Bhaja Govindam Stotra with English Meaning

Bhaja Govindam Stotra English Lyrics with Meaning | Bhaj Govindam | Bhaj Govindam Stotra | Bhaj Govindam Stotram | Bhaj Govindam Stotra with English Lyrics | Bhaj Govindam Stotram with meaning in English | Bhaj Govindam by Shri Shankaracharya | Bhaj Govindam Stotra by Adi Guru Shankaracharya | Govind Stotra | Krishna Stotra | Krishna Stuti | Govindam Bhaja Moodh mate | Moha Mudgara | मोह मुद्गर 

By Sri Adi Sankaracharya (and his disciples)

Subscribe on Youtube: The Spiritual Talks

Follow on Pinterest: The Spiritual Talks

Acharya Shankaracharya is believed to have composed the Bhaja Govindam during his famous pilgrimage to Kashi (Benares).  The fourteen disciples are said to have accompanied him.  The story goes that when he was walking along the streets of Kashi, he was painful to observe an elderly man trying hard to learn Sanskrit grammar of Panini. Taking pity on him, Adi Shankara went up to the scholar and advised him not to waste his time on learning Grammar at his age but to turn his mind to God in worship and adoration, which would only save him from this vicious cycle of life and death. At his advanced age, the remaining valuable little time of his life should have been used for worshipping the God, instead of wasting on learning a language.  

This prompted Sri Shankara to burst out this composition, a sort of rebuke to foolish way of living. The Acharya urges the man to turn towards God and sing His glory instead of trying to learn a language.  A censure is implied when the Acharya calls the man a fool (Moodhamathe).

It may be added here that the tone of Bhaja Govindam is not at all soft, but striking, in spite of its exotic poetic beauty and perfection of composition.  This is no wonder, because such a treatment is required to wake up man from his slumber.  A milder approach would delay the matter.  The matter is urgent, as the Acharya explains in the next verse, for, when the hour of death approaches without any forewarning, the hard-learned verses of grammar are not going to save the poor soul. 

Bhaja Govindam (Praise/Seek Govinda) also known as Moha Mudgara (Destroyer of illusion) is a popular 8th century Hindu devotional composition in Sanskrit composed by Adi Shankara. This work of Adi Shankara underscores the view that devotion (Bhakti) to God Govinda, is a vastly important part of general spirituality, as emphasised by Bhakti Yoga and the Bhakti movement . This work is generally considered a summary of Adi Shankara’s advait vedanta philosophy.The hymn “Bhaja Govindam” is said to have been composed on this occasion.

This composition is a reminder that Adi Shankaracharya, who is often regarded as reviver of Hinduism Gyaan Marga (Jnana Yoga) or the “Path of Knowledge” to attain Mukti (Salvation), also was a proponent of Bhakti Marga (Bhakti Yoga) to attain the same goal,;

 “When intelligence (jnana) matures and lodges securely in the heart, it becomes wisdom (vigyana). When that wisdom (vigyana) is integrated with life and issues out in action, it becomes devotion (bhakti). Knowledge (gyana) which has become mature is spoken of as devotion (bhakti). If it does not get transformed into devotion (bhakti), such knowledge (jnana) is useless tinsel.”

In this prayer, Adi Shankaracharya emphasizes the importance of devotion for God as a means to spiritual development and to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The prayer leaves one in no doubt that the renunciation of our egotistical differences and surrender to God makes for salvation.

This composition encapsulates with both brevity and simplicity the substance of all Vedantic thought found in whatever other works that Adi Shankaracharya wrote:

The refrain “Bhaja Govindam” which defines the composition and gives it its name invokes the almighty in the form of Shri Krishna; it is therefore very popular not only with Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s immediate followers, the Smaartas, but also with Vaishnavas and others.

