જ્યાં લગી આત્મા અંગમાં છે

પદ - ૧૨૮
pada - 128

જ્યાં લગી આત્મા અંગમાં છે, ત્યાં લગી હરિ હરિ તું કહે;
jyāň lagi ātmā aňg-māň chhe, tyā lagi hari hari tuň kahe;

હાલતાં હરિ ને ચાલતાં હરિ, ને બેસતાં હરિ તું કહે;
સુતાં પહેલાં જે સ્મરણ કરે ભાઇ, તેની બોલો જય જય ... ૧
hāltā hari ne chāltā hari, ne bestā hari tuň kahe;
sutā pahelā je smaran kare bhāi, teni bolo jay jay … 1

લીધા રે સરખું નામ હરિનું, લઇ શકે તો લે;
દીધા રે સરખું દાન છે અન્નનું, દઇ શકે તો દે ... ૨
leedhā re sarkhu nām hari-nu, la-ii shake to le;
deedhā re sarkhu dān chhe anna-nu, da-ii shake to de … 2

આ રે સંસારીઓ સર્વે ખોટા, ને સાચી વસ્તુ બે;
એક તો પુણ્ય, બીજું હરિભજન ભાઇ, જીવડા સમજી લે ... ૩
ā re saňsāri-o sarve khotā, ne sāchi vastu be;
ek to punya, biju hari-bhajan bhāi, jeev-dā samji le … 3

દુષ્ટ પદારથ સર્વે ખોટા ને, આત્મા અખંડ છે;
કીડી થકી તે કુંજર લગણ ભાઇ, કાળચક્કરનો ભે ... ૪
dushta padā-rath sarve khotā ne, ātmā akhaňd chhe;
keedi thaki te kuňjar lagan bhāi, kāl-chakkar-no bhe  … 4

એક દિન આંગણે દીવા, વિવાહ, ને વળી ઢોલ શરણાઇ વાગે;
કહે જીવણ એવો એક દિન આવશે, સ્મશાને ધગશે ... ૫
ek din āňgne deevā, vivāh, ne vali dhol sharanā-ii vāge;
kahe jeevan evo ek din āv-she, smashāne dhag-she … 5

YouTube video(s):
1. Shree Ramkabir Mandir Bhajan Mandal - April 4, 2016, rāga - akeli

English translation (by AI):
This bhajan is a spiritual wake-up call. It urges us to constantly remember the Divine during daily life, practice charity, and prioritize eternal virtues over fleeting worldly pleasures. It powerfully reminds us that while material life ends at the funeral pyre, the soul remains immortal.

Here is a poetic, rhyming translation of the bhajan that captures its deep spiritual essence and rhythm.

As long as the soul within the body stays,
Chant the name of Hari, and sing His praise.

While walking, while moving, while sitting still,
Let the name of Hari your breathing fill.
The one who remembers Him before they sleep,
Victory is theirs, and a joy so deep!

The only name worth taking is Hari’s name,
Take it now, before life ends its game.
The only gift worth giving is bread to eat,
Share it now, to make your life complete.

This entire worldly web is false and vain,
Only two true things will forever remain:
The good deeds you do, and the prayers you say,
O wandering soul, understand this today!

All material pleasures are flawed and will fade,
But the eternal soul is immortal made.
From the tiny ant to the elephant tall,
The wheel of time will swallow them all.

One day, your courtyard sees lamps and a wedding band,
With drums and flutes playing across the land.
But Saint Jivan says, another day shall come,
When the pyre burns bright, and all grows numb.

…
This bhajan by the revered saint Dasi Jivan offers profound spiritual insights about human life, cosmic law, and ultimate liberation.

1. Remembrance as Continuous Consciousness (Verse 1)

• Constant Mindfulness: Spiritual practice is not a part-time activity confined to a temple or a specific hour. Phrases like "walking, moving, sitting" signify that Nam Smaran (remembering the Divine) must become as natural as breathing.
• The Final Thought: Remembering the Divine right before sleep prepares the consciousness for its ultimate transition, as spiritual traditions hold that your last thought determines your state of being.

2. The Law of Right Action and Detachment (Verse 2)

• The Ultimate Gain: In human birth, the only true asset worth acquiring is the Divine name (Naam Dhan). All material earnings are left behind.
• The Ultimate Giving: Feeding the hungry (Annadaan) is highlighted as the highest form of charity. It subdues the ego and fosters universal cosmic love.

3. Discrimination Between Real and Unreal (Verse 3)

• Viveka (Discrimination): The world is described as "false" (khotaa), representing Maya—an illusion that is constantly changing.
• The Only Truth: Only two assets carry forward with the soul into the afterlife: Punya (spiritual merit from selfless deeds) and Hari Bhajan (devotional absorption).

4. The Eternity of the Soul vs. The Wheel of Time (Verse 4)

• Immortality of Atman: While material objects are perishable (dusht padaarath), the soul is Akhand (indivisible, eternal, and unbroken).
• The Equalizer (Kala): Every living creature—from the lowest ant (keedi) to the mightiest elephant (kunjar)—is bound by Kaalchakra (the wheel of time and death). No earthly power can escape cosmic destiny. 

5. The Grand Illusion of Life and Inevitability of Death (Verse 5)

• The Paradox of Existence: The bhajan ends with a powerful contrast. The very courtyard that once celebrated a wedding with lights, drums, and flutes will eventually host a quiet departure.
• Detachment (Vairagya): By reflecting on the funeral pyre (smashaan), the saint does not induce fear, but awakens Vairagya (dispassion). It urges the soul to wake up from its spiritual slumber before time completely runs out.

...
Here are the practical, everyday takeaways you can draw from this bhajan to apply to your life:

• Live Mindfully: Infuse your daily routines—walking, sitting, working—with silent gratitude or remembrance to stay grounded.
• Practice Daily Charity: Share food and resources with those in need whenever possible, as giving nourishes your own spirit.
• Prioritize the Eternal: Invest more energy into building inner peace, character, and spiritual merit rather than purely chasing material wealth.
• Accept Change: Remind yourself that worldly circumstances, both good and bad, are temporary and bound to pass.
• Remember Your Mortality: Keep the inevitability of death in mind not to cause sadness, but to stay focused on what truly matters in life.