Govinda Damodara Stotram
|| गोविंद दामोदर स्तोत्रम् ||
Verse 1
अग्रे कुरूणामथ पांडवानां दुःशासनेनाहृतवस्त्रकेशा । कृष्णा तदाक्रोशदनन्यनाथा गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१॥
agre kurūṇām atha pāṇḍavānāṁ duḥśāsanenāhṛta-vastra-keśā kṛṣṇā tadākrośad ananya-nāthā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Before the assembled Kurus and pandavas, when Duḥśāsana caught her hair and clothing, Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), having no other Lord, cried out, ” Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 2
श्रीकृष्ण विष्णो मधुकैटभारे भक्तानुकंपिन् भगवन् मुरारे । त्रायस्व मां केशव लोकनाथ गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२॥
śrī kṛṣṇa viṣṇo madhu-kaiṭabhāre bhaktānukampin bhagavan murāre trāyasva māṁ keśava lokanātha govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
O Lord Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu, enemy of the Madhu and Kaiṭabha demons; O Supreme Personality of Godhead, enemy of Mura, merciful upon the devotees; O Keśava, Lord of the worlds, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava, please deliver me.
Verse 3
विक्रेतुकामा किल गोपकन्या मुरारिपादार्पितचित्तवृत्तिः । दध्यादिकं मोहवशादवोचद् गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३॥
vikretukāmā kila gopa-kanyā murāri-pādārpita-citta-vṛttiḥ dadhyādikaṁ mohavaśād avocad govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Though desiring to sell milk, dahī, butter, etc., the mind of a young gopī was so absorbed in the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa that instead of calling out “Milk for sale,” she bewilderedly said, “Govinda!”, Dāmodara!”, and “Mādhava!”
Verse 4
उलूखले संभृततंडुलांश्च संघट्टयंत्यो मुसलैः प्रमुग्धाः । गायंति गोप्यो जनितानुरागा गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४॥
ulūkhale sambhṛta-tanḍulāṅś ca saṅghaṭṭayantyo musalaiḥ pramugdhāḥ gāyanti gopyo janitānurāgā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Their grinding-mortars full of grains, the gopīs minds are overcome as they thresh with their pestles, singing “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 5
काचित्करांभोजपुटे निषण्णं क्रीडाशुकं किंशुकरक्ततुंडम् । अध्यापयामास सरोरुहाक्षी गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५॥
kācit karāmbhoj a-puṭe niṣaṇṇaṁ krīḍā-śukaṁ kiṁśuka-rakta-tuṇḍam adhyāpayām āsa saroruhākṣī govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
A lotus-eyed girl instructed the red-beaked pet parrot that was seated in the cup of her lotus hand; she said, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava …”
Verse 6
गृहे गृहे गोपवधूसमूहः प्रतिक्षणं पिंजरसारिकाणाम् । स्खलद्गिरां वाचयितुं प्रवृत्तो गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६॥
gṛhe gṛhe gopa-vadhū-samūhaḥ prati-kṣaṇaṁ piñjara-sārikānām skhalad-giraṁ vācayituṁ pravṛtto govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
In each and every house, a bevy of gopa-women is engaged in making the caged parrots constantly utter with broken words, “Govinda,” “Dāmodara,” and Mādhava.”
Verse 7
पर्य्यंकिकाभाजमलं कुमारं प्रस्वापयंत्योऽखिलगोपकन्याः । जगुः प्रबंधं स्वरतालबंधं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥७॥
paryyaṇkikābhājam alam kumāraṁ prasvāpayantyo ‘khila-gopa-kanyāḥ jaguḥ prabandhaṁ svara-tāla-bandhaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
With the little boy lying in the swing, all of the gopīs used to expertly sing compositions set to musical notes and rhythm; they went, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava,” while putting Him to rest.
