Govardhan Vasa Prarthana

[madanmohandas]

The first three verses from Sri Raghunatha dasa Goswami's Sri Govardhana-vaasa-praarthanaa-dasakam. Ten verses beseeching residence at Govardhan.

O Govardhan of great and wondrous might!
You are the king of all the mountains hight*;
Raised by your Master's handle-arm on high,
You spread out like a spacious canopy;
The assault of the king of gods defied,
And countered him and diminished his pride.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 1

The fresh young couple to your caves resort,
And in each cave engage in Cupid's sport;
To abide in your close proximity,
The vision of these sports will guarantee.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 2

Many gem-studded raised platforms are there,
O Govardhan, wondrous, beyond compare,
And shimmering with many a gem stone,
A radiant and spacious lion throne;
Environed by tall trees to offer shade,
The bubbling brook and the tumbling cascade;
Where Krishna in sublime play the day spends,
With Bala and a throng of lively friends.
O Govardhan, who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 3

[madanmohandas]

Your platform Shyama-vedi is witness
To the fresh couples sweet amorous bliss,
Where they perform the toll levying game,
Known as the Dana Keli sport by name.
Thus, Govardhan, you discover* the sight,
Affording to connoisseurs delight.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 4

*hight - called.
*discover - reveal

[madanmohandas]

O dear to Hari, abounding in grace!
In amity Radha's lake you embrace,
And observe the intimate exploits there,
Enacted by the fresh amorous pair.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 5

O Govardhan, you nourish and sustain,
Whereby you are most worthy of your name;
Fresh grass and water under shady boughs,
And vast abundance supply to the cows.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 6

[madanmohandas]

O Govardhan, you received honour high,
From Agha and Baka's great enemy,
When he beneath your lofty rocky dome,
To save the cowherds, made of you a home;
What time the king of gods would devastate,
Due to his long and inveterate hate.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 7

O king of mountains of enduring fame,
For your virtues you were given the name,
The best servant of Hari sans compare,
Which moon-faced Radhika's lips did declare.
You are conceived in the Vedas divine,
As Vraja's ornamental tilak sign.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 8

[madanmohandas]

With vast and lavish bounty you confer,
O Govardhan, like generous donor,
To bird and beast, cowherd and cowherdess,
The singular and divine happiness;
Who are the friends and lovers of your Lord
Krishna, and divine Radhika adored.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond wish that I may by you dwell. 9

By his great unconditional mercy,
The illustrious son of Sri Sachi,
Consigned me to your asylum and grace,
Although I am a hypocrite and base;
Whether worthy or unworthy I be,
Deign in your boundless grace to accept me.
O Govardhan who doth in grace excel,
Grant my fond that I may by you dwell. 10

Whoever doth these ten verses recite,
Which grant the humours of pure loves' delight,
Which doth the great Govardhans' praises sing,
Who is of every mount on earth the king;
The greatest joy will suddenly attain,
A dwelling there, and the rare gem will gain
Without delay, with blessedness replete,
The service of the divine couples' feet. 11

Finis