Hence the song rightly starts without any preamble:

Bhaja Govindam Stotra

Bhaj Govindam Bhaj Govindam

Govindam Bhaj Moodh mate 

Sam praapte sannihite kaale

Nahi nahi rakshati Dukrinya karne. 1

भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं,

गोविन्दं भज मूढ़मते।

संप्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले,

नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृञ् करणे॥१॥

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death. 1

Moodh jaheehi dhanaagam trishhnaam

Kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishhnaam

Yalla bhase nij karmo paattam

Vittam ten vinodaya chittam.2

मूढ़ जहीहि धनागम तृष्णाम्,

कुरु सद्बुद्धिमं मनसि वितृष्णाम्।

यल्ल भसे निज कर्मो पात्तम्,

वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तं॥२॥

Oh fool ! Give up your thirst to a mass wealth, devote your mind to thoughts to the Real. Be content with what comes through actions already performed in the past.2

Naaristan bhar naabhi desham

Drishhtvaa maagaa mohaa vesham

Etan maansav saadi vikaaram

Manasi vichintaya vaaram vaaram. 3

नारीस्तन भर नाभी देशम्,

दृष्ट्वा मागा मोहा वेशम्।

एतन्मान्सव सादि विकारम्,

मनसि विचिन्तय वारं वारम्॥३॥

Do not get drowned in delusion by going wild with passions and lust by seeing a woman’s navel and chest. These are nothing but a modification of flesh. Do not fail to remember this again and again in your mind.3

Nalini dal gat jal mati taralam

Tadvajjeevit mati shaya chapalam

Viddhi vyaadhyabhi maan grastam

Loka shok hatam cha samastam. 4

नलिनी दल गत जल मति तरलम्,

तद्वज्जीवित मति शय चपलम्।

विद्धि व्याध्यभि मान ग्रस्तं,

लोक शोक हतं च समस्तम्॥४॥

The life of a man is as uncertain as rain drops trembling on a lotus leaf. Know that the whole world remains a prey to disease, ego and grief.4

Yaavad vitto paarjan saktah

taavan nij parivaaro raktah

Pashchaa jeevati jarjar dehe

Vaartaam ko api na prichhati gehe.5

यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्त:,

तावन्निजपरिवारो रक्तः।

पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे,

वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे॥५॥

So long as a man is fit and able to support his family, see the affection all those around him show. But no one at home cares to even have a word with him when his body totters due to old age.5

Yaavat pavno nivsati dehe

Taavat prichhati kushlam gehe

Gat vati vaayau deha paaye

Bhaarya bibhyati tasmin kaaye.6

यावत्पवनो निवसति देहे,

तावत् पृच्छति कुशलं गेहे।

गत वति वायौ देहा पाये,

भार्या बिभ्यति तस्मिन्काये॥६॥

When one is alive, his family members enquire kindly about his welfare. But when the soul departs from the body, even his wife runs away fearing from the corpse.6

Baal staavat kreedaa saktah

Taruna staavat taruni saktah

Vriddh staa vachchintaa saktah

Pare brahmani ko api na saktah.7

बाल स्तावत् क्रीडा सक्तः,

तरुण स्तावत् तरुणीसक्तः।

वृद्धस्तावच्चिन्तासक्तः,

परे ब्रह्मणि को ऽपि न सक्तः॥७॥

The childhood is lost by attachment to playfulness. Youth is lost by attachment to woman. Old age passes away by thinking over many past things. But there is hardly anyone who wants to be lost in parabrahmam (super soul or God).7

Kaate kaantaa kaste putrah

Samsaaro ayamatiiva vichitrah

Kasya tvam kah kuta aayaatah

Tattvam chintaya tadiha bhraatah.8

का ते कांता कस्ते पुत्रः,

संसारोऽयमतीव विचित्रः।

कस्य त्वं वा कुत अयातः,

तत्त्वं चिन्तय तदिह भ्रातः॥८॥

Who is your wife ? Who is your son ? Strange is this samsara. Who are you ? From where have you come ? Brother, ponder over these truths here. 8