Verse 8
रामानुजं वीक्षणकेलिलोलं गोपी गृहीत्वा नवनीतगोलम् । आबालकं बालकमाजुहाव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥८॥
rāmānujaṁ vīkṣaṇa-keli-lolaṁ gopi gṛhītvā nava-nīta-golam ābālakaṁ bālakam ājuhāva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
The younger brother of Balarāma, playing mischieviously, was dodging about her with restless eyes. Taking a ball of fresh butter to lure Him over, a gopī called Him: “O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava …”
Verse 9
विचित्रवर्णाभरणाभिरामे- ऽभिधेहि वक्त्रांबुजराजहंसि । सदा मदीये रसनेऽग्ररंगे गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥९॥
vicitra-varṇābharaṇābhirāme- -bhidhehi vaktrāmbuja-rājaḥaṁse sadā madīye rasane ‘gra-raṇge govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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,” “Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 10
अंकाधिरूढं शिशुगोपगूढं स्तनं धयंतं कमलैककांतम् । संबोधयामास मुदा यशोदा गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१०॥
aṅkādhirūḍhaṁ śiśu-gopa-gūḍhaṁ stanaṁ dhayantaṁ kamalaika-kāntam sambodhayām āsa mudā yaśodā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
The one and only Lord of Lakṣmīdevī, as an inconspicuous little cowherd baby, was seated in the lap of mother Yaśodā, drinking her breast-milk. Merged in bliss, she addressed Him as “Govinda,” “Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 11
क्रीडंतमंतर्व्रजमात्मजं स्वं समं वयस्यैः पशुपालबालैः । प्रेम्णा यशोदा प्रजुहाव कृष्णं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥११॥
krīḍantam antar-vrajam ātmanaṁ svaṁ samaṁ vayasyaiḥ paśu-pāla-bālaiḥ premṇā yaśodā prajuhāva kṛṣṇaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
In Vraja-dhāma, Kṛṣṇa was playing with His playmates, the boys of His age who protected the animals. With great love, mother Yaśodā called out to her own son, “O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 12
यशोदया गाढमुलूखलेन गोकंठपाशेन निबध्यमानः । रुरोद मंदं नवनीतभोजी गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१२॥
yaśodayā gāḍham ulūkhalena go-kaṇṭha-pāśena nibadhyamanam ruroda mandaṁ navanīta-bhojī govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Being firmly tied up to the grinding mortar with a cow’s rope by mother Yaśodā, the plunderer of butter softly whimpered. “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava.”
Verse 13
निजांगणे कंकणकेलिलोलं गोपी गृहीत्वा नवनीतगोलम् । आमर्दयत्पाणितलेन नेत्रे गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१३॥
nijāṅgaṇe kaṅkaṇa-keli-lolaṁ gopī gṛhītvā navanīta-golam āmardayat pāṇi-talena netre govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
In His own courtyard, Kṛsṇa was carelessly playing with a bracelet. So the gopī took a ball of butter to Him, and shutting His eyes with her palm, she distracted Him, “O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava …(Guess what I have for you!)”
Verse 14
गृहे गृहे गोपवधूकदंबाः सर्वे मिलित्वा समवाययोगे । पुण्यानि नामानि पठंति नित्यं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१४॥
gṛhe gṛhe gopa-vadhū-kadambāḥ sarve militvā samavāya-yoge puṇyāni nāmāni paṭhanti nityaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
In house after house, groups of cowherd ladies gather on various occasions, and together they always chant the transcendental names of Kṛṣṇa–”Govinda, Dāmodara, and Mādhava.”
Verse 15
मंदारमूले वदनाभिरामं बिंबाधरे पूरितवेणुनादम् । गोगोपगोपीजनमध्यसंस्थं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१५॥
mandāra-mūle vadanābhirāmaṁ bimbādhare pūrita-veṇu-nādam go-gopa-gopī-jana-madhya-saṁsthaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
His face is pleasing, and the flute at His lips is filled with Divine sound. Amidst the cows, gopas, and gopīs, He stands at the base of a coral tree. Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!
Verse 16
उत्थाय गोप्योऽपररात्रभागे स्मृत्वा यशोदासुतबालकेलिम् । गायंति प्रोच्चैर्दधि मंथयंत्यो गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१६॥
utthāya gopyo ‘para-rātra-bhoge smṛtvā yaśodā-suta-bāla-kelim gāyanti proccair dadhi-manthayantyo govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Having risen early in the Brahma-muhūrta, and remembering the childish activities of the Son of mother Yaśodā, the gopīs loudly sing while churning butter–”Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 17
जग्धोऽथ दत्तो नवनीतपिंडो गृहे यशोदा विचिकित्सयंती । उवाच सत्यं वद हे मुरारे गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१७॥
jagdho ‘tha datto navanīta-piṇḍo gṛhe yaśodā vicikitsayantī uvāca satyaṁ vada he murāre govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Having churned and then set aside a fresh lump of butter in the house, mother Yaśodā was now suspicious–it had been eaten. She said, “Hey–Murāri! Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava, now tell me the truth …”
Verse 18
अभ्यर्च्य गेहं युवतिः प्रवृद्ध- प्रेमप्रवाहा दधि निर्ममंथ । गायंति गोप्योऽथ सखीसमेता गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१८॥
abhyarcya gehaṁ yuvatiḥ pravṛddha- -prema-pravāhā dadhi nirmamantha gāyanti gopyo ‘tha sakhī-sametā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Having finished worship at home, a young gopī, (like) a strong current of love for Kṛṣṇa, churned the butter, and then joins together with all the gopīs and their friends and they sing, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 19
क्वचित् प्रभाते दधिपूर्णपात्रे निक्षिप्य मंथं युवती मुकुंदम् । आलोक्य गानं विविधं करोति गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥१९॥
kvacit prabhāte dadhi-pūrṇa-pātre nikṣipya manthaṁ yuvatī mukundam ālokya gānaṁ vividhaṁ karoti govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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, Dāmodara, and Mādhava.
