Maithreem Bhajata

Maithreem Bhajata मैत्रीं भजत is a benediction composed in Sanskrit by Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, renowned as the Paramacharya of Kanchi. [1]

The song was set to a Ragamalika by composer Shri Vasant Desai.

Historical Importance

It was rendered at the United Nations on Oct. 23, 1966 on the occasion of the UN day, UN-day-1966 by Bharat Ratna Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi and Dr. Radha Viswanathan and received a standing ovation.[2]

The lines in the lyrics which says "dāmyata datta dayadhvaṃ janatāḥ" have mythological importance. Legend has it that the creator ( Prajapathi ) had 3 sons. Namely men, demons and gods. After Prajapathi taught them their lessons as a father, the three groups of students approached Prajapathi and asked for one final lesson. When the gods approached him and asked for their lesson, he said the word "da" and asked them whether they understood. They said, yes, you have asked us to control our self and the "da" means "damyatham" or self restraint. Identically, he said the same word "da" when the other two groups approached him as well. The men understood "da" as "datta" which means being charitable and the demons understood "da" as "dayadhwam" which meant being kind. At this point a thundering sound was heard from the heavens that said "da da da, damaytha datta dayadhwam" which suggested the three axioms everyone of us should learn.[3]

Maithreem Bhajata is a song that tells us how we should all live our lives, in the short span we have, called life.

Information
Raaga - Sung in Ragamalika. Yaman Kalyani and Kapi.
Tala - Adi

Lyrics[4][5]
maitrīṃ bhajata akhilahṛjjetrīm
ātmavadeva parānapi paśyata |
yuddhaṃ tyajata spardhāṃ tyajata
tyajata pareṣu akramam ākramaṇam ||
jananī pṛthivī kāmadughā(ā)ste
janako devaḥ sakaladayāl̥uḥ |
dāmyata datta dayadhvaṃ janatāḥ
śreyo bhūyāt sakalajanānām ||

Translation

Cultivate friendship, which will conquer all hearts,

Look upon others as thyself.

Renounce war.

Forswear competition.

Give up aggression on others,

Earth our Mother is here, ready to give us all our desires

We have the Lord our Father, compassionate to all.

Ye people of this world!

Restraint yourself, be kind.

May all people be happy and prosperous

Let good happen to all,

Let good happen to all,

Let good happen to all.

References
  1. The Article from The Hindu from that era indicates it was composed by Paramacharya of Kanchi.
  2. "The Hindu : Entertainment Chennai / Columns : Moment of pride for all Indians". www.thehindu.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. "Carnatic Songs - maitrIm bhajata".
  4. "Redirecting to Google Groups".
  5. "Maitreem Bhajata: A Benediction".
Sources
  1. http://rlalitha.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/maitreem-bhajata-a-benediction/
  2. https://outreach.un.org/specialevents/content/un-day-concert-1966
  3. http://stotraratna.sathyasaibababrotherhood.org/a228.htm
  4. Listen to Maitreem Bhajatha by MS on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg6S1DoQA6A
  5. Listen to Maitreem Bhajatha by Vishaka Hari along with English exposition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ixzlwK-LSI
  6. Listen to Maitreem Bhajatha by IndianRaga Labs Los Angeles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NIhnpYH4NA
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