Bhaja Govindam

 

This song is one of the most famous one that almost every Hindu household listens to every morning followed by Suprabatham and Vishnusahasaranamam. The rendition of this song in the divine voice of M.S.Subbulaksmi is priceless. Due to the influence of the western culture the current generation of India finds it difficult to connect with this great song and also since Sanskrit is not a spoken language anymore. May be if there is an english translation provided for this they will appreciate the greatness of the song and the country that is soaked in spirituality for ages. So I decided to translate the song. At the end I have added a youtube video which also has english subtitles for the song.

bhajagovindaM bhajagovindaM
govindaM bhajamuuDhamate .
saMpraapte sannihite kaale
nahi nahi rakshati DukR^iJNkaraNe

Chant the name of the divine Lord O Fool, at the time of death there is nothing other than the name of God that shall come to your rescue.

2
mUDha jahiihi dhanaagamatR^ishhNaaM
kuru sadbuddhiM manasi vitR^ishhNaam.h .
yallabhase nijakarmopaattaM
vittaM tena vinodaya chittam.h

O Fool, Give up the thirst to amass wealth and earthly desires. Always have good thoughts and contemplate and act upon those good thoughts. Be content with the fruit of action that you receive.

5
yaavadvittopaarjana saktaH
staavannija parivaaro raktaH .
pashchaajjiivati jarjara dehe
vaartaaM ko.api na pR^ichchhati gehe

Your family will love and respect you as long as you have the ability to earn and support them. Once you are old and frail there will be no one to speak even an word with you.

11
maa kuru dhana jana yauvana garvaM
harati nimeshhaatkaalaH sarvam.h .
maayaamayamidamakhilaM hitvaa
brahmapadaM tvaM pravisha viditvaa

All the wealth and people around you during your youth can make you feel proud of yourself. But time will destroy them all. This entire world is an illusion (Maya) but break your self from this illusion and work on attaining the timeless truth

18
sura ma.ndira taru muula nivaasaH
shayyaa bhuutala majinaM vaasaH .
sarva parigraha bhoga tyaagaH
kasya sukhaM na karoti viraagaH

Lead a simple life of visiting temples and sleeping on the ground. Renounce all desires and attachment to material objects. This detachment will give you immense happiness.

20
bhagavad.h giitaa kiJNchidadhiitaa
gaNgaa jalalava kaNikaapiitaa .
sakRidapi yena muraari samarchaa
kriyate tasya yamena na charchaa

Reading and practicing a little of Bhagavad Gita and drinking even a drop of water from the Ganges and chanting the name of God will teach you not to quarrel with the inevtiable death and let you die peacefully.

21
punarapi jananaM punarapi maraNaM
punarapi jananii jaThare shayanam.h .
iha saMsaare bahudustaare
kRipayaa.apaare paahi muraare

Being born to die and be born again is the this ruthless cycle of birth and death which brings you back to your mother’s womb again and again. This repeated cycle of samsara (Couldnt find and english equivalent for this word) is too painful to go through, O Lord please liberate me from this.

27
geyaM gita naama sahasraM
dhyeyaM shriipati ruupamajasram.h .
neyaM sajjana saNge chittaM
deyaM diinajanaaya cha vittam.h

Never fail to contemplate on the Lord or to chant his name. Love to be in the company of noble souls and saints. Donate your wealth to charity and help the needy.

29
arthamanarthaM bhaavaya nityaM
naastitataH sukhaleshaH satyam.h .
putraadapi dhana bhaajaaM bhiitiH
sarvatraishhaa vihiaa riitiH

Always remember that wealth can never bring you joy. Wealth can cause you to fear for your own son and family. This is the way wealth works in this world everywhere.

31
gurucharaNaambuja nirbhara bhakataH
saMsaaraadachiraadbhava muktaH .
sendriyamaanasa niyamaadevaM
drakshyasi nija hRidayasthaM devam.h

Oh devotee of the ultimate Guru, may you attain liberation from samsara. Through self discipline and a mind that is under your control, you will be able to realize the GOD within you.