રૂડું રે રમતાં , વૃંદાવન

નાદબ્રહ્મ પદ - ૨૨૬, રાગ - મારૂ
Nādbrahma pada 226, rāga - māru

રૂડું રે રમતાં , વૃંદાવન, રૂડું રે રમતાં;
ક્ષીણ ખાંડ ધૃત મંહી રે ભેળીને, કેવું લાગે જમતાં ... ટેક
rudu re ramatā, vrundāvan, rudu re ramatā;
kshin khāňd dhrut maňhee re bhelee-ne, kevuň lāge jamatā … 0

મોટા મુનિને ધ્યાને ન આવે વ્હાલો, યોગ દેહ દમતા;
મુક્તિ થકી અવતાર ભલેરો, હરિ હરને ભજતાં ... ૧
motā muni-ne dhyāne na āve vhālo, yog deh damatā;
mukti thaki avatār bhalero, hari har-ne bhajatā … 1

ગોપી ગોવાલાની ગોઠ મલીને, રમત રૂડી રમતાં;
નરસૈંયાના સ્વામીની સંગે દમતાં, હવે રાખ્યા ભમતાં રે ... ૨
gopi govālā-ni goth mali-ne, ramat rudi ramatā;
narasaiyā-nā svāmi-ni saňge damatā, have rākhyā bhamatā re … 2

English Translation (by AI):
This bhajan celebrates the joy of divine love in Vrindavan. It declares that loving devotion (Bhakti) is far superior to severe meditation or seeking liberation (Mukti). By choosing human birth to worship the Lord, the soul tastes divine sweetness and ends its endless worldly wandering.

Poetic Translation

(Refrain)
How beautiful it is to play in the groves of Vrindavan, how beautiful it is to play;
When milk, sugar, ghee, and curd are blended together, how wondrously sweet it tastes to feast!

(Stanza 1)
Even great sages fail to catch a glimpse of the Beloved in meditation, though they exhaust their bodies through severe yoga;
A human birth is far superior to mere salvation, for here one can beautifully worship and sing of Hari and Hara.

(Stanza 2)
Gathering together in joyful circles, the gopis and cowherds play their divine, enchanting games;
In the companionable presence of Narsinh’s Lord, our restless minds have finally stopped their endless wandering.

…
This bhajan by Narsinh Mehta celebrates the path of Pustimarg / Shringar Bhakti (the path of divine love and aesthetic devotion), contrasting it against dry intellectualism and asceticism.

The Ultimate Essence: Bhakti Over Liberation

The core spiritual message is that the joy of loving and playing with the Divine (Leela) is far superior to seeking Mukti (liberation or salvation). The poet establishes that ultimate spiritual fulfillment is not found in escaping existence, but in actively participating in the sweet, cosmic dance of love with God.

Key Spiritual Concepts Broken Down

• The Feast (Ksheen Khānd Dhrut): The mixing of milk, sugar, ghee, and curd represents the blending of the seeker's senses and soul with the Divine. It symbolizes Rasa—the pure, sweet juice of divine ecstasy that nourishes the spirit.
• The Failure of Sages (Motā Muni): Sages try to reach God through forced bodily discipline (Yog deh damatā) and intellectual meditation, yet they fail to capture Him. This highlights that the ultimate reality cannot be conquered by egoistic effort or dry logic, but only surrendered to through love.
• The Superiority of Human Birth (Avatār Bhalero): In traditional philosophy, liberation is the highest goal. However, Narsinh Mehta boldly claims that being born as a human to sing God’s praises (Hari Har ne bhajatā) is better than salvation, because a liberated soul cannot experience the active joy of devotion. 
• The End of Wandering (Rākhyā Bhamatā): Human life is typically an endless cycle of wandering through desires and rebirths (bhamatā). By joining the divine play (Leela) of Narsinh’s Lord, the soul's restless search ends, finding permanent rest in eternal love.

…
Key Takeaways

• Love Trumps Logic: Devotional love (Bhakti) reaches God easily, while dry intellect and severe asceticism fail.
• Joy Over Escape: Experiencing divine love is far superior to seeking liberation (Mukti) from the world.
• Human Birth is a Gift: A human life is precious because it allows us to praise and experience the Divine.
• Divine Nourishment: True spiritual experiences taste like a rich feast, satisfying the soul completely.
• Community in Faith: Spiritual joy multiplies when shared with a community of pure-hearted devotees.
• End of Restlessness: Surrendering to the Divine halts the soul's endless, weary wandering through life.