Bhaja Govindam Verse- 1

भजगोविन्दं भजगोविन्दं
गोविन्दं भजमूढमते ।
सम्प्राप्ते सन्निहिते काले

नहि नहि रक्षति डुकृञ्करणे ॥ १ ॥

bhajagovindaM bhajagovindaM
govindaM bhajamuuDhamate .
saMpraapte sannihite kaale
nahi nahi rakshati DukRiJNkaraNe .. (1)

(Bhaja = worship; govindaM = Govinda; (a name of Krishna, God); muuDhamate = OH fool; saMpraapte = (when you have) reached / obtained; sannihite = presence / nearness of; kaale = Time (Kala, Time, the great destroyer, Lord of Death, Yama); nahi = No; rakshati = protects; DukR^iJN karaNe = a formula of grammar (from Panini’s book) (bhajagovindaM bhajagovindaM govindaM bhaja muuDhamate .= Worship Govinda, Worship only Govinda, oh fool! sannihite kaale saMpraapte = when the time (for death) comes near; DukR^iJNkaraNe nahi nahi rakshati = the rules of grammar won’t save (you). ) 

Sri Sankara warns us that at the hour of death, "dukrin karane" (a formula from Panini's book of grammar) will not help us. By "dukrin karane", not only the rules of grammar are meant, but also the whole of physical knowledge. He urges us to close down the book of material knowledge such as art, science, etc. and turn the mind toward God. Further, “dukrinj karane” means “useless knowledge”. He does not condemn all knowledge, but merely states that such knowledge will not be useful for God – realization, in case that is what you aim for. Well, if you have not taken it in your agenda, the material knowledge may be useful to you - for a livelihood or for satisfying curiosity, for example; but the fact remains that the best of physical knowledge serves no purpose for a spiritual aspirant, though the story of the man who is still immersed in worldly pursuits, is different. One whose mind is set on God realization will find all other knowledge quite useless: may it be mathematics, grammar, history or atomic science. Because it doesn’t accompany him beyond the point of this life. When the doors of death are suddenly opened, knowledge of God alone helps. Nothing else. So, what is knowledge ? Knowledge is that which helps to realize God. The rest is ignorance. Hence Sri Sankara asks firmly to discard useless pursuits and set the mind to God.

Material science or knowledge indeed is great, but it is only a part of the Infinite knowledge of the Self. For the man who wants to have the full knowledge which will solve ALL his problems, the limited knowledge of physical science is not critical. There are many people who believe in God, but consider it not necessary to follow the religious path now. There is time, they say, till the old age. They could do all this in the retired life. After retirement from occupation or active life, people have little to do and religion could be pursued as a hobby. Till the hour of death, there is time. Good idea! But this may not work well always. Death may not wait till the old age. Moreover, the body and mind will be weak during old age and it may not be easy to carry out sadhanas, even if one wishes to do so.

Anta kale cha mameva smaranmuktua kalevaram Yah prayati sa madbhavam yaati nasty atra samshaya (Bhagavad Gita sloka 5, Chapter 8).

And whoever, at the time of death, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

Moreover, some commentators like Sri Sankara say, the ‘cha’ in the sloka after ‘anta kale’ is very important. It means, “thought of the Lord, ALSO at the time of death” (during the whole life and also at the time of death, “poorvamapi anta kale cha”). Lord cannot be reached with the thought of something else. So it is essential to start following the path of God as soon as possible. The desire to know the meaning of our existence should come from one’s own self. The rest will follow. Now, what is “Bhaja”? It is not the mechanical repetition of Lord’s name without the presence of mind. Some people do it as a mere religious ritual or observance. The Bhajan of Lord should come from the bottom of one’s heart. It should be true love and devotion to Him; Calling on Him in that spirit is what is meant by “Bhaja Govindam”. It may not be a coincidence that Sri Sankara chose to name God by the word ‘Govinda’: His Guru’s name was Govindacharya.