भज गोविन्दम्
Origin & Story
Composed independently by Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · 8th century CE (circa 788-820)
According to tradition, Shankaracharya was walking through the streets of Varanasi (Kashi) with his disciples when he saw an aged scholar laboriously memorizing Panini's Sanskrit grammar rules. Moved by compassion, Shankaracharya spontaneously composed 'Bhaja Govindam' — urging the old man that grammar rules would not save him at the hour of death and that he should instead turn his mind to God. Each of his 14 disciples then added one verse, making it a collective composition. The work is also called 'Moha Mudgara' — the hammer that shatters delusion.
✦ As told in scripture
Shankaracharya himself demonstrated the teaching of Bhaja Govindam through his life. Despite dying at age 32, he established four mathas (monasteries) across India, wrote commentaries on the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, composed dozens of devotional hymns, and defeated every philosophical opponent in debate. His life proves that one who worships Govinda (turns to the Divine) accomplishes more in a short life than those who spend decades in material pursuits.
Complete Text with Meaning
भज गोविन्दं भज गोविन्दं गोविन्दं भज मूढमते। सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले न हि न हि रक्षति डुकृञ्करणे॥
Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate Samprapte Sannihite Kale Na Hi Na Hi Rakshati Dukrinkarane
Meaning:Worship Govinda, worship Govinda, worship Govinda, O foolish mind! When the appointed time of death arrives, grammar rules will not save you.
मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम्। यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम्॥
Mudha Jahihi Dhanaagama Trishnam Kuru Sadbuddhim Manasi Vitrishnam Yallabhase Nijakarmopaattam Vittam Tena Vinodaya Chittam
Meaning:O fool, abandon the thirst for acquiring wealth. Create in your mind thoughts of reality free from desire. Whatever wealth you earn through your own karma, be content with that.
नारीस्तनभरनाभीदेशं दृष्ट्वा मा गा मोहावेशम्। एतन्मांसवसादिविकारं मनसि विचिन्तय वारं वारम्॥
Naari Stanabhara Nabhi Desham Drishtva Ma Ga Mohavesham Etan Mamsa Vasadi Vikaram Manasi Vichintaya Varam Varam
Meaning:Do not fall into the delusion of attraction seeing a woman's body. Reflect again and again — this is merely a modification of flesh and fat.
नलिनीदलगतजलमतितरलं तद्वज्जीवितमतिशयचपलम्। विद्धि व्याध्यभिमानग्रस्तं लोकं शोकहतं च समस्तम्॥
Nalini Dalagata Jalam Ati Taralam Tadvaj Jeevitam Atishaya Chapalam Viddhi Vyadhyabhimana Grastam Lokam Shokahatatam Cha Samastam
Meaning:Life is as uncertain as a drop of water on a lotus petal. Know that the entire world is consumed by disease, ego and sorrow.
यावद्वित्तोपार्जनसक्तः तावन्निजपरिवारो रक्तः। पश्चाज्जीवति जर्जरदेहे वार्तां कोऽपि न पृच्छति गेहे॥
Yavad Vittoparjana Saktah Tavan Nija Parivaro Raktah Pashchaj Jeevati Jarjara Dehe Vartam Kopi Na Prichchhati Gehe
Meaning:As long as you are able to earn money, your family is attached to you. But when your body becomes old and decrepit, no one at home even asks how you are.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting भज गोविन्दम्
Profound wake-up call for the mind lost in material pursuits
Cultivates vairagya (detachment) — the foundation of spiritual progress
Written by Adi Shankaracharya — the greatest philosopher-sage of India
Each verse is a complete meditation on the nature of life and death
Frees the mind from attachment to wealth, body and relationships
One of the most quoted philosophical texts in all of Hinduism
How to Chant भज गोविन्दम्
Bhaja Govindam is best read slowly, contemplating each verse deeply. It is not a mantra for rapid repetition but a philosophical meditation. Read one verse, close your eyes, and let its meaning penetrate. It is traditionally chanted in groups during satsang. The refrain 'Bhaja Govindam' should be felt as a direct call from the guru to your own wandering mind.