Maithreem Bhajata Explained

Maithreem Bhajata मैत्रीं भजत is a benediction composed in Sanskrit by the 68th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Moolamnaya Sarvajna Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham 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, by Bharat Ratna Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi and Dr. Radha Viswanathan, receiving a standing ovation.^[2]

Information

Raaga - Sung in Ragamalika. Yaman Kalyani and Kapi.

Tala - Adi

Lyrics

Sanskrit:मैत्रीं भजत अखिलहृज्जेत्रीम् आत्मवदेव परानपि पश्यत ।युद्धं त्यजत स्पर्धां त्यजत त्यजत परेषु अक्रममाक्रमणम् ॥जननी पृथिवी कामदुघाऽऽस्ते जनको देवः सकलदयालुः ।दाम्यत दत्त दयध्वं जनताः श्रेयो भूयात् सकलजनानाम् ॥

Latin transliterationmaitrīṃ bhajata akhilahṛjjetrīm ātmavadeva parānapi paśyata yuddhaṃ tyajata spardhāṃ tyajata tyajata pareṣu akramam ākramaṇam jananī pṛthivī kāmadughā(ā)ste janako devaḥ sakaladayāluḥdāmyata datta dayadhvaṃ janatāḥ śreyo bhūyāt sakalajanānām

English translationCultivate friendship with all.Look upon others as thyself.Renounce war.Forswear competition.Give up aggression on others.Earth our Mother is here, to fulfill our desires, just like Kamadhenu.God is compassionate to all.Ye people of this world!Restraint yourself, donate, and be kind.May all people be happy and prosperous.^{[3] [4]}

References

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

Notes and References

1. The Article from The Hindu from that era indicates it was composed by Paramacharya of Kanchi.
2. Web site: The Hindu : Entertainment Chennai / Columns : Moment of pride for all Indians . www.thehindu.com . 17 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051221062024/http://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/09/16/stories/2005091600270300.htm . 21 December 2005 . dead.
3. Web site: Redirecting to Google Groups.
4. Web site: Maitreem Bhajata: A Benediction.