F

^|
BHAJA GOVINDAM
by Shri Shankarcarya
Translation by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati
^| ^| ^|
+ + +
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE,
SAPRPTE SANNIHITE KLE NA HI NA HI RAKATI U-KR -KARAE.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one! That is to say, realize Godhood in the
form of I-AM in your heart. At the time of death, if you think, I have too many things to do, I am very busy and I
have no time to meditate, this answer will not help you!
^ +
^ +| |^
^| ^| ^|
1. MHA JAHHI DHANGAMA-TR KURU SAD-BUDDHI MANASI VITR M,
YAL LABHASE NIJA-KARMOPTTA VITTA TENA VINODAYA CITTAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
O wise one! Give up your thirst for collecting wealth by unfair means! Renounce ceaseless passions and create
wisdom and righteous thoughts in your mind. Whatever wealth or reward you obtain by honest and fair means, enjoy
that and be content. Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ |
+ ^ -
^| ^| ^|
2. NARA-NR-STANA-NBH-DEA DR V M MOHVEAM,
ETAN MNSA-VASDI-VIKRA MANASI VICRAYA VRA VRAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Seeing the full bosom a navel of x, do not fall prey to maddening delusion. This is but a form of
flesh and fat. Reflect thus in your mind, again over again.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ ^
^^^ |+ |+
^| ^| ^|

3. NALIN-DALA-GATA-JALAM ATITARALA TADVAJ JVITAM ATIAYA-CAPALAM,

VIDDHI VYDHYABHIMNA-GRASTA LOKA OKA-HATA CA SAMASTAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
The water drop trembles on the lotus leaf due to the wind. So too mans life is ever unsteady, trembling in the
winds of never-ending desire. Understand that the whole world is consumed by disease and arrogance, afflicted
with grief and pain. Nobody knows what time the individual life will be extinguished and will fall, like the drop
from the lotus petal.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ | |
- +|- ^
^| ^| ^|
4. YVAD ITTOPRJANA-SAKTAS TVAN NIJA-PARIVRO RAKTAH ,
PACJ JVATI JARJARA-DEHE VRT KO PI NA PR CCHATI GEHE.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
As long as you are able to earn and to save, so long your family is attached to you. But later when you a old,
your body infirm, without money and life, none of your kin cares to speak even a word to you. (They come
sometimes to see you in the nursing home.) Friends are plenty as long as you have plenty of money. No more
money, no more friends. Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^| + ^
^ ^| ^ ^ -^ +^
^| ^| ^|
5. YVAT PAVANO NIVASATI DEHE TVAT PR CCHATI KUALA GEHE,
GATAVATI VYAU DEHPYE BHRY BIBHYATI TASMIN KYE.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
As long as the life-breath remains in your body, so long they inquire about your welfare at home. But when the
life-breath departs and the body decays, even your wife or husband fears that very same body. Without life, the
body becomes a resident member of the graveyard! Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your
heart, O wise one!
+
^ +|- ^
^| ^| ^|
6. BLAS TVAT KRSAKTAS TARUAS TVAT TARU-RAKTAH ,
VR DDHAS TVAC CINT-MAGNAH PRE BRAHMAI KO PI NA LAGNAH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Childhood passes in play. Youth is lost in the sweethearts charms. The old man is absorbed in anxiety.
Alas, no one is ever attached to Brahman, Absolute Godhood, the Absolute I-AM.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!

+ + + |-^
+^ + + ^ - ^
^| ^| ^|

7. K TE KNT KAS TE PUTRAH SANSRO YAM ATVA VICITRAH ,
KASYA TVA KAH KUTA YTAS TATTVA CINTAYA TAD IHA BHRTAH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Who is your wife? Who is your son? Very strange indeed is this world of birth and death, sansra! Whose are
you and who are you? From where have you come? O brother, ponder the truth asked here: Who am I?
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
- - - |
| -- --
^| ^| ^|
8. SAT-SAGATVE NISSAGATVA NISSAGATVE NIRMOHATVAM,
NIRMOHATVE NICALA-TATTVA NICALA-TATTVE JVAN-MUKTIH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Good and virtuous company gives rise to non-attachment. From non-attachment comes freedom from delusion.
With freedom from delusion, one feels the changeless reality. Experiencing that changeless reality, one attains
liberation in this life. I-AM is the ocean of awareness. Realizing this, one feels, I am not the body and mind,
although I have a body and mind.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ ^ + ++ + + +
+ | - +
^| ^| ^|
9. VAYASI GATE KAH KMA-VIKRAH KE NRE KAH KSRAH ,
KE VITTE KAH PARIVRO JTE TATTVE KAH SANSRAH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
When youth is gone, where is lust and its play? When the water is evaporated, where is the lake? When wealth
is exhausted, where are the family and friends? When the truth is realized, where is sansra, your private
world? After realizing the truth, the whole universe becomes the pulsation of Absolute I-AM.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
+ ^|^ +
^^
^| ^| ^|
10. M KURU DHANA-JANA-YAUVANA-GARVAM HARATI NIMET KLAH SARVAM,
MYMAYAM IDAM AKHILA HITV BRAHMA-PADAM TVA PRAVIA VIDITV.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.

