Peace · Wisdom · Devotion
वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे पीड़ पराई जाणे रे । पर दुःखे उपकार करे तोये मन अभिमान न आणे रे ॥ सकळ लोकमां सहुने वंदे निंदा न करे केनी रे । वाच काछ मन निश्चळ राखे धन धन जननी तेनी रे ॥ समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी परस्त्री जेने मात रे । जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले परधन नव झाले हाथ रे ॥ मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने दृढ़ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे । रामनाम शुं ताळी लागी सकळ तीरथ तेना तनमां रे ॥ वणलोभी ने कपटरहित छे काम क्रोध निवार्या रे । भणे नरसैयो तेनुं दरसन करतां कुळ एकोतेर तार्या रे ॥
Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je Peed paraayi jaane re Par dukkhe upkaar kare toye Man abhiman na aane re Sakal lok maan sahune vande Ninda na kare keni re Vaach kaachh man nischal raakhe Dhan dhan janani teni re Sam-drishti ne trishna tyaagi Par-stree jene maat re Jihva thaki asatya na bole Par-dhan nav jhaale haath re Moh maaya vyaape nahi jene Dridh vairaagya jena man maan re Ram-naam shun taali laagi Sakal tirath tena tan maan re Van-lobhi ne kapat-rahit chhe Kaam krodh nivaarya re Bhane Narsaiyo tenun darshan karta Kul ekoter taarya re
This 15th-century bhajan, composed by the poet-saint Narsinh Mehta, defines the qualities of a true Vaishnav (a follower of God). It states that a true devotee is one who feels the pain of others, helps those in misery without letting pride enter their mind, respects everyone, speaks no ill of others, and remains firm in their word, action, and thought. The hymn champions virtues like equality, renunciation of greed, respecting all women as one's mother, truthfulness, and detachment from worldly possessions. It was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi and was integral to his daily prayers.