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Maiya Mori Main Nahi Makhan Khayo in Grantha Ā· ššš°šØšš„
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Origin & Story
Composed by Surdas (Sur Sagar; 16th-century Braj bhakti tradition) Ā· Surdas Ā· 16th century
Surdas, the blind bard of Braj, sang thousands of verses on the childhood of Krishna. In this most famous pada the little Krishna, butter still on his lips, pleads his innocence to Yashoda with such irresistible logic that she can only smile and embrace him. It is the best-loved of all makhan-chori (butter-theft) songs, cherished as the very heart of vatsalya bhakti.
⦠As told in scripture
Surdas was blind, yet his portraits of Krishna's childhood are so vivid that devotees say he must have seen the Lord with inner eyes. Singers and listeners alike describe how this simple song dissolves the distance to God ā turning the worshipper into a doting parent and the Infinite into a child small enough to hold.
Complete Text with Meaning
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Maiya mori main nahin makhan khayo Khyal parai ye sakha sabai mili, merain mukh lapatayo
Meaning:Mother, I did not eat the butter! My friends all got together and smeared it on my mouth.
š¦šššæ š¤šš¹š ššššš šŖš° šš¾ššØ, šššš š§š°šæ š²ššš¾šÆšą„¤ š¹šš šš šš¹š¤ šØš¾šØšš¹šš šš° š šŖšØš, š®šš šššøšš šš°šæ šŖš¾šÆšą„„
Dekhi tuhi chheenke par bhajan, oonche dhari latkayo Haun ju kahat naanhe kar apne, main kaisen kari payo
Meaning:Just see ā the pot was hung high on the sling; and these little hands of mine ā how could I ever have reached it?
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Mukh dadhi lepan kar puni goras, daari sabani ke aage Lakuti kaandhe godhan gaiyan, chalat bhayo pag laage
Meaning:(Yet) with curd smeared on His mouth, having spilt the milk before everyone, staff on shoulder He set off with the cows, His little feet toddling along.
šøšš°š¦š¾šø š¤š¬ š¬šæš¹ššøšæ ššøšš¦š¾, š²š šš° ššš š²šš¾šÆšą„„
Surdas tab bihansi Jasoda, lai ur kanth lagayo
Meaning:Surdas says: then Yashoda, smiling, drew the child to her heart and embraced Him.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Maiya Mori Main Nahi Makhan Khayo
Surdas's most beloved 'baal-leela' pada ā the child Krishna's innocent denial of stealing butter
A tender, playful bhajan that captures the sweetness of vatsalya bhakti (love for God as a child)
Sung at Janmashtami and in homes wherever the child Krishna is adored
Brings a smile and softens the heart with the charm of Bal Gopal
Simple Braj-bhasha verses, loved by children and elders alike
How to Chant Maiya Mori Main Nahi Makhan Khayo
Sing it lightly and playfully, picturing the little Krishna's mischief and Yashoda's loving smile. It is a bhajan of sweetness ā sung to enjoy the Lord's childhood pastimes, no ritual required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Read the full Maiya Mori Main Nahi Makhan Khayo with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts