vanamali

Located at http://www.e-prarthana.com/bilvamangala-thakur-govinda-damodara-stotra.htm SRI GOVINDA DAMODARA STOTRAM - By Sri Bilvamangala Thakur [ Translated by Mukunda Datta Das ] (1) agre kurUNAm atha pANDavAnAM duHshAsanenAhRita-vastra-keshA kRiShNA tadAkroshad ananya-nAthA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Before the assembled Kurus and Pandas, when Duhshasana caught her hair and clothing, Krishna (Draupadi), having no other Lord, cried out, " Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (2) shrI kRiShNa viShNo madhu-kaiTabhAre bhaktAnukampin bhagavan murAre trAyasva mAM keshava lokanAtha govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O Lord Krishna, Vishnu, enemy of the Madhu and Kaitabha demons; O Supreme Personality of Godhead, enemy of Mura, merciful upon the devotees; O Keshava, Lord of the worlds, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava, please deliver me. (3) vikretukAmA kila gopa-kanyA murAri-pAdArpita-citta-vRittiH dadhyAdikaM mohavashAd avocad govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Though desiring to sell milk, dahi, butter, etc., the mind of a young gopi was so absorbed in the lotus feet of Krishna that instead of calling out "Milk for sale," she bewilderedly said, "Govinda!", Damodara!", and "Madhava!" (4) ulUkhale sambhRita-tanDulAMsh ca saìghaTTayantyo musalaiH pramugdhAH gAyanti gopyo janitAnurAgA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Their grinding-mortars full of grains, the gopis' minds are overcome as they thresh with their pestles, singing "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (5) kAcit karAmbhoj a-puTe niShaNNaM krIDA-shukaM kiMshuka-rakta-tuNDam adhyApayAm Asa saroruhAkShI govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti A lotus-eyed girl instructed the red-beaked pet parrot that was seated in the cup of her lotus hand; she said, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava . . ." (6) gRihe gRihe gopa-vadhU-samUhaH prati-kShaNaM piNjara-sArikAnAm skhalad-giraM vAcayituM pravRitto govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti In each and every house, a bevy of gopa-women is engaged in making the caged parrots constantly utter with broken words, "Govinda,Damodara," and Madhava." (7) paryyaNkikAbhAjam alam kumAraM prasvApayantyo 'khila-gopa-kanyAH jaguH prabandhaM svara-tAla-bandhaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti With the little boy lying in the swing, all of the gopis used to expertly sing compositions set to musical notes and rhythm; they went, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava," while putting Him to rest. (8) rAmAnujaM vIkShaNa-keli-lolaMgopi gåhItvA nava-nIta-golam AbAlakaM bAlakam AjuhAva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti The younger brother of Balarama, playing mischieviously, was dodging about her with restless eyes. Taking a ball of fresh butter to lure Him over, a gopi called Him: "O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava . . ." (9) vicitra-varNAbharaNAbhirAme- -bhidhehi vaktrAmbuja-rAjaHaMse sadA madIye rasane 'gra-raNge govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O my tongue, since my mouth has become like a lotus by dint of the presence there of these eloquent, ornamental, delightful syllables, you are like the swan that plays there. As your foremost pleasure, always articulate the names, "Govinda,Damodara," and "Madhava." (10) ankAdhirUDhaM shishu-gopa-gUDhaM stanaM dhayantaM kamalaika-kAntam sambodhayAm Asa mudA yashodA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti The one and only Lord of Lakshmidevi, as an inconspicuous little cowherd baby, was seated in the lap of mother Yashoda, drinking her breast-milk. Merged in bliss, she addressed Him as "Govinda,Damodara," and "Madhava." (11) krIDantam antar-vrajam AtmanaM svaM samaM vayasyaiH pashu-pAla-bAlaiH premNA yashodA prajuhAva kRiShNaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti In Vraja-dhama, Krishna was playing with His playmates, the boys of His age who protected the animals. With great love, mother Yashoda called out to her own son, "O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (12) yashodayA gADham ulUkhalena go-kaNTha-pAshena nibadhyamanam ruroda mandaM navanIta-bhojI govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Being firmly tied up to the grinding mortar with a cow's rope by mother Yashoda, the plunderer of butter softly whimpered. "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava." (13) nijANgaNe kaNkaNa-keli-lolaM gopI gåhItvA navanIta-golam Amardayat pANi-talena netre govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti In His own courtyard, Krishna was carelessly playing with a bracelet. So the gopi took a ball of butter to Him, and shutting His eyes with her palm, she distracted Him, "O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava . . .(Guess what I have for you!)" (14) gRihe gRihe gopa-vadhU-kadambAH sarve militvA samavAya-yoge puNyAni nAmAni paThanti nityaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti In house after house, groups of cowherd ladies gather on various occasions, and together they always chant the transcendental names of Krishna--"Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava." (15) mandAra-mAle vadanAbhirAmaM bimbAdhare pUrita-veNu-nAdam go-gopa-gopI-jana-madhya-saMsthaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti His face is pleasing, and the flute at His lips is filled with Divine sound. Amidst the cows, gopas, and gopis, He stands at the base of a coral tree. Govinda, Damodara, Madhava! (16) utthAya gopyo 'para-rAtra-bhoge smRitvA yashodA-suta-bAla-kelim gAyanti proccair dadhi-manthayantyo govinda dAmodara mädhaveti Having risen early in the Brahma-muhurta, and remembering the childish activities of the son of mother Yashoda, the gopis loudly sing while churning butter--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (17) jagdho 'tha datto navanIta-piNDo gRihe yashodA vicikitsayantI uvAca satyaM vada he murAre govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Having churned and then set aside a fresh lump of butter in the house, mother Yashoda was now suspicious--it had been eaten. she said, "Hey--Murari! Govinda, Damodara, Madhava, now tell me the truth . . ." (18) abhyarcya gehaM yuvatiH pravRiddha- -prema-pravAhA dadhi nirmamantha gAyanti gopyo 'tha sakhI-sametA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Having finished worship at home, a young gopi, (like) a strong current of love for Krishna, churned the butter, and then joins together with all the gopis and their friends and they sing, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (19) kvacit prabhAte dadhi-pUrNa-pAtre nikShipya manthaM yuvatI mukundam Alokya gAnaM vividhaM karoti govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti One time, early in the morning, just as a girl had put aside her churn in a pot full of butter--she saw Mukunda. She then began to sing songs in various ways, about Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava. (20) krIDAparaM bhojana-majjanArthaM hitaiShiNI strI tanujaM yashodA AjUhavat prema-pari-plutAkShI govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti (Without having even bathed or eaten,) Krishna was absorbed in play. Overwhelmed with affection, mother Yashoda, who thought only of her son's welfare, called out, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava! (Come, take your bath and eat something.)" (21) sukhaM shayAnaM nilaye ca viShNuM devarShi-mukhyA munayaH prapannAH tenAcyute tanmayatAM vrajanti govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Devarshi Narada and other Munis are always surrendered to Lord Vishnu, who rests upon His couch. They always chant the names of "Govinda,Damodara," and "Madhava," and thus they attain spiritual forms similar to His. (22) vihAya nidrAm aruNodaye ca vidhAya kRityAni ca vipramukhyAH vedAvasAne prapaThanti nityaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti After giving up sleep at dawn, having completed their ritualistic duties, and at the end of their Vedic chanting, the best of the learned brahmanas always loudly chant, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (23) vRindAvane gopa-gaNAsh ca gopyo vilokya govinda-viyoga-khinnam rAdhAM jaguH sAshru-vilocanAbhyAM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti In Vrindavana, seeing Shrimati Radharani overwhelmed with separation from Govinda, groups of gopas and gopis sang, with tears in their lotus eyes, "Govinda! Damodara! O Madhava!" (24) prabhAta-saJcAra-gatA nu gAvas tad-rakShaNArthaM tanayaM yashodA prAbodhayat pANi-talena mandaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti The cows having already gone out to graze early in the morning, mother Yashoda gently roused her sleeping son with the palm of her hand, softly saying, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava." (25) pravAla-shobhA iva dIrgha-keshA vAtAmbu-parNAshana-pUta-dehAH mUle tarUNAM munayaH paThanti govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti With long, matted hair the color of coral, and bodies purified by eating only leaves, water, and air, the sages sit beneath the trees and chant, "Govinda,Damodara," and "Madhava." (26) evaM bruvANA virahAturA bhRishAM vraja-striyaH kRiShNa-viShikta-mAnasAH visRijya lajjAM ruruduH sma su-svaraM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "After speaking these words, the ladies of Vraja, who were so attached to Krishna, felt extremely agitated by their imminent separation from Him. They forgot all worldly shame and loudly cried out,'O Govinda! O Damodara! O Madhava!'" Note:--(This verse is identical with Shrimad Bhagavatam, 10.39.31; it describes the gopis' reaction to Akrura's taking Krishna and Balarama away from Vrindavana. The above translation is that of H.H. Hridayananda Goswami.) (27) gopI kadAcin maNi-piJjara-sthaM shukaM vaco vAcayituM pravRittA Ananda-kanda vraja-candra kRiShNa govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti At times a gopi is engaged in teaching a parrot within a jewelled cage to recite names like: "Ananda-kanda" (source of bliss), "Vraja-candra" (moon of Vraja), "Krishna,Govinda,Damodara," and "Madhava." (28) go-vatsa-bAlaiH shishu-kAka-pakShaM badhnantam ambhoja-dalAyatAkSham uvAca mAtA cibukaM gåhItvA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti The lotus-eyed Lord was tying the shikha of a cowherd boy to the tail of a calf when His mother caught Him, lifted up His chin, and said, "Govinda! Damodara! Madhava!" (29) prabhAta-kAle vara-vallavaughA go-rakShaNArthaM dhRita-vetra-daNDAH AkArayAm Asur anantam Adyam govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti In the early morning a group of His favorite cowherd boys arrived, stick-canes in hand, to take care of the cows. They addressed the unlimited, primeval Personality of Godhead, "Hey, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (30) jalAshaye kAliya-mardanAya yadA kadambAd apatan murAre gopANganAsh cakrushur etya gopA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti When Lord Murari jumped from the Kadamba branch into the water to chastise the Kaliya serpent, all the gopis and cowherd boys went there and cried out, "Oh! Govinda! Damodara! Madhava!" (31) akrUram AsAdya yadA mukundash cApotsavArthaM mathurAM praviShTaH tadä sa paurair jayatéty abhäñi govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti After Lord Mukunda had met with Akrura and entered Mathura to attend the ceremony of breaking the bow of Kamsa, all the citizens then shouted, "Jaya Govinda! Jaya Damodara! Jaya Madhava!" (32) kaMsasya dUtena yadaiva nItau vRindAvanAntAd vasudeva-sUnau ruroda gopI bhavanasya madhye govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti When both sons of Vasudeva had actually been taken out of Vrindavana by the messenger of Kamsa, Yashoda sobbed within the house, wailing, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (33) sarovare kAliya-nAga-baddhaM shishuM yashodA-tanayaM nishamya cakrur luTantyaH pathi gopa-bAlA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Hearing how the son of Yashoda, who was but a child, was wrapped within the coils of the Kaliya serpent at the pond, the cowherd boys cried "Govinda! Damodara! Madhava!" and scurried down the path. (34) akrUra-yAne yadu-vaMsha-nAthaM saMgacchamAnaM mathurAM nirIkShya Ucur viyogAt kila gopa-bAlA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Seeing the Lord of the Yadus proceeding towards Mathura upon Akrura's chariot, the cowherd boys, upon realisation of their impending separation, said, "O Govinda! Damodara, Madhava! (Where are you going? Are You actually leaving us now?) (35) cakranda gopI nalinI-vanAnte kRiShNena hInA kusume shayAnA praphulla-nIlotpala-locanAbhyAM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti At the edge of a