Muni's PlayGoenka Hindi Dohe
A collection of Hindi verses (dohe) by S. N. Goenka summarizing the practice of Vipassana meditation, morality, concentration, and wisdom.
Awareness of Breath & Impermanence
Devanagari Script
आते जाते साँस पर, रहे निरंतर ध्यान;
कर्मों के बंधन कटें, होय परम कल्याण।
English Translation
On every incoming and outgoing breath, may there be continuous awareness/meditation; may the bonds of karma be severed, leading to supreme liberation/ultimate well-being.
Devanagari Script
साँस देखते देखते, सत्य प्रगटता जाय;
सत्य देखते देखते, परम सत्य दिख जाय।
English Translation
While continuously observing the breath, the truth keeps revealing itself; while continuously observing that truth, the supreme truth comes into view.
Devanagari Script
क्षण क्षण क्षण क्षण बीततां, जीवन बीत्यो जाय;
क्षण क्षण को उपयोग कर, बीत्यो क्षण नहीं आय।
English Translation
Moment by moment, time slips away, and life keeps passing by; make use of every single moment, for a moment once passed never returns.
Devanagari Script
मानव का जीवन मिला, मिला धरम अनमोल;
अब श्रद्धा से यतन से, अपने बंधन खोल।
English Translation
Having attained this rare human life, and having found the priceless Dhamma; now, with deep devotion and earnest effort, untie your own bonds of attachment.
Mastery of the Mind
Devanagari Script
वाणी तो वश में भली, वश में भला शरीर;
पर जो मन वश में करे, वही सच्चा वीर।
English Translation
Control over speech is good, control over the body is also good; but one who brings the mind under control, they alone are a true warrior (hero).
Devanagari Script
मन के करम सुधार ले, मन ही प्रमुख प्रधान;
कायिक वाचिक करम तो, मन की ही संतान।
English Translation
Purify the actions of the mind, for the mind alone is chief and foremost; bodily and vocal actions, after all, are merely the offspring of the mind.
Devanagari Script
जैसी चित की चेतना, वैसा ही फल होय;
दुरमन का फल दुखद ही, सुखद सुमन का होय।
English Translation
Just as the consciousness of the mind is, so indeed is the fruit it bears; the fruit of a corrupted mind is purely painful, while the fruit of a pure and wholesome mind brings happiness.
Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom
Devanagari Script
शील समाधि ज्ञान ही, शुद्ध धरम का सार;
काया वाणी चित्त के, सुधरे सब व्यवहार।
English Translation
Morality (Sīla), concentration (Samādhi), and wisdom (Jñāna) alone, constitute the essence of pure Dhamma; by these, all actions and conduct of body, speech, and mind are purified.
Devanagari Script
शीलवान के ध्यान से, प्रज्ञा जाग्रत होय;
अंतरमन की ग्रंथियाँ, सभी विमोचित होंय।
English Translation
Through the meditation of a moral person, wisdom (Prajñā) is awakened; and all the knots of the subconscious/inner mind are entirely untied and liberated.
Devanagari Script
देखो अपने आप को, समझो अपना आप;
अपने को जाने बिना, मिटे न भव-संताप।
English Translation
Observe your own self, understand your true nature; without knowing oneself, the misery of worldly existence cannot be eradicated.
Equanimity & The Art of Living
Devanagari Script
जब जब अन्तर जगत में, जागे चित्त विकार;
मैं भी व्याकुल हों उठूँ, विकल करूँ संसार।
English Translation
Whenever within the inner world, defilements/impurities arise in the mind; I too become agitated and distressed, and make the world around me miserable.
Devanagari Script
मैं भी व्याकुल ना बनूँ, जगत विकल ना होये;
जीवन जीने की कला, सत्य धरम है सोय।
English Translation
May I not become agitated or distressed, and may the world around me not be made miserable; this indeed is the art of living, this is the true Dhamma (righteous way).
Devanagari Script
भोगत भोगत भोगते, बंधन बंधते जायं;
देखत देखत देखते, बंधन खुलते जायं।
English Translation
While continuously indulging or reacting blindly to sensations, the bonds of attachment keep multiplying; while continuously observing mindfully with equanimity, the bonds of attachment keep getting untied.
Devanagari Script
ज्यों ज्यों अन्तर जगत में, समता स्थित हो जाये;
काया वाणी चित्त के, करम सुधरते जायें।
English Translation
Just as, degree by degree, within the inner world, equanimity becomes firmly established; the actions of the body, speech, and mind continuously become purified and wholesome.
Devanagari Script
जब तक मन में राग है, जब तक मन में द्वेष;
तब तक दुःख ही दुःख है, मिटें न मन के क्लेश।
English Translation
As long as there is attachment (rāga) in the mind, as long as there is aversion/hatred (dveṣa) in the mind; until then, there is nothing but misery, and the afflictions (kleśas) of the mind cannot be erased.
Devanagari Script
सुख आये नाचे नहीं, दुःख आये नहीं रोय;
दोनों में समरस रहे, तो ही मंगल सोय।
English Translation
When pleasure (sukha) comes, may one not dance [with joy], when pain (dukha) comes, may one not cry; if one remains balanced and equanimous (samarasa) in both, that alone is true welfare and auspiciousness.
Goodwill, Forgiveness & Metta
Devanagari Script
द्वेष और दुर्भाव का, रहे न नाम निशान;
स्नेह और सद्भाव से, भर लें तन, मन, प्राण।
English Translation
May not a single trace remain of hatred and ill-will; with love and goodwill, may body, mind, and life-force be completely filled.
Devanagari Script
दूर रहे दुर्भावना, द्वेष रहें सब दूर;
निरमल निरमल चित्त में, प्यार भरे भरपूर।
English Translation
May ill-will remain far away, and may all animosity/hatred be kept at a distance; within a completely pure and unstained mind, may love be filled to the very brim.
Devanagari Script
मैं करता सबको क्षमा, करें मुझे सब कोय;
मेरे तो सब मित्र हैं, बैरी दिखे न कोय।
English Translation
I forgive everyone, may everyone forgive me; all are my friends, I see an enemy in none.
Devanagari Script
मेरे अर्जित पुण्य में, भाग सभी का होय;
इस मंगल-मय धरम का, लाभ सभी को होय।
English Translation
May everyone have a share in the merits (Puṇya) I have earned; may everyone receive the benefits of this auspicious and benevolent Dhamma.
Refuge in Dhamma
Devanagari Script
धरम हमारा ईश्वर, धरम हमारा नाथ;
सदा सुरक्षित ही रहें, धरम सदा हो साथ।
English Translation
Dhamma is our Lord, Dhamma is our master; may we always remain protected, and may Dhamma always be with us.