BHAJA GOVINDAM:
Sloka 1
Bhajagovindam Bhajagovindam
Govindam Bhaja Moodhamathe
Samprapte Sannihite Kaale
Nahi Nahi Rakshati Dukrinkarane
Meaning:
Bhaja - Seek, Govinda - The Lord Govinda, Moodhamathe - O Fool, O Ignoramus, Samprapte - (When) comes, Sannihite - appointed, Kaale - Time, Nahi - Surely never, Rakshati - Saves, Dukrinkarane - Grammar rule.
Substance:
Seek or Worship Govinda, Seek Govinda, Seek Govinda, O or ignoramus. When the death comes at the appointed time, grammar rules will not save or rescue you.
materialistic pursuits of secular knowledge for worldly possessions, name and fame.
Sloka 2
Moodha Jaheehi Dhanaagamatrishnaam
Kuru Sadbuddhim Manasi Vitrishnaam
Yallabhase Nijakarmopaattam
Vittam Tena Vinodaya Chittam
... Bhaja Govindam ..
Meaning:
Moodha - O fool, Jaheehi - give up, Dhanaagamatrishnaam - the thirst to possess wealth, Kuru - create, Sadbuddhim - thoughts of Reality, Manasi - in (your) mind, Vitrishnaam - devoid of passion, Yat - with whatever, Labhate - you get as a reward of your past actions (Yallabhase), Nijakarma - by your actions, Upaattam - obtained (Nijakarmopaattam), Vittam - the wealth, Tena - with that, Vinodaya - entertain, Chittam - your mind.
Substance:
O Fool, give up your (insatiable) thirst or desire to possess or amass wealth and earthly objects, devote and develop your mind to thoughts of serenity, contentment and Reality, be happy and satisfied with whatever you get as a reward of your past actions and entertain your mind with such noble thoughts.
Sloka 3
Naaree Sthanabhara Naabheedesam
Drishtvaa Maa Gaa Mohaavesam
Etan Maamsavasaadi Vikaaram
Manasi Vichintaya Vaaram Vaaram
... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam ..
Meaning:
Naaree - the maidens, Sthanabhara - with the weight of their bosom, Naabheedesam - their naval, Drishtvaa - having seen, Maa - do not, (Aa) Gaa - fall a prey, Mohaavesam - maddening delusion, Etat - this is, Maamsam - of flesh or fragrance, Vasaa - of fat, Aadi - etc., (Etan Maamsavasaadi), Vikaaram - a modifiction, Manasi - in your mind, Vichintaya - think well, Vaaram Vaaram - again and again.
Substance:
Do not fall prey to maddening delusion and get enticed at the sight of the physical glamour of women having full bosom of young maidens and their naval, as these are nothing but a modification of flesh and fat. Do not fail to remember this truth and think over and over again in your mind.
Sloka 4
Nalineedalagata Jalamatitaralam
Tadvajjeevitamatisaya Chapalam
Viddhi Vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam
Lokam Sokahatam Cha Samastam
... Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam ..
Meaning:
Nalineedalagata jalam - the water (drop) playing on a lotus leaf, Ati - extremely, Taralam - uncertain (existence), Tadvat - similarly, Jeevitam - life, Atisaya - ever (greatly), Chapalam - unstable, Viddhi - understand, Vyaadhi Abhimana Grastam - consumed by desease and conceit (Vyaadhyabhimaanagrastam), Lokam - the world, Soka - with pangs, Hatam - is (riddled) beset, Cha - and, Samastam - whole.
Substance:
The water drop on the lotus-leaf is very unsteady and has extremely uncertain existence, so also is life. Understand that the world is equally unstable and it will be swallowed by disease and conceit. Life is ultimately nothing but worry, misery and grief.
