Govinda

Govinda (transl. “one who gives pleasure to the land, the cows, and the senses”), also rendered Govind and Gobind, is an epithet of Vishnu and is also used for his avatars such as Krishna.[1] The name appears as the 187th and the 539th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama. The name is also popularly addressed to Krishna, referring to his youthful activity as a cowherd boy.

Krishna and the cowherds, c. 1800, Victoria and Albert Museum.
This article is about the name of Vishnu. For the actor, see Govinda (actor). For other uses, see Govinda (disambiguation).
"Govindaji" redirects here. For the temple in Imphal, see Shree Govindajee Temple.
Krishna worshipped as Govinda with his consort Radha in the historic Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jaipur

Etymology

In the word "Govinda", "Govu" means Indriyas. Govinda therefore means the all-pervading, omnipresent ruler of the sense organs, or Indriyas. "Govu" also means 'Vedas'. Hence Govinda is the supreme being who can be known through the Vedas.[2] Govinda can also be translated as "protector of cows".

Interpretations
Krishna as Govind at Sri Sri Radha Govind temple, Ahmedabad

Govinda is a name of Krishna and also appears as the 187th and 539th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama, the 1,000 names of Vishnu.[3]

According to Adi Shankara's commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Govinda has four meanings:[3]

  1. The sages call Krishna "Govinda" as He pervades all the worlds, giving them power.
  2. The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata states that Vishnu restored the earth that had sunk into the netherworld, so all the devas praised Him as Govind (Protector of the Land).
  3. Alternatively, it means "He who is known by Vedic words alone".
  4. In the Harivamsa, Indra praised Krishna for having attained loving leadership of the cows which Krishna tended as a cowherd, by saying, "So men too shall praise Him as Govinda."

In another scripture, Brahma Samhita, Krishna is praised as Govinda, who is eternal and origin of all living beings.[4]

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in his commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita, states that Govinda means "master of the senses".[5] In the Mahabharata, when Draupadi's saree was stripped by Dushasana in the court of Hastinapura, it is said that Draupadi prayed towards Krishna (who was in Dwaraka at that time) invoking him as "Govinda" at the instance of extreme distress where she could no longer hold her saree to her chest. For this reason, it is believed that "Govinda" is how the Lord is addressed by devotees when they have lost it all and have nothing more to lose. This may be the reason why in colloquial Tamil and Telugu the slang-term "govinda" sometimes refers to the prospect of losing or failing in something important.

Prayers

An 8th century Hindu devotional composition called "Moha Mudgara", composed by Adi Shankara, summarises: "If one just worships Govinda, one can easily cross this great ocean of birth and death." This refers to the belief that worshipful adoration of Vishnu or Krishna can lead believers out of the cycle of reincarnation (samsara) and lead them into an eternal blissful life in Vaikuntha, 'the supreme abode situated beyond this material world' where Govinda (Vishnu) resides. The composition expresses the value of inner devotion to Vishnu.

See also

References
  1. www.wisdomlib.org (2011-12-19). "Govinda, Go-vinda, Govimda: 33 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  2. Bhaja Govindam: Charpat Panjarika Stotram. Pustak Mahal. 20 August 2009. p. 10. ISBN 9788122310740.
  3. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, commentary by Sri Sankaracharya, pgs. 69 and 115, translated by Swami Tapasyananda (Ramakrishna Math Publications, Chennai)
  4. Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati. Sri Brahma Samhita Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati.
  5. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapters 1–6. Penguin Books, 1969, p 57 (v 32).

Notes
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