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Published on:

3rd May 2020

Bhaj Govindam Verse 1

BhajGovindam🙏

Scenario:

There are two scenarios that need to be kept in mind while analysing and internalising the verses.

  • This was said to the Scholar, Pandit who was memorising the Sanskrit grammar rules.
  • Later, the flow of emotion was so strong that, it flowed like a gush to his students, who continued the compositions. 

Verse 1

Bhajagovindaṁ bhajagovindaṁ govindaṁ bhajamūḍhamate | 

samprāpte sannihite kāle nahi nahi rakśati ḍukṛñkaraṇe |


The first verse said to me - Sruti Says,🌷


The three words that really stir my heart are;

  • Moodh: Fool 
  • Bhaj: Rever
  • Govind: God 


Oh Fool have reverence for the God who is the controller of all and dissolve in him. 


‘Have love for God, have love for God,

Just love the Lord, Oh Fool.

At the time of your death,

These Sanskrit grammar rules will not help.’


The evident plight of Guru Shankaracharya, when he looked at the learned scholars, Sadhu, saints, sages, tapasvis, yogis etc is expressed in this verse. All of them apt, accurate and proficient at what they were chanting and practicing, but missed out on very essence, devotion to God. 


So, shallow was their pursuit and so, ruthlessly rigid their path, that nothing, but mundane futility was conveyed by the tedious torturous exercise. They failed to experience the divine themselves, and repelled other from him.


Little did they understood that only what comes from the heart goes to the heart. The lord is a romantic experience, seldom visible in words. Till one experiences, internalises and surrenders completely, no matter how articulate the words of the scholar, they will be mere hollow disturbing noises.


Very often, we see such people flood the shores of spirituality, Sanatan Dharm, emptying it of the very essence which is devotion. Their empty endeavours make what should have been a divine inner experience, a race of outer perfection. 


In their attempt to repeat superficially the scriptures verbatim, they forget, the scriptures are, but, a result of the divine awakening.


Sankaracharyaji is telling us that while reading these sacred expression of divine bliss, don’t get stuck on the words, one should take an effortless dip in the ocean of love, where through these words, the rendezvous of the author with God can be felt.


Time and again, the same message has been echoed to deaf ear of our so called Scholar - The self proclaimed custodians of Sanatan Dharm.


Am enclosing few more expression of the same message that was conveyed by Guru Shankaracharya; 


  • As Kabir Baba’s bleeding heart also said, “Potha pad pad jaag muah pandit bhaya na koi, Dhai aakhar prem ke pade so pandit hoye”


  • The Bhajan Yam Niyam sayam (Attached), and


  • Verse from Ram Charitramas in uttarakhand (attached)


Immerse and experience the oneness, for after that, there is no death.


Hari Om 🙏

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About the Podcast

Shruti Says
As I learn I share my humble learning.

- Ramcharitmanas (Ramayan)- 3 Episodes (Currently conducting session)
- Bhaj Govindam - 23 Episodes
- Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran - 65 Episodes
- Geeta - 29 Episodes
- Sunderkand - 7 Episodes
- Vibhishan Gita (Completed) - 15 Episodes
- Navratri - Inner Awakening (Completed) - 1 Episode

Why this Endeavour?

All machines come with manuals, we read the manuals before we operate them. However, this complex machine called ‘human’ is used without any guidance. The scriptures are the ‘Manuals for Humans’. The sooner we ‘Understand’ them, the better the type of life we will lead and better directed our pursuits will be.

We are sitting on a store house of rich scriptures. The wisdoms that abides in them is immense. However, most of the time this precious knowledge is kept covered in an orange cloth, in a sacred corner and removed occasionally for chants and obeisance.

The effort here is to make these a daily read for us. We should be able to pick up any scripture, Just like one effortlessly picks up a novel, magazine, newspaper, etc. any time, anywhere, read, interpret and experience it.

As one of the saints once said,

How long are you going to read other people’s experience?

When will you experience it yourself?

There can be multiple interpretations. Delve deeper into your very being and after that constant musing, what is it that you feel this reveals?

Details on the Books;

Bhaj Govindam

This is a hard hitting composition to awaken us by the great Guru Shankaracharya.
My learnings from Bhaj Govindam is a written expression, kindly refer to the notes below the audio.

Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran

This is a Mahapuran, written by Vedvyasaji and narrated by his son Sukhdevji to Raja Pariksit.
Note: Pls refer to the notes to see which Skanda and chapter the session talks about. Currently we are in the 9th Skandh or Book.

Geeta

This is widely known, and is a part of Mahabharat. It is a divine dialogue between Shri Krishna and Arjun.
The sessions are verse 24 onwards. Verse from 1 to 23 were not recorded, as at that time we had face to face sessions.

Sundarkand

This is a part of the Ramayan. Here, the great devotee Hanumanji, shows us essence of devotion. We are referring to the Tulsi Ramayan - RamcharitraManas

Vibhisan Gita (Complete)

This was done while understanding Shri Ram in Bhagwat, however the material was taken from Ramayan
- Vibhishan Gita (Part of Tulsi Ramayan - Lanka Kand - Completed)

May God's Grace Flow

About your host

Profile picture for Barkha Khandelwal / Barkha Sharda

Barkha Khandelwal / Barkha Sharda

I am Barkha by name, there are various ways one can introduce ones self, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend etc in simple words, a house-holder.

The other way would be to put forth my qualifications and career. Well, from that point of view, I am an MBA from IIM-Lucknow. Have had a short stint in 'Gillette', later worked in ‘Coca-Cola’ and post which I started my own venture by the name of ‘Good Life Endeavors’.

However, the corporate world is the thing of the past as of now. It has been years since the profession was left for a Vocation and a career for a calling. I have found immense solace in learning and narrating from the scriptures.

The journey of a Story-Teller and a Sadhika (an aspiring devotee), has been an experience, which is difficult to put in words. I will just let,

"What comes from the heart go to the heart"