Sanson Ki Mala Pe
(literally: On the rosary of breath) is a bhajan originally sung by Meerabai (c. 1498 – c. 1557 AD), a Rajput princess and a Hindu mystic from Rajasthan in praise of Lord Krishna. The song has been sung by many famous artists.
[Lyrics & English Translations]
saaNsoN kii maalaa pe simruuN maiN pii ka naam
apne mann kii maiN jaanuuN aur pii ke mann kii Ram
With every breath I take, I chant the name of my beloved I know of my heart, and God knows of the heart of my beloved
yahii merii bandagii hai, yahii merii puujaa
This is my salutation [and] this is my prayer.
ek thaa saajan mandir meN aur ek thaa pritam masjid meN
par maiN prem ke rang meN aisii Duubii ban gayaa ek hii ruup
One lover was in the temple and another in the mosque but to me, immersed in the joy of love, both seemed same
prem kii maalaa japte japte aap banii maiN Shyam
Chanting on rosary, the name of Shyam [Lord Krishna], I become him. Note: A Hindu God sung and revered by the patrons of love.
ham aur nahiiN kuchu kaam ke
matvaare pii ke naam ke, har dam
I am worthless except that I surrender to the name of my beloved, all the time.
priitam kaa kuch dosh nahiiN hai vo to hai nirdosh
apne aap se baateN kar ke ho gayii maiN badnaam
My beloved is not to be blamed, it is no fault of his I became infamous only because of talking to myself.
Jeevan Ka Shingar Hai Preetam
Mang Pe Hai Sindoor
My beloved is the beautification of life And also the vermilion in my hair
Preetam Ki Nazron Se Girr Karr
Jeena Hai Kis Kaam
When fallen in my beloved’s eyes What use is living?
Sanson Ki Mala Pe Simroon Main Pi Ka Naam
On the garland of my breaths I have bejewelled my beloved’s name
