BHAJA GOVINDAM -

Govinda

Days and nights, dawns and dusks, winters and summers -  these maintain their cycles for ever and ever. Time and thoughts keep playing in our lives and keep consuming our age. But the air of desire never leaves us at any stage of our lives and keeps lingering with us, irrespective of our age. The only salvation is through surrender to Murari.

Hi viewer. 

Welcome to my blog on Bhajagovindam, authored by Saint Sri Adi Sankaracharya, during his trip to Kashi, along with fourteen of his disciples. There he met an old man trying to learn Sanskrit text and grammar in all perfections. Shankara was overwhelmed with pity upon seeing the plight of the old man trying to acquire intellecctual accomplishment whereas he would be better off spending his time in spiritual pursuits. Acharya then went on to advise the mankind through this rendering of Bhajagovidam verses, seeking awakening of the human mind to realise the truth and come out of the clutches of Maya.

The interesting part here is that Shankaracharya’a disciples pitched in to add their own verse after the Acharya finished giving his initial discourse. The rest of the verses in the Stotra are attributed to the great disciples of the Acharya, who all were eminent scholars in their own right. In the end Sri Adi Shankaracharya added 5 more verses making it a total of 31. 

As a whole, the entire composition of Bhaja Govindam is a very simple one, which can be easily understood by common men, and does not require complex knowledge of Veda, though Bhaja Govindam is a sloka whose real meaning is profoundly vedantic. It has some hidden advise to all sections of society to follow their own path, be it Bhakthi marg or Jnana Marg. It talks about the issues a human generally faces, the mistakes we all make and directs us to worship Govinda. One thing that is emphasised most is the power of surrender to Guru and to Govinda,

Sri Adi Sankara

Sri Adi Shankaracharya is widely known for his teachings on Vedanta. Shankaracharya was born in the village of Kaladi, in South India, about 2500 years ago to his Brahmin parents, Sivaguru and Aryamba. He traveled throughout India during his life, preaching and establishing four important maths, or centers, and had numerous disciples. He had also composed a number of verses. 

Sankara recommends that we should shed our bondage to wordly life, otherwise called 'Moha' by hammering it out. For this reason, this song is also known as Moha Mudguard. Acharya leads us step by step towards total liberation and freedom from rebirth.

Initially Sankara declares it foolish to pursue materialistic life. He says that getting into the company of correct and noble persons is the surest way to liberation. He advices not to fall pray to certain religious convictions and declares that rituals and charities should be accompaied by self-realisation. He recommends ways and means of living a peaceful life by surrendering to Brahman.

Following are the words of C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) on bhajagovindam:

“Adhi Shankaracharya wrote a number of vedantic works for imparting knowledge of the self and the universal spirit. He also composed a number of hymns to foster Bhakthi in the hearts of men. One of these hymns is the famous Bhaja govindam.

The way of devotion, is not different from the way of knowledge or gyana. When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the mind, it becomes wisdom. When wisdom is integrated with life and issues out in action, it becomes bhakthi. Knowledge, when it becomes fully mature is bhakthi. If it doesnot get transformed into bhakthi, such knowledge is useless tinsel. To believe that jnana and bhakthi, knowledge and devotion are different from each other, is ignorance.

If Sri Adi Shankara himself who drank the ocean of jnana as easily as one sips water from the palm of one's hand, sang in his later years, hymns to develop devotion, it is enough to show that jnana and bhakthi are one and the same. Sri Shankara has packed into the Bhaja govindam song, the substance of all vedanta, and set the oneness of jnana and bhakthi to melodious music.”

Bhaja Govinndam - Text and Meaning

Listen to Bhaja Govindam in the following link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaFCYVnvzZQ

Dhyanam

ॐ स्थापकाय च धर्मस्य सर्वधर्मस्वरूपिणे ।
अवतारवरिष्ठाय रामकृष्णाय ते नमः ॥

Sthapakaya cha dharmasya sarva dharma-svarupne;

avatara-varisthaya Sri Ramakrishnaya te namah

ஸ்தாபகயா ச தர்மஸ்ய சர்வ தர்ம ஸ்வரூப்ணே;

அவதார-வர்ஸ்தயா ராமகிருஷ்ணாய தே நமঃ

To the One who came to establish spirituality, One Who is the personification of all faiths and religions, One who is the greatest embodiment of the Divine, to that Ramakrishna, I offer my salutations.

