साँसों की माला पे — Word-by-Word Meaning
साँसों की माला पे
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
साँसों की माला पे
Sanson ki mala pe
On the rosary (mala) of my every breath
सिमरूँ मैं पी का नाम
simroon main pee ka naam
I tell over the name of my Beloved (the Lord)
अपने मन की मैं जानूँ
apne man ki main janoon
What is in my own heart, I alone know
और पी के मन की राम
aur pee ke man ki Ram
and what is in my Beloved's heart, only Ram (God) knows
Complete Translation
अपनी हर साँस की माला पर मैं अपने प्रियतम (प्रभु) का नाम सिमरती हूँ। अपने मन का प्रेम केवल मैं जानती हूँ; और मेरे प्रियतम के मन में क्या है, यह केवल राम (ईश्वर) जानते हैं।
'साँसों की माला' अर्थात् अजपा-जाप — हर श्वास-प्रश्वास के साथ प्रभु-नाम का स्मरण, जिससे सारा जीवन ही निरंतर प्रार्थना बन जाता है।
Origin & History
Source: Devotional bhajan attributed to Meera Bai; cherished through modern renditions
Author: Attributed to Meera Bai
Period: Bhakti era; popularised in the modern era
This bhajan distils the whole of bhakti into one couplet: rather than counting beads, the devotee strings the Lord's name on the 'rosary' of the breath. The lover knows only her own heart's longing; the Beloved's heart is known to God alone. Carried far beyond temple courtyards by the great voices of the 20th century, 'Sanson Ki Mala Pe' has become one of the most loved bhajans of remembrance in the subcontinent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Sanson Ki Mala Pe' mean?▼
'On the rosary of my breaths I tell over the name of my Beloved.' Instead of counting beads on a mala, the devotee remembers the Lord's name with every breath — so that breathing itself becomes worship.
Who wrote Sanson Ki Mala Pe?▼
It is traditionally attributed to the saint-poetess Meera Bai and sung as a Meera bhajan. It became especially beloved in the modern era through renditions by singers such as Hari Om Sharan, Anup Jalota and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
What is the 'rosary of breaths'?▼
It is ajapa-japa — the effortless, unbroken remembrance of the divine name carried on the breath. The idea is to make remembrance so natural that it continues with every inhalation and exhalation, turning all of life into prayer.
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