Bhaja Govindam Discussion

A summary of bhajagOvinda stotram

(tIka and taatparya sahita)

The bhaja gOvinda stotram is a bouquet of 31 Stanza-freshly bloomed flowers. Of them, 13 slokas are of Sri Adi Sankaracharya and the rest are attributed to HIS disciples. It is full of nectar for the students who are capable of entering the bottom of Vedanta. By delving deeper into the philosophical implications of these verses, a sincere seeker will get the rare gems of knowledge in this simple composition of Jagadguru Sri Adi Sankaracharya. While reciting, it sounds like a prayer or devotional song rather than a group of few sanskrit slokas and expounds the art of realization with a deeper diagnosis for human unhappiness.

BHAJA GOVINDAM:

Sloka 1

Bhajagovindam Bhajagovindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodhamathe
Samprapte Sannihite Kaale
Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrinkarane

Meaning:

Bhaja - Seek, Govinda - The Lord Govinda, Moodhamathe - O Fool, O Ignoramus, Samprapte - (When) comes, Sannihite - appointed, Kaale - Time, Nahi - Surely never, Rakshati - Saves, Dukrinkarane - Grammar rule.

Substance:

Seek or Worship Govinda, Seek Govinda, Seek Govinda, O or ignoramus. When the death comes at the appointed time, grammar rules will not save or rescue you.

materialistic pursuits of secular knowledge for worldly possessions, name and fame.

Sloka 2

Moodha Jaheehi Dhanaagamatrishnaam
Kuru Sadbuddhim Manasi Vitrishnaam
Yallabhase Nijakarmopaattam
Vittam Tena Vinodaya Chittam

... Bhaja Govindam ..

Meaning:

Moodha - O fool, Jaheehi - give up, Dhanaagamatrishnaam - the thirst to possess wealth, Kuru - create, Sadbuddhim - thoughts of Reality, Manasi - in (your) mind, Vitrishnaam - devoid of passion, Yat - with whatever, Labhate - you get as a reward of your past actions (Yallabhase), Nijakarma - by your actions, Upaattam - obtained (Nijakarmopaattam), Vittam - the wealth, Tena - with that, Vinodaya - entertain, Chittam - your mind.

Substance:

O Fool, give up your (insatiable) thirst or desire to possess or amass wealth and earthly objects, devote and develop your mind to thoughts of serenity, contentment and Reality, be happy and satisfied with whatever you get as a reward of your past actions and entertain your mind with such noble thoughts.

Sloka 3

Naaree Sthanabhara Naabheedesam
Drishtvaa Maa Gaa Mohaavesam
Etan Maamsavasaadi Vikaaram
Manasi Vichintaya Vaaram Vaaram

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam ..

Meaning:

Naaree - the maidens, Sthanabhara - with the weight of their bosom, Naabheedesam - their naval, Drishtvaa - having seen, Maa - do not, (Aa) Gaa - fall a prey, Mohaavesam - maddening delusion, Etat - this is, Maamsam - of flesh or fragrance, Vasaa - of fat, Aadi - etc., (Etan Maamsavasaadi), Vikaaram - a modifiction, Manasi - in your mind, Vichintaya - think well, Vaaram Vaaram - again and again.

Substance:

Do not fall prey to maddening delusion and get enticed at the sight of the physical glamour of women having full bosom of young maidens and their naval, as these are nothing but a modification of flesh and fat. Do not fail to remember this truth and think over and over again in your mind.

Sloka 4

Nalineedalagata Jalamatitaralam
Tadvajjeevitamatisaya Chapalam
Viddhi Vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam
Lokam Sokahatam Cha Samastam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam ..

Meaning:

Nalineedalagata jalam - the water (drop) playing on a lotus leaf, Ati - extremely, Taralam - uncertain (existence), Tadvat - similarly, Jeevitam - life, Atisaya - ever (greatly), Chapalam - unstable, Viddhi - understand, Vyaadhi Abhimana Grastam - consumed by desease and conceit (Vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam), Lokam - the world, Soka - with pangs, Hatam - is (riddled) beset, Cha - and, Samastam - whole.

Substance:

The water drop on the lotus-leaf is very unsteady and has extremely uncertain existence, so also is life. Understand that the world is equally unstable and it will be swallowed by disease and conceit. Life is ultimately nothing but worry, misery and grief.

