Vaishnav Jana To Tey Ney Kahiye

2nd October is birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi who was a leading figure of Indian Independence Movement and often regarded as father of the nation in India. He was a religious man and sang many bhajans in his ashram along with his followers. On the occassion of his birthday I am sharing one of his favorite bhajans " Vaishnav Jan To " written by Narsinh Mehta in Gujrati along with its translation.

वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये ( A God's Man Is One) - Narsinh Mehta

वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे पीड पराई जाणे रे,
पर दुखे उपकार करे तोये मन अभिमान न आणे रे॥

A god's man is one who feels another's pain,
works to benefit others and pride does disdain.

सकल लोकमां सहुने वंदे निंदा न करे केनी रे,
वाच काछ मन निश्चल राखे धन धन जननी तेनी रे॥

Tolerates and respects everybody never tries to belittle anyone,
Keeps action,words & thoughts pure,blessed is the mother of such a son.

समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी, परस्त्री जेने मात रे,
जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले, परधन नव झाले हाथ रे॥

Renounces greed,considers other women as one's own mother,
Never touches someone else's money,always truth he/she always utter.

मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने, दृढ़ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे,
रामनाम शुं ताली रे लागी, सकल तीरथ तेना तनमां रे॥

Does not know worldly pleasures,only for renunciation he whim,
Is addicted to Rama's name,all places of pilgrimages are within him.

वणलोभी ने कपटरहित छे, काम क्रोध निवार्या रे,
भणे नरसैयॊ तेनु दरसन करतां, कुल एकोतेर तार्या रे॥

Who is not greedy and deceitful,has conquered lust and anger,
By whose virtue one's lineage will get salvation,to meet him  Narsi is eager.

For More on this poem visit: Gandhi's Favorite Bhajan

Below is a video where the above bhajan is sung by Lata Mangeshkar