Ramko Pani Maya Shyam Ko Pani Maya
by Gopal Vasista
"Ram Ko Pani Maya Shyam Ko Pani Maya" is a highly popular and enduring Nepali devotional bhajan written, composed, and originally sung by the prominent religious artist Gopal Vasista. Beautifully structured as a traditional Hindu hymn, the song serves as a profound meditation on the transient nature of human existence and the ultimate importance of divine devotion. The core message of the lyrics emphasizes that this incomplete worldly life is nothing more than a passing phase, poetically described as "two days of sunshine and shade" (Yo adhuro jivan dui din ko gham chaya). By invoking both Lord Ram and Lord Shyam (Krishna), the hymn unites two major incarnations of Vishnu, encouraging devotees to chant their sacred names to receive spiritual blessings and find inner peace.
The bhajan has become a definitive staple across households and temples in Nepal, particularly during major religious festivals such as Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, and daily morning prayers. Its soothing traditional composition features acoustic arrangements heavily anchored by instruments like the harmonium, tabla, dholak, and a prominent flute performance by Nabin Kishore Waiba. Over the years, its massive digital presence has been sustained through viral sharing on social media platforms, alongside various popular cover versions by other devotional artists like Narayan Babu Koirala. The hymn's timeless appeal lies in its simplistic, rhyming Nepali lyrics that make it easy for generations of families to sing along in communal worship.
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
ईश्वर जानी राम नाम जपी पाइन्छ पराम धाम्
ईश्वर जानी राम नाम जपी पाइन्छ पराम धाम्
यो मान म रखी प्रभु लाई सम्जी पाइन्छ बाराधन्
यो मान म रखी प्रभु लाई सम्जी पाइन्छ बाराधन्
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
आउ न हरी माया गरी हामी लाई लैजाउन
आउ न हरी माया गरी हामी लाई लैजाउन
यो भवा सगर परा लगै हामी लाई लैजाउन
यो भवा सगर परा लगै हामी लाई लैजाउन
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
रामको पनी माया श्यामको पनी माया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
यो आधुरो जिवन दुइदिनको घाम छाया
आउ न आउ हेय भका जान हो बसौ है शान्ति भै
आउ न आउ हेय भका जान हो बसौ है शान्ति भै
प्रभु लाई सम्जी राम नाम जपौ सबै लय रामै
प्रभु लाई सम्जी राम नाम जपौ सबै लय रामै
राम को पनी माया श्याम को पनी माया
राम को पनी माया श्याम को पनी माया