Sloka 5

Yaavadvittopaarjana saktah
Taavannijaparivaaro Raktah
Paschaajeevati Jarjjaradehe
Vaartaam Kopi Na Prichchati Gehe

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Yaavath - as long as, Vith - of wealth, Upaarjana - to earn, saktah - (is bent upon) has the ability, Taavath - so long, Nija Parivaarah - your dependents, Raktah - attached (to you), Paschaat - afterwards (later on), Jeevati - lives (comes to live), Jarjjar - infirm, Dehe - body, Vaartaam - word, Kopi - anyone, Na - not, Prichchati - cares to speak (asks), Gehe - at home.

Substance:

As long as one is fit and able to earn and support one's family, all the kith and kin and dependents attached are affectionate to him, no sooner one becomes old and infirm and one’s earnings cease, no one cares to enquire of his well-being even in one's own home.

Sloka 6

Yavatpavano Nivasati Dehe
Taavatprichchati Kusalam Gehe
Gatavati Vaayau Dehaapaaye
Bhaaryaa Bibhyati Tasminkaaye

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam.

Yaavat - as lons as, Pavanah - the breath (life), Nivasathi - dwells, Dehe - in (your) body, Taavath - so long, Prichchati - enquires, Kusalam - of (your) welfare, Gehe - at home, Gatavati Vaayau - when the breath (life) leaves, Dehe Apaaye - (when) the body decays, Bharyaa - (even) your wife, Bibhyati - fears, Tasmin - that very (in that very), Kaaye - body.

Substance:

As long as there is life in one's body, people enquire kindly about one's welfare and show concern, but when the soul departs from the body, even one's own wife runs away in fear of the same body (corpse).

Sloka 7

Baalastaavat Kreedaa saktah
Tarunastaavat Taruneesaktah
Vriddhastaavat Chintaasakatah
Pare Brahmani Kopi Na Saktah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Baalah Taavat - so long as one is in his childhood, Kreedaa - (towards play) to play, Aasaktah - (one is) attached, Tarunah Taavat - a youth (so long as one is in youth), Tarunee - towards young women (towards passion), Saktah - (one is) attached, Vriddhah Taavat - so long as one is old (an old man), Chintaa - towards anxiety, Aasaktah - (one is) attached, Pare - to the Supreme, Brahmani - Brahman, Kah Api - any one (alas), Kopi na - no one is (seen), Saktah - attached.

Substance:

The childhood is lost in sport and play. Youth flies off in pursuits of love-making (passion). Old age passes away on thinking over many past things and in worry about the security and future of one's wife and children (pang). And there is hardly any time left for contemplation on God, as at no stage one is lost in the thoughts of Parabrahman.

Sloka 8

Kaa Te Kaantaa Kaste Putrah
Samsaaroyamateeva Vichitrah
Kasya Tvam Kah Kuta Aayaatah
Tattvam Chintaya Tadiha Bhraatah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Kaa - who is, Te - your, Kaantaa - wife, Kah - who is, Te - your, Putrah - son, Samsaarah Ayah - this Samsaara, Ateeva - supremely, Vichitrah - (indeed) wonderful, Kasya - of whom, Tvam - are you, Kah (Tvam) - who are you, Kutah - from where, Aayaatah - have come, Tattvam - of that Truth, Chintaya - think, Tad Iha - that here alone, Bhraatah - O Brother.

Substance:

Who is your wife? Who is your son? Very strange is this family bond or samsaara. Of whom are you? From where have you come? O Brother, ponder over that Truth here.

Sloka 9

Satsangatve Nissangatvam
Nissangatve Nirmohatvam
Nirmohatve Nischalatattvam
Nischalatattve Jeevanmuktih

... Bhaja Gonvidan, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Sat sangatve - through the company of the good, Nissangatvam - (there arises) non-attachment, Nissangatve - through non-attachment, Nirmohatvam - (there arises) freedom from delusion, Nirmohatve - through the freedom from delusion, Nischala - Immutable, Tattvam - Reality, Nischalatattve - through the Immutable Reality, Jeevanmuktih - (comes) the state of 'liberated-in-life'.

Substance:

The company of the good weans one away from false attachments; from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion, when the delusion ends, the mind becomes unwavering and steady and from an unwavering and steady mind comes Jeevat Mukti (liberation even in this life).

