Bhajan • Vishnu / Ethics

Vaishnav Jan To

Defines a true Vaishnava devotee. Loved by Mahatma Gandhi. A hymn of compassion, ethics and universal brotherhood.

वैष्णव जन तो

When to recite: Morning prayer, Gandhi Jayanti, Bhajan sessions

Overview

Vaishnav Jan To is a Gujarati bhajan by the saint-poet Narsinh Mehta describing the qualities of a true Vaishnava devotee. It is devotional ethics in song form: compassion, humility, truthfulness, self-control, and service.

The bhajan is closely associated with public prayer gatherings, but its roots are Vaishnava bhakti and the ideal of seeing others' suffering as one's own.

Meaning

The hymn says a true Vaishnava is one who feels the pain of others, serves without pride, respects all, speaks truth, controls desire, and keeps the mind fixed on the Lord.

Traditional Benefits

Traditionally sung to cultivate compassion, humility, and Vaishnava character.
Supports satsang, morning prayer, and ethical reflection before service.
Helps connect devotion with conduct, not only ritual or emotion.

Recitation Notes

Sing as a reflection on behavior, especially before seva or community work.
Pair with Vishnu or Krishna worship and a short prayer for humility.
Use the lyrics as a checklist for bhakti expressed through daily conduct.

Related Practice

Narsinh Mehta bhajan tradition and Krishna bhakti.
Bhagavad Gita study on karma yoga and humility.
Vaishnava seva, satsang, and nama-sankirtan.

Devanagari / Hindi script

वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिए,
जे पीड परायी जाणे रे।
पर दुःखे उपकार करे तोये,
मन अभिमान न आणे रे॥

सकल लोकमां सहुने वन्दे,
निन्दा न करे केनी रे।
वाच काछ मन निश्चल राखे,
धन धन जननी तेनी रे॥

समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी,
परस्त्री जेने माता रे।
जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले,
परधन नव झाले हाथा रे॥

मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने,
दृढ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे।
राम नाम शुं ताली लागी,
सकल तीरथ तेना तनमां रे॥

वण लोभी ने कपट रहित छे,
काम क्रोध निवार्या रे।
भणे नरसैयो तेनुं दर्शन करतां,
कुल एकोतेर तार्या रे॥

Composing…

Overview

The bhajan is closely associated with public prayer gatherings, but its roots are Vaishnava bhakti and the ideal of seeing others' suffering as one's own.

वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिए, जे पीड परायी जाणे रे। पर दुःखे उपकार करे तोये, मन अभिमान न आणे रे॥ सकल लोकमां सहुने वन्दे, निन्दा न करे केनी रे। वाच काछ मन निश्चल राखे, धन धन जननी तेनी रे॥ समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी, परस्त्री जेने माता रे। जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले, परधन नव झाले हाथा रे॥ मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने, दृढ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे। राम नाम शुं ताली लागी, सकल तीरथ तेना तनमां रे॥ वण लोभी ने कपट रहित छे, काम क्रोध निवार्या रे। भणे नरसैयो तेनुं दर्शन करतां, कुल एकोतेर तार्या रे॥