Bhaj Govindam – 1

Bhaj Govindam (BG) is a beautiful composition by Sri Sankracarya.

This Stotra has also been given the title of Mohamudgara — one that shatters your passion towards material things and attachments. I have commented on the composition in a series of six lectures.

All lectures are in Hindi. During my discourse, I refer to the verses from the stotra. So, to help you better understand and enjoy them, I am documenting the verses below with my contextual translation. The verses covered in the first discourse are as follows:

भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं, गोविन्दं भज मूढ़मते। 
सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते मरणे, नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृञ् करणे ॥1॥
Chant the holy names O deluded one! At the moment of your last breath, no secondary knowledge or anyone from this world will be of any help.

मूढ़ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां, कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम्। 
यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं, वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम् ॥2॥
The one deluded by the material world is always struggling for more.  Lead a virtuous life and be contented with what comes your way; for, you can only reap what you sow.

नारीस्तनभरनाभीनिवेशं, दृष्ट्वा-माया-मोहावेशम्। 
एतन्मांस-वसादि-विकारं, मनसि विचिन्तय बारम्बाररम् ॥3॥
You lust after women; however, know that bodies are the result of gross formation of flesh, fat, bones and so forth.

नलिनीदलगतसलिलं तरलं,  तद्वज्जीवितमतिशय चपलम्।
विद्धि व्याध्यभिमानग्रस्तं, लोकं शोकहतं च समस्तम् ॥4॥
Life is elusive and ephemeral as that drop of water that runs down the lotus leaf and promptly loses its existence. All around you, the material world is suffering from diseases, ego and grief; what is so attractive about it?

यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्त: तावत् निज परिवारो रक्तः। 
पश्चात् धावति जर्जर देहे, वार्तां पृच्छति कोऽपि न गेहे ॥5॥
That family for whom you devoted your whole life constantly earning and struggling is only interested in you so long as you are of some use to them.

यावत्पवनो निवसति देहे, तावत् पृच्छति कुशलं गेहे। 
गतवति वायौ देहापाये, भार्या बिभ्यति तस्मिन्काये ॥6॥
The moment you breathe your last, they will have you cremated without ado. Your own wife, the one you shared most intimate moments with, will dread at the sight of your body.

The discourse can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

There are a total of six videos in this series of Bhaja Govindam. Here is the list and the links you can go to:

Bhaj Govindam 2
Understanding the reality. In this second of the six parts of Bhaj Govindam, listen to the exposition on the next six verses of this Stotra. Click here.

Bhaj Govindam 3
Shankaracharya urges us to reflect on our actions. Life continues to move while most people are stuck in their desires, goals, and hopes. Why do you do what you do? Reflect on your actions. Click here.

Bhaj Govindam 4
Acquire true knowledge. Shankaracharya says -Your salvation depends on your state of mind, your karma. Realization of truth can help you live in this world with peace and bliss. Click here.

Bhaj Govindam  5
Have you ever wondered who are you and what you are holding on to? Hear the exposition on the verses to reflect on their deep wisdom. Click here.

Bhaj Govindam 6
Shankracharya urges us to exercise surrender, meditate, and work towards the real goal of human life — Salvation. Click here.

Peace.
Swami