Govardhana-vāsa-p-daśakam Study Guide
Hare Kṛṣṇa! Jaya Girirāja Mahārāja ki jaya! Below are some resources to help you understand and memorize the verses of Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī’s Śrī Govardhana-vāsa-prārthanā-daśakam. The word-for-word meanings and recordings are still in progress, but they’ll be ready soon! I’m updating everything daily.
If you memorize any of the verses, feel free to send a voice message of your recitation (and even better, your explanation!) in this supportive WhatsApp group:
Also, if you’d like to join our daily Zoom session at 7 AM (India time), where we aim to memorize one verse each day, I share the Zoom and YouTube links in the Bhaktivinoda-gīti-dhārā WhatsApp group.
Once we complete Govardhana-vāsa-prārthanā-daśakam, we’ll move on to Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī’s Śrī Sva-niyama-daśakam.
Verse One – nija • Vraja's Protector
~ video explanation ~
nija-pati-bhuja-daṇḍa-cchatra-bhāvaṁ prapadya
pratihata-mada-dhṛṣṭoddaṇḍa-devendra-garva
atula-pṛthula-śaila-śreṇi-bhūpa! priyaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (1)
O Govardhana, becoming like an umbrella on the handle of your Lord’s arm, You obliterated the pride of the intoxicated, impudent, and unrestrained Devarāja Indra. O king of unrivaled, grand mountains, you are most dear to me. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- nija-pati-bhuja-daṇḍa-cchatra-bhāvaṁ prapadya
“Assuming the form of an umbrella on the handle of your own Lord’s arm.” - pratihata-mada-dhṛṣṭoddaṇḍa-devendra-garva
“You obliterated the pride of the intoxicated, impudent, and unrestrained Devarāja Indra.” - atula-pṛthula-śaila-śreṇi-bhūpa! priyaṁ me
“O king of unrivaled, grand mountain ranges! You are dear to me!” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“ please give me residence near you, O Govardhana!”
Word-for-word meanings for each line
- nija-pati-bhuja-daṇḍa – own (nija), Lord (pati), arm (bhuja), handle (daṇḍa); cchatra-bhāvam – in the form of an umbrella (cchatra-bhāva); prapadya – assuming.
- pratihata – [you] checked; mada-dhṛṣṭa-uddaṇḍa – intoxicated (mada), impudent (dhṛṣṭa), unrestrained (uddaṇḍa); devendra-garva – the pride (garva) of Indra (devendra).
- atula-pṛthula-śaila-śreṇi-bhūpa – [you are the] king (bhūpa) of multitudes (śreṇi) [of] unrivaled (atula), grand (pṛthula), mountains (śaila). priyaṁ – dear; me – to me;
- nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translation
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! নিজপতি শ্রীকৃষ্ণের বাহুদণ্ডের উপরে ছত্রভাব ধারণপূর্ব্বক আপনি মদধৃষ্ট ও উদ্দণ্ড দেবরাজ ইন্দ্রের অহঙ্কার বিনাশ করিয়াছেন। অতুল ও বিশাল পর্ব্বতসমূহের অধীশ্বর আপনি আমাকে আপনার নিজ-নিকটে নিবাস (অর্থাৎ নিরবচ্ছিন্ন বাস) প্রদান করুন।
हे अतुल विस्तारवाली पर्वतश्रेणीके भूप! श्रीमन् गोवर्धन! आप मुझको अपने निकट निवास प्रदान कीजिए। आपके निकट रहना ही मुझको प्रिय लगता है, क्योंकि आप अपने स्वामी श्रीकृष्णके भुजारूप-दण्डके ऊपर छत्रभावको प्राप्त होकर, ऐश्वर्यके मदसे धृष्ट एवं उद्दण्ड, देवेन्द्रके गर्वको विनष्ट करनेवाले हो!॥१॥
Verse One Memorization Practice
Listen to the audio and then try to recite each line without looking.
Verse Two – pramada • Amorous Līlās
~ video explanation ~
pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (2)
Within each and every one of your caves, the youthful Divine Couple perform abundant delightful pastimes of amorous love. Thus, since you certainly facilitate the witnessing of Their līlās, O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [are performed (see racayati below)] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meanings for each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
- racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
- iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
- nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translation
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! ব্রজ-নবযুবযুগল আপনার কন্দরে কন্দরে কন্দর্পোম্মাদ-জনিত ক্রীড়াসমূহ প্রচুরভাবে অনুষ্ঠান করেন, এইজন্য উক্ত যুগলের সেই লীলাসমূহ প্রদর্শনের জন্য মধ্যস্থ হইয়া আপনি আমাকে আপনার নিজ-নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
हे गोवर्धन! आप, मुझको अपने निकट ही निवास प्रदान कीजिए; क्योंकि नवयुवकस्वरूप श्रीराधाकृष्णकी युगलजोड़ी, आपकी प्रत्येक कन्दरामें, हर्षप्रद प्रेममयी लीलाओंको विशेषरूपसे करती रहती हैं। मैं, उन दोनोंकी लीलाओंको देखनेके लिए मध्यस्थ बनना चाहता हूँ॥२॥
Verse Two Memorization Practice
Listen to the audio and then try to recite each line without looking.
Verse Three – anupama • Kṛṣṇa's Playground
anupama-maṇi-vedī-ratna-siṁhāsanorvī-
ruha-jhara-dara-sānu-droṇi-saṅgheṣu raṅgaiḥ
saha bala-sakhibhiḥ saṅkhelayan sva-priyaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (3)
Upon your incomparable gem-studded platforms that act as jeweled thrones, under Your trees, by your waterfalls, in your caves, upon your ridges, and in your valleys, you arrange for the joyful play of your dear one (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), along with Balarāma and all the sakhās. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- anupama-maṇi-vedī-ratna-siṁhāsanorvī-
“Upon your incomparable gem-studded platforms that act as jeweled thrones,” - ruha-jhara-dara-sānu-droṇi-saṅgheṣu raṅgaiḥ
“under your trees, by your waterfalls, in your caves, upon your ridges, and in your valleys,” - saha bala-sakhibhiḥ saṅkhelayan sva-priyaṁ me
“you arrange for the joyful (see raṅgaiḥ above) play of your dear one, along with Balarāma and all the sakhās.” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.”
Word-for-word meanings for each line
- anupama-maṇi-vedī – incomparable (anupama), gem (maṇi), platforms (vedī); [which serve as] ratna-siṁhāsana – jeweled (ratna), thrones (siṁhāsana); urvī- – earth (this is connected with ruha below).
- (urvī-)ruha – "(earth-)growing", in other words, trees and plants; jhara – waterfalls; dara – caves; sānu – ridges; droṇi – valleys; saṅgheṣu – in the groups/multitudes of; raṅgaiḥ – with joyful play.
- saha – with; bala-sakhibhiḥ – Balarāma and the friends (sakhibhiḥ); saṅkhelayan – arranging play; sva-priyaṁ – his own dear one (Śrī Kṛṣṇa); me – to me.
- nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translation
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! আপনি অনুপম মণিময় বেদি-রূপ রত্নসিংহাসন, তরু, ঝরণা, দর (কন্দর বা গর্ত্ত), সানু (পর্ব্বতমধ্যে সমতল অঞ্চল), দ্রোণি (অর্থাৎ দুই পর্ব্বতের সন্ধিস্থল)-প্রভৃতি স্থানে বলদেব ও সখাগণের সহিত নিজপ্রিয় শ্রীকৃষ্ণকে রঙ্গ-সহকারে ক্রীড়া করাইতেছেন,—এরূপ আপনি আমাকে আপনার নিজ-নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
हे गोवर्धन! आप, मुझे अपने निकट ही निवासस्थान दे दीजिए। यदि कहो कि, श्रीराधाकृष्णकी लीलाएँ तो संकेत आदि वनोंमें भी होती हैं, उनके निकट ही क्यों नहीं रहना चाहते हो? इसके उत्तरमें कहते हैं कि, आप तो अपने प्यारे श्रीकृष्णको अपनी अनुपम मणिमयी वेदियोंपर, रत्नमय सिंहासनपर, वृक्षोंके नीचे एवं झरनोंमें, दरारोंमें, शिखरोंके ऊपर तथा गुफाओंकी श्रेणीमें, बलदेव एवं श्रीदामा आदि सखाओंके साथ कौतुकपूर्वक क्रीड़ा कराते हुए प्रसन्न करते रहते हो॥३॥
Verse Three Memorization Practice
Listen to the audio and then try to recite each line without looking.
NOTE: I still need to add recordings and word-for-word meanings in all the verses below.