Sloka 10

Vayasi Gate Kah Kaamavikaarah
Sushke Neere Kah Kaasaarah
Ksheene Vitte Kah Parivaaro
Gyaate Tattve Kah Samsaarah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Vayasi gate - when the age (youthfulness) has passed, Kah - where is, Kaamavikaarah - lust and its play, Sushke Neere - when water is evaporated (dried up), Kah - where is, Kaasaarah - the lake, Ksheene vitte - when the wealth is reduced, Kah - where is, Parivaarah - the retinue, Gyaate tattve - when the Truth is realised, Kah - where is, Samsaarah - the Samsaara.

Substance:

When youth is gone, where is the lust and its play? When water is evaporated, where is the lake? When the wealth is reduced, where are the relatives? When Truth is realised, where is the (snare of) Samsaara.

Sloka 11

Maa Kuru Dhanajanayauvanagarvam
Harati Nimeshaatkaalah Sarvam
Maayaamayamidamakhilam Hitvaa
Brahmapadam Tvam Pravisa Viditvaa

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Maa - do not, Kuru - take, Dhana - in possession, Jana - in the people, Yauvan - in youth, Garvam - pride, Harati - loots away (takes away), Nimeshaat - in a moment, Kaalah - the Time, Sarvam - all these, Maayaamayam - full of illusory nature, Idam - this, Akhilam - all, Hitvaa - after learning or knowing, Brahmapadam - the state of Brahman, Tvam - you, Pravisa - enter into, Viditvaa - after realising.

Substance:

The pleasures of worldly life, such as wealth, friends and youth, are deceptive appearances. Do not boast of them. Understand that each one of these is destroyed within a minute by time. Be detached and dispassionate from the illusion of the world of Maya and cultivate renunciation and realise the state of Brahman.

Sloka 12

Dinayaminyau Saayam Praatah
Sisiravasantau Punaraayaatah
Kaalah Kreedati Gachchhatyaayuh
Tadapi Na Munchatyaasaavaayuh

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Dinayaminyau - day and night, Saayam - dusk, Praatah - dawn, Sisira vasantau - winter and spring, Punah - again, Aayaatah - come (and depart), Kaalah - time, Kreedati - sports, Gachchhati - ebbs away (goes away), Aayuh - life (breath), Tat api - and yet, Na - not, Munchati - leaves, Aasaa vaayuh - the gust of desire.

Substance:

Day and night, dawn and dusk, winter and spring come and depart again and again. Time thus frolics and plays and life ebbs away. Yet, one does not give up the storm of desires.

Sloka 13

Kaa Te Kaantaa Dhanagatachintaa
Vaatula Kim Tava Naasti Niyantaa
Trijagati Sajjanasangatirekaa
Bhawati Bhavaarnavatarane Naukaa

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Kaa - where is, Te - your, Kaantaa - wife, Dhanagat - pertaining to wealth, Chintaa - worry, Vaatula - O distracted one, Kim - is there, Tava - to you, Na asti - not, Niyantaa - the ordainer of rules (one who ordains or commands), Trijagati - in the three worlds, Sajjan - of the good, Sangati - association, (Sajjanasangati - the association with the good), Ekaa - alone, Bhavati - becomes (can serve as), Bhava arnava tarane - to cross the sea of change (birth and death), Naukaa - the boat.

Substance:

O Distracted one! why worry about wife, wealth, etc. Is there no one to guide you? Know that in the three worlds, only the association with good people alone can save you as a boat to cross the ocean of life (birth and death).

Sloka 14 (Attributed to Totakacharya)

Jatilo Mundee Lunchhitakesah
Kaashaayaambara bahukritaveshah
Pasyannapi Cha Na Pasyati Moodho
Hyudaranimittam Bahukritaveshah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindan

Meaning:

Jatilah - one ascetic with matter locks, Mundee - one with shaven head, Lunchhitakesah - one with hairs pulled out one by one, Kaashaaayaambara bahukritaveshah - one parading with ochre robes, Pasyan api cha - seeing, Na - never, Pasyati - sees, Moodhah - a fool, Hi - indeed, Udara nimittam - for belly's sake, Bahukritaveshah - these different disguises or apparels.