Verse 20
क्रीडापरं भोजनमज्जनार्थं हितैषिणी स्त्री तनुजं यशोदा । आजूहवत् प्रेमपरिप्लुताक्षी गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२०॥
krīḍāparaṁ bhojana-majjanārthaṁ hitaiṣiṇī strī tanujaṁ yaśodā ājūhavat prema-pari-plutākṣī govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
(Without having even bathed or eaten,) Kṛṣṇa was absorbed in play. Overwhelmed with affection, mother Yaśodā, who thought only of her son’s welfare, called out, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava! (Come, take your bath and eat something.)”
Verse 21
सुखं शयानं निलये च विष्णुं देवर्षिमुख्या मुनयः प्रपन्नाः । तेनाच्युते तन्मयतां व्रजंति गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२१॥
sukhaṁ śayānaṁ nilaye ca viṣṇuṁ devarṣi-mukhyā munayaḥ prapannāḥ tenācyute tanmayatāṁ vrajanti govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Devaṛṣi Nārada and other Munis are always surrendered to Lord Viṣṇu, who rests upon His couch. They always chant the names of “Govinda,” “Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava,” and thus they attain spiritual forms similar to His.
Verse 22
विहाय निद्रामरुणोदये च विधाय कृत्यानि च विप्रमुख्याः । वेदावसाने प्रपठंति नित्यं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२२॥
vihāya nidrām aruṇodaye ca vidhāya kṛtyāni ca vipramukhyāḥ vedāvasāne prapaṭhanti nityaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
After giving up sleep at dawn, having completed their ritualistic duties, and at the end of their Vedic chanting, the best of the learned brāhmaṇas always loudly chant, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 23
वृंदावने गोपगणाश्च गोप्यो विलोक्य गोविंदवियोगखिन्नाम् । राधां जगुः साश्रुविलोचनाभ्यां गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२३॥
vṛndāvane gopa-gaṇāś ca gopyo vilokya govinda-viyoga-khinnam rādhāṁ jaguḥ sāśru-vilocanābhyāṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
In Vṛndāvana, seeing Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī overwhelmed with separation from Govinda, groups of gopas and gopīs sang, with tears in their lotus eyes, “Govinda! Dāmodara! O Mādhava!”
Verse 24
प्रभातसंचारगता नु गावस्- तद्रक्षणार्थं तनयं यशोदा । प्राबोधयत् पाणितलेन मंदं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२४॥
prabhāta-sañcāra-gatā nu gāvas tad-rakṣaṇārthaṁ tanayaṁ yaśodā prābodhayat pāṇi-talena mandaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
The cows having already gone out to graze early in the morning, mother Yaśodā gently roused her sleeping son with the palm of her hand, softly saying, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava.”
Verse 25
प्रवालशोभा इव दीर्घकेशा वातांबुपर्णाशनपूतदेहाः । मूले तरूणां मुनयः पठंति गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२५॥
pravāla-śobhā iva dīrgha-keśā vātāmbu-parṇāśana-pūta-dehāḥ mūle tarūṇāṁ munayaḥ paṭhanti govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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,” “Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 26
एवं ब्रुवाणा विरहातुरा भृशं व्रजस्त्रियः कृष्णविषक्तमानसाः । विसृज्य लज्जां रुरुदुः स्म सुस्वरं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२६॥
evaṁ bruvāṇā virahāturā bhṛśāṁ vraja-striyaḥ kṛṣṇa-viṣikta-mānasāḥ visṛjya lajjāṁ ruruduḥ sma su-svaraṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“After speaking these words, the ladies of Vraja, who were so attached to Kṛṣṇa, felt extremely agitated by their imminent separation from Him. They forgot all worldly shame and loudly cried out,’O Govinda! O Dāmodara! O Mādhava!’”
