Bhaja Govindam way to Jnana, Bhakthi and Mukthi Marga

Bhaja Govindam(Praise/Seek Govinda) also known as Moha Mudgara (Hammer [to shatter] illusion) is a popular 8th century Hindu devotional composition in Sanskrit attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. This work of Adi Shankara underscores the view that devotion (Bhakti) to God, Govinda, is a vastly important part of general spirituality, as emphasised by Bhakti Yoga and the Bhakti movement. This work is generally considered a good summary of Advaita Vedanta.

In this prayer, Adi Shankaracharya emphasizes the importance of devotion for God as a means to spiritual development and to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The prayer leaves one in no doubt that the renunciation of our egotistical differences and surrender to God makes for salvation. Many scholars hold that this composition encapsulates with both brevity and simplicity the substance of all Vedantic thought found in whatever other works that Adi Shankaracharya wrote:

The refrain "Bhaja Govindam" which defines the composition and gives it its name invokes the almighty in the aspect of Vishnu; it is therefore very popular not only with Sri Adi Shankaracharya's immediate followers, the Smarthas, but also with Vaishnavas and others.

This timeless composition is a reminder that the author, Adi Shankaracharya, who is often regarded as a stalwart advocate of the Jnana Marga (Jnana Yoga) or the "Path of Knowledge" to attain Mukti, yielded to none in appreciating, indeed enjoining the Bhakti Marga (Bhakti Yoga) or the "Path of Faith/Devotion" to the same goal.

Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

Sampraapthe sannihithe kaale(2)
Nahi nahi rakshathi dhugrunnyakarane
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

Naree sthana bhara nabee dhesam
Dhrushtwa maaga mohaavesam (naree)
Ethan maamsavathaathi vikaaram (2)
Manassi vichinthaya vaaram vaaram
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

Nalinee dhala gatha jala mathi tharalam
Thathwa jeevitham athishaya chapalam (nalinee)
Vidhi vyadhyabi maana grastham (2)
Lokam shoka hatham chasamastham
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

Baala sthaaval creeda sathaa
Karuna sthaaval tharunee sathaa(baala)
Vridha sthaaval chinthaa sathaa (2)
Parame brahmani kopina sathaa
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

Jahalee mundee lumchitha keshaa
Kashaayaambara bahu krutha vesha (jahalee)
Paschyanabhichana paschyathi mooda
Udhara nimitham bahu krutha vesham
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

Punarabhi jananam punarabhi maranam
Punarabhi jananee jahare shayanam (punarabhi)
Iha samsaare bahu dhusthaare (2)
Kripayaa paare paahi muraare
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam
Govindam bhaja moodamathe

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