Do not take pride in your wealth, friends or youth. Time steals all these away in a moment. Knowing their illu-
sory nature, leave all these aside and enter the abode of Brahman. In other words, from the kma-ll, enter the
ma-ll. Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^^| ^ | ^
+ + ^^^ &^^
^| ^| ^|
11. DINA-YMINYAU SYA PRTAH IIRA-VASANTAU PUNAR YTAH ,
KLAH KRATI GACCHATYYUS TAD API NA MUCATY-VYUH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Day and night, dusk and dawn, winter and spring come again, over again. While time thus sports, our life ebbs
away. And yet the gusts of undue desire never leave us. This is called the yama-ll, the play of death. It is the
kla-ll (the dance of death), as opposed to the rsa-ll.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
+ + ^ + ^
^ ^ + |+ -
^| ^| ^|
12. K TE KNT DHANA-GATA-CINT VTULA KI TAVA NSTI NIYANT,
TRI-JAGATI SAJ-JANA-SAGATIR EK BHAVATI BHAVRAVA-TARAE NAUK.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
O restless one! Why do you bother about your dictatorial wife or husband? Why worry about your wealth? Do
you not have a commander over your loose tongue? In all the three worlds, only association with the wise is the
boat to cross the sea of worldly existence.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
| + +^ +
^ ^ | | +
^| ^| ^|
13. JAILO MU LUCHITA-KEAH KYMBARA-BAHU-KR TA-VEAH ,
PAYANN API CA NA PAYATI MHO HYUDARA-NIMITTA BAHU-KR TA-VEAH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
The ascetic with matted locks, the one with the shaven head, the man with hairs plucked out one by one,
another clad in ochre robes the deluded one, though seeing, does not see that these guises are assumed for the
sake of their bearers bellies alone! These disguises make one an actor or actress, but not a real follower of
truth. Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
- ^
| ^ ^ &^
^| ^| ^|

14. AGA GALITA PALITA MUA DAANA-VIHNA JTA TUAM,

VR DDHO YTI GR HTV DAA TAD API NA MUCATY-PIAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
His body grown feeble, his hair turned grey, his mouth deprived of teeth, the old man totters along with his
stick. Yet even then he does not release his bundle of false hopes and never-ending undue desires. We are dis-
ciples of our desires. Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ | +
+ &^
^| ^| ^|
15. AGRE VAHNIH PR HE BHN RTRAU CUBUKA-SAMARPITA-JNUH ,
KARA-TALA-BHIKAS TARU-TALA-VSAS TAD API NA MUCATY-PAH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Sitting before the fire or with the sun at his back, sleeping at night with his chin on his knee, he receives alms in
the palm of his hand and lives, homeless, under a tree. And yet the noose of never-ending undue desire never
spares him! Desire is the guru of the ignorant!
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
+ ^- ^^

^| ^| ^|
16. KURUTE GA-SGARA-GAMANA VRATA-PARIPLANAM ATHAV DNAM,
JNA-VIHNE SARVA-MATENA MUKTIR NA BHAVATI JANMA-ATENA.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
One may go on pilgrimage to the sacred ga-sgara (where the river Ga meets with the ocean). One may
observe vows or give gifts to the poor. But without direct experience of Absolute I-AM, Absolute Godhood,
then according to all schools of thought, one does not gain liberation, not even in one hundred lives.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^
^ |^^^ +^ +| ^
^| ^| ^|
17. SURA-MANDIRA-TARU-MLA-NIVSAH AYY BHTALAM AJINA VSAH ,
SARVA-PARIGRAHA-BHOGA-TYGAH KASYA SUKHA NA KAROTI VIRGAH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
It is far better to live in a temple or at the root of a tree with naked earth for a bed, a deer skin for cloth, living
in God-intoxication, than to have property, possessions and enjoyment gained by unfair, dishonest means.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^|^| |^| - | -
^^ ^
^| ^| ^|

18. YOGA-RATO V BHOGA-RATO V SAGA-RATO V SAGA-VIHNAH ,
YASYA BRAHMAI RAMATE CITTA NANDATI NANDATI NANDATYEVA.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Practicing yoga or enjoying bhoga (luxury), delighting in company or living alone, he whose mind rests ever in
Brahman, Absolute Godhood, Absolute I-AM beyond body and mind, he alone is always happy in every way
- physically, mentally and spiritually.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ +& ^- ++
+ ^^ ^ ^ + +
^| ^| ^|
19. BHAGAVAD-GT KICID ADHT GAG-JALA-LAVA-KAIK PT,
SAKR D API YASYA MURRI-SAMARC TASYA YAMAH KIM KURUTE CARCM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
For one who has studied the Bhagavad-Gt just a little, who has sipped one small drop of water from the
Gag, who has worshipped even once Lord Murri (destroyer of Mura, the demonic ego), for him there is no
quarrel with Yama, the king of death. For him, there is no death, because he is always one with God.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^
: + ^ -
^| ^| ^|
20. PUNAR API JANANA PUNAR API MARAA PUNAR API JANAN-JAHARE AYANAM,
IHA SANSRE BAHU-DUSTRE KR PAYPRE PHI MURRE.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Again over again birth, again over again death, and again over again lying in the mothers womb! This sansra
is very hard to cross over. Save me, O Murri, by your infinite grace!
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
+ +|- + ^ + +|
: ^ ^ - --
^| ^| ^|

22. KAS TVA KO HA KUTA YTAH K ME JANAN KO ME TTAH ,
ITI PARIBHVAYA SARVAM ASRA VIVA TYAKTV SVAPNA-VICRAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Who are you? Who am I? From where did I come? Who is my mother? Who is my father? In this way
inquire, giving up all this sense-perceived universe which is as changeful as a dream. Discover your true Self
beyond time and space.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!