Verse 27
गोपी कदाचिन्मणिपंजरस्थं शुकं वचो वाचयितुं प्रवृत्ता । आनंदकंद व्रजचंद्र कृष्ण गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२७॥
gopī kadācin maṇi-piñjara-sthaṁ śukaṁ vaco vācayituṁ pravṛttā ānanda-kanda vraja-candra kṛṣṇa govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Sometimes a gopī is engaged in teaching a parrot within a jewelled cage to recite names like: “Ānanda-kanda” (source of bliss), “Vraja-candra” (moon of Vraja), “Kṛṣṇa,” “Govinda,” “Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 28
गोवत्सबालैः शिशुकाकपक्षं बध्नंतमंभोजदलायताक्षम् । उवाच माता चिबुकं गृहीत्वा गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२८॥
go-vatsa-bālaiḥ śiśu-kāka-pakṣaṁ badhnantam ambhoja-dalāyatākṣam uvāca mātā cibukaṁ gṛhītvā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
The lotus-eyed Lord was tying the śikhā of a cowherd boy to the tail of a calf when His mother caught Him, lifted up His chin, and said, “Govinda! Dāmodara! Mādhava!”
Verse 29
प्रभातकाले वरवल्लवौघा गोरक्षणार्थं धृतवेत्रदंडाः । आकारयामासुरनंतमाद्यं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥२९॥
prabhāta-kāle vara-vallavaughā go-rakṣaṇārthaṁ dhṛta-vetra-daṇḍāḥ ākārayām āsur anantam ādyam govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 30
जलाशये कालियमर्दनाय यदा कदंबादपतन्मुरारिः । गोपांगनाश्चुक्रुशुरेत्य गोपा गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३०॥
jalāśaye kāliya-mardanāya yadā kadambād apatan murāre gopāṅganāś cakruśur etya gopā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
When Lord Murāri jumped from the Kadamba branch into the water to chastise the Kāliya serpent, all the gopīs and cowherd boys went there and cried out, “Oh! Govinda! Dāmodara! Mādhava!”
Verse 31
अक्रूरमासाद्य यदा मुकुंदश्- चापोत्सवार्थं मथुरां प्रविष्टः । तदा स पौरैर्जयसीत्यभाषि गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३१॥
akrūram āsādya yadā mukundaś cāpotsavārthaṁ mathurāṁ praviṣṭaḥ tadā sa paurair jayatīty abhāṣi govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
After Lord Mukunda had met with Akrūra and entered Mathurā to attend the ceremony of breaking the bow of Kaṁsa, all the citizens then shouted, “Jaya Govinda! Jaya Dāmodara! Jaya Mādhava!”
Verse 32
कंसस्य दूतेन यदैव नीतौ वृंदावनांताद् वसुदेवसूनू । (सूनौ) रुरोद गोपी भवनस्य मध्ये गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३२॥
kaṁsasya dūtena yadaiva nītau vṛndāvanāntād vasudeva-sūnau ruroda gopī bhavanasya madhye govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
When both sons of Vasudeva had actually been taken out of Vṛndāvana by the messenger of Kaṁsa, Yaśodā sobbed within the house, wailing, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 33
सरोवरे कालियनागबद्धं शिशुं यशोदातनयं निशम्य । चक्रुर्लुठंत्यः पथि गोपबाला गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३३॥
sarovare kāliya-nāga-baddhaṁ śiśuṁ yaśodā-tanayaṁ niśamya cakrur luṭantyaḥ pathi gopa-bālā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Hearing how the son of Yaśodā, who was but a child, was wrapped within the coils of the Kāliya serpent at the pond, the cowherd boys cried “Govinda! Dāmodara! Mādhava!” and scurried down the path.
Verse 34
अक्रूरयाने यदुवंशनाथं संगच्छमानं मथुरां निरीक्ष्य । ऊचुर्वियोगत् किल गोपबाला गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३४॥
akrūra-yāne yadu-vaṁśa-nāthaṁ saṁgacchamānaṁ mathurāṁ nirīkṣya ūcur viyogāt kila gopa-bālā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Seeing the Lord of the Yadus proceeding towards Mathurā upon Akrūra’s chariot, the cowherd boys, upon realization of their impending separation, said, “O Govinda! Dāmodara, Mādhava! (Where are you going? Are You actually leaving us now?)