lotus forest, a gopi lay down upon the bed of flowers, bereft of Krishna. Tears flowed from her lotus eyes (as she wept,) "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava." (36) mAtA-pitRibhyAM parivAryamANA gehaM praviShTA vilalApa gopI Agatya mAM pAlaya vishvanAtha govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Being very restricted by her mother and father, the lamenting gopi entered the house, thinking, "(Now that) I have arrived home, save me, O Lord of the universe! O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (37) vRindAvana-sthaM harim Ashu buddhvA gopI gatA kApi vanaM nishAyAm tatrApy adRiShTvAti-bhayAd avocad govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Thinking that Krishna was in the forest, a gopi fled into the forest in the middle of night. But seeing that Krishna wasn't actually there, she became very fearful, and cried, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (38) sukhaM shayAnA nilaye nije 'pi nAmAni viShNoH pravadanti martyAH te nishcitaM tanmayatAM vrajanti govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Even the ordinary mortals comfortably seated at home who chant the names of Vishnu, "Govinda, Damodara," and "Madhava," certainly attain (at least) the liberation of having a form similar to that of the Lord. (39) sA nIrajAkShIm avalokya rAdhAM ruroda govinda-viyoga-khinnAm sakhI praphullotpala-locanAbhyAM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Seeing Shrimati Radharani crying from the pangs of separation from Govinda, the blooming lotus eyes of Radha's girlfriend also filled with tears, and she too cried, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava." (40) jihve rasajJe madhura-priyA tvaM satyaM hitaM tvAM paramaM vadAmi AvarNayethA madhurAkAarANi govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O my tongue, you are fond of sweet things and are of discriminating taste; I tell you the highest truth, which is also the most beneficial. Please just recite these sweet syllables: "Govinda,Damodara," and "Madhava." (41) Atyantika-vyAdhiharaà janAnAM cikitsakaM veda-vido vadanti saMsAra-tApa-traya-nAsha-bIjaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti The knowers of the Vedas say that this is the cure-all of the worst diseases of mankind, and that this is the seed of the destruction of the threefold miseries of material existence--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (42) tAtAjJayA gacchati rAmacandre sa-lakShmaNe 'raNyacaye sa-sIte cakranda rAmasya nijA janitrI govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Upon Ramacandra's going into the forest due to his father's order, along with Lakshmana and Sita, (and thus becoming) a forest-rover, His mother cried, "O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (43) ekAkinI daNDaka-kAnanAntAt sA nIyamAnA dashakandhareNa sItA tadAkroshad ananya-nAthA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Left there alone, Sita was carried out of the forest by the ten-headed Ravana. At that time, accepting no other Lord, Sita cried, "O Govinda! Damodara! Madhava!" (44) rAmAdviyuktA janakAtmajA sA vicintayantI hRidi rAma-rUpam ruroda sItA raghunAtha pAhi govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Separated from Rama, the daughter of King Janaka was completely anxious, and with the form of Rama within her heart, she cried, "O Raghunatha! Protect me! O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (45) prasIda viShNo raghu-vaMsha-nAtha surAsurANAM sukha-duHkha-heto ruroda sItA tu samudra-madhye govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O Lord Vishnu, be gracious! Lord of the Raghu clan, cause of the happiness and distress of gods and demons alike, O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" Thus Sita cried, (by the time she had been carried) over the middle of the ocean. (46) antar-jale grAha-gRihIta-pAdo visRiShTA-vikliShTa-samasta-bandhuH tadA gajendro nitarAM jagAda govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Caught by his foot and pulled into the water, Gajendra, his friends all harassed and frightened away, then called out incessantly, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (47) haMsadhvajaH shaNkhayuto dadarsha putraM kaTAhe prapatantam enam puNyAni nAmAni harer japantaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Along with his priest Shankhayuta, King Hamsadhvaja saw his son falling into a vat, but the boy was chanting the transcendental names of Hari, Govinda, Damodara, and Madhava. (48) durvAsaso vAkyam upetya kRiShNA sA cAbravIt kAnana-vAsinIsham antaHpraviShTaM manasAjuhAva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Accepting Durvasa Muni's request (that she feed his thousands of disciples, even though she hadn't the means to do this) Draupadi mentally called out to the Lord within, the Lord of a forest dweller (like her), and she said, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (49) dhyeyaH sadA yogibhir aprameyaH cintA-harash cintita-pArijAtaH kastUrikA-kalpita-nIla-varNo govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti He is always meditated upon by the yogis as being inscrutable. He is the remover of all anxieties, and is the desire-tree of all that is desirable. His bluish complexion is as attractive as Kasturika. Govinda! Damodara! Madhava! (50) saMsAre-kUpe patito 'tyagAdhe mohAndha-pUrNe viShayAbhitapte karAvalambaM mama dehi viShNo govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti I am fallen into the deep, dark well of material life, which is full of illusion and blind ignorance, and I am tormented by sensual existence. O my Lord, Vishnu, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava, please grant me Your supporting hand to uplift me. (51) tvAm eva yAce mama dehi jihve samAgate daNDa-dhare kRitAnte vaktavyam evaM madhuraM su-bhaktyA govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O my tongue, I ask only this of you, that at my meeting the bearer of the sceptre of chastisement (Yamaraja), you will utter this sweet phrase with great devotion: "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (52) bhajasva mantraM bhava-bandha-muktyai jihve rasajJe su-labhaM manojJam dvaipAyanAdyair munibhiH prajaptam govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O my tongue, O knower of rasa, for release from the hellish bondage of material existence, just worship the charming, easily obtainable mantra that is chanted by Vedavyasa and