, sung at every prayer meeting — turning a medieval Gujarati bhajan into a hymn of conscience for all India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote Vaishnav Jan To?▼
The 15th-century Gujarati saint-poet Narsinh Mehta. It became world-famous as Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajan, sung daily at his prayer meetings.
What does Vaishnav Jan To teach?▼
That a true devotee of God is known not by outward ritual but by character — feeling others' pain, serving without pride, speaking truth, conquering greed, lust and anger, and remaining absorbed in God's name.
Why did Gandhi love this bhajan?▼
Because it captured his ideal of an ethical, compassionate life. It was sung on the Dandi March and at Sabarmati Ashram, and remains a national hymn of conscience in India.

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