Verse Four – rasa-nidhi • Dāna-kelī
rasa-nidhi-nava-yūnoḥ sākṣiṇīṁ dāna-keler
dyuti-parimala-viddhāṁ śyāma-vedīṁ prakāśya
rasika-vara-kulānāṁ modam āsphālayan me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (4)
Upon witnessing the dāna-keli-līlā (playful tax pastime) of the Youthful Couple, who are a treasure-house of rasa, you manifested a fragrant, lustrous, black raised platform [in order to facilitate that pastime]. Thus you increase the joy of exalted rasika devotees. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- rasa-nidhi-nava-yūnoḥ sākṣiṇīṁ dāna-keler
“Upon witnessing the dāna-keli-līlā (playful tax pastime) of the Youthful Couple, who are a treasure-house of rasa,” - dyuti-parimala-viddhāṁ śyāma-vedīṁ prakāśya
“you manifested a fragrant, lustrous, black raised platform [to facilitate that pastime],” - rasika-vara-kulānāṁ modam āsphālayan me
“thus, you increase the joy of the exalted rasika devotees,” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
- rasa-nidhi – treasure-house (nidhi) of rasa (rasa); nava-yūnoḥ – of the youthful couple; sākṣiṇīm – witness; dāna-keler – of the dāna-keli (tax pastime).
2. dyuti – splendor, luster; parimala-viddhām – infused (viddhām) with fragrance (parimala); śyāma-vedīm – black (śyāma) raised platform (vedīm); prakāśya – having manifested.
3. rasika-vara-kulānām – of the exalted rasika devotees; modam – joy; āsphālayan – increasing, expanding; me – to me.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give, Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translation
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! আপনি পরম-রসময় নবযুব-যুগলের দান-লীলার সাক্ষিণী-স্বরূপা, দ্যুতি ও সৌরভ-সমন্বিতা শ্যামবেদীর প্রকটনপূর্ব্বক রসিক ভক্তবৃন্দের আনন্দ বর্দ্ধন করিতেছেন-এরূপ আপনি আমাকে আপনার নিজ-নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
हे गोवर्धन! आप, मुझे अपने निकट ही निवासस्थान दे दीजिए; क्योंकि आप रसनिधि नवयुवक-श्रीराधाकृष्णकी दानकेलिकी साक्षिणी एवं कान्ति तथा मनोहर गन्धसे युक्त, श्यामवेदीको प्रकाशित करके, रसिकश्रेष्ठ श्रीकृष्णभक्तोंके आनन्दको बढ़ाते हुए विद्यमान हो॥४॥
Verse Five – hari-dayitam • Rādhā-kuṇḍa
hari-dayitam apūrvaṁ rādhikā-kuṇḍam ātma-
priya-sakham iha kaṇṭhe narmaṇāliṅgya guptaḥ
nava-yuva-yuga-khelās tatra paśyan raho me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (5)
Śrī Hari’s incomparable, beloved Rādhā-kuṇḍa is your dear friend. Playfully embracing Rādhā-kuṇḍa to your neck, you remain hidden there, witnessing the ever-youthful Divine Couple enjoy sportive pastimes in that secluded place. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translations
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! আপনি নিজ প্রিয় সখা ও শ্রীকৃষ্ণের প্রিয় পরম বিচিত্র শ্রীরাধাকুণ্ডকে কৌতুকভাবে কণ্ঠদেশে আলিঙ্গনপূর্ব্বক এস্থলে গুপ্ত হইয়া নবযুবযুগলের ক্রীড়াসমূহ অবলোকন করিয়া থাকেন, সেই নির্জ্জন-প্রদেশে আমাকে আপনার নিজ-নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
यदि कहो कि, मेरे निकटवर्ती बहुतसे स्थान हैं, तुम कौनसे स्थानमें रहना चाहते हो? इसके उत्तरमें कहते हैं कि— हे गोवर्धन! आप, मुझे अपने निकटवर्ती राधाकुण्डमें निवास दे दीजिए; क्योंकि वह राधाकुण्ड, श्रीकृष्णका अतिशय प्रिय है, अतः अपूर्व है; और तुम्हारा भी प्यारा सखा है; इसी कारण आप, उस राधाकुण्डको परिहासपूर्वक कण्ठमें आलिङ्गन करके, उसी राधाकुण्डमें गुप्त होकर नवयुवक श्रीराधाकृष्णकी क्रीड़ाओंको देखते रहते हो। मेरे लिए भी वही एकान्तस्थान उचित है। मैं भी वहींपर बैठकर, राधाकृष्णकी लीलाओंको आपकी तरह अनुभव करता रहूँ॥५॥
Verse Six – sthala • Nourisher of Cows
sthala-jala-tala-śaṣpair bhūruhac-chāyayā ca
prati-padam anukālaṁ hanta samvardhayan gāḥ
tri-jagati nija-gotraṁ sārthakaṁ khyāpayan me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (6)
Ah! With your fields, waters, surfaces, grass, and the shade of your trees, you nourish the cows at every moment and at every place. In this way, you make your name* successful and known throughout the three worlds. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
* Go means “cows” and vardhana means “to nourish.”