Verse 1

भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं गोविन्दं भज मूढमते ।

सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृङ्करणे ॥

bhaja govindam bhaja govindam govindam bhaja mudamate  
sampraapte sannihite kaale nahi nahi rakshati dukrinkarane 

  பஜ கோவிந்தம் பஜ கோவிந்தம் கோவிந்தம் பஜ மூடமதே
பஜ கோவிந்தம் பஜ கோவிந்தம் கோவிந்தம் பஜ மூடமதே

ஸம்ப்ராப்தே ஸன்னிஹிதே காலே ஸம்ப்ராப்தே ஸன்னிஹிதே காலே
நஹி நஹி ரக்ஷதி டுக்ருங்கரணே நஹி நஹி ரக்ஷதி டுக்ருங்கரணே
It is foolish to assume that only religious beliefs and convictions will save us from our sins. Mere proficiency in scriptures, erudition, and none of our talents can ever save us. Better realise that worship of Govinda is the only permanent solution for mankind to get liberated from sufferings. Realise that  Govinda is the very purpose of your life. 
Verse 2
मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम् । 
यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम् ॥ 
muda jahiihi dhanaagama trishhnaam kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishhnaam. yallabhase nija karmopaattam vittam tena vinodaya chittam.  

மூட ஜஹீஹி தன ஆகம த்ருஷ்ணாம் குரு ஸத்புத்திம் மனஸி வித்ருஷ்ணாம்

யல்லபஸே நிஜ கர்மோபாத்தம் வித்தம் தேன வினோதய சித்தம்

It is quite foolish trying to quench your thirst for amassing wealth and get caught in Maya. Such actions will never fulfill your desires. Instead one should devote attention to the Truth that is Brahman. One should realise and be content with what one receives due to one's own actions performed in the past.

Verse 3

यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्त-स्तावन्निजपरिवारो रक्तः ।

पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे ॥ 

yaavad vitto paarjana saktah staavannija parivaaro raktah  

pashchaajjiivati jarjara dehe vaartaam ko-api na prichchhati gehe 

யாவத் வித்தோபார்ஜன ஸக்த: தாவன்னிஜ பரிவாரோ ரக்த:

பச்சாத் ஜீவதி ஜர்ஜர தேஹே வார்த்தாம் கோபின ப்ருச்சதி கேஹே

As long as one is healthy and is able to support his family and others around him, he enjoys their company and affection. But once he is bereft of his capacity to help others, due to old age and consequent weakness, no one cares to even talk to him. That is the reality.  

Verse 4

मा कुरु धनजनयौवनगर्वं हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वम् ।

मायामयमिदमखिलं हित्वा ब्रह्मपदं त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा ॥ 

maa kuru dhana jana yauvana garvam harati nimeshhaat kaalah sarvam 

maayaa mayamidam akhila hitvaa brahmapadam tvam pravisha viditvaa 

மா குரு தன ஜன யௌவன கர்வம் ஹரதி நிமேஷாத் கால: ஸர்வம்

மாயா மயம் இதம் அகிலம் ஹித்வா ப்ரம்ஹபதம் த்வம் ப்ரவிச விதித்வா

Time has the ability to instantly destroy our wealth, friends/relatives as well as youth. Hence do not be too proud of your assets. The best way to live is to get ourselves rid of the effect of Maya in this world and try to attain the lotus feet of Brahman.

Verse 5

सुरमंदिरतरुमूलनिवासः शय्या भूतलमजिनं वासः ।

सर्वपरिग्रहभोगत्यागः कस्य सुखं न करोति विरागः ॥ 

sura mandira taru moola nivaasah shayyaa bhuutalam ajinam vaasah  

sarva parigraha bhoga tyaagah kasya sukham na karoti viraagah 

ஸுரமந்திர தருமூல நிவாஸ: சய்யா பூதலம் அசினம் வாஸ:

ஸர்வ பரிக்ரஹ போகத்யாக: கஸ்ய ஸுகம் ந கரோதி விராக:

In this verse, Sri Sankara advises the old mn to renounce all comforts and aim for divine blessings.  Let the temple or the tree shade be the place of your residence. Let deer skin be your clothing, mening renounce costly clothings. Sleep on the lap of mother earth. Give up all attachment to wordly objects and  renounce all pleasures. How can anyone who acts this way be devoid of content ? 