Verse 35
चक्रंद गोपी नलिनीवनांते कृष्णेन हीना कुसुमे शयाना । प्रफुल्लनीलोत्पललोचनाभ्यां गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३५॥
cakranda gopī nalinī-vanānte kṛṣṇena hīnā kusume śayānā praphulla-nīlotpala-locanābhyāṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
At the edge of a lotus forest, a gopī lay down upon the bed of flowers, bereft of Kṛṣṇa. Tears flowed from her lotus eyes (as she wept,) “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava.”
Verse 36
मातापितृभ्यां परिवार्यमाणा गेहं प्रविष्टा विललाप गोपी । आगत्य मां पालय विश्वनाथ गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३६॥
mātā-pitṛbhyāṁ parivāryamāṇā gehaṁ praviṣṭā vilalāpa gopī āgatya māṁ pālaya viśvanātha govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Being very restricted by her mother and father, the lamenting gopī entered the house, thinking, “(Now that) I have arrived home, save me, O Lord of the universe! O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 37
वृंदावनस्थं हरिमाशु बुद्ध्वा गोपी गता कापि वनं निशायाम् । तत्राप्यदृष्ट्वाऽतिभयादवोचद् गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३७॥
vṛndāvana-sthaṁ harim āśu buddhvā gopī gatā kāpi vanaṁ niśāyām tatrāpy adṛṣṭvāti-bhayād avocad govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Thinking that Kṛṣṇa was in the forest, a gopī fled into the forest in the middle of night. But seeing that Kṛṣṇa wasn’t actually there, she became very fearful, and cried, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 38
सुखं शयाना निलये निजेऽपि नामानि विष्णोः प्रवदंति मर्त्याः । ते निश्चितं तन्मयतां व्रजंति गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३८॥
sukhaṁ śayānā nilaye nije ‘pi nāmāni viṣṇoḥ pravadanti martyāḥ te niścitaṁ tanmayatāṁ vrajanti govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Even the ordinary mortals comfortably seated at home who chant the names of Viṣṇu, “Govinda, Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava,” certainly attain (at least) the liberation of having a form similar to that of the Lord.
Verse 39
सा नीरजाक्षीमवलोक्य राधां रुरोद गोविंदवियोगखिन्नाम् । सखी प्रफुल्लोत्पललोचनाभ्यां गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥३९॥
sā nīrajākṣīm avalokya rādhāṁ ruroda govinda-viyoga-khinnām sakhī praphullotpala-locanābhyāṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Seeing Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇi crying from the pangs of separation from Govinda, the blooming lotus eyes of Rādhā’s girlfriend also filled with tears, and she too cried, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava.”
Verse 40
जिह्वे रसज्ञे मधुरप्रिया त्वं सत्यं हितं त्वां परमं वदामि । आवर्णयेथा मधुराक्षराणि गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४०॥
jihve rasajñe madhura-priyā tvaṁ satyaṁ hitaṁ tvāṁ paramaṁ vadāmi āvarṇayethā madhurākṣarāṇi govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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,” “Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 41
आत्यंतिकव्याधिहरं जनानां चिकित्सकं वेदविदो वदंति । संसारतापत्रयनाशबीजं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४१॥
ātyantika-vyādhiharaṁ janānāṁ cikitsakaṁ veda-vido vadanti saṁsāra-tāpa-traya-nāśa-bījaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 42
ताताज्ञया गच्छति रामचंद्रे सलक्ष्मणेऽरण्यचये ससीते । चक्रंद रामस्य निजा जनित्री गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४२॥
tātājñayā gacchati rāmcandre salakṣmaṇe ‘raṇyacaye sasīte cakranda rāmasya nijā janitrī govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Upon Rāmacandra’s going into the forest due to his father’s order, along with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, (and thus becoming) a forest-rover, His mother cried, “O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 43
एकाकिनी दंडककाननांतात् सा नीयमाना दशकंधरेण । सीता तदाक्रंददनन्यनाथा गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४३॥
ekākinī daṇḍaka-kānanāntāt sā nīyamānā daśakandhareṇa sītā tadākrośad ananya-nāthā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Left there alone, Sītā was carried out of the forest by the ten-headed Rāvaṇa. At that time, accepting no other Lord, Sītā cried, “O Govinda! Dāmodara! Mādhava!”