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translation
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! আপনি সর্ব্বদা নানাস্থানে স্থল, জল, তল, নূতন তৃণ এবং তরুছায়া-দ্বারা গো-সমূহকে সম্বর্দ্ধিত করিয়া ত্রিলোকে নিজ নাম ‘গোবর্দ্ধন’ যথাযথরূপে সার্থক করিতেছেন, এরূপ আপনি আমাকে নিজ নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
हे गोवर्धन! आप, मुझे अपने निकट ही निवासस्थान दे दीजिए; क्योंकि आप स्थल-जल-तल-तृण एवं वृक्षोंकी छायाके द्वारा, प्रतिक्षण पग-पगपर, गोगणकी वृद्धि करते हुए "गाः वर्धयतीति" इस व्युत्पत्तिके अनुसार अपने गोवर्धन नामको, तीनों लोकोंमें सार्थक विख्यात करते रहते हो। अतः आपके निकट निवास स्थान प्राप्त हो जानेसे, आपके निकट गोचारणार्थ आनेवाले, मेरे इष्टदेव श्रीकृष्णका दर्शन, मुझे भी सम्भव हो सकता है॥६॥
Verse Seven – sura-pati • New Home
sura-pati-kṛta-dīrgha-drohato goṣṭha-rakṣāṁ
tava nava-gṛha-rūpasyāntare kurvataiva
agha-baka-ripuṇoccair dattamāna! drutaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (7)
The enemy of Aghāsura and Bakāsura (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) protected His cowherd community from the prolonged treachery of Indra by sheltering them within you [your caves and so forth], and you took the form of a new home. In doing so, He showed you the highest honor. Without delay, O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translations
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! অঘ-বক-শত্রু শ্রীকৃষ্ণ ইন্দ্রকৃত দীর্ঘকালব্যাপী দ্রোহ (অর্থাৎ বজ্র-বারি-বর্ষণরূপ উৎপীড়ন) হইতে নিজ গোষ্ঠকে নূতন গৃহরূপী আপনার মধ্যভাগেই রক্ষা করিয়া আপনাকে প্রচুর-রূপে মান দান করিয়াছেন-এরূপ আপনি আমাকে শীঘ্র নিজ নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
सुरपतिकृत-दीर्घद्रोहतो गोष्ठरक्षां यदि कहो कि, तुम अपने मनमें, जो-जो भावना करके, मेरे निकट निवास चाहते हो, उन भावनाओंकी पूर्ति तो श्रीवृन्दावनके किसी प्रदेशमें निवास करनेपर भी हो सकती है, फिर मेरे निकट ही क्यों निवास करना चाहते हो? इसके उत्तरमें कहते हैं कि— हे गोवर्धन! आप, मुझे अपने निकट शीघ्र ही निवास दे दीजिए, क्योंकि नवीन गृहरूप आपके भीतर स्थापित किए हुए ब्रज की, इन्द्रके द्वारा किए गए विशाल द्रोह से रक्षा करते हुए, अघारि एवं बकारि श्रीकृष्णने, आपके लिए विशेष सम्मान दिया है। श्रीकृष्णका यह स्वभाव है कि, अपने द्वारा सम्मानित व्यक्तियोंके निकट निवास करनेवाले, अयोग्य जनपर भी कृपा कर देते हैं, अतः आपके निकट रहनेसे, मेरे ऊपर भी श्रीकृष्ण कृपा हो सकती है॥७॥
Verse Eight – giri-nṛpa • Best Servant
giri-nṛpa! haridāsa-śreṇī-varyeti nāmā-
mṛtam idam uditaṁ śrī-rādhikā-vaktra-candrāt
vraja-nava-tilakatve kḷpta vedaiḥ sphuṭaṁ me
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (8)
O Girirāja! Your ambrosial name haridāsa-varya (best of the servants of Śrī Hari) issued from the moon-like face of Śrīmatī Rādhikā.[1] The Vedas have clearly determined you to be the fresh tilaka of Vraja. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translations [note to self: add Bengali]