Satsangatve nihssangatvam

Nihssangatve nirmohatvam

Nirmohatve nishchalatattvam

Nishcalatattve jiivanmuktih.9

सत्संगत्वे निस्संगत्वं,

निस्संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वं।

निर्मोहत्वे निश्चलतत्त्वं

निश्चलतत्त्वे जीवन्मुक्तिः॥९॥

From Satsang (Spiritual discourse) comes non-attachment, from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion, which leads to self-settledness. From self-settledness comes Jeevan Mukti (Salvation).9

Bhaja Govindam Stotra

Vayasi gate kah kaam vikaarah

Shushhke niire kah kaa saarah

Kshiine vitte kah parivaarah

Gyaate tattve kah samsaarah.10

वयसि गते कः कामविकारः,

शुष्के नीरे कः का सारः।

क्षीणे वित्ते कः परिवारः,

ज्ञाते तत्त्वे कः संसारः॥१०॥

How good is lust when youth has gone ? How useful a lake is which has no water ? Where are the relatives when wealth is gone ? Where is samsara  (world ) when the Truth is known ? 10

Maa kuru dhan jan yauvan garvam

Harati nimeshhaat-kaalah sarvam

Maayaa maya mid makhilam hitvaa

Brahm padam tvam pravish viditvaa.11

मा कुरु धन जन यौवन गर्वं,

हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वं।

मायामयमिदमखिलम् हित्वा,

ब्रह्मपदम् त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा॥११॥

Do not boast of wealth, friends, and youth. Each one of these are destroyed within a minute. Free yourself from the illusion of the world of Maya and attain the timeless Truth.11

Din yaaminyau saayam praatah

Shishir vasantau punraa yaatah

Kaalah kreedati gachchhatyaayus

Tadapi na munchtyaashaa vaayuh.12

दिन यामिन्यौ सायं प्रातः,

शिशिर वसन्तौ पुनरा यातः।

कालः क्रीडति गच्छत्यायुस्

तदपि न मुन्च्त्याशा वायुः॥१२॥

Day and night, dusk and dawn, winter and springtime come and go. Time plays and life ebbs away. But the storm of desires never leaves.12

Dvaadash manjarikaa bhir sheshhah

Kathito vaiyaa karan syaishhah

Updesho bhoo dvidyaa nipunaih

Shri machchhankar bhagvachcharnaih.12a

द्वादश मंजरिका भिर शेषः

कथितो वैया करण स्यैषः।

उपदेशो भू द्विद्या निपुणैः,

श्री मच्छंकर भगवच्चरणैः॥१२अ॥

This bouquet of twelve verses was imparted to a grammarian by the all-knowing Shankara, adored as the bhagavadpada.12a

Bhaja Govindam Stotra

Bhaja Govindam Stotra

Kaate kaantaa dhan gat chintaa

Vaatul kim tav naasti niyantaa

Tri jagati sajjan sam gati raikaa

bhavati bhavaarn vatarane naukaa.13

काते कान्ता धन गत चिन्ता,

वातुल किं तव नास्ति नियन्ता।

त्रि जगति सज्जन सं गति रैका,

भवति भवार्ण वतरणे नौका॥१३॥

Oh mad man ! Why is your mind always engrossed in thoughts of wealth ? Is there no one to guide you ? There is only one thing in three worlds that can save you from the ocean from samsara (world ) . Get into that boat of satsang (spiritual  discourse ) quickly.13

Jatilo mundii lunchhit keshah

Kaashhaa yaambar bahu krit veshhah

Pashyannapi ch na pashyati moodhah

Udar nimittam bahu krit veshah.14

जटिलो मुण्डी लुञ्छितकेशः,

काषा याम्बर बहु कृत वेषः।

पश्यन्नपि च न पश्यति मूढः,

उदर निमित्तं बहु कृत वेषः॥१४॥

There are many who go with matted locks, many who have clean shaven heads, many whose hairs have been plucked out; some are clothed in saffron, yet others in various colors . All just for a livelihood. Seeing the truth revealed before them, still the foolish ones dont  see it . 14

