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Vaishnava janatho (With English Translation)

Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je 
PeeD paraayi jaaNe re 
Par-dukhkhe upkaar kare toye 
Man abhimaan na aaNe re (Vaishnava)

SakaL lok maan sahune vande 
Nindaa na kare keni re 
Vaach kaachh man nishchaL raakhe 
Dhan-dhan janani teni re (Vaishnava)

Sam-drishti ne trishna tyaagi 
Par-stree jene maat re 
Jivha thaki asatya na bole 
Par-dhan nav jhaalee haath re (Vaishnava)

Moh-maaya vyaape nahi jene 
DriDh vairaagya jena man maan re 
Ram naam shoon taaLi laagi 
SakaL tirath tena tan maan re (Vaishnava)

VaN-lobhi ne kapaT-rahit chhe 
Kaam-krodh nivaarya re 
BhaNe Narsaiyyo tenun darshan karta 
KuL ekoter taarya re (Vaishnava)


English Translation

One who is a Vaishnav (Devotee of Vishnu)
Knows the pain of others
Does good to others
without letting pride enter his mind.

A Vaishnav, Tolerates and praises the the entire world.
Does not speak ill of others
Keeps his promises, actions and thoughts pure
your mother is blessed indeed.

A Vaishnav sees everything equally, rejects greed and avarice
respects women as he respects his own mother
though his tongue may tire he will utter no untruth
Never touches the property of others.

A Vaishnav does not succumb to worldly attachments
he has renounced lust of all types and anger
The poet Narsi will like to see such a person By who's virtue,
the entire family gets salvation

Notes

This is not a perfect translation of the poem, the first stanza has the words A Vaishnav in the susequent stanzas it is used only to make grammatical sense. It is not a poetic translation but the meanings of the lines have been explained simply and the integrity of the poem has been completely maintained.

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Comments


  • August 27
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    Vaishnava janato song/poem

    From guest V. Sridhar (contact)
    This should find a place in school books of Gujarat state in 5th or 6th when a child can understand better what is being conveyed, as a moral science subject or basic philosophy, or rightful path of life, which no doubt is difficult to see, experience or practise in present situation in our country with the over greed, moral decay, misuse of power by the big business, the politicians and those in Administration having destroyed the peace and happiness of common man. Atleast we can enjoy the poem as much as we enjoy a dirty and criminal politician or senior police officer or moral and monetory corruption ladden govt official given capital punishment in films which is practically not possible in real life, as much as the expectation of this poet or every one of us.


  • August 27
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    Vaishnava janato - english translation

    From guest V. Sridhar (contact)
    The essence is what is needed of what the poest had wished to convey and it has been well conveyed in simple easily understandable english, useful to the concerned. Sincere thanks to the translator.


  • August 2
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    vjob as importent as restoration of vision to blind

    From guest k.babu vaishnav (contact)
    all these years i was listening to the song and enjoying without thinking of the meaning of the poetry ,today when I tried to understand what it was , as I couldn't figureout properly ,with one touch I reached your translation. great poetry above all great translation job. In fact many people like me might have been benefitted ,as my nature I will teach this poems meaning to many interested people thanks.


  • January 4
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    Much Needed in the world today

    From guest Bipasha (contact)
    The song has a beautiful meaning and I feel that it becomes all the more important in the context of today's world to understand and comply to the meaning of this song.One can only thank you for the lovely translation.


  • July 8, 2008
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    Great

    From guest radjesh_ashabhosle@hotmail.com (contact)
    Lovely poem - Beautifully sang by Lataji and many thanks for your translation. bless you!

  • Miss Hanako Megumi
    October 1, 2007

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    Beautiful

    This was a beautiful poem. I love how it talked about the Honor of doing good and staying away from greed and lust. If only the world were like this too.
    Awesome Job!


  • August 30, 2007
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    Vaishnav jan toh...

    From guest Singh (contact)
    This is a great translation job. Especially for those in the Western hemisphere who does not speak, write, read hindi...it is always refreshing to see the meaning of beautiful poetic rendition. And this bhajan is a favourite of mine. God Bless you for your time to do this.


  • June 3, 2007
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    thank u

    From guest Bharath (contact)
    thank u so much for the translation


  • October 31, 2006
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    Good work this

    From guest Basu (contact)
    Great work, this translation. It is also heartening to find this poem up on the net. In today's world though it would be far better for people to interpret 'Vaishnav' as simply a man of god, a good and simple man, rather than a Vishnu bhakta. I am sure the poet would have suggested this himself if he could. We tend to confuse religion with the aim, whereas it is simple the way, for a short while in the begining. All raods lead to the center of one's being where god resides in all her splendour!

  • mina nagi
    December 11, 2004
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    I think you've translated it very well... though now a days its so hard to find "Vaishnav"... society in western world befits with the description more than in India... it was shocking news about the arrest of Swami Jayendra Saraswati... for the sake of faith, I sincerely hope he walks out pure and free... very well written...
    mina

  • Pari Ali
    December 10, 2004
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    This lyrical composition was a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi and it is not hard to see why. The words describe not only a perfect Vaishnav but also what a perfect human being should be. It aims high and one who achieves such objectives would indeed be a perfect person. It is a perfect example of the high ideals and philosophy of Eastern thought. A very melodious composition very popular even now. Has been recorded in the voice of some famed Indian singers. I find myself humming it even as I type this