यदि कहो कि "पंचयोजनमेवास्ति वनं मे देहरूपकम्" इत्यादि उक्तिमें, श्रीकृष्णके देहरूपसे निरूपित, श्रीवृन्दावनके किसी प्रदेशमें निवास करनेसे, सभी अभीष्टोंकी सिद्धि हो जायेगी, फिर मेरे निकट ही क्यों निवास करना चाहते हो? इसके उत्तरमें कहते हैं कि— हे गिरिराज महाराज! देखो, श्रीमती राधिकाके मुखचन्द्रसे "हन्तायमद्रिरवला हरिदासवर्यः" भा- १०/२१/१८ इत्यादि रूपसे, आपका "आप हरिदासोंकी श्रेणीमें श्रेष्ठ हो" यह नामरूपी-अमृत प्रकट हुआ है; अतः सब वेदोंने आपको, ब्रजके अभिनव तिलकरूपसे प्रतिष्ठित कर दिया है, यह बात स्पष्ट है। इसलिए "अधिकस्याधिकं फलम्" इस न्यायके अनुसार, श्रेष्ठतमके निकट निवास करना ही योग्य है; अतः हे गोवर्धन! मुझे अपने निकट ही निवासस्थान प्रदान कर दीजिए॥८॥
Verse Nine – nija-jana • Vraja's Benefactor
nija-jana-yuta-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-maitrī-rasākta
vraja-nara-paśu-pakṣi-vrāta-saukhyaika-dātaḥ
agaṇita-karuṇatvān mām urī-kṛtya tāntaṁ
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (9)
You are immersed in the rasa of friendship with Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa who are surrounded by Their intimate associates. It is you alone who bestow happiness upon the people, animals, and birds of Vraja. Out of your unbounded kindness, please accept me, who am full of distress. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translations
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! নিজগণ-পরিবৃত শ্রীরাধাকৃষ্ণের সহিত মৈত্রীরসে যুক্ত ব্রজের মানব, পশু ও বিহঙ্গসমূহের হে একমাত্র সুখদায়ক! আপনি অসংখ্য করুণাবশে আমাকে নিতান্তভাবে অঙ্গীকারপূর্ব্বক নিজ নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
यदि कहो कि, अपने अभीष्टको, किसी दूसरे व्रजवासीसे ही मांग लो, मेरी प्रार्थनासे क्या प्रयोजन है? इसके उत्तरमें कहते हैं कि— आप तो सखी-सखागणरूप स्वजनोंसे परवेष्टित, श्रीराधाकृष्णकी मित्रतारूप-रससे युक्त, ब्रजके नर-नारी, पशु-पक्षी आदि प्राणीमात्रके अद्वितीय सुखदाता हो, अर्थात् परमदयालु होनेके कारण, श्रीकृष्णके हस्तके स्पर्शमात्रसे स्वयं उठकर, श्रीकृष्णके वाम-हस्तपर विराजमान होकर, ब्रजवासीमात्रकी रक्षा करनेवाले हो; अतः ऐसे दयालुको छोड़कर, दूसरे कौनसे व्यक्तिसे, अपने अभीष्टकी प्रार्थना करूँ? यदि कहो कि, मैंने अपने नीचे प्रविष्ट करके जिन ब्रजवासियोंकी रक्षा की थी, वे तो श्रीकृष्णकी प्रीतिसे युक्त थे, तुम तो उस प्रीतिके लेशसे रहित हो; अतः तुम्हारे लिए अपने निकट किस प्रकार निवास दूँ? इसके उत्तरमें कहते हैं कि, हे गोवर्धन! आप अनन्त करुणासे युक्त हो; अतः मुझ दीन-दुःखीको भी अङ्गीकार करके, अपने निकट निवासस्थान दे दीजिए। तात्पर्य—आप अपनी सहज करुणासे अपने निकट बसाकर, मुझको श्रीकृष्णका प्रीतिपात्र भी बना दोगे॥९॥
Verse Ten – nirupadhi • Offered to You
nirupadhi-karuṇena śrī śacī-nandanena
tvayi kapaṭi-śaṭho ’pi tvat-priyeṇārpito ’smi
iti khalu mama yogyāyogyatāṁ tām agṛhṇan
nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam (10)
The causelessly merciful Śrī Śacīnandana, who is most dear to you, has offered me to you. Therefore, although I am deceitful and wicked, please do not consider my qualification or lack thereof. O Govardhana, please give me residence by your side.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translations
