01 August 2024

Bhajan - GURU CARAṆÕ MẼ AṚASAṬHA TĪRATHA HÃI

This bhajan is composed by Swami Shivananda Puri, a disciple of Shree Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji.

The original can be found in Car Santo ke Bhajan book!

Bhajan

(राग बरवा ताल लावनी)

गुरु चरणों में अड़सठ तीरथ हैं । वो वेद पुराण गाते हैं ॥ टेर ॥

वहाँ उत्तम जिग्यासु आते हैं । वो विमल नीर में न्हाते हैं ॥ १ ॥

वहाँ अनुभव बाणी आते हैं । वहाँ सत्य विवेक झुलाते हैं ॥ २ ॥

मन बचन (का) आनन्द पाते हैं । वो सत्य स्वरूप लखाते हैं ॥ ३ ॥

वो जीवन मुकत पठाते हैं । फिर जनम मरण नहीं आते हैं ॥ ४ ॥

वो पार ब्रह्म मिल जाते हैं । श्री दीप हरि का गुण गाते हैं ॥ ५ ॥

स्वामी शिवानन्द मन भाते हैं । फिर आन देव नहीं ध्याते हैं ॥

(RĀGA BARAVĀ TĀLA LĀVANĪ)

GURU CARAṆÕ MẼ AṚASAṬHA TĪRATHA HÃI. VO VEDA PURĀṆA GĀTE HÃI (ṬERA)

VAHĀ̃ UTTAMA JIGYĀSU ĀTE HÃI. VO VIMALA NĪRA MẼ NHĀTE HÃI (1)

VAHĀ̃ ANUBHAVA BĀṆĪ ĀTE HÃI. VAHĀ̃ SATYA VIVEKA JHULĀTE HÃI (2)

MANA BACANA (KĀ) ĀNANDA PĀTE HÃI. VO SATYA SVARŪPA LAKHĀTE HÃI (3)

VO JĪVANA MUKATA PAṬHĀTE HÃI. PHIRA JANAMA MARAṆA NAHĪ̃ ĀTE HÃI (4)

VO PĀRA BRAHMA MILA JĀTE HÃI. ŚRĪ DĪPA HARI KĀ GUṆA GĀTE HÃI (5)

SVĀMĪ ŚIVĀNANDA MANA BHĀTE HÃI. PHIRA ĀNA DEVA NAHĪ̃ DHYĀTE HÃI. (6)

हिन्दी अनुवाद

गुरु चरणों में अड़सठ (६८) तीर्थ विराजमान होते हैं। ऐसा वेद-पूरण कहते हैं। (टेर)

इन तीर्थों में उत्तम जिज्ञासा (जानने की इच्छा) रखने वाले आते हैं और निर्मल जल में स्नान कर धन्य हो जाते है ॥ १ ॥

यहाँ पर सत्य और विवेक से परिपूर्ण अनुभव की वाणी सुनने को ही लोग आते हैं॥ २ ॥

यहाँ आकर मन से वचन से आनन्द प्राप्त करते हैं और सत्य स्वरूप के दर्शन करते हैं ॥ ३ ॥

जो यहाँ आते हैं उनको ये गुरु जीवन मुक्त कर के भेजते हैं फिर वे जन्म-मरण के चक्कर में नहीं फँसते हैं॥ ४ ॥

जब वे परब्रह्म को प्राप्त कर लेते हैं तो दीप हरि के गुण गाते हैं॥ ५ ॥

शिवानन्द स्वामी के मन को ऐसे गुरु ही भाते हैं अर्थात् अच्छे लगते हैं फिर वे अन्य किसी देवता का ध्यान नहीं करते हैं॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

It is sung in Vedas, and the Puranas: At the feet of the Guru are sixty-eight sacred places. (Refrain)

Excellent seekers come there and bathe in pure water (of knowledge). (1)

There the words of experience, truth and wisdom can be heard. (2)

Through words, seekers attain joy in their minds and perceive the real form of truth. (3)

How to be liberated while living is taught there. Then, there is no more birth and death. (4)

Seekers attain the Supreme Brahman and sing the praises of Śrī Dīpa Hari. (5)

Svāmī Śivānanda’s mind is content. There is no need to meditate on anybody else. (6)

Bhajan Melody

Original Line: राग बरवा ताल लावनी

Roman Transliteration: Rāga Baravā Tāla Lāvanī

Explanation: This line provides the musical and rhythmic framework for the bhajan. "Rāga Baravā" indicates the melodic structure, and "Tāla Lāvanī" indicates the rhythmic pattern used.

Translation

Original Line:

गुरु चरणों में अड़सठ तीरथ हैं । वो वेद पुराण गाते हैं ॥ टेर ॥

Roman Transliteration:

Guru caraṇoṃ meṃ aṛsaṭha tīratha haiṃ. Vo veda purāṇa gāte haiṃ. ॥ Ṭera ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

It is sung in Vedas, and the Puranas: At the feet of the Guru are sixty-eight sacred places.

