Narsinh Mehta
Narsinh Mehta (नरसिंह मेहता, 1414–1488), also known as Narsinh Bhagat, was a 15th-century poet-saint of Gujarat, honored as the adi-kavi (first poet) of the Gujarati language. He is best remembered for his devotional hymn “Vaishnav Jan To”, which became Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite prayer and remains an emblem of Indian moral idealism.
Life/History
Narsinh Mehta was born in 1414 into a Nagar Brahmin family in Gujarat (traditionally in the town of Tarapur). He faced early tragedy: he lost his parents as a child and grew up in difficult circumstances. According to tradition, he was mocked by his own community for his unconventional devotion and ascetic lifestyle.
He became a devotee of Krishna and dedicated his life to composing poetic works expressing his bhakti (devotional love) towards Krishna. His bhajans have remained popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan for over five centuries.
Teachings/Contributions
Narsinh Mehta composed over 600 devotional poems in Gujarati and Sanskrit, including bhajans, garbis (songs sung during the festival of Navaratri), and longer devotional compositions. His most celebrated work, “Vaishnav Jan To”, describes the qualities of a true Vaishnava:
“He considers the world’s welfare, he considers the world his own. He does not speak of anyone’s faults, nor listens to gossip.”
The hymn emphasizes compassion, humility, truthfulness, and service to others — qualities that Gandhi adopted as guiding principles. The poem became widely known through Gandhi’s use of it as a daily prayer at Sabarmati Ashram.
Legacy
Narsinh Mehta is honored as the founding figure of Gujarati devotional poetry. His hymns continue to be sung across Gujarat, and “Vaishnav Jan To” — popular with freedom fighters across India — has become one of the most recognized prayers in India.
Verification notes
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).
- Dates (1414–1488), “Adi Kavi” status, and the Gandhi/“Vaishnav Jana To” connection per Wikipedia; sectarian affiliation details were removed as unsupported.