Verse 6

भगवद्गीता किञ्चिदधीता गङ्गाजललवकणिका पीता ।
सकृदपि येन मुरारिसमर्चा क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा ॥ २०॥

bhagavadh gita kijnchidadhiitaa gangaa jalalava kanikaapiitaa  
sakridapi yena Muraari samarchaa kriyate tasya yamena na charchaa

பகவத் கீதா கிஞ்சிததீதா கங்காஜல லவ கணிகா பீதா

ஸக்ருதபியேன முராரி ஸமர்ச்சா க்ரியதே தஸ்ய யமேன ந சர்ச்சா

Sankara advises everyone to read atleast few lines from Bhagavad Gita text,  drink a drop of water from the holy river Ganga, Worship Lord Murari (Govinda) atleast once. If follwed these advises, he assures that ther eowuld be no fear of death or any thing to be argued with Lord Yama.

Verse 7

पुनरपि जननं पुनरपि मरणं पुनरपि जननीजठरे शयनम् ।

इह संसारे बहुदुस्तारे कृपयाऽपारे पाहि मुरारे ॥ 

punarapi jananam punarapi maranam punarapi jananii jadare shayanam

iha samsaare bahudustaare kripayaa apaare paahi Muraare 

புனரபி ஜனனம் புனரபி மரணம் புனரபி ஜனனீ ஜடரே சயனம்

இஹ ஸம்ஸாரே பஹு துஸ்தாரே க்ருபயா பாரே பாஹி முராரே

We are born again and meet with death again. We are born again by sleeping in mother's womb. Thus this samasara is indeed  very hard one to put up with. Let us pray to Lord Murari, our only saviour, to give us the strength to cross this boundless ocean of samsara.

Verse 8

गेयं गीतानामसहस्रं ध्येयं श्रीपतिरूपमजस्रम् ।

नेयं सज्जनसङ्गे चित्तं देयं दीनजनाय च वित्तम् ॥ 

geyam giitaa naama sahasram dhyeyam shriipati ruupamajasram . 

neyam sajjana sange chittam deyam diinajanaaya cha vittam. 

கேயம் கீதா நாம ஸஹஸ்ரம் த்யேயம் ஸ்ரீபதி ரூபமஜஸ்ரம் 

நேயம் ஸஜ்ஜன ஸங்கே சித்தம் தேயம் தீனஜனாய ச வித்தம்

If you are looking for a sure way to liberatiion, just recite few lines from Gita on a daily basis, chant few names of Lord Vishnu from His Sahasranamam and meditate on His holy roopam with passion. Keep yourself engaged delightfully in the company of the wise, noble and holy persons. Don't hesitate to donate your resources to the needy and the poor.

Verse 9

अर्थमनर्थं भावय नित्यं नास्तिततः सुखलेशः सत्यम् ।

पुत्रादपि धनभाजां भीतिः सर्वत्रैषा विहिता रीतिः ॥ 

arthamanartham bhaavaya nityam naasti tatah sukha leshah satyam. 

putraadapi dhana bhaajaam bhiitih sarvatraisha vihia riitih 

அர்த்தம் அனர்த்தம் பாவய நித்யம் நாஸ்தி தத: ஸுகலேச: ஸத்யம்

புத்ராதபி தனபாஜாம் பீதி: ஸர்வத்ரைஷா விஹிதா ரீதி:

Constantly reflect on wealth as ruinous, as it results in misery.  It is true that there is not even a drop of happiness in it. Every rich person fears even his own son and that is the rule with wealth everywhere. Sankaracharya tells us that while wealth is essential to live in this materialistic world, we should not run after amassing wealth since it will only cause harm. Hence clear the mind of such ruinous thoughts and then focus of the Reality.