Angam galitam palitam mundam

Dashan viheenam jatam tundam

Vriddho yaati griheetvaa dandam

Tadapi na munchatyaa shaapindam.15

अङ्गं गलितं पलितं मुण्डं,

दशन विहीनं जतं तुण्डम्।

वृद्धो याति गृहीत्वा दण्डं,

तदपि न मुञ्चत्या शापिण्डम्॥१५॥

Old man’s body has lost its strength; his head has become bald, his gums have become toothless and leaning on crutches. Even then his attachment is strong and he clings firmly to numerous desires. 15

Agre vahnih prishhthe bhaanuh

Raatrau chubuk samarpit jaanuh

Kar tal bhikshas taru tal vaasah

Tadapi na munchatyaa shaapaashah.16

अग्रे वह्निः पृष्ठे भानुः,

रात्रौ चुबुक समर्पित जानुः।

कर तल भिक्षस्तरु तल वासः,

तदपि न मुञ्चत्या शापाशः॥१६॥

Behold there lies the man who sits warming up his body from the fire in front of him and the sun at the back; at night he curls up the body to keep out of the cold; he begs for food and eats his food from his beggar’s bowl and sleeps beneath the tree. Still in his heart, he is a wretched puppet at the hands of passions. 16

Kurute gangaa saagar gamanam

Vrat pari paalan mathvaa daanam

Gyaan viheenah sarv maten

muktim Na bhajati janm shaten.17

कुरुते गङ्गा सागर गमनं,

व्रत परि पालन मथवा दानम्।

ज्ञान विहीनः सर्व मतेन,

मुक्तिं न भजति जन्मशतेन॥१७॥

One may go to Gangasagar (Ganges), observe fasts, and give away riches in charity ! Yet, devoid of jnana (without knowledge) , nothing can give mukti (salvation) even at the end of a hundred births.17

Sur mandir taru mool nivaasah

Shayyaa bhootal majinam vaasah

Sarv parigrah bhog tyaagah

Kasya sukham na karoti viraagah.18

सुर मंदिर तरु मूल निवासः,

शय्या भूतल मजिनं वासः।

सर्व परिग्रह भोग त्यागः,

कस्य सुखं न करोति विरागः॥१८॥

Make your residence in a temple or below a tree, wear the deerskin as the dress, and sleep on the mother earth as your bed. Give up all attachments and renounce all comforts. Blessed with such vairagya, could any one fail to be content ?18

Yog rato vaabhog ratovaa

Sang rato vaa sang viheenah

Yasya brahmani ramte chittam

Nandati nandati nandatyev .19

योग रतो वाभोग रतोवा,

सङ्ग रतो वा सङ्ग विहीनः ।

यस्य ब्रह्मणि रमते चित्तं,

नन्दति नन्दति नन्दत्येव॥१९॥

One may take delight in yoga or bhoga, may have attachment or detachment. But only one whose mind steadily delights in Brahman (Super soul or God)  enjoys bliss, no one else. 19

Bhaja Govindam Stotra

Bhagvad gita kinchid dheetaa

Ganga jal lav kanika peeta

Sakradapi yen muraari samarchaa

Kriyate tasya yamen na charchaa.20

भगवद् गीता किञ्चिद धीता,

गङ्गा जल लव कणिका पीता।

सकृदपि येन मुरारि समर्चा,

क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा॥२०॥

Even if a man reads a little from Bhagwad Gita, drinks just a drop of water from the Ganges, worships murari (govinda) just once. He then will have no altercation with Yama or will never have to face yama(God of Death). 20

Punrapi jananam punrapi maranam

Punarapi janani jathare shayanam

Ih sansaare bahu dustaare

Kripyaa apaare paahi muraare.21

पुनरपि जननं पुनरपि मरणं,

पुनरपि जननी जठरे शयनम्।

इह संसारे बहुदुस्तारे,

कृपया ऽपारे पाहि मुरारे॥२१॥

Birth again, death again, again to stay in the mother’s womb ! It is indeed hard to cross this boundless ocean of samsara(world). Oh Murari ! Redeem me through your mercy. 21

