Govindashtakam by nochur venkataraman

August 5, 2008

Om Namo Narayanaya:

Dear Sridhar ji,

Govindashtakam sung by Brahmasri Nochur Venkataraman can be downloaded at http://www.mediafire.com/?mqavxfgnwhs

About Govindashtakam -

Once, when Sri Sankara was journeying in the sky with Narada Maharshi, the latter told the philosopher -saint that he was descending to Guruvayur. It was Guruvayur Ekadashi, the auspicious day when Lord Krishna imparted the Gita to Arjuna - whoever had darshan of Lord Krishna at Guruvayur on this occasion would receive divine blessings in full measure.

It is said that Sri Sankara did not care to follow the example of Narada Maharshi even after being told about the glory of Lord Guruvayurappan. Lord's names were meant for the ignorant, and not for a supreme Jnani like him. So he continued his celestial voyage but hardly had he advanced a few yards when he had a fall and lay prostrate on the ground just to the northern side of the temple. He realised how he had erred in ignoring the deity of Guruvayur and cried out to the Lord to forgive him and he sang Govinda Ashtakam. The merciful Lord appeared before Sri Sankara and told him that He was pleased with his faith and devotion. He told him that worship in temples, repetition of the Lord's name, listening to religious discourses and participating in temple festivals were all different forms of expressing one's devotion to God. He said that Sankara should realise that He had incarnated Himself at Guruvayur to save people from the ills of the terrible Kaliyuga. Bhagavan further enjoined on him to stay on at Guruvayur for 41 days in constant meditation. He also conveyed His desire that Sri Sankara would draw up plans for the daily puja at this shrine. On Guruvayur Ekadashi day, He said there should be a grand festival with dawn to dusk worship. Sri Sankara carried out the divine behest with utmost devotion and entrusted the responsibility of conducting the annual Guruvayur Ekadashi festival to the royal family of Chiralayam. He started the Mandala Vilakku ( After Deeparadhana, rows of Lamps are lit in front of the Guruvayur Temple during the Mandala season). Text Courtesy : Sri Krishna The Lord of Guruvayur by Sri K. R. Vaidyanathan, Bhavan's Book University The meaning of Govinda Ashtakam is available at http://www.stutimandal.com/gif_adi/govindastakam.htm Govindashtakam sung by Sri Sunder Kidambi - http://www.prapatti.com/slokas/mp3/govindaashtakam.mp3 Music Video -