A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF INDIA
Here is the favorite bhajan (hymn) of Mahatma Gandhi,"Vaishnav Jan To", written in the 15th century by poet-saint Narsinh Mehta and translated by Ria Carlo as a tribute to the ideals of "Bapu" (English: Father) of the nation of India. It is among the most well-loved songs in all of India, also taught to children.
Here are three renditions to enjoy:
1) Singing a well-loved version, the most renown singer in all of India, Lata Mangeshkar 2) My personal favorite which was in the funeral scene for the movie "Gandhi"
Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je ..
One who is like God and follows God,
Peed paraayi jaane re ..
Who knows the pain of others as if it were his own,
Par dukhkkhe upkaar kare toye ..
Ready at all times to serve others, especially those in misery and need,
Man abhimaan na aaNe re
Is one who shuns the empty pride of life.
SakaL lok maan sahune vande
Bowing humbly to all, he regards himself as better than none,
Nindaa na kare keni re
Speaks no evil against any one;
Vaach kaachh man nishchaL raakhe
In thoughts, words, and deeds, he is true and pure.
Dhan-dhan janani teni re
Blessed is the mother who gives birth to such a one.
Sam-drishti ne trishna tyaagi
Fair and impartial toward all, lust and greed have no place in his heart,
Par-stree jene maat re
And he treats another's wife or daughter with the reverence he gives his mother.
Jivha thaki asatya na bole
He will not utter an untruth, till his last weary breath,
Par-dhan nav jhaalee haath re
Nor covet another's property or wealth.
Moh-maaya vyaape nahi jene
The shackles of earthly attachment do not captivate him,
DriDh vairaagya jena man maan re
For his mind is rooted in the path of enlightenment;
Ram naam shoon taaLi laagi
Every moment his heart lives and breathes the name of God,
SakaL tirath tena tan maan re
As the devotion of pilgrimage ever lives within his soul.
VaN-lobhi ne kapaT-rahit chhe
No selfishness, no lies, no tricks,
Kaam-krodh nivaarya re
No anger or greed, for they are all defeated;
BhaNe Narsaiyyo tenun darshan karta
In such a one, this poet sees a godly vision:
KuL ekoter taarya re
This man will bring salvation for generations upon generations.