other sages: "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (53) gopAla vaMshIdhara rUpa-sindho lokesha nArAyaNa dIna-bandho ucca-svarais tvaM vada sarvadaiva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti You should always and everywhere just loudly chant, "Gopala, Vamshidhara, O ocean of beauty, Lord of the worlds, Narayana, O friend of the poor, Govinda, Damodara," and "Madhava. (54) jihve sadaiva bhaja sundarANi nAmAni kRiShNasya manoharANi samasta-bhaktArti-vinAshanAni govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O my tongue, just always worship these beautiful, enchanting names of Krishna, "Govinda, Damodara," and "Madhava," which destroy all the obstacles of the devotees. (55) govinda govinda hare murAre govinda govinda mukunda kRiShNa govinda govinda rathANga-pANe govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O Govinda, Govinda, Hari, Murari! O Govinda, Govinda, Mukunda, Krishna! O Govinda, Govinda! O holder of the chariot wheel! O Govinda! O Damodara! O Madhava!" (56) sukhAvasAne tv idam eva sAraM duHkhAvasAne tv idam eva geyam dehAvasAne tv idam eva jApyaM govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti This indeed is the essence (found) upon ceasing the affairs of mundane happiness. And this too is to be sung after the cessation of all sufferings. This alone is to be chanted at the time of death of one's material body--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (57) durvAra-vAkyaM parigRihya kRiShNA mRigIva bhItA tu kathaM kathaJcit sabhAM praviShTA manasAjuhAva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Somehow or other accepting the unavoidable command of Duhshasana, Draupadi, like a frightened doe, entered the assembly of princes and within her mind cried out to the Lord, "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (58) shrI kRiShNa rAdhAvara gokulesha gopAla govardhana-nAtha viShNo jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O tongue, drink only this nectar (of the names), "Shri Krishna, dearmost of Shrimati Radharani, Lord of Gokula, Gopala, Lord of Govardhana, Vishnu, Govinda, Damodara," and "Madhava." (59) shrInAtha vishveshvara vishva-mUrte shrI devakI-nandana daitya-shatro jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "Shrinatha, Lord of the universe, form of the universe, beautiful son of Devaki, O enemy of the demons, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O my tongue, just drink this nectar. (60) gopIpate kaMsa-ripo mukunda lakShmIpate keshava vAsudeva jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "Lord of the gopis, enemy of Kamsa, Mukunda, husband of Lakshmidevi, Keshava, son of Vasudeva, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O my tongue, just drink this nectar. (61) gopI-janAhlAda-kara vrajesha go-cAraNAraNya-kRita-pravesha jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O You who give bliss to the gopis! Lord of Vraja, You who have entered the forest for herding the cows, O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O my tongue, just drink this nectar. (62) prANesha vishvambhara kaiTabhAre vaikuNTha nARiAyaNa cakra-pANe jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O Lord of my life! Upholder of the universe, foe of Kaitabha, Vaikuntha, Narayana, holder of the Sudarshana-cakra! Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O my tongue, just drink this nectar. (63) hare murAre madhusUdanAdya shrI rAma sItAvara rAvaNAre jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O Lord Hari, enemy of Mura, Madhusudana, Shri Rama, dearmost of Sita, enemy of Ravana, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O tongue, now just drink this nectar. (64) shrI yAdavendrAdri-dharAmbujAkSha go-gopa-gopI-sukha-dAna-dakSha jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O best of the Yadus, O bearer of Govardhana hill, O lotus-eyed expert in giving happiness to the cows, the gopas, and the gopis, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O tongue, please just drink this nectar. (65) dharAbharottAraNa-gopa-vesha vihAra-lIlA-kRita-bandhu-sheSha jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O uplifter of the earth's burdens in the guise of a cowherd boy, Lord of sportive pastimes in which Ananta-sesha has become Your brother! O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O my tongue, just drink this nectar. (66) bakI-bakAghAsura-dhenukAre keshI-tRiNAvarta-vighAta-dakSha jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O enemy of Putana, Bakasura, Aghasura, and Dhenuka, O Lord who expertly smashed Keshi and Trinavarta!" O tongue, just drink this nectar--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (67) shrI jAnakI-jIvana rAmacandra nishAcarAre bharatAgrajesha jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O Ramacandra, O life and soul of the beautiful daughter of Janaka Maharaja, enemy of the night-roving demons, O elder brother of Bharata!" O my tongue, just drink this nectar--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (68) nArAyaNAnanta hare nRisiMha prahlAda-bAdhAhara he kRipAlo jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "O Lord Narayana, Ananta, Hari, Nrisimhadeva, remover of the afflictions of Prahlada, O merciful Lord! Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O my tongue, simply drink this nectar. (69) lIlA-manuShyAkRiti-rAma-rUpa pratApa-dAsI-kRita-sarva-bhUpa jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti O Lord who assumed the man-like form of Rama, who by dint of Your prowess, turned all other kings into Your servants! "O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" O tongue, just drink this nectar. (70) shrI kRiShNa govinda hare murAre he nAtha nArAyaNa vAsudeva jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti "Shri Krishna! Govinda! Hari! Murari! O Lord, Narayana, Vasudeva!" O tongue, please drink only this nectar--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" (71) vaktuM samartho 'pi na vakti kashcid aho janAnAM vyasanAbhimukhyam jihve pibasvAmRitam etad eva govinda dAmodara mAdhaveti Even though anyone is able to chant--still, no one does. Alas! How determined people are for their own undoing! O tongue, just drink the nectar of these names--"Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!" iti shrI bilvamaNgalAcArya-viracitaM shrI govinda-dAmodara-stotraM saMpUrNam Thus the Shri Govinda Damodara Stotram composed by Shri Bilvamangalacarya is completed.