Rathyaa charpat virchit kanthah

Punyaa punya vivarjit panthah

Yogi yog niyojit chitto

Ramte baalon-mattav dev.22

रथ्या चर्पट विरचित कन्थः,

पुण्यापुण्य विवर्जित पन्थः।

योगी योग नियोजित चित्तो,

रमते बालोन्मत्तव देव॥२२॥

There is no shortage of clothing for a monk so long as there are rags cast off the road. Freed from vice and virtue, he wanders onwards. One who lives in communion with God enjoys bliss, pure and uncontaminated, like a child and as someone intoxicated. 22

Kastvam ko aham kut aayaatah

Kaa me janani ko me taatah

Iti pari bhaavaya sarvam saaram

Vishvam tyaktvaa svapn vichaaram.23

कस्त्वं को ऽहं कुत आयातः,

का मे जननी को मे तातः।

इति परि भावय सर्वम सारम्,

विश्वं त्यक्त्वा स्वप्न विचारम्॥२३॥

Who am I ? From where do I come ? Who is my mother, who is my father ? Ponder thus, look at everything as essenseless and give up the world as an idle dream. 23

Tvayi mayi chaan- yatraiko vishhnuh

Vyartham kupyasi mayya sahishhnuh

Bhava sam chittah sarvatra tvam

Vaanchhasya chiraa dhyadi vishnutvam.24

त्वयि मयि चान्यत्रैको विष्णुः,

व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मय्य सहिष्णुः।

भव सम चित्तः सर्वत्र त्वं,

वाञ्छस्य चिरा द्यदि विष्णुत्वम्॥२४॥

In me, in you and in everything, none but , the same Vishnu dwells. Your anger and impatience is meaningless. If you wish to attain the status of Vishnu soon, have sambhava (equanimity)  always. 24

Shatrau mitre putre bandhau

Maa kuru yatnam vigrah sandhau

Sarvas-minnapi pashya-atmaanam

Sarv trot-srij bhedaa gyaanam.25

शत्रौ मित्रे पुत्रे बन्धौ,

मा कुरु यत्नं विग्रह सन्धौ।

सर्वस्मिन्नपि पश्यात्मानं,

सर्वत्रोत्सृज भेदा ज्ञानम्॥२५॥

Do not waste your efforts to win the love of or to fight against friends and foes, children and relatives. See yourself in everyone and give up all feelings of duality completely. 25

Kaamam krodham lobham moham

Tyaktva atmaanam bhaavaya ko aham

Aatm gyaan viheenaa moodhaah

te pachyante narak nigoodhaah.26

कामं क्रोधं लोभं मोहं,

त्यक्त्वा ऽऽत्मानं भावय को ऽहम्।

आत्म ज्ञान विहीना मूढाः,

ते पच्यन्ते नरक निगूढाः॥२६॥

Give up lust, anger, infatuation, and greed. Ponder over your real nature. Understand your true self. Fools are they who are blind to the Selves. Casted into hell they suffer there endlessly. 26

Geyam gitaa naam sahasram

Dhyeyam shripati roopam jashram

Neyam sajjan sange chittam

Deyam deen janaaya cha vittam.27

गेयं गीता नाम सहस्रं,

ध्येयं श्रीपति रूपम जस्रम्।

नेयं सज्जन सङ्गे चित्तं,

देयं दीन जनाय च वित्तम्॥२७॥

Regularly recite from the Bhagwad Gita, meditate on Vishnu [through Vishnu sahasranama] in your heart, and chant His thousand glories or glories of thousand names. Take delight to  accompany the noble and holy people. Distribute your wealth in charity to the poor and  needy. 27

