Mahatma Gandhi's favorite Hymn

mturumella@memrb.com.cy
Thu, 2 Oct 1997 8:19:33 +0200 

     Gandhiji's Favorite Hymn:
     -------------------------
     
     Vaishnawa jana to tene kahiye je peera para'ee ja'nere,
     paradukkhe upaka'r kare toye man abhima'n na a'ne re.
     
     sakala lokama' sahune wande ninda' na kare keni re,
     Wa'cha ka'chha mana nishchal ra'khe dhandhan janani tenire (1)
     
     sama drushteene trishna' tya'gi parastri jene maat re,
     Jiwha thaki asatya na bole para dhana nawa za'le ha'ta re (2)
     
     Moha ma'ya vya'pe nahi jene dridha vaira'gya jena' manama're,
     Ra'ma-na'ma sun ta'li la'gi sakal tirath tena' tanama're, (3)
     
     Wana lobheene kapat rahit chhe ka'ma krodha niwa'rya' re,
     Bhane narasaiyyo tenu darshana karta' kulekottera ta'ryya're (4)
     
     -----
     Explanation of the hymn:
     
     Refrain: He is a Vaishnaw (God's devotee) who identifies himself
     with other's sorrows and so doing has no pride about himself.
     
     First Stanza: Such one respects everyone and speaks ill of none.
     He controls his speech, and his passions, may his mother be blessed.
     
     Second Stanza: He is equidisposed towards all, has no desires; regards
     another's wife as own mother, always speaks the truth and does not 
     touch other people's property.
     
     Third Stanza: He labours neither under infatuation, nor withdraws his
     mind from worldly things. He is intent on Rama-nama (God's name); his 
     body is the sacred shrine and pilgrimage.
     
     Fourth Stanza: He is no miser, and he is free from deceit and he has
     conquered passions and anger.  Narasi Mehta says his presence purifies
     forefathers also.
     
     --
     With Regards, 
     Madhava