Second Govardhanastaka of Sri Rupa

[madanmohandas]

First three verses from Sri Rupa's second Govardhanastakam.

The arm of Agha's foe radiant blazed
Like sapphire column, wherewith he upraised
Mount Govardhan as a vast canopy,
To save the cowherds from calamity,
And shield his friends who were by rains oppressed,
And by the flooding waters much distressed.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 1

Parvati's brother, Mount Mainaka hight,
Oppressed by Indra's raging wrath took fright,
Forsaking his fond friends and family,
Concealed himself in the depths of the sea;
But Govardhan, Jambha's great foe defied,
And thus diminished his excessive pride.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 2

When Krishna a massive form manifest,
He stood upon the lofty mountains' crest,
And to the cowherds gathered did proclaim,
'I am the deity of the mountain!'
Then in that colossal form he assumed,
With wide eyes the rice offerings consumed.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 3

[madanmohandas]

On the calends of Urja, e'en today
Sacrifice is performed, honour to pay
To Govardhan, as Krishna did decree,
With celebration of festivity.
Govardhan bounteous grasses bestows,
To nourish the cows and the buffaloes,
Like a generous patron he supplies
His family with all necessities.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 4

[madanmohandas]

When the breeze steals the precious scent away,
He is arrested by the splashing spray,
Engendered by the lapping the waves make
On Gandharva's dear lotus scented lake;
And when the breeze, frighted, away doth flee,
He wanders round Govardhan silently.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 5

On the lake Manasa Ganga by name,
Kamsa's slayer a ferryman became,
And took the cowherd dames aboard with glee,
And made the exploits of Cupid his fee;
And as the rocking boat engendered waves,
Govardhans' rocks and pebbles gently laves.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 6

[madanmohandas]

On Govardhan the toll station is dight
With rocks of emerald and malachite,
Where Krishna, the chief toll man ready stands,
And from the fawn-eyed dames the fee demands;
And the current payment they must fulfil;
Surrender of their bodies to his will.
A quarrel then arose under the trees,
Frequented by intoxicated bees.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 7

The groves of Govardhan are strewn around
With wilted flower earrings on the ground,
Where lotus-stem bangles had been dropped down,
Where scattered lays the peacock feather crown;
On the play bed earrings glisten and gleam,
And flower garlands crushed and torn are seen;
Thus Govardhan is fortunate to bear
Witness to the divine sports of the pair.
May Govardhan extend his grace and bless,
And grant to us auspicious happiness. 8

Who faithfully, attentive, doth recite
These verses with a heart full of delight,
In praise of Govardhan, the mountain king,
And doth with sweet melodious voice sing,
May they love of the lotus-feet attain
Of him who lifted Govardhan mountain,
And thereby may they gain the grace as well,
Always by the king of mountains to dwell.

Finis