Perhaps the most famous bhajan in this collection, this was Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite. The lyrics describe the qualities of a true devotee.
Lyrics Excerpt (Gujarati/Hindi):
Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je Peed parayi jaane re Par dukkhe upkar kare to ye Maan abhiman na aane re
Meaning: Call them a true Vaishnava (devotee of Vishnu/Krishna) who feels the pain of others, does good to those who hurt them, and casts away pride.
Unlike bhajans that focus solely on praise or petition, Smarnanjalika bhajans center on the act of recollection (smriti). They are meditative in nature, designed not just for group singing (sankeertan), but for solitary contemplation. The lyrics often weave together:
A typical line in such a bhajan might evoke: “Chita mein tum ho, smaran mein tum ho” (You are in my consciousness, You are in my remembrance), emphasizing that the divine is never separate from the devotee’s awareness. smarnanjalika bhajans lyrics
Title Significance: The word Smarnanjalika is deeply poetic. It is a compound of Smaran (remembrance/meditation) and Anjali (an offering or a handful). Therefore, the title translates to "An Offering of Remembrance." This sets the expectation that these lyrics are not merely songs for entertainment, but vehicles for meditation and spiritual connection.
The power of a bhajan lies not just in its melody but in the meaning of its words. When you understand the verses, the chant becomes a living prayer, aligning your heart and mind with the divine vibration. Below are some of the most frequently sung Smarnanjali bhajans, complete with full lyrics, transliteration, and English translation.
Often, the term "Smarnanjalika" is dedicated to the Guru. This bhajan offers the flowers of remembrance at the Guru's feet.
Lyrics:
Smarnanjalika, Guru tere charanon ki, Main utaar raha hoon, main utaar raha hoon. Phool nahi hai, mere paas saadhu, Aansuon ki mala main utaar raha hoon.
Tum ho dayalu, main hoon sahara, Tum ho kinara, main hoon kinara. Doobte suraj ko thaam liya tune, Main andhari raat ka ujiyara.Perhaps the most famous bhajan in this collection,
Meaning: The devotee admits they have no physical flowers to offer. Instead, they offer the "garland of tears" (emotion) and the "remembrance" of the Guru's feet. It highlights the Guru's role as a life-saver for a drowning disciple.
Ram naam mera aashray,
Ram naam mera aashray.
(Raam naam mera aashray,
Raam naam mera aashray.)
Translation:
The name of Ram is my refuge,
The name of Ram is my refuge.
Lyrics (Hindi/Sanskrit):
Hari tum haro jan ki peer
Jan ki peer, jan ki peer
Dukha daridra, roga vinashaka
Hari tum haro jan ki peer
Meaning: O Lord, remove the suffering of your devotee – destroyer of sorrow, poverty, and disease.
Composed by Sri Vallabhacharya, this bhajan is a perfect example of Smarnanjalika, where every part of Krishna is described as "sweet."
Lyrics Excerpt (Sanskrit transliterated):
Adharam madhuram, vadanam madhuram Nayanam madhuram, hasitam madhuram Hridayam madhuram, gamanam madhuram Madhur-adhipate akhilam madhuram
Meaning: His lips are sweet, His face is sweet, His eyes are sweet, His smile is sweet, His heart is sweet, His gait is sweet. O Lord of Sweetness, everything about Him is sweet. Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je Peed parayi