📜 Ashtakam · Vishnu (Govinda)
Bhaja Govindam
Adi Shankaracharya's hymn on the transience of worldly life.
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Best occasion
Daily by Vedantic students, during illness/grief
🕉️ Sanskrit / Devanagari
भजगोविन्दं भजगोविन्दं गोविन्दं भज मूढमते। सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृञ्करणे॥ मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम्। यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम्॥
Roman Transliteration
Bhaja Govindam bhaja Govindam Govindam bhaja moodhamate Sampraapte sannihite kaale nahi nahi rakshati dukrinkarane Moodha jaheehi dhana-aagama-trishnaam kuru sad-buddhim manasi vitrishnaam Yal-labhase nija-karmopaattam vittam tena vinodaya chittam
English
Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind. When death approaches, rules of grammar (dukrin-karane) shall not save you. O fool, give up the thirst for accumulating wealth. Cultivate right understanding in your mind free of craving. Whatever wealth you obtain by your own karma — with that alone content the mind.
Meaning & Significance
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya. 31 verses (including 12 by disciples) on Vedantic detachment. The opening line is one of the most famous in Sanskrit literature.
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