Verse 44
रामाद्वियुक्ता जनकात्मजा सा विचिंतयंती हृदि रामरूपम् । रुरोद सीता रघुनाथ पाहि गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४४॥
rāmādviyuktā janakātmajā sā vicintayantī hrdi rāma-rūpam ruroda sītā raghunatha pāhi govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Separated from Rāma, the daughter of King Janaka was completely anxious, and with the form of Rāma within her heart, she cried, “O Raghunātha! Protect me! O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 45
प्रसीद विष्णो रघुवंशनाथ सुरासुराणां सुखदुःखहेतो । रुरोद सीता तु समुद्रमध्ये गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४५॥
prasīda viṣṇo raghu-vaṁśa-nātha surāsurāṇāṁ sukha-duḥkha-heto ruroda sītā tu samudra-madhye govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O Lord Viṣṇu, be gracious! Lord of the Raghu clan, cause of the happiness and distress of gods and demons alike, O Govinda, Dāmoadara, Mādhava!” Thus Sītā cried, (by the time she had been carried) over the middle of the ocean.
Verse 46
अंतर्जले ग्राहगृहीतपादो विसृष्टविक्लिष्टसमस्तबंधुः । तदा गजेंद्रो नितरां जगाद गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४६॥
antar-jale grāha-gṛhīta-pādo visṛṣtā-vikliṣṭa-samasta-bandhuḥ tadā gajendro nitarāṁ jagāda govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Caught by his foot and pulled into the water, Gajendra, his friends all harassed and frightened away, then called out incessantly, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 47
हंसध्वजः शंखयुतो ददर्श पुत्रं कटाहे प्रतपंतमेनम् । पुण्यानि नामानि हरेर्जपंतं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४७॥
haṁsadhvajaḥ śaṅkhayuto dadarśa putraṁ kaṭāhe prapatantam enam puṇyāni nāmāni harer japantaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Along with his priest Śaṅkhayuta, King Haṁsadhvaja saw his son Sudhanvā falling into a vat, but the boy was chanting the transcendental names of Hari, Govinda, Dāmodara, and Mādhava.
Verse 48
दुर्वाससो वाक्यमुपेत्य कृष्णा सा चाब्रवीत् काननवासिनीशम् । अंतः प्रविष्टं मनसा जुहाव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४८॥
durvāsaso vākyam upetya kṛṣṇā sā cābravīt kānana-vāsinīśam antaḥpraviṣṭaṁ manasājuhāva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Accepting Durvāsa Muni’s request (that she feed his thousands of disciples, even though she hadn’t the means to do this) Draupadī mentally called out to the Lord within, the Lord of a forest dweller (like her), and she said, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 49
ध्येयः सदा योगिभिरप्रमेयः चिंताहरश्चिंतितपारिजातः । कस्तूरिकाकल्पितनीलवर्णो गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥४९॥
dhyeyaḥ sadā yogibhir aprameyaḥ cintā-haraś cintita-pārijātaḥ kastūrikā-kalpita-nīla-varṇo govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
He is always meditated upon by the yogīs as being inscrutable. He is the remover of all anxieties, and is the desire-tree of all that is desireable. His bluish complexion is as attractive as Kastūrikā. Govinda! Dāmodara! Mādhava!
Verse 50
संसारकूपे पतितोऽत्यगाधे मोहांधपूर्णे विषयाभितप्ते । करावलंबं मम देहि विष्णो गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५०॥
saṁsāre-kūpe patito ‘tyagādhe mohāndha-pūrṇe viṣayābhitapte karāvalambaṁ mama dehi viṣṇo govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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, Viṣṇu, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava, please grant me Your supporting hand to uplift me.
Verse 51
भजस्व मंत्रं भवबंधमुक्त्यै जिह्वे रसज्ञे सुलभं मनोज्ञम् । द्वैपायनाद्यैर्मुनिभिः प्रजप्तं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५१॥
tvām eva yāce mama dehi jihve samāgate daṇḍadhare kṛtānte vaktavyam evaṁ madhuraṁ su-bhaktyā govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
O my tongue, I ask only this of you, that at my meeting the bearer of the sceptre of chastisement (Yamarāja), you will utter this sweet phrase with great devotion: “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 52
त्वामेव याचे मम देहि जिह्वे समागते दंडधरे कृतांते । वक्तव्यमेवं मधुरं सुभक्त्या गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५२॥
bhajasva mantraṁ bhava-bandha-muktyai jihve rasajñe su-labhaṁ manojñam dvaipāyanādyair munibhiḥ prajaptam govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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 Vedavyāsa and other sages: “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 53
गोपाल वंशीधर रूपसिंधो लोकेश नारायण दीनबंधो । उच्चस्वरैस्त्वं वद सर्वदैव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५३॥
gopāla vaṁśīdhara rūpa-sindho lokeśa nārāyaṇa dīna-bandho ucca-svarais tvaṁ vada sarvadaiva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
You should always and everywhere just loudly chant, “Gopāla, Vaṁśīdhara, O ocean of beauty, Lord of the worlds, Nārāyāṇa, O friend of the poor, Govinda, Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 54
जिह्वे सदैवं भज सुंदराणि नामानि कृष्णस्य मनोहराणि । समस्तभक्तार्तिविनाशनानि गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५४॥
jihve sadaiva bhaja sundarāṇi nāmāni kṛṣṇasya manoharāṇi samasta-bhaktārti-vināśanāni govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
O my tongue, just always worship these beautiful, enchanting names of Kṛṣṇa,”Govinda, Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava,” which destroy all the obstacles of the devotees.