Deeper Explanation:

The line emphasises the sanctity and spiritual significance of the Guru. The Guru's feet are considered as holy as sixty-eight pilgrimage sites, underscoring their importance in spiritual practice. The Guru is also depicted as one who chants the Vedas and Puranas, indicating his mastery and connection to sacred knowledge. There are many holy places in India but 68 are considered very auspicious. One of the possible divisions is: 4 dham, 12 jyotrilings, and 52 shakti peeths. But there are many more. See Wikipedia.

Word-by-Word Translation:

गुरु (guru): Guru, spiritual teacher
चरणों (caraṇoṃ): Feet; symbolically represent the foundation of spiritual practice and humility.
में (meṃ): In, at
अड़सठ (aṛsaṭha): Sixty-eight
तीरथ (tīratha): from तीर्थ tīrth [S.], Pilgrimage sites;
- In Hindu scriptures, tīrthas are categorised into three types:
  - (1) Jangam (mobile): such as Brahmins and sadhus.
  - (2) Manas (mental): such as truth, forgiveness, compassion, charity, contentment, celibacy, knowledge, patience, sweet speech, etc.
  - (3) Sthavar (immovable): such as Kashi, Prayag, Gaya, etc. Adding 'raja', 'pati', or similar words to 'tīrtha' signifies Prayag, e.g., Tīrtharaja or Tīrthapati = Prayag.
- Hindu scriptures also prescribe head shaving, performing shraddha (ritual for ancestors), and feeding Brahmins when going to or returning from a tīrtha.
- The eighteen treasures of a nation: (1) Minister (2) Priest (3) Crown prince (4) King (5) Doorkeeper (6) Inner circle member (7) Jail warden (8) Treasurer (9) Administrator (10) Presenter (11) Mayor (12) Builder (13) Judge (14) Assembly head (15) Law enforcer (16) Fort keeper (17) Frontier protector (18) Forest warden.
हैं (haiṃ): Are
वो (vo): He
वेद (veda): Vedas
पुराण (purāṇa): Puranas
गाते (gāte): Sings
हैं (haiṃ): Are
टेर (ṭera): Refrain

Original Line:

वहाँ उत्तम जिज्ञासु आते हैं । वो विमल नीर में न्हाते हैं ॥ १ ॥

Roman Transliteration:

Vahāṃ uttama jijñāsu āte haiṃ. Vo vimala nīra meṃ nhāte haiṃ. ॥ 1 ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

Excellent seekers come there and bathe in pure water (of knowledge).

Deeper Explanation:

This line describes the arrival of sincere and excellent seekers at the Guru's feet. These seekers purify themselves by bathing in the pure water of knowledge, symbolising their quest for spiritual cleanliness and enlightenment.

Word-by-Word Translation:

वहाँ (vahāṃ): There
उत्तम (uttama): Excellent, superior
जिज्ञासु (jijñāsu): सं.जिज्ञासु (Jijñāsu) | जानने का इच्छुक, उत्सुक। One who is curious or eager to know. Seeker.
आते (āte): Come
हैं (haiṃ): Are
वो (vo): They
विमल (vimala): Pure
नीर (nīra): Water; 1.जल, पानी। 2.ओज। Vitality, energy. 3.शोभा, कांति, दीप्ति। beauty, brightness, radiance. 4.गौरव, मान, प्रतिष्ठा। honour, respect, prestige. 5.आंसू, अश्रु। tears.
में (meṃ): In
न्हाते (nhāte): Bathe from: न्हाना nhānā क्रि॰ अ॰ [सं॰ स्नान, प्रा॰ राहाण] दे॰ 'नहाना'।
हैं (haiṃ): Are

Original Line:

वहाँ अनुभव बाणी आते हैं । वहाँ सत्य विवेक झुलाते हैं ॥ २ ॥

Roman Transliteration:

Vahāṃ anubhava bāṇī āte haiṃ. Vahāṃ satya viveka jhulāte haiṃ. ॥ 2 ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

Seekers come here to listen to the words of experience, truth and wisdom.

Deeper Explanation:

This line highlights that the place of the Guru is filled with words born of experience and wisdom. Truth and discernment are ever-present, guiding the seekers in their spiritual journey.

Word-by-Word Translation:

वहाँ (vahāṃ): There. Referring to the Guru's place.
अनुभव (anubhava): Experience, Knowledge or skill acquired through involvement in or exposure to something.
बाणी (bāṇī): Words, speech
आते (āte): Come
हैं (haiṃ): Are
वहाँ (vahāṃ): There
सत्य (satya): Truth
विवेक (viveka): Discrimination, wisdom
झुलाते (jhulāte): Sway, swing; indicates interplay of truth and discrimination.
हैं (haiṃ): Are

Original Line:

मन बचन (का) आनन्द पाते हैं । वो सत्य स्वरूप लखाते हैं ॥ ३ ॥

Roman Transliteration:

Mana bacana (kā) ānanda pāte haiṃ. Vo satya svarūpa lakhāte haiṃ. ॥ 3 ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

Through words, seekers attain joy in their minds and perceive the real form of truth. (3)

Deeper Explanation:

This line explains that seekers find joy in both their thoughts and words when they are at the feet of the Guru. Moreover, the Guru helps them to see and understand the true essence of truth.

