Original text
हरि तुम हरो जन की भीर। द्रोपदी की लाज राखी, तुम बढ़ायो चीर॥ भगत कारण रूप नरहरि धर्यो आप शरीर॥ हिरण्यकश्यप मारि लीन्हो धर्यो नाहिन धीर॥ बूड़तो गजराज राख्यो कियौ बाहर नीर॥ दासी मीरा लाल गिरधर चरणकंवल सीर॥
Transliteration
Hari Tum Haro Jan Ki Bhir Dropadi Ki Laj Rakhi, Tum Barhayo Chir. Bhagat Karan Rup Narahari Dharyo Ap Sharir. Hiranyakashyap Mari Linho Dharyo Nahin Dhir. Burato Gajaraj Rakhyo Kiyau Bahar Nir. Dasi Mira Lal Giradhar Charanakanval Sir.
A prayer built on three rescues
"Hari tum haro jan ki bhir" — "Hari, take away the distress of your people." Meera does not describe her own trouble at all. Instead she reminds Hari of three times he came to rescue a devotee, as if to say: you did it then; do it now.
- Draupadi: "You kept Draupadi's honour and lengthened her sari" — when Dushasana tried to disrobe her in the Kaurava court and she called on Krishna, the cloth never ended.
- Prahlada: "For your devotee's sake you took the form of Narahari (Narasimha) and killed Hiranyakashipu, unable to wait" — the god who would not delay even a moment.
- Gajendra: "You saved the drowning king of elephants and drew him out of the water" — the elephant seized by a crocodile, who called out with a lotus raised in his trunk.
The signature line closes it: "Dasi Meera Lal Giridhar, charan kanval par seer" — "Meera, the servant of her darling Giridhar, lays her head on your lotus feet."
Meera and her Giridhar
Meerabai (16th century), the Rajput princess of Merta who left palace and family for her devotion to Krishna as "Giridhar Gopal", is the most loved woman saint of North Indian bhakti. Her pads, sung in Rajasthani-Braj, almost always end with this signature — "Meera ke prabhu Giridhar Nagar" or "Dasi Meera Lal Giridhar". This one is among the shortest and most direct.
In Gandhi's prayers
"Hari tum haro" was part of the bhajan collection used at Gandhi's ashram, and M. S. Subbulakshmi's rendition, recorded at his request, made it famous across India.
When to sing it
- In times of trouble — it is a prayer of trust rather than a request for a specific thing.
- On Janmashtami, Meera Jayanti (Sharad Purnima in many traditions) and Narasimha Jayanti, since it remembers Narasimha's rescue of Prahlada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of "Hari tum haro jan ki bhir"?
"Hari, take away the distress of your devotees."
Which stories does the bhajan mention?
Draupadi's endless sari, Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu for Prahlada, and the rescue of Gajendra the elephant.
Who is "Lal Giridhar" in the last line?
Krishna as Giridhar, the lifter of the Govardhan hill — Meera's name for her beloved Lord.
Who made this bhajan famous in modern times?
It was sung at Gandhi's ashram, and M. S. Subbulakshmi's recording made it known nationwide.
When is Meera Jayanti?
Many traditions observe it on Sharad Purnima, the full moon of Ashwin.
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