Bhaja Govindam in English

Bhaja Govindam is a highly influential and timeless hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya. It is not merely a devotional song, but the essence of Vedanta, a mirror of life, and a divine teaching that shatters human delusion. This composition inspires one to question one’s own life—Who am I? Why was I given this life? Why am I restless even while chasing wealth, family, and prestige? What is truth, and what should be the real goal of life?

Read Here One Click ~ Bhaja Govindam in Hindi

Bhaja Govindam does not directly answer these questions, but rather shakes the human consciousness and turns it towards the truth. For this reason, this text is also called “Mohamudgara”—that is, the hammer that shatters human delusion.

According to tradition, the composition of Bhaja Govindam originated in the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Once, Shankaracharya was traveling in Kashi with his disciples. There, he saw an old man diligently and intently memorizing the rules of Sanskrit grammar—verb forms and aphorisms. The man was in the twilight of his life, yet his entire attention was focused solely on intellectual pursuits.

Seeing this, the compassionate heart of Shankaracharya was moved. He wondered why, when death was so near, this intellect was being used only for scholarly arguments? Is this the purpose of human life? If this intellect were directed towards contemplation of God, devotion, and control of the mind, then this life could be meaningful.

At that moment, the entire world became clear to him—a world that, instead of contemplating the Supreme Brahman, was merely chasing intellectual arrogance, sensual pleasures, and fleeting enjoyments. Inspired by this compassion and wisdom, the first verse flowed from Shankaracharya’s lips: “Bhaja Govindam, Bhaja Govindam, Govindam Bhaja Mudhamate.”

Bhaja Govindam is not merely the creation of one individual, but a living example of a spiritual tradition. This hymn is considered to have two main parts:

After the first verse, a group of 12 verses composed by Shankaracharya is called the Dwadasha-Manjarika Stotram. In these verses, the transience of the world, the fragility of the body, the futility of attachment to wealth and youth, and the necessity of devotion are expressed in extremely simple yet poignant words.

Secondly, inspired by Shankaracharya’s teachings, his 14 principal disciples composed 14 verses. This group is called the Chaturdasha-Manjarika Stotram. These verses present various dimensions of detachment, discrimination, spiritual practice, and self-knowledge.

To complete the hymn, Shankaracharya himself composed an additional 5 verses at the end, thus giving this work its complete and comprehensive form.

Read here in one click ~ Durga Saptashati Patha

The greatest virtue of Bhaja Govindam is that it presents profound Vedanta philosophy in extremely simple language. It repeatedly reminds us that this world is transient—wealth, position, beauty, youth, and relationships are all fleeting. The very body we are so proud of will one day turn to dust.

This hymn also teaches us that mere knowledge of scriptures, mastery of grammar, or logical arguments cannot be the means to liberation. Until the mind is fixed on God and ego is dissolved, even knowledge becomes a bondage.

Today’s man is surrounded by material comforts, yet he is restless within. Competition, consumption, and ostentation have made life burdensome. In such times, Bhaja Govindam reminds us that peace is not outside, but within. This hymn inspires us to live a balanced life—teaching us to fulfill our duties while remaining free from attachment. It does not ask us to run away from the world, but to recognize the truth while living in the world.

Bhaja Govindam is not just a hymn, but a call to self-realization. It awakens man from his delusion and turns him towards the truth. For the person who not only reads this work but also incorporates its essence into their life, every moment of life becomes a spiritual practice.

Ultimately, this is Shankaracharya’s message: as long as there is life, sing the praises of Govinda, for He is the only path to eternal bliss in this transient world.