Verse 10

गुरुचरणाम्बुजनिर्भरभक्तः संसारादचिराद्भव मुक्तः ।
सेन्द्रियमानसनियमादेवं द्रक्ष्यसि निजहृदयस्थं देवम् ॥ 

guru charanaambuja nirbhara bhakatah samsaara dachiraadbhava muktah
sendriyamaanasa niyamaadevam drakshyasi nija hridayastham devam

குரு சரணாம்புஜ நிர்பர பக்த: ஸம்ஸாராத சிராத்பவ முக்த:
ஸேந்த்ரியமானஸ நியமாதேவம் த்ருக்ஷ்யஸி நிஜ ஹ்ருதயஸ்தம் தேவம்

Hey Devotee! Get hold of the lotus feet of your guru. He will grant you total liberation from Samsara. Discipline your sense organs and control your mind. In this manner, you will experience the great Lord in your heart.

Rest of the Verses

Following are the essence of the verses created by Adi Shankara's disciples, including few verses of his own:

Whenever you see a woman just remember that she is also, like you, made of a bundle of refined flesh and marrow. Remind yourselves thus and refrain from getting deluded into lust by external appearances. Whenever such thoughts arise, think again and again and control your senses.

Our lives are as temporary as rain drops falling on lotus leaves, which rolls down without getting attached. Realise that all lives on earth suffer from disease, ego and is thus grief stricken. 

In the same way, as long as the person is alive, his family and friends move freely with him and enquire about his welfare. But once the soul departs from the body, even his wife would be afraid to come near him. 

Our lives on earth moves on continuously in varied involvements at different stages. Childhood is spent in playing around. Youth is spent in the company of friends and the other gender. Old age is spent in browsing the past and also in present worries. Man thus has no time at any stage of his life to even think about Brahman. How sad.

Hey brother! Just think about yourself for a minute as to who you are, who are your wife and your children. In what way they are owned by you or you are owned by someone else? From where did you come from?  If you deeply contemplate on the samsara you will find it very strange.

The only way to obtain Jeevan-mukthi while still living on earth is to secure company of wisemen, who will teach you how to live a detached life while still surrounded by wordly beings. This will lead you to freedom from delusion (Maya), by eschewing desires and you will then understand what is permanent Truth. This is the way to Mukthi in this janma itself.

Lust has no use when a person has lost youth. A lake has no use when it has dried up. There is no use of relatives when a person has lost all wealth. In the same way, there is no use of samsara when Truth is realised.

Conclusion

Adi Shankara promoted Advaitha philosophy during his short life span of 32 years, through various spiritual works such as commentaries on the Prasthana Traya of Bhagavad Gita, the 10 Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Vishnu Sahasranama and Sri Lalita Trishati Stotra,  composed several short treatises on Advaita Vedanta known as the Prakarna Grantha,composed many hymns on various Deities of the Sanatana Dharma, and also inspiring hymns that awaken the spirit of renunciation like Bhaja Govinda Stotra, Moha Mudgara Stotra, Kaupina Panchakam. He preached that Brahman is Real, the world is an appearance and Jeeva (freed from all limiting adjuncts) is none other than Brahman - "Brahma Satyam Jaganmruthyam".

As part of his aim to promote the advaidha philosophy, Sankara devised shanmatha, i.e., recognision of 6 forms of Brahman, namely, Shaivam (Shiva), Vaishnavam (Vishnu), Ganapathyam (Ganapathy), Saktham (Sakthi),  Kaumaram (Kumara or Muruga) and Sauram (Surya). It is a bit controvertial to comprehend that Sankara Who promoted Advaidha by preaching there is only one God, goes on to recognise six forms of God. He who said world is Maya and is not real, went on to say through Sakthi worship that She is Mother Earth and by worshipping Her one can obtain all material and eternal enjoyments. In the same way He recommended worship of Govinda (Vishnu) to get away from rebirth. His teachings span across the social strata from the poor and illiterate to the highly enlightened souls, and is aimed to teach them the complex concepts of Vedanta step by step by first inducing bhakthi in them and then take them slowly away from materialistic pursuits into search for Truth. Bhaja Govindam is one such effort to make us aware of our foolishness in going after pleasures instead of usefully spending our time in mediating upon Govinda. Let us strive to keep up the faith Sankara had on refining mankind. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLfjOro6lnk\


May Govinda bless us all.


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