Bhaja Govindam

Introduction

Sri Sankara

Sri Adi Sankaracharya composed this wonderful song in simple Sanskrit. Sri Sankara’s lifetime is estimated to be 788-820 A.D.  Some evidences suggest he was born in Kerala, (a southwestern state of India).  Sri Sankara was not only a saint, but also a poet of high ranking, a brilliant Sanskrit scholar, and philosopher, also. He established a number of religious institutions which are functioning even today.

 

Sri Sankara, the great prophet who propounded the Advaita (Non Dualistic) philosophy, lived only for about 32 years and hence could work only for about 20 years.  But the work he had done in such a short span of life was colossal.  He reformed and rejuvenated the Hindu faith, which was suffering due to the influence of misinterpreted Buddhism and internal fights among its petty leaders and groups.  

 

His other works were: Commentary on the Prasthana Trayam (consisting of Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita), Viveka Choodamani, Panchadashi, Atma Bodham, Soundaryalahari, many stotras (prayers), songs, prose, etc.

 

Christopher Isherwood wrote about him "... As prophet and as thinker, Sankara stands among the greatest figures in the history of the world. He is primarily, the unrivalled propounder of Advaita Vedanta, the non-dualistic aspect of the Vedic teachings. By means of his remarkable clearness, his supreme wisdom, and his profound spirituality, he has so stamped himself upon Vedanta that it has remained the paragon of Indian Philosophy, and has given solace to the sorrowful hearts of a large segment of mankind." 

 

Bhajan song

The Bhajagovindam has a grand depth of philosophy and poetic beauty to bind itself to the sadhaka’s heart. Among the poetical works of Sri Sankara, Bhjagovindam is one of the smallest in volume, but easily could be ranked one of the foremost.  Though it is a bhajan song, it is considered as a “prakarana grantha”, a primer to major works. 

 

C.Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) has remarked that this simple song contains all Vedanta Sara, the essence of Vedanta.  It is no wonder that the song is very popular all over India and is often recited in Bhajans and other satsanga.  This is set to melodious music suitable for singing in chorus. Bhajan is an important part of devotional exercises for the Hindu mind.  Music itself is said to elevate the mind to freedom.  So, what if it is on God Himself?  The sweetness of a well-sung Bhajan will not fail to elevate even a dull mind to higher realms.  The idea is to forget one’s little self.  Music, rhythm and where possible, accompaniments of instruments play a good role.  A dull song may not appeal to many.

 

Practical guide

What is the difference between other bhajan songs and Bhajagovindam?  There are several types of Bhajan songs: chanting Lord’s myriad names, his glories, stories, experiences of great seers, etc. Though it is written in the style of a Bhajan, Bhajagovindam is much more than that. It is a philosophical treatise: Here the subject is our own Self; The ironies of life, the vanity of life; the transient nature of life’s pleasures and pursuits form the subject of this unique gem among songs.  In a very compact form, Sri Sankara presents a practical guide on how to live; how to get rid of lust and greed, how to attain God realization. That is why this is also called ‘Moha mudgaram’ (remover of delusion). Gita is the prominent parallel to this. Bhagavan Sri Krishna in His sweet, musical words gently persuades Arjuna to the right path.  Essentially the same method is followed by the great Acharya here.  He even urges sadhakas to study the Gita. In fact, Bhajagovindam should serve as an abridged version of the Gita, which should inspire sadhakas to the serious study of the latter. 

 

Jnana Bhakti Samanvaya

Though it may sound simple, the Acharya has nicely condensed in the song all practical aspects of Vedanta philosophy. Important principles of Jnana (knowledge) and Bhakti (devotion) are presented to the common man.  It is said that the Acharya, who drank the ocean of knowledge and is considered a Jnani of highest order, became obsessed with devotion in his later years.  If an exalted saint like Sankara has admitted the importance of Bhakti, that is enough to show that Jnana and Bhakti is one and the same and to think they are different from each other is ignorance, as Rajaji says.  The pinnacle of jnana is Bhakti and the highest point of bhakti is Jnana. 

 

The Message

The message of Bhajagovindam impresses upon the human mind the transient nature of life, the hollowness of material possessions and the necessity of calling on God.  Throughout the verses, the same tone is repeated.  The Acharya does not only deplore the philosophy of materialism, but also suggests ways to tide over the difficulties and establish oneself in God consciousness.  He presents a carefully drawn plan of action for the householders and sanyasins alike to achieve the highest ambition in life: that is, God - realization.  The four-lane path of Bhakti- Jnana-Karma-Raja yogas is illuminated by the Acharya in his inimitable way.

 

Composition

The first sloka is considered the ‘pallavi’.  The pallavi and the next 12 padas are considered composed by the Acharya himself.  This part is hence called “Dwadasha Manjarika Stotram”(a bouquet of 12 flowers).  Inspired by what they heard from their Guru, the disciples composed one sloka (verse) each, totaling 14.  This part is called the “Chaturdasha Manjarika Stotram”(a bouquet of 14 flowers).  The Guru was pleased with the disciples and blessed them composing 4 more slokas.  Hence the Bhajagovindam consists of total 31 slokas.  Since more than 1000 years have passed, it is difficult to attribute slokas to their respective authors.  Scholars differ in their opinion. Hence I give the following names of some of the disciples, without attempting to mention which was their composition:  Padmapada, Trotakacharya, Hastamalaka, Subodhacharya, Sureshwaracharya, Nithyananda, Nithyanaatha, Anandagiri, Yogananda, Bharativamsha, Vartikakara, Surendra, Sumatir, Medhatithira and Bharatidasa.

 

The Kashi Yatra

The Acharya is believed to have composed the Bhajagovindam during his famous Kashi Yatra (pilgrimage to Kashi, Benares).  The fourteen disciples are said to have accompanied him.  The story goes that when he was walking along the streets of Kashi, he was pained to observe an elderly man trying hard to learn Sanskrit grammar.  At his advanced age, the remaining valuable little time of his life should have been used for calling on God (Govinda), instead of wasting on learning a language. This prompted Sri Sankara to burst out this composition, a sort of rebuke to foolish way of living. The Acharya urges the man to turn towards God and sing His glory instead of trying to learn a language.  A censure is implied when the Acharya calls the man a fool (Moodhamathe).  It may be added here that the tone of Bhajagovindam is not at all soft, but somewhat striking, in spite of its exotic poetic beauty and perfection of composition.  This is no wonder, because such a treatment is required to wake up man from his slumber.  A milder approach would delay the matter.  The matter is urgent, as the Acharya explains in the next verse, for, when the hour of death approaches without any forewarning, the hard-learned verses of grammar are not going to save the poor soul.  Hence the song rightly starts without any preamble:

 

Bhajagovindam Bhajagovindam, 

Govindam bhaja moodhamate!