^ ^ ^ +| ^ + -^ ^
^ -
^| ^| ^|
23. TVAYI MAYI CNYATRAIKO VIUR VYARTHA KUPYASI MAYYASAHIUH ,
BHAVA SAMA-CITTAH SARVATRA TVA VCHASYACIRD YADI VIUTVAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
In you, in me and in all others, too, there is but one all-pervading reality, the cosmic consciousness, cosmic I-
Am, Lord Viu. Being impatient, you get angry with me in vain. Look upon all things equally if you want to
attain your cosmic form soon.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
| | + ^ ^ |
^ | -
^| ^| ^|
24. ATRAU MITRE PUTRE BANDHAU M KURU YATNA VIGRAHA-SANDHAU,
SARVASMINN API PAYTMNA SARVATROTSR JA BHEDA-JNAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
With foe, with friend, with son, daughter or relation, do not strive by unfair means for union or separation. See
your Self beyond space and time, everywhere and in everything. Let go of dualism and false knowledge. Care
for truth! Do not care for untruth!
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
+ +| | | ^ ^ +|-
^ + + -
^| ^| ^|

25. KMA KRODHA LOBHA MOHA TYAKTVTMNA BHVAYA KO HAM,
TMA-JNA-VIHN MHS TE PACYANTE NARAKAM ANEKAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Abandoning desire, anger, greed and delusion, ask yourself, Who am I?. Those who do not seek Self-knowl-
edge are fools and they suffer in various types of hell. Identity with the body and mind is hell, because you are
not the body and mind, although you have a body and mind as an instrument.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
^ - ^ ^ -
^| ^| ^|
26. GEYA GT-NMA-SAHASRA DHYEYA R-PATI RPAM AJASRAM,
NEYA SAJ-JANA-SAGE CITTA DEYA DNA-JANYA CA VITTAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.

The Bhagavad-G and Sahasra-Nma are to be chanted. The form of Lakms lord is to be meditated upon
always. The mind is to be led towards the company of the good, and wealth is to be distributed to the needy.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
+^ |^ - |^
^ |+ & -
^| ^| ^|
27. SUKHATAH KRIYATE RM-BHOGAH PACD DHANTA ARRE ROGAH ,
YADYAPI LOKE MARAA ARAA TAD API NA MUCATI PPCARAAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
One indulges in various types of romance for happiness, then afterwards alas! into the body comes dis-
ease. Even though in this world death is the final end, still man does not leave his sinful behavior.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ ^ ^
-
^| ^| ^|

28. ARTHAM ANARTHA BHVAYA NITYA NSTI TATAH SUKHA-LEAH SATYAM,
PUTRD API DHANA-BHJ BHTIH SARVATRAI VIHIT RTIH .
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Excessive fortune (wealth gained by unfair means) brings misfortune! Reflect in this way constantly. The truth
is it does not avail the slightest happiness. Rich men fear even their children. This is the way of wealth every-
where! Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^ ^ ^^ +
-^ + -
^| ^| ^|
29. PRMA PRATYHRA NITYNITYA-VIVEKA-VICRAM,
JPYA-SAMNA-SAMDHI-VIDHNA KURVAVADHNA MAHAD AVADHNAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
Prma (breath control), pratyhra (control of the senses), Self-inquiry (Who am I?) and discrimination
between the eternal and non-eternal, to these methods, combined with nma-japa (repeating prayer) and sam-
dhi (inner peace and silence, meditation), you must attend with care, with very great care.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^
^^ ^ ^
^| ^| ^|
30. GURU-CARAMBUJA-NIRBHARA-BHAKTAH SANSRD ACIRD BHAVA MUKTAH ,
SENDRIYA-MNASA-NIYAMD EVA DRAKYASI NIJA-HR DAYA-STHA DEVAM.
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.

O ardent devotee of the Gurus lotus feet,may you be liberated from sansra soon. By discipline of the senses
and the mind, you will experience Absolute Godhood, the Absolute I-AM, dwelling forever in your heart.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
^| ^| ^|
+ + +
BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA BHAJA GOVINDA MHA-MATE.
SAPRPTE SANNIHITE KLE NA HI NA HI RAKATI U-KR -KARAE.
Realize Govinda, realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one! That is to say, realize Godhood
in the form of I-AM in your heart. At the time of death, if you think, I have too many things to do, I am very
busy and I have no time to meditate, this answer will not help you!
~
O NTIH NTIH NTIH .
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.