When we hear the word "alms" or Bhiksha, we usually picture a seeker holding out a bowl, asking the world for coins or food to survive. But what happens when we hold that bowl up to the Divine? What should we truly be asking for?
In the profound prayer "Pavan Bhiksha"
(Sacred Alms), Samarth Ramdas Swami radically shifts our perspective. He
teaches us that the ultimate wealth isn't material prosperity, but the internal
virtues required to navigate the world with grace and eventually dissolve the
ego entirely.
This beautiful prayer is a step-by-step ladder of spiritual evolution. It
begins by asking for simple, practical traits—like gentle speech and
situational awareness—and slowly ascends to the ultimate request: total,
unattached surrender to the Supreme.
Below is the beautiful Hindi adaptation of this historic composition,
graciously translated for Hindi-speaking audiences by Swami Govind Dev Giri ji.
Alongside it is an English translation that looks beyond literal words to
capture the true spiritual essence of the prayer.
राम राम जय राजाराम पावन भिक्षा दे दो राम ॥धृ॥
Ram, Ram, Victory be yours, O
King Ram, Grant me these sacred alms, O Ram.
कोमल वाणी दे दो राम । निर्मल करणी दे दो राम ।
प्रासंगिक मति दे दो राम । चतुराई भी दे दो राम ।।1
Grant me gentleness of speech, O Ram. Grant me the ability to do pure
deeds, O Ram.
Grant me situational wisdom (presence of mind), O Ram. Grant me
judiciousness too, O Ram.
हितकारक जो दे दो राम । जनसुखकारक दे दो राम ।
इंगितज्ञता दे दो राम । बहुजन मैत्री दे दो राम ||2||
Grant me that which brings true benefit, O Ram. Grant me the ability to
bring joy to people, O Ram.
Grant me profound intuition (the ability to read subtle signs), O Ram.
Grant me universal friendship with all, O Ram.
Spiritual Insight: The Art of Deep Empathy
In this verse, we encounter a highly specific and beautiful word: Ingitagyata. To understand its depth, we look at its
roots. Ingit means a subtle sign, a gesture, or an unspoken
hint, and Gyata means the one who knows or understands. Together,
it translates to the profound ability to comprehend what remains unsaid.
Why ask the Divine for this? Because this verse focuses on social harmony
and bringing joy to others (Jansukhakarak). You
cannot truly serve people or cultivate universal friendship (Bahujan Maitri) if you are emotionally blind. Ingitagyata is the ultimate spiritual emotional
intelligence. It is the intuitive grace to recognize another person's pain,
read their needs, and understand their boundaries without them ever having to
speak a word. It transforms a seeker from a mere well-wisher into a truly
empathetic presence in the world.
विद्या वैभव दे दो राम । उदासीनता दे दो राम ।
अयाचना व्रत दे दो राम। मैं न जानु वह दे दो राम ।।3।।
Grant me the attitude of an eternal student, O Ram. Grant me the ability to
rise above my emotions, O Ram.
Grant me a mind that is free of desires (never begging), O Ram. Grant me
that which is beyond my own comprehension, O Ram.
प्यार तुम्हारा दे दो राम। दास कहे मोहे दो श्रीराम
संगीत गायन दे दो राम। गान मधुरता दे दो राम ।।4।।
Grant me your divine love, O Ram. Your servant asks, bestow it upon me, O
Shri Ram.
Grant me the gift of musical devotion (singing ability), O Ram. Grant me
melodiousness in song, O Ram.
सावधानता दे दो राम । ज्ञान कंठगत दे दो राम ।
दास कहे हे सद्गुणधाम । उत्तम गुण मोहे दे दो राम ।।5।।
Grant me vigilant mindfulness, O Ram. Grant me wisdom ever-ready on my
tongue, O Ram.
Your servant says: O Abode of Virtues, Bestow upon me the absolute highest
virtues, O Ram.
Spiritual Insight: The Sacred Vessel of Wisdom
In the phrase ज्ञान कंठगत (Gyan Kanthagat), the word Kanth literally
translates to 'throat.' In the ancient Indian oral tradition, sacred knowledge
was not kept in books but memorized and chanted, making the throat the sacred
vessel of wisdom. While a literal English translation ('knowledge in my
throat') feels awkward, the true essence of the prayer is asking for wisdom
that is fully internalized, memorized by heart, and ever-ready to be spoken
with clarity.
पावन भिक्षा दे दो राम । दीन दयालो दे दो राम ।
अभेद भक्ति दे दो राम । आत्मनिवेदन दे दो राम ||6||
Grant me these sacred alms, O Ram. O Merciful to the humble, grant this to
me, O Ram.
Grant me non-dual devotion (seeing no separation from You), O Ram. Grant me
the complete offering of my ego (surrender of self), O Ram.
Spiritual
Insight: The Pinnacle of Devotion
Here the seeker asks for Abheda Bhakti. To
truly grasp this, we must look at the word itself: Bheda means
difference, duality, or separation. Therefore, A-bheda means
"without separation."
Typically, we think of devotion as a relationship between two separate
entities: the worshipper and the Divine. We pray to God as someone outside of
us. However, Abheda Bhakti (non-dual devotion) is the ultimate state
of spiritual realization. It is the moment the boundary between the devotee and
the deity completely dissolves. The seeker no longer just prays to Ram; they
recognize Ram within themselves, within every living being, and across the
entire universe. It is the beautiful moment a single drop of water realizes it
is not separate from the ocean.
तन्मयता मोहे दे दो राम । अर्थारोहण दे दो राम ।
सज्जनसंगति दे दो राम । अलिप्तता मोहे दे दो राम ।।7।।
Grant me total absorption in You, O Ram. Grant me the elevation of
righteous prosperity (to fulfill my duties), O Ram.
Grant me the company of the noble and wise, O Ram. Grant me an utterly
unattached nature, O Ram.
Spiritual
Insight: The True Meaning of "Artharohan"
Here we encounter the word Artharohan. At first
glance, asking for Artha (wealth/prosperity) right
after taking a vow of non-begging (Ayachana Vrat) might
seem contradictory. However, in the traditional framework of the four Purusharthas (the goals of human life), Artha does not mean the greedy accumulation of money.
Instead, it means the righteous acquisition of resources necessary to
sustain life and fulfill one's duties. Therefore, Artharohan is not a
plea for selfish riches. It is a prayer for the elevation of righteous
prosperity—asking the Divine for the ethical resources to fulfill our worldly
responsibilities perfectly, so that our minds can ultimately remain Alipt (detached) and completely absorbed in the Divine.
ब्रह्म अनुभव दे दो राम । अनन्य सेवा दे दो राम ।
पूर्ण समर्पण दे दो राम । दास कहे मोहे दे दो राम ||8||
Grant me the direct experience of the Ultimate Reality (Brahman), O Ram.
Grant me the privilege of singular, unwavering service (unmatched devotion), O
Ram.
Grant me absolute and perfect surrender, O Ram. Your servant says, bestow
this upon me, O Ram.
A Moment of Reflection
Samarth Ramdas Swami lays out a complete roadmap of divine virtues in this
prayer—from Komal Vani (gentle speech) and Bahujan Maitri (universal friendship) to Udasinata (spiritual detachment) and Purna Samarpan (complete surrender).
As we navigate our own busy lives and daily interactions, some of these
virtues feel much harder to master than others.
Which of the virtues requested in Pavan Bhiksha do you feel is most needed in today’s fast-paced world, and which one are you personally striving to cultivate?
