Prayers to Govardhan

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Sri Govardhana-Vasa-Prarthana-Dasakam
Ten Prayers for Residence at Sri Govardhan

Mexican architect Luis Barragan defined architecture as an art wherein one “creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this environment produces well being.” By this definition, Govardhan Hill can be seen as the central architectural feature of the divine landscape of Vrindavan. Its fourteen mile circumference crowded with holy sites, Govardhan is a literal mountain of aesthetic stimuli for meditation on Krishna’s lila (divine play). For centuries it has remained the desired place of residence and pilgrimage for Krishna devotees.

Composed by the 16th century Chaitanya Vaisnava saint, Raghunath das Goswami, Sri Govardhana-Vasa-Prarthana-Dasakam is a poetic meditation on Govardhana Hill as the premier servant of Krishna lila, as well as a call for grace, via the refrain “nija-nikita-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam”, “O Govardhana, please grant me residence near your side”.

Govardhana is seen as unique by Krishna devotees, being both a direct manifestation of God, as well as a servant of divine lila by providing a variety of idyllic environments just suited for the eternal soul’s loving union with the supreme deity.

In his book, Dance of Divine Love, Graham M. Schweig notes, “The special nature of lila is both playful and didactic. Although lila is for the pleasure of Krishna and His devotees, and everything that occurs in lila contributes to the delight and celebration of supreme love and beauty, there are aspects that also instruct those who have yet to enter into it’s esoteric domain.” Similarly, Raghunath das Goswami’s prayer not only celebrates Krishna’s divine play but also frames it as both a focal point of meditation and a model of servitude for the bhakti-yogi. Simultaneously, Raghunath das points to Govardhan as the ideal setting for sadhana (spiritual practice) for those with the aim of direct perception of Krishna lila as the Ultimate Reality.

Sri Govardhana-Vasa-Prarthana-Dasakam is composed in the meter known as malini, having fifteen syllables per quarter, and is sung here by Nityananda das, a student at the Srimad-Bhagavata Vidyapitam, the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust’s Sanskrit school at the foot of Govardhana Hill.

Below, find the Sanskrit transliteration and English translation for the ten verses and an eleventh verse which serves as the phala shruti, (fruit or boon of hearing).

Kaustubha das

Sri Govardhana-Vasa-Prarthana-Dasakam
Ten Prayers for Residence at Sri Govardhan

1.
nija-pati bhuja dandacchatra-bhavam prapadya
prati-hata madadhrishtod-danda-devendra-garva
atula-prithula-saila-sreni-bhupa! priyam menija-nikata
-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! You became the umbrella which was held by the arm of your own Lord Krsna! In this way Sri Krsna diminished Indra, the king of the demigods, who was intoxicated by great pride. You are the incomparable king of all the big mountains, please allow me to live close by you.

2.
pramada-madana-lilah kandare kandare te
racayati nava-yunor-dvandvam asminn-amandam
iti kila kalanartham lagna-kastad-dvayor me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! The young Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, play splendid wild loving games in your every cave, so I became very eager to see Them there. Please allow me to live close by you.

3.
anupama-mangi-vedi-ratna-simhasanorvi-
ruhajhara-darasanudroni-sangheshu-rangaih
saha bala-sakhibhih sangkhelayan sva-priyam me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! In topmost joy Krsna plays together with Balarama and the cowherd boys in your incomparable jeweled pavilions and thrones, in the hollows of your trees, in your caves, and valleys. Please allow me to live close by you!

4.
rasa-nidhi-nava-yunoh sakshinim dana-keler-
dyuti-parimala-viddham syama-vedim prakasya
rasika-vara-kulanam modam asphalayan me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! You are the witness of Radha and Krsna’s tax game (In which Krsna charges tax from the ghee the gopis carry on their heads) which is an ocean of mellows. You increase the joy of the mellows of the devotees with your display of bluish platforms that are full of splendour and fragrance. Please allow me to live close by you!

5.
hari dayitam apurvam radhika-kundam atma-
priya-sakham iha kanthe narmana ‘lingya guptah
nava-yuva-yuga-khelas-tatra pasyan raho me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! You affectionately and secretly embrace the neck of your own dear friend, Sri Radha Kunda, the place which is very dear to you and Lord Hari. Please allow me to live close by you and show me the intimate pastimes of the Divine Young Couple there!

6.
sthala-jala-tala-sashpair-bhuruhacchayaya cha
prati-padam anukalam hanta samvardhayan gah
tri-jagati nija-gotram sarthakam khyapayan me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! You make your name, “nourisher of cows”, successful by constantly giving land, water, grass and the shade of your trees to the cows and thus you are famous in the three worlds. Please allow me to live close by you!

7.
sura-pati-krita-dirgha-drohato goshtha-raksham
tava nava griha-rupasy antare kurvataiva
agha-baka-ripunoccair-dattamana! drutam me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! Your glories are increased by the enemy of Aghasura and Bakasura, Sri Krsna, when He protected the Vrajavasis and vanquished Indra by quickly using you as their new shelter from the rain. Please allow me to live close by you.!

8.
giri-nripa! haridasa-sreni-varyeti-nama-
mritam idam uditam sri-radhika-vaktra-candrat
vraja-nava-tilakatve klripta ! vedaih sphutam me
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! King of mountains! Because the nectar of your name as Hari’s best servant emanated from Srimati Radharani’s pearl-like mouth, which was revealed by Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam (10.21.18), you are called the new tilaka (because of your long thin bluish shape at the edge of Vraja) of Vraja. Please allow me to live close by you.

9.
nija-janayuta-radha-krishna-maitri-rasakta-
vraja-nara-pasu-pakshi vrata-saukhyaika-datah
aganita-karunatvan-mam uri-kritya tantam
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! Tvam

O Govardhana! You are the only giver of joy to Sri Sri Radha Krsna and Their associates, that are always surrounded by the people, animals and birds of Vraja in the mood of friendship. Please mercifully accept me and allow me to live close by you.

10.
nirupadhi-karunena sri-sachi-nandanena
tayi kapati-satho ‘pi tvat-priyenarpito ‘smi
iti khalu mama yogyayogyatam tamagrihnan
nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana! tvam

O Govardhana! Although I am vile and deceitful, the causelessly merciful Sri Sacinandana(Sri Chaitanya) submitted me to you. Therefore, do not consider whether I am qualified or unqualified and accept me. Allow me please to live close by you.

11.
rasada-dasakam-asya srila-govardhanasya
kshiti-dhara-kula-bhartur-yahprayatnadadhite
sa sapadi sukhade ‘smin vasamasadya sakshach-
chhubhada-yugala-seva-ratnam apnoti turnam

Anyone who carefully recites these ten verses praising the king of mountains Srila Govardhana, the giver of divine mellows, will swiftly attain a place to live close by Govardhana, the bestower of bliss, and he will attain the precious jewel of the auspicious loving service of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Krsna.