>can you post or give the link of the complete text and maybe the translation of this song? thanks.. hare krishna Yes, I will start another thread for that... /images/graemlins/smile.gif Jai Sri Krishna!!!

O Beloved Devotee of the Lord!! Please excuse me for my impertenence. Being a servant of Radha, as you say, is best. Okay! But our Beloved Sri Krishna also needs friends, mummy, daddy, and yes even Candravali and Her sakhis... you know I like Candravali very much. Even I like Radharani very much, but I just don't have that coveted mood of a manjari of Radha. I tried to force it on myself, but it was very bad... first I was crying all the time, and then I couldn't even cry or anything. It all just dried up. I could only scream and beg Govinda's help. So I guess I am stuck as it is, with this mood of the conjugal nature. Okay! Krishna has visited me in dreams a couple of times to reassure me. Maybe I can get a place in the palace at Dwaraka or in Candravali's yutha in Vrindavana... a billion births from now... who knows???? Well, you know I think that "competition" with Radha is not possible. It is just for the sake of the Leela... Krishna is all-too capable of mutliplying Himself into many Krishnas, as He does with His wives at Dwaraka, so this game with Candravali and Radha is just for the Divine Play... okay, doesn't anybody feel sympathy for Candravali? Krishna never says "Leave Me alone! I only want Radhika!" No, He still goes to Candravali, and then floats back to His place at Radha's side. I bet Candravali cries all the time on account of this, but nobody feels sorry for Her? Well, I do! /images/graemlins/smile.gif You know, I am tooooo fond of Satyabhama. I can very easily think how to please Her, because She is always so stressed out thinking Krishna will leave Her... I can think of so many anti-stress techniques to calm Her in the evenings... maybe???? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sweet devotee of the lord, I have not told anyone about these for many years, but now I am tired of hiding it. I think there may be many people having feelings like that, but are afraid that if they are open about it, they will be ridiculed. I just want such people to know that they are not alone... Anyway, I am not a gopi. I am just a madwoman. Please do not think I am trying to pass myself off as a gopi, or that I think I have any real prema for Bhagavan. I just have this sweet feeling in my heart whenever I see Him. This is because He is good. I am not good. I am attracted NOT because I am a good person, but simply because He is all-attractive. What is so confusing about this? HE is good, HE is beautiful. If a girl notices these things, so what? I am not passing myself off as some "pure devotee" or something like this. I'm a good-for-nothing wretch. But He is so kind that He accepts love from anyone, no matter how unworthy. Please, sweet devotee of the Lord, have mercy on me.

