Bhaja Govindam, bhaja Govindam, Govindam bhaja mudhamate
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Bhaja Govindam, bhaja Govindam, Govindam bhaja mudhamate Samprapte sannihite kale, Nahi nahi rakshati dukrinkarane. Dinayaminyau sayam pratah Shishiravasantau punarayatah Kalah kridati gachhatyayus Tadapi na munchatyashavayuh. Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam Punarapi janani jathare shayanam Iha samsare bahu dustare Kripaya pare pahi Murare. Shatrau mitre putre bandhau Ma kuru yatnam vigrahasandhau Bhava samachittah sarvatra tvam Vanchhsyachira yadi Vishnutvam. Geyam Gita Namasahasram Dhyeyam Shripati rupamajasram Neyam sajjana sange chittam Deyam dinajanaya cha vittam. Guru charanambuja nirbhara bhaktah Samsarad achirad bhava muktah Shendriya manasa niyamadevam Drakshyasi nija hridayastham devam.
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This famous devotional hymn, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, teaches the importance of devotion to Lord Govinda (Vishnu) and warns against becoming lost in intellectual pride or worldly distractions. The opening line urges the seeker to worship Govinda with sincere devotion, reminding the 'foolish mind' that mere scholarly knowledge or grammatical learning cannot save a person when death approaches. The hymn reflects on the passage of time: days and nights, evenings and mornings, and the changing seasons continually pass, while life steadily moves toward its end. Yet human beings remain attached to desires and hopes that bind them to the world. It also highlights the cycle of birth and death, describing how beings are repeatedly born, die, and return again to the womb. This endless cycle of worldly existence is difficult to cross. Therefore, the devotee prays to Lord Murari (Krishna) for divine grace to help them reach the other shore of liberation. The hymn advises cultivating equanimity toward friends and enemies, family members, and all people. Instead of engaging in conflict and attachment, one should develop a balanced mind and aspire toward the divine nature of Vishnu. It further recommends spiritual practices: singing the Bhagavad Gita, chanting the thousand names of the Lord, meditating constantly on the form of Shri Hari, keeping the mind in the company of the righteous, and giving charity to the poor and needy. Finally, the hymn emphasizes devotion to the Guru. One who takes refuge at the lotus feet of the Guru with deep devotion, disciplines the senses and the mind, and follows the path of spiritual practice will soon become free from worldly bondage. Such a seeker will ultimately realize the divine presence of God residing within their own heart.