indian spiritual traditions feature a variety of key roles, each with specific responsibilities and insights. These roles include Rishis, Munis, Gurus, and many others, each contributing uniquely to the spiritual and cultural fabric of India.
Narasinha was transported by Siva to Krishna’s spiritual plane. Seeing the gopis and their pure devotion, from that day he sang of Krishna and of all-encompassing love of God Narasinha was transported by Siva to Krishna’s spiritual plane. Seeing the gopis and their pure devotion, from that day he sang of Krishna and of all-encompassing love of GodCan you name the poet-saint whose hymns were a moral compass for visionaries such as Mahatma Gandhi? That is none other than 15th-century Narasinha Mehta of Gujarat, also known as Narsi Bhagat. Honored as Adi Kavi (“first poet”) of the Gujarati language, Narasinha is both a renowned literary figure and a beloved Vaishnava saint whose devotional songs about Krishna are widely sung in Gujarat, Rajasthan and beyond. Narasinha was born into a Saivite Nagar Brahmin family who worshiped Lord Siva. Narasinha Mehta unites Saivite and Vaishnavite communities with his affiliation to both traditions. He also bridges the nirguna and saguna communities. His poems, written in a genre called pad, show that he was well-versed in the Vaishnava cannon, and was influenced by Vedantic philosophy and classical Sanskrit kavya literature. Passed down orally, his songs extol nirguna bhakti (devotion to the formless Divine), Sri Krishna Leela (Krishna’s divine play), reverence to Siva, and moral teachings. Many of these are sung as early morning hymns (prabhatiya in Gujarati) in temples and at night-long bhajan gatherings in Gujarat. Some poems share glimpses of his life, including miracles and his encounters with the Divine. Narasinha Mehta and Gandhi Narasinha Mehta is one of the saints whom Gandhi glorified in his writings, along with Tulsidas, Surdas, Mirabai and Kabir. Narasinha and Gandhi both hailed from Gujarat and believed in an egalitarian society. Like Gandhi, Narasinha interacted with people from all castes. This angered and alienated his own community, but did not stop him from living the ideals he preached. Gandhi was born in a Vaishnava family, and there came a point in his life when Narasinha’s bhajan “Vaishnava Jana” struck a deep chord. In fact, it was in the context of this song that Gandhi defined himself as a Vaishnava. Gandhi said even his Christian and Muslim friends loved the song, as it espouses ethical guidelines that transcend religious affiliations. He adopted the term Harijan (children of God) from a Narasinha song to refer to the Dalits, the “untouchables” of Hindu society, and recurrently alluded to the saint in public debates about untouchability in Gujarat.” Universal Moral Anthem Narasinha Mehta’s iconic song on moral values begins with Vaishnavajana to tene re kahie (Call only that one a true Vaishnava), and encourages peace and noble thought, word and action (see sidebar, right). the song outlines the virtues of a truly spiritual person, worthy of emulation (termed Vaishnava in the bhajan). As a core part of the Gandhian Movement, it appealed not only to Gujarati speakers but united all Indians, and humankind at large. (The song is reminiscent of Kanchi Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati’s “Maitreem Bhajata,” a benediction in Sanskrit encouraging world peace and harmony composed for the United Nations.) Similarly, Narasinha’s “Vaishnava Jana” functions as a universal moral anthem that warms the heart of anyone who cherishes compassion, empathy, truthfulness and devotion. Every top musician in India, whether vocalist or instrumentalist, has performed this song. Some of the most soulful renditions include those of M.S. Subbulakshmi and Lata Mangeshkar. The Narasinha tradition gained momentum with Mahatma Gandhi’s inspired use of his songs and life story, and continues to evolve as younger generations give his eternal poems their own innovative layers of meaning