Okay, friend. /images/graemlins/smile.gif Anyway, I bet I will quickly become infamous here, because I am not interested in talking dry philosophy, and I just want to talk about sweet Krishna. I am fond of writing poetry (okay, it's not *good* poetry, but it just comes out...) so when I post poems here, people do not like it. I don't want to offend any devotees, but I feel compelled to post them sometimes. You know, I've learned something over the course of my visits here (thanks to I_luv_Krishna) ... Krishna is really mad for His devotees. Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham This is usually translated as "Whoever surrenders unto Me, proportionately I take care of him." But I ask you, what is the meaning of bhajamy aham... is it "I take care of him?" I don't think so... Anyway, I try to treat the devotees with sugar-coated respect and try not to step on any toes. So, even if I am outspoken, I try not to hurt anybody... So I hope you do not feel I am too weird of a person after reading some of my other posts... yeah, I am a big weirdo and I apologize, but Krishna is a good, kind guy who accepts everybody who comes to Him, in whatever way they can, from demons to demigods and everybody in between- and anybody who says otherwise is simply mistaken. /images/graemlins/smile.gif BHAJA GOVINDAM BHAJA GOVINDAM GOVINDAM BHAJA MUDHAMATE /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Abuse from the pure devotee is so sweet!! This is why I feel free to express my madness before you all! Yes, I am a cheap imitation and a fool! Please tell me more!! Your wretched servant, ~Vanamali

Oh sisters, I got up in the night Midnight I removed my payal Bangles and other noise-making ornaments And headed out of town But friends, Krishna found me on the road... "What's happening?" "I am running away." "Oh!... Where are we going?" That was it for my plans... I was so ashamed before Him Radhika's Krishna stays always with Her But my Krishna sticks to me like Metal filings to a magnet... I sing sad songs of separation by day But at night I lay my head in His lap While He smooths my hair And dries my tears with His lotus fingers... I don't know if this will please you I don't know if my theology My philosophy is correct I only know that Krishna is always there for me Whether I have the heart to ask Him or not....

Please do register a username or sign your posts so I know who you are /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yeah, He loves us no matter what we do, and He can turn any negative into a positive! If you are feeling mad, yell at Him! If you are feeling romantic, love Him! If you are feeling motherly, yeah, He can be your kid! Religion is so simple! Okay, it's not always easy, but it's always simple. You have to trust Him, that's it. He will fix everything for you. Imagine you are standing on the edge of a cliff. Krishna is saying, "Just jump, I will catch you!" It's very simple. Just jump. Yeah, you're seeing the canyon below and it's very scary, but you have to trust Him. He will take care of you. It's like they say, your heart may be a mess, but if you invite Krishna inside, He will clean it up for you. He is a King, and anywhere He lives becomes a palace... eternally yours, Vanamali

I heard a rumor that Krishna Loves only Radha- Oh, what a fool I am! Is it true? Is it true? Is it really true? Oh Krishna! My God, You are so beautiful! I love You so much If my love doesn't please You I will kill it If my kisses offend You Lord I will walk this moment out of Vrindavan And roam the dusty roads forever Singing songs of Your glory Krishna, please don't think of pleasing me If you love only Her Then please forget me I couldn't bear the thought of You embracing me While thinking of Her I don't want to hurt You... But neither can I love you in any other way... So better we part ways, my Darling I will leave in the night without a sound Without saying goodbye And You will never know how or why I left You... Oh Krishna I will write your name with my tears in the dust From Delhi to Chennai I will sing songs of our love Till my body burns itself to ashes... Oh, don't cry my darling friends I have the fire in my heart To keep me company And the clouds in the sky To remind me of Him...

Dearest guestji, Please do not be offended by this, but I would like to tell you a secret... You might be thinking you are not good enough to approach the Lord in a loving relationship. The secret is that Krishna is already so engrossed in your love that His love is already enfolding you... Krishna reciprocates the love of His devotees, in the same manner in which they love Him. If you are loving Him, thinking "oh, my love is not good enough for You, Krishna!" he will think, "Oh, this devotee is so great, My love is not good enough for him..." Yeah, this is kind of hard to comprehend at first (I know it was for me) but it reminds you not to be too hard on yourself... Krishna is there for you at all times... if you want to clear yourself of sin, He can fix you up. Just approach Him in whatever emotional capacity you can. He will fix any defects in you. He is supremely capable, guestji. He can handle you very easily... Jai Sri Krishna!! Vanamali

<font color="green">Kasturi tilakam lalaatapalake vakshasthale koustubham Nasaagre varamouktikam karatale venum kare kankanam. Sarvaange harichandanam cha kalayan kanthe ch muktaavali Gopastree pariveshtito vijayate gopaala-chudamanih</font color> <font color="red">Manmanaa Bhava Madbhakto Mayaajee maam namaskuru; Maamevaishyasi satyamte partijaane priyosi me. Sarva dharmaan parityajya maamekam saranam vraja; Aham tvaa sarvapaapebhyo mokshayishyaami maa suchah.</font color>

