Payo Ji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo
पायो जी मैंने राम रतन धन पायो
Also known as: payo ji maine ram ratan dhan payo · payoji maine ram ratan dhan payo · meera bhajan payo ji · ram ratan dhan payo · payo ji maine
Origin & Story
Composed by Meera Bai (16th-century bhakti tradition) · Meera Bai · 16th century
Meera Bai, the Rajput princess who renounced palace life for devotion to Krishna, poured her bhakti into hundreds of padas. In this one she declares that she has found the true, imperishable wealth — the divine name — bestowed by her Guru's grace. The image of a treasure that cannot be spent or stolen and only grows has made it one of the most beloved bhajans in India.
✦ As told in scripture
Meera's life is itself the song's testimony — she gave up a kingdom and counted the name of God as her only wealth. Devotees say that singing 'Payo ji' shifts the heart from the anxiety of gain and loss to the quiet abundance of one who already possesses the only treasure that lasts.
Complete Text with Meaning
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
पायो जी मैंने राम रतन धन पायो। वस्तु अमोलिक दी मेरे सतगुरु, किरपा कर अपनायो॥
Payo ji maine Ram ratan dhan payo Vastu amolik di mere satguru, kirpa kar apnayo
Meaning:O, I have found the priceless wealth of Rama's name! My true Guru gave me this invaluable treasure and, by his grace, made me his own.
जनम जनम की पूँजी पाई, जग में सभी खोवायो। खरचै नहिं कोई चोर न लूटै, दिन दिन बढ़त सवायो॥
Janam janam ki punji payi, jag mein sabhi khovayo Kharchai nahin koi chor na lutai, din din badhat savayo
Meaning:I have gained the capital of countless lifetimes, having lost all else in the world. It is never spent, no thief can steal it — day by day it grows ever greater.
सत की नाव खेवटिया सतगुरु, भवसागर तर आयो। मीरा के प्रभु गिरधर नागर, हरख हरख जस गायो॥
Sat ki naav khevatiya satguru, bhavsagar tar aayo Meera ke prabhu Girdhar Nagar, harakh harakh jas gayo
Meaning:The true Guru is the boatman of the ship of truth, by whom I have crossed the ocean of existence. Meera's Lord is Girdhar Nagar (Krishna); with joy upon joy she sings his praise.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Payo Ji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo
Meera Bai's most beloved bhajan — a song of finding the imperishable wealth of the divine name
Teaches that God's name is a treasure no thief can steal and that only grows when 'spent'
A staple of satsang and bhakti-sangeet, recorded by countless great singers
Soothes the heart and turns the mind from material striving to inner richness
Simple, repetitive and uplifting — easy for any gathering to sing
How to Chant Payo Ji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo
Sing gently with feeling, dwelling on the idea of the divine name as wealth that can never be lost. It needs no ritual — many sing it to settle the mind into gratitude and devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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