Word-by-Word Translation:

मन (mana): Mind
बचन (bacana): Speech, words
(का) (kā): Of
आनन्द (ānanda): Joy, bliss
पाते (pāte): Attain, get
हैं (haiṃ): Are
वो (vo): They, seekers
सत्य (satya): Truth; Conformity to fact or reality.
स्वरूप (svarūpa): True form, essence
लखाते (lakhāte): Perceive, see; from लखाना ३ lakhānā क्रि॰ स॰ १. दिखलाना
। २. अनुमान करा देना । समझा देना । सुझा देना । To show. To make one estimate; to make one understand; to suggest.
हैं (haiṃ): Are

Original Line:

वो जीवन मुक्त पठाते हैं । फिर जनम मरण नहीं आते हैं ॥ ४ ॥

Roman Transliteration:

Vo jīvana mukta paṭhāte haiṃ. Phira janma maraṇa nahīṃ āte haiṃ. ॥ 4 ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

How to be liberated while living is taught there. Then, there is no more birth and death.

Deeper Explanation:

This line indicates that the Guru helps seekers achieve liberation while still living, known as "jīvanmukti." Once this state is attained, the cycle of birth and death ceases for them.

Word-by-Word Translation:

वो (vo): They; Pronoun referring to the Guru.
जीवन (jīvana): Life. मुक्त (mukta): Liberated, free.
जीवनमुक्त (Jīvanamukta) Adjective [Sanskrit]: One who has become free from all bonds while still living.
पठाते (paṭhāte): teaching.
हैं (haiṃ): Are
फिर (phira): Then, again
जनम (janama): Birth
मरण (maraṇa): Death
नहीं (nahīṃ): Not
आते (āte): Come
हैं (haiṃ): Are

Original Line:

वो पार ब्रह्म मिल जाते हैं । श्री दीप हरि का गुण गाते हैं ॥ ५ ॥

Roman Transliteration:

Vo pāra brahma mila jāte haiṃ. Śrī Dīpa Hari kā guṇa gāte haiṃ. ॥ 5 ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

They attain the Supreme Brahman. They sing the praises of Śrī Dīpa Hari.

Deeper Explanation:

This line indicates that the seekers, with the Guru's guidance, achieve union with the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate reality. In this state, they continuously sing the glories of Śrī Dīpa Hari, a revered name in the tradition.

Word-by-Word Translation:

वो (vo): They; Pronoun referring to the seekers.
पार (pāra): Beyond, supreme
ब्रह्म (brahma): Brahman, the ultimate reality
मिल (mila): Meet, attain
जाते (jāte): Go, become
हैं (haiṃ): Are
श्री (śrī): Revered, honorable
दीप (dīpa): Śrī Dīp Narayan Mahaprabhuji
हरि (Hari): Hari, a name for Lord Vishnu
का (kā): Of
गुण (guṇa): Qualities, virtues
गाते (gāte): Sing
हैं (haiṃ): Are

Original Line:

स्वामी शिवानन्द मन भाते हैं । फिर आन देव नहीं ध्याते हैं ॥ ६॥

Roman Transliteration:

Svāmī Śivānanda mana bhāte haiṃ. Phira āna deva nahīṃ dhyāte haiṃ. ॥ 6 ॥

Sentence-Level Translation:

Svāmī Śivānanda’s mind is content. There is no need to meditate on anybody else.

Deeper Explanation:

This line conveys that Svāmī Śivānanda, a revered disciple, captivates and pleases the minds of the devotees. Once they are devoted to him, they do not feel the need to meditate upon other deities, signifying his supreme importance and the fulfilment found in his devotion.

Word-by-Word Translation:

स्वामी (svāmī): Svāmī, master
शिवानन्द (Śivānanda): śivānanda, Mahaprabhuji's disciple, Svāmī Śivānanda Pūrī Jī
मन (mana): Mind
भाते (bhāte): Pleases, attracts; from Bhānā (भाना) Verb [Sanskrit: Bhāna (=knowledge)]: 1. To seem; to appear; to be perceived. 2. To feel good; to like; to be pleasing; to be liked. 3. To look good; to suit; to be fitting; to adorn.
हैं (haiṃ): Are
फिर (phira): Then, again
आन (āna): Other
देव (deva): Deities, gods
नहीं (nahīṃ): Not
ध्याते (dhyāte): Meditate upon
हैं (haiṃ): Are