Govardhan

 

Information – Govardhana was made by Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarawsati Thakur in memory of these holy places in Vrindavan.
The same spiritual blessings obtained from performing the Parikrama of Govardhana in Vrindavana can be received in Mayapur with much less effort. In Vrindavana, the Govardhana Parikrama takes 8-14 hours, depending on one’s walking speed. However, in Mayapur, this Parikrama can be completed in just a few minutes. Additionally, if one seeks full mercy and performs a dandavata Parikrama, many months of severe austerities are condensed into just 15 minutes.
On top of this Giri-Govardhana, there is a small blue Deity of Lord Sri Krishna.

Our specific relationship is with Govardhana Hill and Vṛndāvana forest and nothing more. I therefore request you, My dear father, to begin a sacrifice which will satisfy the local brāhmaṇas and Govardhana Hill, and let us have nothing to do with Indra.
(Krsna Book, 24)

Srila Prabhupada Lecture

Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has written this song “Krsna Prasadena Samasta Saila”. The official name of this song is Govardhanastakam. This song is taken from the book Stavamrta Lahari. In this song, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura describes the glories of Govardhana Hill and prays to Him to fulfill His desires.

(1)
krsna-prasadena samasta-saila-
samrajyam apnoti ca vairino ’pi
sakrasya yah prapa balim sa saksad
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(2)
sva-prestha-hastambuja-saukumarya
sukhanubhuter ati-bhumi-vrtteh
mahendra-vajrahatim apy ajanan
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(3)
yatraiva krsno vrsabhanu-putrya
danam grhitum kalaham vitene
sruteh sprha yatra mahaty atah sri
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(4)
snatva sarah svasu samira-hasti
yatraiva nipadi-paraga-dhulih
alolayan khelati caru sa sri
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(5)
kasturikabhih sayitam kim atrety
uham prabhoh svasya muhur vitanvan
naisargika-sviya-sila-sugandhair
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(6)
vamsa-pratidhvany-anusara-vartma
didrksavo yatra harim harinyah
yantyo labhante na hi vismitah sa
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(7)
yatraiva gangam anu navi radham
arohya madhye tu nimagna-naukah
krsno hi radhanugalo babhau sa
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(8)
vina bhavet kim hari-dasa-varya-
padasrayambhaktir atah srayami
yam eva saprema nijesayoh sri-
govardhano me disatam abhistam
 
(9)
etat pathed yo hari-dasa-varya-
mahanubhavastakam ardra-cetah
sri-radhika-madhavayoh padabja-
dasyam sa vinded acirena saksat
 
 
(1) May Govardhana Hill, which by Krsna’s mercy became the king of all mountains and received the respectful tribute of its arch-enemy Indra, fulfill my desire.
 
(2) As it was held above the earth it became so filled with happiness by experiencing the softness of its beloved Krsna’s lotus hand it did not even know it was being struck by Indra’s thunderbolt. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
 
(3) Trying to collect a toll, Krsna quarreled there with King Vrsabhanu’s daughter. The personified Vedas yearn to list to that quarrel. May Govardhana his fulfill my desire.
 
(4) Bathing in a nearby lake, the elephant of a pleasant breeze, covered with pollen of kadamba and other flowers, gracefully plays there. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
 
(5) Does the sweet fragrance of Govardhana come from the musk deer who relax there? From the Lord who plays there? Or is it Govardhana’s own natural scent? May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
 
(6) Searching there for Lord Hari on the path of His flute music, the astonished deer do not find Him. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
 
(7) As the Divine Couple traveled on the Ganges there the boat began to sink in the middle. Krsna was splendidly handsome as Radha clung to His neck. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
 
(8) Without taking shelter of the feet of the hill that is the best of Lord Hari’s servants and full of love for the divine king and queen, how is it possible to attain pure devotional service? May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
 
(9) May the reader of these eight verses glorifying Lord Hari’s greatest servant, his heart melting with pure love, quickly attain direct service to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.