Substance:

An ascetic with matted locks, a person with shaven head, one more with hair pulled or plucked out and another parading with ochre or any other colour robes, all these are for a livelihood. They all have eyes but yet do not see. All these are indeed disguises and deceptions for the sake of filling one's stomach.

Sloka 15 (Attributed to Hastamalaka)

Angam Galitam Palitam Mundam
Dasanaviheenam Jaatam Tundam
Vriddho Yaati Griheetvaa Dandam
Tadapi Na Munchatyaasaapindam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Angam - the body, Galitam - (has been) worn out, Palitam - has turned grey, Mundam - the hair (the head), Dasanaviheenam - toothless, Jaatam - has become, Tundam - mouth, Vriddhah - the old man, Yaati - moves (goes) about, Griheetvaa - having taken (leaning on), Dandam - (his) staff, Tadapi - even then, Na - never, Munchaty - leaves, Aasaapindam - the bundle of desires.

Substance:

The body has become worn out. The head has become bald or turned grey. The mouth has become toothless. The old man moves about with the support of crutches. Even then the attachment is so strong that he clings firmly to the bundle of (fruitless) desires.

Sloka 16 (Attributed to Subhoda)

Agre Vahnih Prishthe Bhaanuh
Raatrau Chubukasamarpitajaanuh
Karatalabhikshastarutalavaasah
Tadapi Na Munchatyaasaapaasah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Agre - in front, Vahnih - the fire, Prishthe - at the back, Bhaanuh - the sun, Raatrau - at night, Chubuka samarpit jaanuh - with (his) knees held to (his) chin (he sits), Karatala bhikshah - alms in (his own) scopped palm (he receives), Tarutalavaasah - under the shelter of the tree (he lives), Tadapi - and yet, Na - never, Munchati - spares (leaves), Aasaapaasah - noose of desires.

Substance:

In front the  fire, at the back the sun, at night he curls up the body, he receives alms in his own scooped palm and lives under the shelter of some tree, and yet he is a puppet at the hands of passions and desires.

Sloka 17 (Attributed to Sureshwaracharya)

Kurute Gangasaagaragamanam
Vrataparipaalanamathavaa Daanam
Gyaanaviheenah Sarvamatena
Bhajati Na Muktim Janmasatena

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Kurute - goes to pilgrimage, Ganga saagara gamanam - to where the Ganges meets the ocean, Vrataparilamanam - observes the vows, Athavaa - or, Daanam - distributes gifts away, Gyaanaviheenah - devoid of experience of Truth, Sarvamatena - according to all schools of thought, Muktim - release, Na - not, Bhajati - gains, Janmasatena - even in hundred lives.

Substance:

One may go and take bath in the holy Ganges or even at the confluence of Ganga and ocean, or observe vows and perform many charities, yet devoid of jnana and unless one has the glimpse of Truth or God, one will not gain mukti or get released from the birth-and-death cycle even in hundred lives, according to all schools of thought.

Sloka 18 (Attributed to Nityananda)

Suramandiratarumoolanivaasah
Sayyaa Bhootalamajinam Vaasah
Sarvaparigraha Bhogatyaagah
Kasya Sukham Na Karoti Viraagah

... Bhaja Govinda, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Sura mandir taru moola nivaasah - dwelling (sheltering) in temples, under some trees, Sayyaa - bed (sleeping), Bhootalam - on the naked ground, Ajinam - (wearing)) skin (deer's) Vaasah - cloth, Sarva parigrahah - of the possession, Bhogah - of thirst to enjoy, Tyaagah - renouncing, Kasya - whose, Sukham - happiness, Na - not, Karoti - brings, Viraagah - dispassion.

Substance:

No one can disturb the peace of mind and vairaagya, if one is willingly taking shelter in some temples, under some trees, sleeping on the naked ground, wearing a deer skin, and thus renouncing all idea of possession and thirst to enjoy.

Sloka 19 (Attributed to Anandagiri)

Yogarato Vaa Bhogarato Vaa
Sangarato Vaa Sangaviheenah
Yasya Brahmani Ramate Chittam
Nandati Nandati Nandatyeva

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Yogaratah - (let) one who revels in Yoga, Vaa - or, Bhogaratah - (let) one who revels in Bhoga, Vaa - or, Sangaratah - (let) one seek enjoyment in company, Vaa - or, Sangaviheenah - (let) one who revels in solitude away from the crowd, Yasya - for whom, Brahmani - in Brahman, Ramate - revels (sports), Chittam - the mind, Nandati - (he) enjoys, Nandati - (he) enjoys, Nandatyeva - only he enjoys.