Ha ha!!! Hello sweet devotee of the lord, guestji! It's so great just talking about this sweet Person called Krishna! Hey guestji, do you think once you've heard the sound of Krishna's flute calling you in the night; once you've seen His two large lotus eyes looking deep into your soul... do you think you can NOT fall in love with this Krishna? Do you think you can avoid being attracted to this Mohan? Come on now! Don't be so proud, guestji! /images/graemlins/wink.gif Hehe, just kidding, you are a very humble devotee, and I bow to your lotus feet.... Just remember Satyabhama... yeah, from the looks of things she was quite rajasic... just remember Her argumentative nature... making big demands on Krishna, jealous of Rukmini... but OH how He loved her... yeah, she *appeared* to be a product of the three modes of material nature, but really She was made of pure Krishna Prema... 100% love... oh, She is my beloved Bhudevi, who also came as Andal in South India so many years later... I just hope that Bhudevi can lead me through this dark time to the lotus feet of Bhagavan Sri Krishna!!!!!! Anyway, about coming online... I don't have anyone here to talk to about my Krishna... no satsang, no group of sweet devotees to associate with... so what am I to do? I have my friend here "I_luv_krishna" who is the first person I've met who even remotely understands my heart, so what can I do? Just wander about in the world talking about material activities when my mind is aching to discuss Bhagavan's glories? Ohhhhhh guestji, please have mercy on wretched me!

Dearest Devotee of Lord Krishna, You are a devotee of Bhagavan Sri Krishna... thank you for worrying about us!!!! However, I cannot honor your request to change my saadhana. I know you are worried about my friend and myself, and I thank you for that. Please, o sweet beloved bhakta of the Lord, do not trample my bhakti-lata... Please do not be offended... Krishna has personally assured me that I am on the right track, so for this reason I cannot heed your advice. But thank you anyway!! All the best, Vanamali

WOW, sakhi!!! That is so beautiful!!! Look at that Venkatesha Govinda... Just see!! See how beautiful He is!!! Is this from your temple nearby sakhi!? See His beatiful face!!!! Sarvavaya Soundarya Sampada Sarva Chetasam Sada Sammohanayastu Venkateshaya Mangalam!!! Dayamrita Taranginyah Tharangairiva Seetalaih Apangais Sinchate Vishvam Venkateshaya Mangalam!!!

aashaade poorna phalgunyaam tulasi kaananodhBhavaam paandye vishvambharaam godaam vande sree ranganakyakeem bramhathanthra swathanthra swaami in divyasoori charitham I pray to Goda, who is mother earth, the beloved of Sri Ranga, born in the paandya kingdom in the month of aashaada, under the star of pooram in a tulasi grove... Andal with her Beloved....

Hare = Hari (A name of Krishna/Narayana/Vishnu or any incarnation thereof) the "e" replaces the "i" for grammatical reasons... this is used when talking to a person directly, to show respect. (Radha ---> Radhe) Does not work for all names, though... There are different interpretations for the meaning of this name, but my favorite is "theif." Lord Hari steals our hearts, so He is the supreme Theif... /images/graemlins/smile.gif Rama (or Ram) = Name of God, meaning "pleasing" or "the one who is completely pleasing or totally satisfying" (something like this) Krishna (sometimes transalliterated as Krsna) = Name of God, meaning "dark-complected" and "attractive" Sri (or Shri)= The consort of God, Lakshmi. Sri also means wealth, radiance, and feminine power (main qualities of Lakshmi). In sanskrit word "Sri" is added to the beginning of names as in Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Sri Mahalakshmi, etc. In India today gentlemen are called "Sri such-and-such" and their wives are "Srimati such-and-such..." Jay or jaya= victory (Jay Rama= victory to Rama) sukhadhama= Sukha means joy or happiness, dhama means abode, so "abode of happiness" (name of God) mana-mohana= attracter of the mind (a name of God, the one who enchants our minds) sundara= beautiful shyama= dark (a name of Krishna, also called Shyama-sundara; the dark, beautiful one) Raghunandana= Raghu= sun or dynasty descended from the sun, nandana= child, so child born in the solar dynasty (a name of Rama) Siya= Sita (Seeta), Rama's wife and incarnation of Lakshmi (Sri). Janaki-vallabha= Janaki means Sita (daughter of King Janaka) so you can say "beloved of Janaki" (Rama) Raghupathi (Raghupati)= Lord of the Raghu (solar) dynasty Raghava- member of Raghu dynasty (similar to Yadava (member of Yadu (lunar) dynasty = Krishna), Pandava, Kaurava, etc.) Raja= king I can post the rest later... please correct me if I got any of them wrong. ~Vanamali ~Vanamali