হে গোবর্দ্ধন! আমি কপটী এবং শঠ হইলেও আপনার প্রেমাস্পদ এবং অহৈতুক কৃপাময় শ্রীশচীনন্দন-কর্ত্তৃক আপনার নিকটে অর্পিত হইয়াছি; কেবল এইহেতুই আমার যোগ্যতা বা অযোগ্যতা গ্রহণ না করিয়া আপনি নিজ নিকটে নিবাস প্রদান করুন।
मुझ जैसे अयोग्य व्यक्तिके लिए, अपने निकट निवास देनेके विषयमें मुख्य कारण सुनिए—यद्यपि मैं कपटी एवं शठ हूँ, तो भी मुझे परमदयालु शचीनन्दन श्रीकृष्णचैतन्यदेवने तुम्हारे निकट अर्पित कर दिया है। श्रीशचीनन्दन आपके परमप्रिय हैं, अतः प्रियके वाक्य, प्रियजनको अवश्य ही मान लेने चाहिए। यदि कहो कि, पुरुषोत्तमक्षेत्रसे तुमको यहाँ भेजनेवाले श्रीशचीनन्दनका कुछ प्रयोजन अवश्य होगा, सो बात नहीं है; क्योंकि वे तो अकारण करुणा-वरुणालय हैं। इसलिए हे गोवर्धन! मेरी उस योग्यता एवं अयोग्यताको ग्रहण न करते हुए, कृपया आप मुझे अपने निकट ही निवासस्थान प्रदानकर दीजिए॥१०॥
Verse Eleven – rasada • The Jewel
rasada-daśakam asya śrīla-govardhanasya
kṣiti-dhara-kula-bhartur yaḥ prayatnād adhīte
sa sapadi sukhade ’smin vāsam āsādya sākṣāc-
chubhada-yugala-sevā-ratnam āpnoti tūrṇam (11)
One who with careful intent recites these ten verses about Govardhana, lord of the dynasty of mountains, which bestow rasa, will at once attain joyful residence by his side and quickly obtain the auspicious jewel of direct service to the Divine Couple.
Translation of each line
- pramada-madana-līlāḥ kandare-kandare te
“The delightful amorous pastimes [take place] in each and every one of your caves.” - racayati nava-yūnor dvandvam asminn amandam
“The fresh, youthful Divine Couple abundantly perform [these pastimes] here.” - iti kila kalanārthaṁ lagnakas tad-dvayor me
“Thus, you are the facilitator for witnessing that Divine Couple” - nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ dehi govardhana! tvam
“O Govardhana! Please give me residence near you.”
Word-for-word meaning of each line
1. pramada-madana-līlāḥ – delightful (pramada), amorous (madana) pastimes (līlā); kandare-kandare – in each and every cave; te – your.
2. racayati – performs; nava-yūnor – of the ever-fresh youthful; dvandvam – Divine Couple; asmin – in this (referring to Govardhana); amandam – abundant, profuse.
3. iti – thus; kila – certainly; kalanārthaṁ – for the purpose of witnessing; lagnakaḥ – facilitator; tad-dvayor – of that pair (Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa); me – my.
4. nija-nikaṭa-nivāsaṁ – own (nija), near (nikaṭa), residence (nivāsa); dehi govardhana! tvam – please give (dehi), Govardhana, you (tvam).
Bengali and Hindi translations
যিনি পর্ব্বতকুলপতি শ্রীমদ্ গোবর্দ্ধনের ভক্তিরসপ্রদ দশশ্লোক যত্ন-সহকারে পাঠ করেন, তিনি তৎক্ষণাৎ সুখপ্রদ এই গোবর্দ্ধনে বসতি লাভ করিয়া সাক্ষাদ্ভাবে পরমমঙ্গল শ্রীরাধাকৃষ্ণের সেবা-রত্ন সত্বর প্রাপ্ত হন।
यह "गोवर्धनवासप्रार्थनादशक" भक्तिरसको देनेवाला है; अतः, जो व्यक्ति, पर्वतकुलके स्वामी श्रीमान् गोवर्धनके, इस दशकका प्रयत्नपूर्वक अध्ययन करता है, वह व्यक्ति, सुखप्रद इस गोवर्धनमें शीघ्र ही साक्षात् निवास पाकर, शुभप्रद श्रीराधाकृष्णकी सेवारूपरत्नको, शीघ्र ही प्राप्त कर लेता है। इस प्रार्थनादशकमें "मालिनी" नामक छन्द है॥११॥