Śrī Govardhanāṣṭakam
This Govardhanāṣṭakam is a hymn of eight verses glorifying Śrī Govardhana Hill, the sacred site in Vṛndāvana closely associated with Lord Kṛṣṇa's pastimes. Each verse highlights a unique aspect of Govardhana, portraying it not just as a physical hill, but as a sentient being intimately connected with Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā. It describes the hill as receiving Kṛṣṇa's mercy, feeling the softness of His hand, being the location of the Divine Couple's loving pastimes, and providing a place for the devotees. The verses also express a deep longing for the dāsyam (servitorship) of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava, emphasizing that taking shelter of Govardhana is essential for attaining pure devotional service.
कृष्णप्रसादेन समस्तशैल
साम्राज्यम् आप्नोति च वैरिणोऽपि
शक्रस्य यः प्राप बलिं स साक्षाद्
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
kṛṣṇa-prasādena samasta-śaila-
sāmrājyam āpnoti ca vairiṇo ’pi
śakrasya yaḥ prāpa baliṃ sa sākṣād
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
May Govardhana Hill, which by Krishna's mercy became the king of all mountains and received the respectful tribute of its arch-enemy Indra, fulfil my desire.
स्वप्रेष्ठहस्ताम्बुजसौकुमार्य
सुखानुभूतेर् अतिभूमिवृत्तेः
महेन्द्रवज्राहतिम् अप्य् अजानन्
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
sva-preṣṭha-hastāmbuja-saukumārya
sukhānubhūter ati-bhūmi-vṛtteḥ
mahendra-vajrāhatim apy ajānan
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
As it was held above the earth it became so filled with happiness by experiencing the softness of its beloved Krishna's lotus hand it did not even know it was being struck by Indra's thunderbolt. May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.
यत्रैव कृष्णो वृषभानुपुत्र्या
दानं गृहीतुं कलहं वितेने
श्रुतेः स्पृहा यत्र महत्य् अतः श्री
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
yatraiva kṛṣṇo vṛṣabhānu-putryā
dānaṃ gṛhītuṃ kalahaṃ vitene
śruteḥ spṛhā yatra mahaty ataḥ śrī
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Trying to collect a toll, Krishna quarrelled there with King Vrishabhanu's daughter. The personified Vedas yearn to list to that quarrel. May Govardhana his fulfil my desire.
स्नात्वा सरः स्वाशु समीरहस्ती
यत्रैव नीपादिपरागधूलिः
आलोलयन् खेलति चारु स श्री
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
snātvā saraḥ svāśu samīra-hastī
yatraiva nīpādi-parāga-dhūliḥ
ālolayan khelati cāru sa śrī
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Bathing in a nearby lake, the elephant of a pleasant breeze, covered with pollen of kadamba and other flowers, gracefully plays there. May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.
कस्तूरिकाभिः शयितं किम् अत्रेत्य्
ऊहं प्रभोः स्वस्य मुहुर् वितन्वन्
नैसर्गिकस्वीयशिलासुगन्धैर्
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
kastūrikābhiḥ śayitaṃ kim atrety
ūhaṃ prabhoḥ svasya muhur vitanvan
naisargika-svīya-śilā-sugandhair
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Does the sweet fragrance of Govardhana come from the musk deer who relax there? From the Lord who plays there? Or is it Govardhana's own natural scent? May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.
वंशप्रतिध्वन्यनुसारवर्त्म
दिदृक्षवो यत्र हरिं हरिण्यः
यान्त्यो लभन्ते न हि विस्मिताः स
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
vaṃśa-pratidhvany-anusāra-vartma
didṛkṣavo yatra hariṃ hariṇyaḥ
yāntyo labhante na hi vismitāḥ sa
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Searching there for Lord Hari on the path of His flute music, the astonished deer do not find Him. May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.
यत्रैव गङ्गाम् अनु नावि राधाम्
आरोह्य मध्ये तु निमग्ननौकः
कृष्णो हि राधानुगलो बभौ स
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
yatraiva gaṅgām anu nāvi rādhām
ārohya madhye tu nimagna-naukaḥ
kṛṣṇo hi rādhānugalo babhau sa
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
As the Divine Couple travelled on the Ganges there the boat began to sink in the middle. Krishna was splendidly handsome as Radha clung to His neck. May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.
विना भवेत् किं हरिदासवर्य
पदाश्रयंभक्तिर् अतः श्रयामि
यम् एव सप्रेम निजेशयोः श्री
गोवर्धनो मे दिशताम् अभीष्टम्
vinā bhavet kiṃ hari-dāsa-varya-
padāśrayaṃbhaktir ataḥ śrayāmi
yam eva saprema nijeśayoḥ śrī-
govardhano me diśatām abhīṣṭam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Without taking shelter of the feet of the hill that is the best of Lord Hari's servants and full of love for the divine king and queen, how is it possible to attain pure devotional service? May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.
एतत् पठेद् यो हरिदासवर्य
महानुभावाष्टकम् आर्द्रचेताः
श्रीराधिकामाधवयोः पदाब्ज
दास्यं स विन्देद् अचिरेण साक्षात्
etat paṭhed yo hari-dāsa-varya-
mahānubhāvāṣṭakam ārdra-cetāḥ
śrī-rādhikā-mādhavayoḥ padābja-
dāsyaṃ sa vinded acireṇa sākṣāt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
May the reader of these eight verses glorifying Lord Hari's greatest servant, his heart melting with pure love, quickly attain direct service to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.
