Jo bhaje hari ko sada

Composition: Brahmanand
Voice: Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
Composition Format: Bhajan
Raag: Bhairavi
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This is a popular piece in Raag Bhairavi by the maestro, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. I really love it, and, not just any version, but this particular version that I have posted. 

I tried other versions available online but didn't like any of them. In this version, the singer doesn't experiment too much with the techniques. He sings it in a very simple, serious, matter-of-fact manner, with only as much technique as required. Only the slightest hint of a mridanga and tanpura are heard as accompaniments. It is thus able to draw one into the bhajan, to get lost in its smoky serenity and smell the essence of what the words are trying to convey. I feel spiritually elated hearing this.

I am not sure who wrote this bhajan. The name Brahmanand is mentioned in the laste verse and so I assume it is some poet or saint by that name who wrote it. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Jo bhaje hari ko sada
So hi param pad paayega
So hi param pad paayega

Deh ke maala, tilak aur chaap
Nahi kisi kaam ke
Prem bhakti ke bina
Nahi nath ke man bhayega

Chor duniya ke maze sab
Baith kar ekant me
Dhyan dhar hari ke charan ka
Phir janm nahi aayega

Drind bharosa man me kar ke
Jo jape hari naam ko
Kehta hai brahmanand
Bichch me samayega

Jo bhaje hari ko sada
So hi param pad paayega
So hi param pad paayega
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Translation:

One who always thinks of the lord
He alone will attain the highest order

For the body, ornaments
Are of no use
Without love and prayer
You will not please the lord

Renounce all worldly pleasures
Sit in solitude
Meditate upon the lord’s feet
Then you will not be born again

With the heart firmly faithful
One who takes the lord’s name
Says Brahmanand
He will find salvation

One who always thinks of the lord
He alone will attain the highest order
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Reference for Lyrics: http://www.bhajanganga.com/bhajan/lyrics/id/51/title/jo-bhaje-hari-ko-sada-sohi-param-pad-paavega

Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

 
Words: Soor Das Ji
Composition: Indira Devi
Voice: M S Subbulaxmi

Language: Brij Bhasha
Raag:
Taal: Rupak

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M S Subbulaxmi and Soor Das Ji are both a revelation to me presently. I knew a couple of bhajans by Soor Das Ji from school but never really thought much about them. As for M S, I had no clue who she was till a month back! Growing up, I learnt Hindustani classical music and so I was more familiar with names from this genre of classical music. I still do not know anyone else from the Carnatic tradition except M S (but I hope to get intimate with more names very soon).

So one fine night I decided to expand my horizons into Carnatic music and the first name that came up was M S Subbulaxmi and soon I realized I was listening to something special. I then heard her renditions of some of Soor Das Ji's bhajans and, for the first time, I realized how beautiful these simple songs of the blind saint were! Suddenly, I was deluged by the beauty of these pearl-like words and their immense emotional capacity. 

I am currently a captive of this particular bhajan 'Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari' and so I present their lyrics below, followed by a rather literal translation. 

Please Note: I have noted down the lyrics by listening to the song. They are mostly accurate except for a couple of lines which I couldn't understand and they are highlighted in a different colour. Please feel free to suggest corrections. I just couldn't find the lyrics to this bhajan anywhere on the net.

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"Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

To so badhik vachal nahi, nath kaun to so?

Mo so patit aur nahin, na najh mo so

To hi aaye sharan teri, hey hriday-haari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Kamal nayan, madhur bayan, maal gal suhave

Chapal charan, Manmohan Yamuna tat aave

Madhur, madhur murli adhar, ang peet dhaari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Hey Kripalu naam tero sun ke neer aaye

Beri-beri itni der Shyam kyu lagaayi?

Janam-janam baat dekhu, naath, mai tihari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari

Hey Govind, hey Gopal, Krishna hey Murari

Hey dayal, Nand laal, paap-taap haari..."

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Translation:

O Govind! O Gopal! Krishna, O Murari! (All names of Krishna)
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

There is no one like you, who can be a lord like you?
No bigger sinner than me, no one else
Thus, I submit to you, O saviour of souls
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

Lotus-eyed, sweet natured, garland adorned
With swift feet, Manmohan, come near Yamuna
The sweet, sweet flute on lips, yellow attired
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

O kind lord, hearing your name I cry
Why do you delay again, Shyam?
I have been waiting for you all through my lives
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

O Govind! O Gopal! Krishna, O Murari!
O kind lord, the son of Nand, redeemer of our sins

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Source for name of composer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKPvw1YtpCg