Visvanatha's Govardhanastakam

[madanmohandas]

First three verses from Visvanatha Chakravarti's Govardhanastakam.

By Krishna's grace Mount Govardhan became
The monarch of all mountains of great fame;
And received the festival offering
Meant for his foe Shakra, heavens' dread king.
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 1

The tender hand of his beloved Lord
Great pleasure did to Govardhan afford,
That when Indra with lightning struck the blow,
He did not pain or discomfiture know.
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 2

The toll station on Govardhan is where
Krishna and Vrishabhanu's daughter fair,
A loving quarrel exquisite displayed,
Regarding the fee that was to be paid;
A spectacle most wonderful to see,
That fills the listening ear with ecstasy.
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 3

[madanmohandas]

The breeze bathes in the lakes like elephant,
Imbibing thence the lotus fragrant scent,
Then spreads flower pollen throughout the air,
And ambles playful and delighted there.
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 4

[madanmohandas]

Is it the fragrance of roaming musk deer?
Or is it the Lord's own sweet odour here?
Or is it Govardhan himself who spreads
His glory, and his own fragrances sheds?
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 5

[madanmohandas]

The gentle deer on Govardhan that graze,
Are eager upon Lord Hari to gaze;
And deceived by the bamboo in the wind,
Follow the path of sound the way to find;
Mistaking it for Krishna's flute song rare;
Not finding him they roam bewildered there.
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 6

The boatman took Radha upon his boat,
On Ganga, but it would not stay afloat,
Then Radha to the boatman Krishna clung,
Around his neck her tender arms were flung.
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 7

Without the shelter and the sanctuary
Of the best of all servants of Hari,
How can one attain pure devotion sweet,
For his sov'reign's, Radha and Krishna's feet?
May Govardhan, the gracious sacred hill,
Have mercy and my cherished hopes fulfil. 8

Whoever these eight verses doth recite,
To Hari's best servant, with high delight,
Will soon attain the direct service sweet
Of Radha and Madhava's lotus-feet. 9

Finis