Gandhi’s Vaishnava Jan to

Vaishnav literally means one who worships Vishnu. But the word really stands for a person who has the qualities of an ideal human being; one who knows the pain of others, reaches out to those in misery, accepts and praises the entire world and sees everyone equally.
Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye, is the immortal composition of the 15th century Gujarati poet Narsi Mehta, emphasises the virtues of the Vaishnav code of life. The poet at the end states that he would like to see such a person, by whose virtue goodness prevails in the world. This bhajan was one of Gandhiji’s favourite hymns and was included in his daily prayers.

Vaishnav Jan To
Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye je
Peed paraayi jaane re
Par-dukhkhe upkaar kare toye
Man abhimaan na aane re (Vaishnav...)
Sakal lok maan sahune vande
Nindaa na kare keni re
Vaach kaachh man nishchaL raakhe
Dhan-dhan janani teni re (Vaishnav...)
Sam-drishti ne trishna tyaagi
Par-stree jene maat re
Jivha thaki asatya na bole
Par-dhan nav jhaalee haath re (Vaishnav...)
Moh-maaya vyaape nahi jene
Dridh vairaagya jena man maan re
Ram naam shoon taali laagi
Sakal tirath tena tan maan re (Vaishnav...)
Van-lobhi ne kapat-rahit chhe
Kaam-krodh nivaarya re
Bhane Narsaiyyo tenun darshan karta
Kul ekoter taarya re (Vaishnav..)
Rema kumar shares a poem inspired by this bhajan. She feels this hymn  is as relevant today as when it was written and can lead us to finding answers to questions that we struggle with .
  
In search of Vaishnav Jan…
Soul stirring strains of the bhajan
keep playing, flowing my mind
Touching a chord, tugging at my heart
As images and reports keep pouring in
Of violence of varied hues and shades
From around the corner, from across the world
Questions abound without a break
How do I/we feel another’s pain?
How do I/we share another’s sorrow?
Is there hope? Are we doomed?
Can I/we take another path?
Can I/we feel into the essential oneness of all life?
To heal our wounds, to clean our filters
To tune in with another, to see from another point of view
To walk in peace, to be at peace
To exercise restraint in the face of violence
To know that what we do to another, we do to ourselves!
In search of  Vaishnav jan … within, around, amidst.