Substance:

One may take delight or revel in Yoga or bhoga, may have attachment or detachment or in other words, let one seek enjoyment in company or in solitude, but only he whose mind revels in the bliss of Brahman, will enjoy and verily he alone enjoys.

Sloka 20 (Attributed to Dhridhabhakta)

Bhagavadgeetaa Kinchidadheetaa
Gangaajalalavakanikaa Peetaa
Sakridapi Yena Muraarisamarchaa
Kriyate Tasya Yamena Na Charchaa

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Bhagavat Gita - The Bhagavad Geeta, Kinchid - (even) a little, Adheetaa - has studied, Gangaajalalavakanikaa - a drop of Ganga water, Peetaa - has sipped, Sakrit api - at least once, Yena - by whom, Muraarisamarchaa - worship of the Lord Murari (Murasta ari - the enemy of Mura, a Raakshasa), Kriyate - is done, Tasya - to him, Yamena - with Yama, the Lord of Death, Na - never, Charchaa - quarrel (discussion).

Substance:

Even a little study and understanding of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, or sipping of even a drop of the waters of holy Ganges or even a little worship of Murari will surely save one from confrontation with Yama, the Lord of Death.

Sloka 21 (Attributed to Nityanaatha)

Punarapi Jananam Punarapi Maranam
Punarapi Jananeejathare Sayanam
Iha Samsaare Bahudustaare
Kripayapaare Paahi Murare

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Punah api - once again, Jananam - birth, Punah api - once again, Maranam - death, Punarapi - (and) again, Jananeejathare - in the mother's womb, Sayanam - lying, Iha - here, Samsaare - in this Samasaare (process), Bahudustaare - (Samsaara) which is very hard to cross over, Apaare - (Samsaara) which has no end, Kripayapaare- through Thy Infinite Kindness, Paahi - save, Murare - O Destroyer of demon Mura.

Substance:

Undergoing the pangs of birth again and again, passing through the throes of death again and again, lying in the mother's womb over and over again, this process of samsaara is very hard to cross over without the Infinite Kindness of Lord (Murari). O merciful Father, kindly save me.

Sloka 22 (Attributed to Nityanaatha)

Rathyaacharpata Virachitakanthah
Punyaapunyavivarjitapanthah
Yogee Yoganiyojitachitto
Ramate Baalonmattavadeva

... Bhaja Govindaj, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Rathyaa - the road, Charpata - pieces of old cloth, Virachita - made of, Kanthah - godadi (a shawl) (He who wears the godadi - shawl made up of pieces of cloth rejected by others on the road), Punya apunya - merit and demerit, Vivarjita - well left, Panthah - the path (One who walks the path that is beyond merit and demerit), Yogee - the Yogin (sage), Yoga niyojita chittah - whose mind is joined in perfect Yoga, Ramate - sports (lives thereafter), Baalvat eva - as a child (or), Unmattavath eva - as a madman.

Substance:

Clad in stray rags, treading the path beyond good and evil or merit or demerit and whose mind is always in meditation, he revels in God-consciousness, having lost all outward norms and decorum, he behaves like a child or as a madman.

Sloka 23 (Attributed to Surendra)

Kastvam Ko'ham Kuta Aayaatah
Kaa Me Jananee Ko Me Taatah
Iti Paribhaavaya Sarvamasaaram
Visvam Tyaktvaa Svapnavichaaram

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Kah - who, Tvam - (are) you, Kah - who, Aham - am I, Kutah - from where, Aayaatah - did I come, Ka - who (is), Me - my, Jananee - mother, Kah - who (is), Me - my, Taatah - Father, Iti - thus, Paribhaavaya - enquire, Sarvam - all, Asaaram - essenceless, Visvam - the entire world of experience, Tyaktvaa - leaving aside, Svapnavichaaram - a mere dreamland (born of imagination).

