भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं

गोविन्दं भज मूढमते ।

सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले

नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृङ्करणे ॥

Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, O fool.

When the time of death comes near, Grammar rules will not save you.

This verse tells us to focus on devotion to God. At the time of death, knowledge of grammar or worldly skills is useless. Only devotion to God can save us. It reminds us that worldly knowledge has limits, but devotion to God is the true path.

मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां

कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम् ।

यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं

वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम् ॥

O fool, give up the craving for wealth, develop good sense and contentment in the mind.

Whatever you get from your own actions, with that, make your mind joyful.

This verse tells us not to chase wealth. Instead, we should be wise and content. Be happy with whatever you earn through your actions. True joy comes from inner peace, not from wealth.

यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्त-

स्तावन्निजपरिवारो रक्तः ।

पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे

वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे ॥

As long as one is capable of earning wealth, so long will his family show affection.

But once the body becomes old and weak, no one in the house even asks about him.

This verse reminds us that relationships based on wealth are temporary. Family shows love as long as we can provide. But in old age, when we can't earn, they may neglect us. It warns us about the fleeting nature of worldly attachments.

मा कुरु धनजनयौवनगर्वं

हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वम् ।

मायामयमिदमखिलं हित्वा

ब्रह्मपदं त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा ॥

Do not be proud of wealth, people, or youth, time takes everything away in a moment.

Giving up this entire illusion, enter the state of Brahman, knowing this truth.

This verse warns us not to be proud of wealth, people, or youth. Time can take them away instantly. It advises us to let go of these illusions and focus on the eternal truth, Brahman.

सुरमंदिरतरुमूलनिवासः

शय्या भूतलमजिनं वासः ।

सर्वपरिग्रहभोगत्यागः

कस्य सुखं न करोति विरागः ॥

Living under trees in temples, sleeping on the ground, wearing deerskin as clothing,  

Renouncing all possessions and pleasures, who wouldn't find happiness in such detachment?

This verse speaks about the joy of living a simple life. When we let go of material possessions and live a detached life, we find true happiness. It teaches us that less attachment brings more peace.

भगवद्गीता किञ्चिदधीता

गङ्गाजललवकणिका पीता ।

सकृदपि येन मुरारिसमर्चा

क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा ॥

One who has studied even a little of the Bhagavad Gita, drunk just a drop of Ganga water,

Or worshiped Lord Murari even once, for him, there is no interaction with Yama (the god of death).

This verse highlights the power of devotion. Even a small effort, like reading a little of the Gita or drinking Ganga water, can lead to freedom from death. It shows that sincere devotion has great rewards.

पुनरपि जननं पुनरपि मरणं

पुनरपि जननीजठरे शयनम् ।

इह संसारे बहुदुस्तारे

कृपयाऽपारे पाहि मुरारे ॥

Again birth, again death, again lying in the mother's womb.

In this world, so difficult to cross, save me, O Murari, by your boundless grace.

This verse talks about the cycle of birth and death. It is a plea to God, asking for help to escape this cycle. The world is full of suffering, and only God's grace can bring liberation.

गेयं गीतानामसहस्रं

ध्येयं श्रीपतिरूपमजस्रम् ।

नेयं सज्जनसङ्गे चित्तं

देयं दीनजनाय च वित्तम् ॥

Chant the Gita and the thousand names of the Lord,  meditate constantly on the form of Shri Hari.  

Let your mind be in the company of the good,  and give your wealth to those in need.

This verse gives simple advice for a good life. Chant the Gita, meditate on God, stay with good people, and share your wealth with those in need. By doing these, we can live a meaningful life.

अर्थमनर्थं भावय नित्यं

नास्तिततः सुखलेशः सत्यम् ।

पुत्रादपि धनभाजां भीतिः

सर्वत्रैषा विहिता रीतिः ॥

Reflect daily that wealth brings misfortune, truly, there is not even a trace of happiness in it.

Even the wealthy live in fear of their own sons, this is the way of the world everywhere.

This verse tells us that wealth does not bring happiness. Even the rich live in fear of losing their wealth or being harmed by their own family. It shows that material wealth is not the key to peace.

गुरुचरणाम्बुजनिर्भरभक्तः

संसारादचिराद्भव मुक्तः ।

सेन्द्रियमानसनियमादेवं

द्रक्ष्यसि निजहृदयस्थं देवम् ॥

With deep devotion to the lotus feet of the Guru, you will soon be liberated from worldly life.

Through control of the senses and the mind, you will behold the Lord dwelling in your own heart.

This verse stresses the importance of devotion to the Guru. With control over our senses and mind, and devotion to the Guru, we can find liberation. It shows that God lives in our hearts, and through discipline, we can see Him.

bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
govindam bhaja mudhamate .
samprapte sannihite kale
nahi nahi rakshati dukrinkarane ..

mudha jahihi dhanagamatrishnam
kuru sadbuddhim manasi vitrishnam .
yallabhase nijakarmopattam
vittam tena vinodaya chittam ..

yavadvittoparjanasakta-
stavannijaparivaro raktah .
pashchajjivati jarjaradehe
vartam kopi na prichchhati gehe ..

ma kuru dhanajanayauvanagarvam
harati nimeshatkalah sarvam .
mayamayamidamakhilam hitva
brahmapadam tvam pravisha viditva ..

suramandiratarumulanivasah
shayya bhutalamajinam vasah .
sarvaparigrahabhogatyagah
kasya sukham na karoti viragah ..

bhagavadgita kinchidadhita
gangajalalavakanika pita .
sakridapi yena murarisamarcha
kriyate tasya yamena na charcha ..

punarapi jananam punarapi maranam
punarapi jananijathare shayanam .
iha samsare bahudustare
kripayapare pahi murare ..

geyam gitanamasahasram
dhyeyam shripatirupamajasram .
neyam sajjanasange chittam
deyam dinajanaya cha vittam ..

arthamanartham bhavaya nityam
nastitatah sukhaleshah satyam .
putradapi dhanabhajam bhitih
sarvatraisha vihita ritih ..

gurucharanambujanirbharabhaktah
samsaradachiradbhava muktah .
sendriyamanasaniyamadevam
drakshyasi nijahridayastham devam ..

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi