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ओ सांवरे तूने ही मुझको संभाला – A Prayer to Shyam
Origin & Spiritual Essence
- Composer/Tradition: Lyrics – Rahul Sharma; Sung by Nisha Dutt. This bhajan flows from the timeless oral tradition of Shyam devotion.
- Phalaśruti: Sung to awaken trust in divine protection during loneliness, hardship, and abandonment.
Why This Bhajan Resonates
Devotees chant this when overwhelmed by life’s storms—the refrain ‘तूने ही मुझको संभाला’ is the soul’s sigh of relief: “You alone have held me.”
Lyrics in Hindi (Devanagari)
तर्ज – ओ साथी रे।
ओ सांवरे तूने ही मुझको संभाला,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला,
मुश्किल की घड़ियों में,
दुखों की झड़ियों में,
तू ही बना रखवाला,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला।।
दर दर मैं तो भटक रहा था,
आंखों में सबकी खटक रहा था,
कोई बना ना मेरा सहारा,
तब मैं अकेला सोच रहा था,
अब कौन आएगा,
साथ निभाएगा,
कौन बनेगा हमारा,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला।।
जिसको जैसी पड़ी जरूरत,
उसने अपना काम निकाला,
मुझको पड़ी जब उनकी जरूरत,
उनकी जुबां पर लग गया ताला,
अपने जो रूठे है,
साथी सब छूटे है,
तब जाके तुझको पुकारा,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला।।
जब से मैंने तुझको पुकारा,
साथ खड़ा है ये जग सारा,
साथ तू मेरा छोड़ ना देना,
जी ना सकेगा ‘राहुल’ तुम्हारा,
तू मेरी नैया है,
तू ही खिवैया है,
गोविंद ना करना किनारा,
‘निशा’ ने तुझको पुकारा,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला।।
ओ सांवरे तूने ही मुझको संभाला,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला,
मुश्किल की घड़ियों में,
दुखों की झड़ियों में,
तू ही बना रखवाला,
तूने ही मुझको संभाला।।
Simple English Meaning (Bhava-Focused)
The opening verse celebrates Shyam, the dark-hued Lord, as the sole protector. In every crisis, in every storm of sorrow, He becomes the guardian—this is not mere hope, but lived truth.
The second verse shares a soul’s journey—lost at every door, unseen by all, hearts failing as support vanishes. In utter aloneness, the cry rises: only You remain. And in that surrender, bhava blooms.
Third stanza reveals a divine paradox: when the world turns away, even loved ones fall silent, God seals their lips so the devotee turns only to Him. The pain of abandonment becomes the path to intimacy.
The final verse is a vow of mutual belonging. The world now stands with the devotee—but only because Shyam stands first. ‘You are my boat, You the boatman’—a beautiful metaphor for safe passage through life’s floods. The plea ‘do not leave me’ is not fear, but love’s deepest longing.
When & How to Chant
- Ideal time: Evenings, during Khatu Shyam aarti, or any moment of longing
- Simple offerings: A tulsi leaf, ghee lamp, or silent tears
- Repetition: Chant 11x when seeking comfort; 108x during Shravan or personal hardship
Cultural Legacy
This bhajan is lovingly sung in homes and satsangs across India.
Devotees Ask (FAQs)
Yes. Shyam meets you wherever you call—on the street, in silence, in your room. Your heart is His temple.
Each repetition deepens trust. It’s the soul remembering: even when I forgot You, You held me.
Tears are the purest offering. Let them flow—Shyam wipes each one with His flute.
Absolutely. It’s a lifeline. When the world turns away, this chant calls the One who never does.
You are the boat (नैया), and Shyam the boatman (खिवैया). Together, you cross life’s ocean safely.