Substance:

Who are you? Who am I? From where did I come? Who is my mother? Who is my father? Thus enquire, and you will realise that the entire world of experience -- all the worries and problems -- is but a dream, born out of imagination and delusion.
Commentary:

Sloka 24 (Attributed to Medhaatithira)

Tvayi Mayi Chaanyatraiko Vishnuh
Vyartham Kupyasi Mayyasahishnuh
Bhava Samachittah Sarvatra Tvam
Vaanchhasyachiraadyaadi Vishnutvam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Tvayi - in you, Mayi - in me, Cha - and, Anyatra - in all oher places (too), Ekah - (there is) but one, Vishnuh - All pervading Reality (Vishnu), Vyartham - unnecessarily, Kupyasi - you are getting angry, Mayi - with me, Asahishnuh - being impatient, Bhava - become, Samachittah - equal-minded, Sarvatra - everywhere (in all circumstances), Tvam - you, Vaanchhasyachi yadi - if you want, Achiraat - soon, Vishnutvam - The Vishnu-Status.

Substance:

In you, in me and everywhere there dwells only one, the All-pervading Reality, i.e., Vishnu or Parabrahma Paramaatma. Getting impatient and angry with other is meaningless. Giving up all egoistic-feelings of duality completely and maintaining equal-minded in all circumstances, attain soon the Vishnu-status.

Sloka 25 (Medhaatithira)

Satrau Mitre Putre Bandhau
Maa Kuru Yatnam Vigrahasandhau
Sarvasminnapi Pasyaatmaanam
Sarvatrotsrija Bhedaagynaanam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Satrau - against an enemy, Mitre - against a friend, Putre - against a son, Bandhau - against a relative, Maa - never, Kuru - do, Yatnam - strive, Vigrahasandhau - for strive and for making friends, Sarvasmin api - in everything (everywhere), Pasya - see, Aatmaanam - the Self, Sarvatra - everywhere, Utasrija - lift away, Bheda agyaanam - the sense of different (born out of ignorance).

Substance:

Do not waste your efforts to win the love of or to fight against friend or foe, son or relative. Seeking the Self everywhere, lift the sense of difference (or give up the feeling of duality completely) born out of ignorance and treat all alike.

Sloka 26 (Attributed to Bharati Vamsa)

Kaamam Krodham Lobham Moham
Tyaktvaa(a)tmaanam Pasyati So'ham
Aatmagyaana Viheenaa Moodhaah
Te Pachyante Narakanigoodhaah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Kaamam - desire, Krodham - anger, Lobham - greed, Moham - delusion, Tyaktvaa - having left, Aatmaanam - the Self, Pasyati - see (the seeker), So'ham - 'He am I', Aatmagyaana Viheenah - those who have no self-knowledge, Moodhaah - the fools, Te - they, Pachyante - are tortured, Narak nigoodhaah - in hell as captives.

Substance:

Free yourself from desire (or lust), anger, greed, and delusion. Meditate on who you are. Ask of yourself, Who am I? The fools who fail to understand the self are caught even here in hell-fire and suffer torture.

Sloka 27 (Attributed to Sri Sumati or Sumitra)

Geyam Geetaanaamasahasram
Dhyeyam Sreepatiroopamajasram
Neyam Sajjanasange Chittam
Deyam Deenajanaaya Cha Vittam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Geyam - is to be chanted (sung), Geetaa - Bhagavad Geeta, Naamasahasram - Sahasranaamam, Dhyeyam - is to be meditated upon, Sripati - the form of the Lord of Lakshmi, Ajasram - always, Neyam - (the mind) is to be led, Sajjana sange - in the association (company) of the good, Chittam - the mind, Deyam - is to be distributed, Deenajanaaya cha - to the needy, Vittam - wealth.

Substance:

Regularly sing the glory of God as given in Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Sri Vishnusahasranamam, always meditate upon the form of Aadi Purusha Sri Mahavishnu, the Lord of Lakshmi, make every effort to take the mind towards the company of the good, noble and holy, and share the wealth with the poor and needy.