Verse 55
गोविंद गोविंद हरे मुरारे गोविंद गोविंद मुकुंद कृष्ण । गोविंद गोविंद रथांगपाणे गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५५॥
govinda govinda hare murare govinda govinda mukunda kṛṣṇa govinda govinda rathāṅga-pāṇe govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O Govinda, Govinda, Hari, Murāri! O Govinda, Govinda, Mukunda, Kṛṣṇa! O Govinda, Govinda! O holder of the chariot wheel! O Govinda! O Dāmodara! O Mādhava!”
Verse 56
सुखावसाने त्विदमेव सारं दुःखावसाने त्विदमेव गेयम् । देहावसाने त्विदमेव जाप्यं गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५६॥
sukhāvasāne tv idam eva sāraṁ duḥkhāvasāne tv idam eva geyam dehāvasāne tv idam eva jāpyaṁ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 57
दुर्वारवाक्यं परिगृह्य कृष्णा मृगीव भीता तु कथं कथंचित् । सभां प्रविष्टा मनसा जुहाव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५७॥
durvāra-vākyaṁ parigṛhya kṛṣṇā mṛgīva bhītā tu kathaṁ kathañcit sabhāṁ praviṣṭā manasājuhāva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Somehow or other accepting the unavoidable command of Duḥśāsana, Draupadī, like a frightened doe, entered the assembly of princes and within her mind cried out to the Lord, “Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 58
श्रीकृष्ण राधावर गोकुलेश गोपाल गोवर्धन नाथ विष्णो । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५८॥
śrī kṛṣṇa rādhāvara gokuleśa gopāla govardhana-nātha viṣṇo jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
O tongue, drink only this nectar (of the names), “Śrī Kṛṣṇa, dearmost of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Lord of Gokula, Gopāla, Lord of Govardhana, Viṣṇu, Govinda, Dāmodara,” and “Mādhava.”
Verse 59
श्रीनाथ विश्वेश्वर विश्वमूर्ते श्रीदेवकीनंदन दैत्यशत्रो । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥५९॥
śrīnātha viśveśvara viśva-mūrte śrī devakī-nandana daitya-śatro jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“Śrīnātha, Lord of the universe, form of the universe, beautiful son of Devakī, O enemy of the demons, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O my tongue, just drink this nectar.
Verse 60
गोपीपते कंसरिपो मुकुंद लक्ष्मीपते केशव वासुदेव । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६०॥
gopīpate kaṁsa-ripo mukunda lakṣmīpate keśava vāsudeva jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“Lord of the gopīs, enemy of Kaṁsa, Mukunda, husband of Lakṣmīdevī, Keśava, son of Vasudeva, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O my tongue, just drink this nectar.
Verse 61
गोपीजनाह्लादकर व्रजेश गोचारणारण्यकृतप्रवेश । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६१॥
gopī-janāhlāda-kara vrajeśa go-cāraṇāraṇya-kṛta-praveśa jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O You who give bliss to the gopīs! Lord of Vraja, You who have entered the forest for herding the cows, O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O my tongue, just drink this nectar.
Verse 62
प्राणेश विश्वंभर कैटभारे वैकुंठ नारायण चक्रपाणे । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६२॥
prāṇeśa viśvambhara kaiṭabhāre vaikuṇṭha nārāyaṇa cakra-pāṇe jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O Lord of my life! Upholder of the universe, foe of Kaiṭabha, Vaikuṇṭha, Nārāyaṇa, holder of the Sudarśana-cakra! Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O my tongue, just drink this nectar.
Verse 63
हरे मुरारे मधुसूदनाद्य श्रीराम सीतावर रावणारे । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६३॥
hare murāre madhusūdanādya śrī rāma sītāvara rāvaṇāre jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O Lord Hari, enemy of Mura, Madhusūdana, Śrī Rāma, dearmost of Sītā, enemy of Rāvaṇa, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O tongue, now just drink this nectar.
