This bajan is written by Narsinh Mehta (c. 1414 – 1481). He was a 15th-century poet-saint from Gujarat, India. He is one of the earliest known poets of Gujarati literature and is widely respected as a bhakti movement saint. This bhajan isn’t just devotional poetry — it’s a guide to living a deeply ethical, compassionate, and self-realized life. “Vaishnava Jan To” gained nationwide recognition because it was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s most beloved hymns. He often had it sung at his prayer meetings, and it reflected the values he lived by — compassion, humility, non-violence, and service.
वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये,
जे पीड परायी जाणे रे ।
पर दुःखे उपकार करे तो ये,
मन अभिमान न आणे रे ॥
Call only that person a true Vaishnava (devotee of God)
Who understands and empathizes with the pain of others.
Even when helping others in distress,
They never let pride or ego enter their mind.
सकल लोकमां सहुने वंदे,
निंदा न करे केनी रे ।
वाच काछ मन निश्चळ राखे,
धन धन जननी तेनी रे ॥
They respect and bow to everyone in the world,
And never speak ill of anyone.
Their speech, actions, and thoughts are steady and pure.
Blessed is the mother who gave birth to such a soul.
समदृष्टि ने तृष्णा त्यागी,
परस्त्री जेने मात रे ।
जिह्वा थकी असत्य न बोले,
परधन नव झाले हाथ रे ॥
They see everyone equally and have renounced greed.
They view every woman (except their own wife) as a mother.
They never utter a false word,
And never even touch another’s wealth.
मोह माया व्यापे नहि जेने,
दृढ़ वैराग्य जेना मनमां रे ।
रामनाम शुं ताली रे लागी,
सकल तीरथ तेना तनमां रे ॥
They are untouched by attachment or illusion,
Their heart and mind are firmly rooted in detachment.
Always engrossed in chanting the name of Lord Rama,
Their body itself becomes like a holy pilgrimage site.
वणलोभी ने कपटरहित छे,
काम क्रोध निवार्या रे ।
भणे नरसैयॊ तेनुं दरसन करतां,
कुल एकोतेर तार्या रे ॥
They are free from greed and deceit,
And have overcome desires and anger.
Says Narsinh Mehta — by merely seeing such a soul,
Even 71 generations of their lineage are uplifted.