Bhaja Govindam stotra

Sukh tah kriyate rama bhogah

Pashchaad-dhant sharire rogah

Yadyapi loke marnam sharnam

Tadapi na munchati papa charnam.28

सुखतः क्रियते रामा भोगः,

पश्चाद्धन्त शरीरे रोगः।

यद्यपि लोके मरणं शरणं,

तदपि न मुञ्चति पापाचरणम्॥२८॥

He who is engaged in lust for pleasure ,his body suffers from many diseases. Though death brings an end to everything, and on this earth everybody’s death is certain, man does not give up the sinful path.28

Artham anartham bhaavaya nityam

Naasti tatah sukh leshah satyam

Putraa dapi dhan bhajaam bheetih

Sarv traishhaa vihitaa reetih.29

अर्थंमऽनर्थम् भावय नित्यं,

नास्ति ततः सुख लेशः सत्यम्।

पुत्रा दपि धन भजाम् भीतिः,

सर्व त्रैषा विहिता रीतिः॥२९॥

There is no welfare in wealth, truly there is no joy in it.You should think like that daily. A rich man fears even from his own son. This is the result of wealth. Everyone knows that.29

Pranayamam pratyahaaram

Nityaa nitya vivek vichaaram

Jaapya samet samaadhi vidhaanam

Kurva vadhaanam mahad vadhaanam.30

प्राणायामं प्रत्याहारं,

नित्यानित्य विवेक विचारम्।

जाप्य समेत समाधि विधानं,

कुर्व वधानं महद वधानम्॥३०॥

Regulate the pranas, good diet, think always diligently about the perishable nature of this world, remain unaffected by external influences and discriminate between the real and the fleeting. Meditate by chanting the holy name of God and silence the turbulent mind. Perform these things with care, with extreme care. 30

Guru charnaambuj nirbhar bhaktah

Sansaaraad chiraadbhav muktah

Sendriya maanas niyamaa devam

Drakshyasi nij hridayastham devam.31

गुरु चरणाम्बुज निर्भर भक्तः,

संसाराद चिराद्भव मुक्तः।

सेन्द्रिय मानस नियमा देवं,

द्रक्ष्यसि निज हृदयस्थं देवम्॥३१॥

Oh devotee of the lotus feet of the Guru ! May you be soon free from cycle of birth and death in this Samsara(world). Through disciplined senses and controlled mind, you shall come to experience the indwelling Lord of your heart !31

Moodhah kashchan vaiyaakarano

Dukrijn-karnaa-dhyayan dhurinah

Shri machchhamkar bhagava-chchhishhyai

Bodhit aasichchhodhit karanah.32

मूढः कश्चन वैयाकरणो,

डुकृञ्करणाध्ययन धुरिणः।

श्रीमच्छम्कर भगवच्छिष्यै,

बोधित आसिच्छोधित करणः॥३२॥

Thus was a silly grammarian lost in rules cleansed of his narrow vision and shown the Light by Shankara’s apostles.32

Bhajagovindam Bhajagovindam

Govindam bhajamoodhamate

Naam smaranaa danya mupaayam

Nahi pashyaamo bhav tarane .33

भजगोविन्दं भजगोविन्दं,

गोविन्दं भजमूढमते।

नाम स्मरणा दन्य मुपायं,

नहि पश्यामो भव तरणे॥३३॥

Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, Oh fool ! Other than chanting the Lord’s names, there is no other way to cross the life’s ocean.33

Bhaja Govindam Stotra

भज गोविन्दं-Bhaj Govindam stotra-हिंदी अर्थ सहित  

Be a part of this Spiritual family by visiting more spiritual articles on:

The Spiritual Talks

For more divine and soulful mantras, bhajan and hymns:

Subscribe on Youtube: The Spiritual Talks

For Spiritual quotes , Divine images and wallpapers  & Pinterest Stories:

Follow on Pinterest: The Spiritual Talks

For any query contact on:

E-mail id: thespiritualtalks01@gmail.com