Verse 64
श्रीयादवेंद्राद्रिधरांबुजाक्ष गोगोपगोपीसुखदानदक्ष । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६४॥
śrī yādavendrādri-dharāmbujākṣa go-gopa-gopī-sukha-dāna-dakṣa jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O best of the Yadus, O bearer of Govardhana hill, O lotus-eyed expert in giving happiness to the cows, the gopas, and the gopīs, Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O tongue, please just drink this nectar.
Verse 65
धराभरोत्तारणगोपवेष विहारलीलाकृतबंधुशेष । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६५॥
dharābharottāraṇa-gopa-veśa vihāra-līlā-kṛta-bandhu-śeṣa jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O uplifter of the earth’s burdens in the guise of a cowherd boy, Lord of sportive pastimes in which Ananta-śeṣa has become Your brother! O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O my tongue, just drink this nectar.
Verse 66
बकीबकाघासुरधेनुकारे केशीतृणावर्तविघातदक्ष । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६६॥
bakī-bakāghāsura-dhenukāre keśī-tṛṇāvarta-vighāta-dakṣa jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O enemy of Bakī (Pūtanā), Bakāsura, Aghāsura, and Dhenuka, O Lord who expertly smashed Keśī and Tṛṇāvarta!” O tongue, just drink this nectar–”Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 67
श्रीजानकीजीवन रामचंद्र निशाचरारे भरताग्रजेश । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६७॥
śrī jānakī-jīvana rāmacandra niśācarāre bharatāgrajeśa jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O Rāmacandra, O life and soul of the beautiful daughter of Janaka Mahārāja, enemy of the night-roving demons, O elder brother of Bhārata!” O my tongue, just drink this nectar–”Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 68
नारायणानंत हरे नृसिंह प्रह्लादबाधाहर हे कृपालो । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६८॥
nārāyaṇānanta hare nṛsiṁha prahlāda-bādhāhara he kṛpālo jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“O Lord Nārāyaṇa, Ananta, Hari, Nṛsiṁhadeva, remover of the afflictions of Prahlāda, O merciful Lord! Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O my tongue, simply drink this nectar.
Verse 69
लीलामनुष्याकृतिरामरूप प्रतापदासीकृतसर्वभूप । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥६९॥
līlā-manuṣyākṛti-rāma-rūpa pratāpa-dāsī-kṛta-sarva-bhūpa jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
O Lord who assumed the man-like form of Rāma, who by dint of Your prowess, turned all other kings into Your servants! “O Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!” O tongue, just drink this nectar.
Verse 70
श्रीकृष्ण गोविंद हरे मुरारे हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेव । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥७०॥
śrī kṛṣṇa govinda hare murāre he nātha nārāyaṇa vāsudeva jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
“Śrī Kṛṣṇa! Govinda! Hari! Murāri! O Lord, Nārāyaṇa, Vāsudeva!” O tongue, please drink only this nectar–”Govinda, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
Verse 71
वक्तुं समर्थोऽपि न वक्ति कश्चिद्- अहो जनानां व्यसनाभिमुख्यम् । जिह्वे पिबस्वामृतमेतदेव गोविंद दामोदर माधवेति ॥७१॥
vaktuṁ samartho ‘pi na vakti kaścid aho janānāṁ vyasanābhimukhyam jihve pibasvāmṛtam etad eva govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
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, Dāmodara, Mādhava!”
इति श्रीबिल्वमंगलाचार्यविरचितं श्रीगोविंददामोदरस्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ।
iti śrī bilvamaṅgalācārya-viracitaṁ śrī govinda-dāmodara-stotraṁ saṁpūrṇam
Thus the Śrī Govinda Dāmodara Stotram composed by Śrī Bilvamaṅgalācārya is completed.
About this stotra
Govinda Damodara Stotram is a beautiful hymn of 50 verses composed by Sage Bilvamangala, also known as Lila Sukha, who is famous for his work Sri Krishna Karnamritha. Each verse describes a pastime of Lord Krishna, ending with the refrain “Govinda, Damodara, Madhaveti.”
The stotra was born from the divine love experiences of the saint, and its verses are deeply moving, capable of melting even a stone heart. Many verses are reminiscent of the Bhagavata Purana, while others resemble the Mukunda Mala. The recitation of these holy names of the Lord is said to be the best means of salvation in this Kali Yuga.
The Above Recitation is by Ravindra Sathe.