the fact taht i like him makes me feel as if my consciousness has got polluted as if i have done something wrong,i don't know what to do. I think maybe you are finding it hard to concentrate because you are thinking about a possible relationship with this man. I would advise you to try to get married to him if he is agreeable. It would be nice if your parents could talk to each other about a possible alliance, but I doubt this is feasible for you... anyway, the reason I say this is that if you have a desire for married life, best to get married and clear out the desire in a sacred way. After a few months of marriage (post-honeymoon bickering and whatnot) probably you will feel back to your normal self... But if he is not agreeable, or if in your heart of hearts you think this is just a passing desire, or even if you do marry him, then remember this; all these loving earthly relationships are like litte sparks of the relationship with Krishna. When you are in love, you feel all is right with the world... you sense a deep meaning behind the beauty of the trees in the fall, the sunset, the warm spring breeze... that is Krishna peeking at you, my sweet girl!! That elusive something that is a desire so deeply ingrained in human consciousness... to connect deeply with someone... to be completely conquered within one's heart and soul... sweet one, that desire is meant for Krishna... He is your only true relative, your one True Love, your Master, your Friend, your Sweetheart... when you are loving your husband, friend, family member, you are becoming aware of a little piece of that sweet Govinda...... you already love Him... just give yourself some time to realize it... antaryAmi alasiti solasiti intaTa nI caraNidE joccitini kOrina kOrkkulu kOyani kaTlu tIravu nIvani tencaka bhArapu baggAlu pApa puNyamulu nErupula bOnIvu nIvu vaddanaka janula sangamula jikka rOgamulu ninu viDuvavu nIvu viDipincaka vinayapu dainyamu viDuvani karmamu canadadi nIviTu shAnta paracaka madilO cintalu mailalu maNugulu vadalavu nIvani vaddanaka eduTane shrI venkaTEshvara nIvade adana gAcitivi aTTiTTanaka

well Ahmed, it doesn't offend us when you pray to Allah. You have no right to be "offended" by someone else's religion. At the point where religion compels you to encroach on the lives of innocent people trying to force your own beliefs on them, it is no longer religion? Even if you believe Allah is the only god, how can you expect people to convert and become good Muslims when you say such terrible things about the person most important in their lives... yes you heard me right.. the Person. Because for us god is the Almighty and a Person at the same time. Even a Muslim wouldn't tolerate an insult to his own mother, so just imagine us. The kind of love you have for your mother, but multiplied billions upon billions of times. That is what we feel for God. So if you insult Him, even if He is not God in your eyes, He is God in our eyes, and so we will not listen to anything you have to say from that point on. How do you expect to convert people like that? Oh well, Allah help you to find your way through the world to Him...

---> i am really feeling very guilty about this what will the lord think about me?am i falling? Does this look like a guy who would think badly of such a sweet girl as you who obviously cares about Him so much?

Isn't RVC in Kansas City? That's in my town. It's a men- only school, though so I can't take any of the classes they're offering. So close, yet so far... Jai Sri Krishna! ~Vanamali

It's okay, don't worry. If you get married, just try to see Krishna in your husband whenever possible, and try to worship Krishna in this respect. If you find that your attachment for your husband is becoming very strong, this is a great opportunity for you to transfer that passion to Krishna. There is nothing wrong with being a householder. The world revolves because of householders- they support the other sectors and the temple with much-need financial support. Nothing wrong with being a householder whatsoever. Krishna consciousness is what Pujya Prema Pandurang calls "the progress of the pronoun" from I to Him, mine to His. That's all. When you get married, realize that, okay, this person is my husband, and this is an important relationship, but the relationship with Krishna is the permanent relation. Relationships with people in the world come and go; and not just with death. People fight over stupid things in the world, make relations and break relations very easily. But you are Krishna's and Krishna is yours from birth to birth, for eternity. So if he is agreeable, you can do it. Just keep your mind and heart under your (really Krishna's) control and you will be just fine devi. ~Vanamali

sri padmavathi sametha srinivasa parabrahmane namaha sri venkateshaya namaha sri govindaya namaha srimathe ramanujaya namaha srimathe nigamantha maha desikaya namaha vina venkatesam na nanatho na nathah sada venkatesam smarami smarami, hare! venkatesa! prasida prasida priyam venkatesa! prayaccha prayaccha. Lakhsmeem Ksheera Samudraraaja Thanayaam Sreeranga Dhaameswareem Dhaaseebhoota Samastha Dhevavanithaam Lokaika Dheepaankuraam Sreeman-Mandha Kataaksha Labdha Vibhavam Brahmendhra Gangaadharaam Tvaam Thrailokya Kutumbineem Sarasijaam Vande Mukunda Priyaam. mAtarnamAmi KamalE KamalAyatAkshi Sri Vishnuhrut KamalavAsini VishvamAtaha Ksheerodadhe Kamala Komala Garbha Gouri Laksmi Praseeda Satatam NamatAm SharaNyE Neelaa Thunga Sthana Giri Thatee Suptha Mudh Bhojya Krishnam Paaraarthyam Swam Sruthi Satha Sira Snigdha Madhyaapa Yanthee Svocchishtt-Aayaam Sraji Nikha Litham Yaaphalaa Kruthya Bhunghthe Godhaa Thasyai Nama Idha Midham Bhooya Evaasthu Bhooya:

OM VRISHABHASURA VIDHVAMSINE NAMAHA Vrishabhasura did puja daily for five thousand years to the Lord at Tirumala. Every day he would cut off his own head and offer it as a sacrifice to the Lord and every day out of mercy the Lord would cause his head to grow back again. Lord Venkateshwara Swamy was pleased with his austerity and and granted him a boon. Vrishabhasura, who in addition to being a demon was also a great Bhakta, wanted an opportunity to fight with the Lord, so that he might be killed by the Lord's own hands, thus attaining salvation. His request was granted and so the Lord became known as Vrishabhasurahari. Edukondalavada! Venkataramana! Govinda! Govinda!

Yeah, I think it's been around for awhile. We have something like this and it works well; just don't put anything really important on it and then leave it somewhere... that's the only thing /images/graemlins/smile.gif Cheers ~Vanamali