Sloka 28

Sukhatah Kriyate Raamaabhogah
Paschaaddhanta Sareere Rogah
Yadyapi Loke Maranam Saranam
Tadapi Na Munchati Paapaacharanam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Sukhatah - For the sake of happiness, Kriyate - (is done) one indulges in, Raamaabhogah - carnal pleasures, Paschaat - later on, Hanta - alas, Sareere - in the body, Rogah - disease (comes), Yadyapi - even though, Loke - in the world, Maranam - death, Sarnam - (is) the ultimate end, Tadapi - even then, Na - (he) does not, Munchati - leaves, Paapaacharanam (Aacharanam Paap) - sinful behaviour.

Substance:

One indulges in carnal pleasures first and later on becomes prey to diseases (of the body). Though the death brings an end to everything, man does not leave his sinful behaviour.

Sloka 29

Arthamanartham Bhaavaya Nityam
Naasti Tatah Sukhalesah Satyam
Putraadapi Dhanabhaajaam Bheetih
Sarvatraishaa Vihitaa Reetih

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Artha - wealth, Anartham - (is) calamitous or ruinous, Bhaavaya - (thus) reflect, Nityam - constantly, Na asti - there is no, Tatah - from it, Sukhalesah - (even) a little happiness, Satyam - truth, Putraat api - even from his own son, Dhanabhaajam - to the rich, Bheetih - there is fear, Sarvatra - everywhere, Eshaa - this, Vihitaa - is (the ordained), Reetih - the way.

Summary:

Wealth is ruinous as there is no (real) joy in it. Reflect thus at all times. A rich man is frightened even by his own son. This is the way with wealth everywhere.

Sloka 30

Praanaayaamam Pratyaahaaram
Nityaanityavivekavichaaram
Jaapyasameta Samaadhividhaanam
Kurvavadhaanam Mahadavadhaanam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Praanaayaamam - the control of all activities (of life's manifestations in you), Pratyaahaaram - the sense-withdrawal (from their respective sense-objects), Nitya anitya viveka vichaaram - the enquiry (reflection) consisting of discrimination between the permanent and the impermanent, Jaapya sameta samaadhi vidhaanam - along with japa and the practice of reaching the total inner-silence, Kuru - perform, Avadhaanam - with care, Mahat avadhaanam - with great care.

Substance:

Regulated breathing or pranas and sense control or withdrawal (from their respective sense-objects), reflection or discrimination (of values between permanent and the impermanent or eternal and the transient) along with japa on the holy name of God and meditation to reach the inner-self or to silence the turbulent mind - one has to perform these with care and extreme care.

Sloka 31

Gurucharanaambuja Nirbharabhaktah
Samsaaraadachiraadbhava Muktah
Sendriyamaanasaniyamaadevam
Drakshyasi Nijahridayastham Devam

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Meaning:

Guru charan ambuja nirbhara bhaktah - great devotee of the lotus-feet of the teacher, Samsaarat - from the samsaara, Achiraat - soon, Bhava muktah - become liberated, Sendriya maanas niyamat - through the discipline of the sense organs and the mind, Evam - in this manner, Drakshyasi - you will experience, Nija hridayastham - that dwells in one'w own heart, Devam - the Lord.

Substance:

O devotee of the lotus-feet of the teacher! may you become liberated soon from the samsaara through the discipline of the sense-organs and the mind. You will experience (behold) the Lord that dwells in your own heart.

Extra Slokas

Moodhah Kashchana Vaiyaakarano
Dukrinkaranaadhyayana Dhurinah
Sreemachchamkara Bhagavachchisyai
Bodhita Aasichchodhita Karanah

... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam

Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodhamate
Naama Smaranaa Danya upaayam
Nahi Pasyaamo Bhavatarane

... Bhaja Govndam, Bhaja Govindam

Substance:

Thus, a grammarian, who has lost in rules, cleansed of his narrow vision and shown the Light by Sri Adi Sankaracharya's teachings.

Therefore, O fool, at least now understand the purport of life and cross the life's ocean with the help of worshiping Govinda and reciting His sacred names with every breath that you take.

References:

1. The Universe That is God by Dr. I. Panduranga Rao, published by Jnana Pravaha Centre for Cultural Studies, Varanasi.

2. Life of Sri Ramanuja by Swami Ramakrishnananda, translated from Bengali by Swami Budhananda, published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras.

3. Thousand Ways to the Transcendental Vishnu Sahasrnama by Swami Chnimayananda, published by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai.

4. Aadi Sankaracharya's Bhaja Govindam by Swami Chinmayananada, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai.