गोविन्ददेवमाहात्म्यम् Govindadeva Māhātmyam

The Sadguru said:

When the Lord, Mukunda, having removed the burden of the world, had gone to the abode of Vaikuntha, the goddess Earth and Dharma lamented, seeing Dharma afflicted by the power of Time.

śrīsadgururuvāca

nihatya bhāraṃ bhuvanasya deve

gate ca vaikuṇṭhapadaṃ mukunde

śuśoca devī dharaṇiśca dharmaṃ

saṃpīḍitaṃ kālavaśaṃ vilokya

निहत्य · nihatya — having removed

भारम् · bhāram — the burden

भुवनस्य · bhuvanasya — of the world

देवे · deve — the Lord

गते · gate — having gone

वैकुण्ठपदम् · vaikuṇṭhapadam — to the Vaikuntha abode

मुकुन्दे · mukunde — when Mukunda

शुशोच · śuśoca — lamented

देवी · devī — the Goddess

धरणिश्च · dharaṇiśca — Earth and

धर्मम् · dharmam — Dharma

संपीडितम् · saṃpīḍitam — afflicted

कालवशम् · kālavaśam — under the power of time

विलोक्य · vilokya — seeing

देवे मुकुन्दे भुवनस्य भारं निहत्य वैकुण्ठपदं गते सति, धरणिश्च देवी कालवशं संपीडितं धर्मं विलोक्य शुशोच।

having removed · the burden · of the world · the Lord · having gone · to the Vaikuntha abode · when Mukunda · lamented · the Goddess · Earth and · Dharma · afflicted · under the power of time · seeing

This verse sets the stage for the narrative by establishing the historical vacuum left after Krishna's departure, which necessitates the divine intervention of installing a deity for the protection of the world.

Then, King Parikshit in the Kuru region and Shri Vajranabha in the Vraja region were consecrated by the sages for the protection of the people in their respective lands.

rājā parīkṣitkurumaṇḍale ca

śrīvajranābho vrajamaṇḍale ca

tadā'bhiṣiktau munibhiḥ prajānāṃ

saṃrakṣaṇāyaiva hi tatra tatra

राजा · rājā — the King

परीक्षित् · parīkṣit — Parikshit

कुरुमण्डले · kurumaṇḍale — in the Kuru region

श्रीवज्रनाभः · śrīvajranābhaḥ — Shri Vajranabha

व्रजमण्डले · vrajamaṇḍale — in the Vraja region

तदा · tadā — then

अभिषिक्तौ · abhiṣiktau — were consecrated

मुनिभिः · munibhiḥ — by the sages

प्रजानाम् · prajānām — of the people

संरक्षणाय · saṃrakṣaṇāya — for the protection

एव · eva — indeed

तत्र तत्र · tatra tatra — in those respective places

तदा प्रजानां संरक्षणायैव मुनिभिः कुरुमण्डले राजा परीक्षित्, व्रजमण्डले श्रीवज्रनाभश्च तत्र तत्र अभिषिक्तौ।

the King · Parikshit · in the Kuru region · Shri Vajranabha · in the Vraja region · then · were consecrated · by the sages · of the people · for the protection · indeed · in those respective places

This verse explains the political and spiritual restoration of order, showing how the sages acted to preserve the dharma of the land through the consecration of legitimate rulers.

Grieved by separation from the Lord of Dvaraka, those two, the sole survivors and continuers of their lineage, after all the kings had died in the war, went to Vrindavan to find peace from their anguish.

śrīdvārakānāthaviyogakhinnau

kule'vaśiṣṭau kulavardhanau tau

mṛteṣu sarveṣu nṛpeṣu yuddhe

bṛndāvanaṃ prāpaturārtiśāntyai

श्रीद्वारकानाथवियोगखिन्नौ · śrīdvārakānāthaviyogakhinnau — grieved by separation from the Lord of Dvaraka

कुले · kule — in the lineage

अवशिष्टौ · avaśiṣṭau — the remaining ones

कुलवर्धनौ · kulavardhanau — the continuers of the lineage

तौ · tau — those two

मृतेषु · mṛteṣu — having died

सर्वेषु · sarveṣu — all

नृपेषु · nṛpeṣu — kings

युद्धे · yuddhe — in the war

बृन्दावनम् · bṛndāvanam — to Vrindavan

प्रापतुः · prāpatuḥ — they reached

आर्तिशान्त्यै · ārtiśāntyai — for the peace of their anguish

युद्धे सर्वेषु नृपेषु मृतेषु, कुले अवशिष्टौ कुलवर्धनौ तौ श्रीद्वारकानाथवियोगखिन्नौ आर्तिशान्त्यै बृन्दावनं प्रापतुः।

grieved by separation from the Lord of Dvaraka · in the lineage · the remaining ones · the continuers of the lineage · those two · having died · all · kings · in the war · to Vrindavan · they reached · for the peace of their anguish

This verse highlights the deep personal grief of the two survivors, providing the emotional motivation for their pilgrimage to Vrindavan.

There, bowing to the sage Shandilya, they asked for a way to assuage their grief from separation from Krishna. He, having consoled them, had an image of Krishna installed on the slope of the king of mountains (Govardhana).

tatraiva śāṇḍilyamuniṃ praṇamya

papracchatuḥ kṛṣṇaviyogaśāntim

sa kārayāmāsa girīndrasānau

kṛṣṇapratiṣṭhāṃ kṛtasāntvanau tau

तत्रैव · tatraiva — right there

शाण्डिल्यमुनिम् · śāṇḍilyamunim — sage Shandilya

प्रणम्य · praṇamya — having bowed

पप्रच्छतुः · papracchatuḥ — they asked

कृष्णवियोगशान्तिम् · kṛṣṇaviyogaśāntim — peace from Krishna-separation

सः · saḥ — he

कारयामास · kārayāmāsa — caused to be done

गिरीन्द्रसानौ · girīndrasānau — on the slope of the mountain king

कृष्णप्रतिष्ठाम् · kṛṣṇapratiṣṭhām — installation of Krishna

कृतसान्त्वनौ · kṛtasāntvanau — having consoled

तौ · tau — them

तत्रैव शाण्डिल्यमुनिं प्रणम्य तौ कृष्णवियोगशान्तिं पप्रच्छतुः। सः कृतसान्त्वनौ तौ गिरीन्द्रसानौ कृष्णप्रतिष्ठां कारयामास।

right there · sage Shandilya · having bowed · they asked · peace from Krishna-separation · he · caused to be done · on the slope of the mountain king · installation of Krishna · having consoled · them

This verse marks the turning point where the sages provide a spiritual solution to the kings' existential sorrow through the installation of the deity.

He quickly installed Govindadeva, Hari, the friend of the afflicted, in a temple built on Govardhana, and freed them from the sorrow of separation from Murari of the world.

govindadevaṃ harimārtabandhuṃ

govardhane nirmitamandire saḥ

tūrṇaṃ pratiṣṭhāpya jaganmurāreḥ

vimocayāmāsa viyogaduḥkhāt

गोविन्ददेवम् · govindadevam — Govindadeva

हरिम् · harim — Hari

आर्तबन्धुम् · ārtabandhum — friend of the afflicted

गोवर्धने · govardhane — on Govardhana

निर्मितमन्दिरे · nirmitamandire — in a built temple

सः · saḥ — he

तूर्णम् · tūrṇam — quickly

प्रतिष्ठाप्य · pratiṣṭhāpya — having installed

जगन्मुरारेः · jaganmurāreḥ — of the Murari of the world

विमोचयामास · vimocayāmāsa — freed

वियोगदुःखात् · viyogaduḥkhāt — from the sorrow of separation

सः गोवर्धने निर्मितमन्दिरे आर्तबन्धुं हरिं गोविन्ददेवं तूर्णं प्रतिष्ठाप्य, जगन्मुरारेः वियोगदुःखात् तौ विमोचयामास।

Govindadeva · Hari · friend of the afflicted · on Govardhana · in a built temple · he · quickly · having installed · of the Murari of the world · freed · from the sorrow of separation

This verse describes the actualization of the divine presence, emphasizing the role of Govindadeva as a refuge for those suffering from the Lord's absence.

King Parikshit, having reverently drunk the nectar of Shri Krishna's pastimes from the mouth of Shukadeva, swiftly conquered death and attained the supreme abode of Murari.

rājā parīkṣicchukadevavaktrā-

cchrīkṛṣṇalīlāmṛtamādareṇa

nipīya mṛtyuṃ sahasā vijitya

padaṃ prapede paramaṃ murāreḥ

राजा · rājā — the King

परीक्षित् · parīkṣit — Parikshit

शुकदेववक्त्रात् · śukadevavaktrāt — from the mouth of Shukadeva

श्रीकृष्णलीलामृतम् · śrīkṛṣṇalīlāmṛtam — the nectar of Krishna's pastimes

आदरेण · ādareṇa — with reverence

निपीय · nipīya — having drunk

मृत्युम् · mṛtyum — death

सहसा · sahasā — swiftly

विजित्य · vijitya — having conquered

पदम् · padam — the abode

प्रपेदे · prapede — attained

परमम् · paramam — supreme

मुरारेः · murāreḥ — of Murari

राजा परीक्षित् शुकदेववक्त्रात् श्रीकृष्णलीलामृतम् आदरेण निपीय, मृत्युं सहसा विजित्य मुरारेः परमं पदं प्रपेदे।

the King · Parikshit · from the mouth of Shukadeva · the nectar of Krishna's pastimes · with reverence · having drunk · death · swiftly · having conquered · the abode · attained · supreme · of Murari

This verse establishes the efficacy of the Bhagavata Purana as a means to transcend death, linking Parikshit's liberation to the grace of Murari.

"In the Kali age, there is no other refuge for people afflicted by many sorrows than the Bhagavata Purana"—as if to demonstrate this, King Parikshit attained Hari in just one week.

nānyā gatirbhāgavatātpurāṇā-

tkalau janānāṃ bahuduḥkhitānām

itīva sandarśya nṛpaḥ parīkṣit

saptāhamātreṇa hariṃ prapede

न · na — not

अन्या · anyā — other

गतिः · gatiḥ — refuge

भागवतात्पुराणात् · bhāgavatātpurāṇāt — than the Bhagavata Purana

कलौ · kalau — in the Kali age

जनानाम् · janānām — for people

बहुदुःखितानाम् · bahuduḥkhitānām — who are very sorrowful

इतीव · itīva — as if thus

सन्दर्श्य · sandarśya — having demonstrated

नृपः · nṛpaḥ — the King

परीक्षित् · parīkṣit — Parikshit

सप्ताहमात्रेण · saptāhamātreṇa — in just one week

हरिम् · harim — Hari

प्रपेदे · prapede — attained

कलौ बहुदुःखितानां जनानां भागवतात्पुराणात् अन्या गतिः न इति इतीव सन्दर्श्य, नृपः परीक्षित् सप्ताहमात्रेण हरिं प्रपेदे।

not · other · refuge · than the Bhagavata Purana · in the Kali age · for people · who are very sorrowful · as if thus · having demonstrated · the King · Parikshit · in just one week · Hari · attained

This verse serves as a theological justification for the importance of the Bhagavata Purana in the Kali age, using Parikshit as the ultimate example.

Through chanting the string of Govinda's names, or by the darshan of Govindadeva, or by hearing Govinda's pastimes, liberation comes to people afflicted by Kali.

govindanāmāvalikīrtanādvā

govindadevasya ca darśanādvā

govindalīlāśravaṇena vā syā-

nmuktirnarāṇāṃ kalipīḍitānām

गोविन्दनामावलिकीर्तनात् · govindanāmāvalikīrtanāt — by chanting the string of Govinda's names

वा · vā — or

गोविन्ददेवस्य · govindadevasya — of Govindadeva

च · ca — and

दर्शनात् · darśanāt — by the sight

गोविन्दलीलाश्रवणेन · govindalīlāśravaṇena — by hearing Govinda's pastimes

स्यात् · syāt — there is

मुक्तिः · muktir — liberation

नराणाम् · narāṇām — for people

कलिपीडितानाम् · kalipīḍitānām — afflicted by Kali

कलिपीडितानां नराणां गोविन्दनामावलिकीर्तनात् वा, गोविन्ददेवस्य दर्शनात् वा, गोविन्दलीलाश्रवणेन वा मुक्तिः स्यात्।

by chanting the string of Govinda's names · or · of Govindadeva · and · by the sight · by hearing Govinda's pastimes · there is · liberation · for people · afflicted by Kali

This verse provides the practical application for the reader, outlining the three primary methods of attaining liberation in the current age.

That Vajranabha, with folded hands and lotus-eyes filled with tears, praised Mukunda, the treasure of bliss, Govinda, who was installed in the capital of Gokula.

pratiṣṭhitaṃ gokularājadhānyāṃ

govindamānandanidhiṃ mukundam

sa vajranābho vihitāñjalistaṃ

tuṣṭāva bāṣpākulalocanābjaḥ

प्रतिष्ठितम् · pratiṣṭhitam — installed

गोकुलराजधान्याम् · gokularājadhānyām — in the capital of Gokula

गोविन्दम् · govindam — Govinda

आनन्दनिधिम् · ānandanidhim — treasure of bliss

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

सः · saḥ — he

वज्रनाभः · vajranābhaḥ — Vajranabha

विहिताञ्जलिः · vihitāñjaliḥ — with folded hands

तम् · tam — him

तुष्टाव · tuṣṭāva — praised

बाष्पाकुललोचनाब्जः · bāṣpākulalocanābjaḥ — with lotus-eyes filled with tears

गोकुलराजधान्यां प्रतिष्ठितं आनन्दनिधिं मुकुन्दं गोविन्दं सः वज्रनाभः विहिताञ्जलिः बाष्पाकुललोचनाब्जः सन् तुष्टाव।

installed · in the capital of Gokula · Govinda · treasure of bliss · Mukunda · he · Vajranabha · with folded hands · him · praised · with lotus-eyes filled with tears

This verse introduces Vajranabha's devotional response, setting the stage for his subsequent prayers to the installed deity.

Vajranabha speaks:

I bow to Govindadeva, Krishna, who resides on the peak of Govardhana hill, who is served by the cows, gopas, and gopis, the protector of cows and the sovereign of Gokula.

vajranābha uvāca

govardhanādreḥ śikhare vasantaṃ

gogopagopījanasevitañca

gopālakaṃ gokulasārvabhaumaṃ

govindadevaṃ praṇamāmi kṛṣṇam

गोवर्धनाद्रेः · govardhanādreḥ — of Govardhana hill

शिखरे · śikhare — on the peak

वसन्तम् · vasantam — residing

गोगोपगोपीजनसेवितम् · gogopagopījanasevitam — served by cows, cowherds, and gopis

गोपालकम् · gopālakam — protector of cows

गोकुलसार्वभौमम् · gokulasārvabhaumam — sovereign of Gokula

गोविन्ददेवम् · govindadevam — Govindadeva

प्रणमामि · praṇamāmi — I bow

कृष्णम् · kṛṣṇam — Krishna

गोवर्धनाद्रेः शिखरे वसन्तं गोगोपगोपीजनसेवितं गोपालकं गोकुलसार्वभौमं गोविन्ददेवं कृष्णं अहं प्रणमामि।

of Govardhana hill · on the peak · residing · served by cows, cowherds, and gopis · protector of cows · sovereign of Gokula · Govindadeva · I bow · Krishna

In this opening prayer, Vajranabha establishes the identity of the deity as the protector of the Vraja community, grounding his devotion in the physical location of Govardhana.

I praise him, Mukunda, whose face bewilders the hearts of women, whose divine fragrance delights his chest, who was caressed by the hands of Yashoda.

vaktraṃ vanitājanānāṃ

vimohayantaṃ hṛdayaṃ mukundam

vakṣaḥsthalāmoditadivyagandhaṃ

vande yaśodākaralālitaṃ tam

वक्त्रम् · vaktram — face

वनिताजनानाम् · vanitājanānām — of women

विमोहयन्तम् · vimohayantam — bewildering

हृदयम् · hṛdayam — the heart

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

वक्षःस्थलामोदितदिव्यगन्धम् · vakṣaḥsthalāmoditadivyagandham — whose chest delights with divine fragrance

वन्दे · vande — I praise

यशोदाकरलालितम् · yaśodākaralālitam — caressed by Yashoda's hands

तम् · tam — him

वनिताजनानां हृदयं विमोहयन्तं वक्त्रं, वक्षःस्थलामोदितदिव्यगन्धं, यशोदाकरलालितं तं मुकुन्दं वन्दे।

face · of women · bewildering · the heart · Mukunda · whose chest delights with divine fragrance · I praise · caressed by Yashoda's hands · him

This verse focuses on the aesthetic and emotional beauty of the Lord, highlighting the intimacy of his pastimes with Yashoda and his effect on the gopis.

I bow to the child Mukunda, Krishna, who wears yellow garments, whose eyes are as long as lotus petals, whose beautiful chest is embraced by Padma (Lakshmi), and who was coronated by the chief of the gods (Indra).

pītāmbaraṃ padmadalāyatākṣaṃ

padmāpariṣvaktasuvakṣasañca

paṭṭābhiṣiktaṃ suranāyakena

bālaṃ mukundaṃ praṇamāmi kṛṣṇam

पीताम्बरम् · pītāmbaram — wearing yellow garments

पद्मदलायताक्षम् · padmadalāyatākṣam — lotus-petal-eyed

पद्मापरिष्वक्तसुवक्षसम् · padmāpariṣvaktasuvakṣasam — whose beautiful chest is embraced by Padma

पट्टाभिषिक्तम् · paṭṭābhiṣiktam — coronated

सुरनायकेन · suranāyakena — by the chief of gods

बालम् · bālam — the child

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

प्रणमामि · praṇamāmi — I bow

कृष्णम् · kṛṣṇam — Krishna

पीताम्बरं पद्मदलायताक्षं पद्मापरिष्वक्तसुवक्षसं सुरनायकेन पट्टाभिषिक्तं बालं मुकुन्दं कृष्णं प्रणमामि।

wearing yellow garments · lotus-petal-eyed · whose beautiful chest is embraced by Padma · coronated · by the chief of gods · the child · Mukunda · I bow · Krishna

This verse emphasizes the Lord's majesty and his relationship with Lakshmi, while acknowledging his role as the protector of the gods.

I take refuge in Madhava, the enchanter, whose dark hair is adorned with a peacock feather, whose gentle smile is filled with sweetness, and whose charming forms are wonderfully diverse and pleasing to the mind.

mayūrapiñchāṅkitanīlakeśaṃ

mādhuryasaṃpūritamandahāsam

manojñanānāvidhacāruveṣaṃ

māyāvinaṃ mādhavamāśraye'ham

मयूरपिञ्छाङ्कितनीलकेशम् · mayūrapiñchāṅkitanīlakeśam — dark hair adorned with a peacock feather

माधुर्यसंपूरितमन्दहासम् · mādhuryasaṃpūritamandahāsam — gentle smile filled with sweetness

मनोज्ञनानाविधचारुवेषम् · manojñanānāvidhacāruveṣam — diverse charming forms pleasing to the mind

मायाविनम् · māyāvinam — the enchanter

माधवम् · mādhavam — Madhava

आश्रये · āśraye — I take refuge

अहम् · aham — I

मयूरपिञ्छाङ्कितनीलकेशं माधुर्यसंपूरितमन्दहासं मनोज्ञनानाविधचारुवेषं मायाविनं माधवं अहं आश्रये।

dark hair adorned with a peacock feather · gentle smile filled with sweetness · diverse charming forms pleasing to the mind · the enchanter · Madhava · I take refuge · I

This verse captures the enchanting nature of the Lord, focusing on his diverse forms and his role as the master of maya.

I praise Mukunda, who is resplendent at the foot of a banyan tree, with his feet crossed, wearing a forest garland, always surrounded by the beautiful cowherd women, in a graceful three-bend posture.

vyatyastapādaṃ vanamālinañca

vṛtaṃ sadā vallavasundarībhiḥ

vaṭasya mūle lalitatribhaṅgyā

vande virājantamahaṃ mukundam

व्यत्यस्तपादम् · vyatyastapādam — with crossed feet

वनमालिनम् · vanamālinam — wearing a forest garland

वृतम् · vṛtam — surrounded

सदा · sadā — always

वल्लवसुन्दरीभिः · vallavasundarībhiḥ — by beautiful cowherd women

वटस्य · vaṭasya — of the banyan tree

मूले · mūle — at the root

ललितत्रिभङ्ग्या · lalitatribhaṅgyā — in a graceful three-bend posture

वन्दे · vande — I praise

विराजन्तम् · virājantam — resplendent

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

वटस्य मूले व्यत्यस्तपादं वनमालिनं सदा वल्लवसुन्दरीभिः वृतं ललितत्रिभङ्ग्या विराजन्तं मुकुन्दं अहं वन्दे।

with crossed feet · wearing a forest garland · surrounded · always · by beautiful cowherd women · of the banyan tree · at the root · in a graceful three-bend posture · I praise · resplendent · Mukunda

This verse depicts the classic iconographic form of Krishna, emphasizing his grace and the pastoral setting of his pastimes.

I praise him who is shining in a beautiful grove—the beloved of Radha, fond of the Rasa dance, lotus-eyed, with a charming body, the younger brother of Balarama, and the protector of Gokula.

rādhāpriyaṃ rāsavilāsalolaṃ

rājīvanetraṃ ramaṇīyagātram

rāmānujaṃ rakṣitagokulaṃ taṃ

rājantamīḍe lalite nikuñje

राधाप्रियम् · rādhāpriyam — beloved of Radha

रासविलासलोलम् · rāsavilāsalolam — fond of the Rasa dance

राजीवनेत्रम् · rājīvanetram — lotus-eyed

रमणीयगात्रम् · ramaṇīyagātram — with a charming body

रामानुजम् · rāmānujam — younger brother of Balarama

रक्षितगोकुलम् · rakṣitagokulam — protector of Gokula

तम् · tam — him

राजन्तम् · rājantam — shining

ईडे · īḍe — I praise

ललिते · lalite — in a beautiful

निकुञ्जे · nikuñje — grove

राधाप्रियं रासविलासलोलं राजीवनेत्रं रमणीयगात्रं रामानुजं रक्षितगोकुलं तं ललिते निकुञ्जे राजन्तं ईडे।

beloved of Radha · fond of the Rasa dance · lotus-eyed · with a charming body · younger brother of Balarama · protector of Gokula · him · shining · I praise · in a beautiful · grove

This verse highlights the Lord's intimate connection with Radha and the Rasa dance, reinforcing his identity as the protector of Gokula.

I behold Mukunda, who dwells in a bower—his chest adorned with a garland of gunja seeds, a youth wearing jingling anklets, with a peacock feather for a crest and a beautiful, gentle smile.

guñjāsrajālaṅkṛtavakṣasañca

śiñjānamañjīradharaṃ kumāram

piñchāvataṃsaṃ varamandahāsaṃ

kuñje vasantaṃ kalaye mukundam

गुञ्जास्रजालङ्कृतवक्षसम् · guñjāsrajālaṅkṛtavakṣasam — chest adorned with a gunja garland

शिञ्जानमञ्जीरधरम् · śiñjānamañjīradharam — wearing jingling anklets

कुमारम् · kumāram — the youth

पिञ्छावतंसम् · piñchāvataṃsam — with a peacock feather crest

वरमन्दहासम् · varamandahāsam — with a beautiful gentle smile

कुञ्जे · kuñje — in the bower

वसन्तम् · vasantam — dwelling

कलये · kalaye — I behold

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

गुञ्जास्रजालङ्कृतवक्षसं शिञ्जानमञ्जीरधरं कुमारं पिञ्छावतंसं वरमन्दहासं कुञ्जे वसन्तं मुकुन्दं कलये।

chest adorned with a gunja garland · wearing jingling anklets · the youth · with a peacock feather crest · with a beautiful gentle smile · in the bower · dwelling · I behold · Mukunda

This verse focuses on the sensory details of the Lord's appearance in the bower, creating a vivid image for the devotee's meditation.

I praise Hari, the son of the king of cowherds, who wanders in Vrindavan, on the bank of the Yamuna (daughter of the Sun), on Govardhana, in the capital Gokula, at Vamshivata, and in the bower-houses.

bṛndāvane sūryasutāṭe ca

govardhane gokularājadhānyām

vaṃśīvaṭe kuñjagṛhe carantaṃ

vande hariṃ vallavarājasūnum

बृन्दावने · bṛndāvane — in Vrindavan

सूर्यसुताटे · sūryasutāṭe — on the bank of the Yamuna

गोवर्धने · govardhane — on Govardhana

गोकुलराजधान्याम् · gokularājadhānyām — in the capital of Gokula

वंशीवटे · vaṃśīvaṭe — at Vamshivata

कुञ्जगृहे · kuñjagṛhe — in the bower-houses

चरन्तम् · carantam — wandering

वन्दे · vande — I praise

हरिम् · harim — Hari

वल्लवराजसूनुम् · vallavarājasūnum — son of the cowherd king

बृन्दावने, सूर्यसुताटे, गोवर्धने, गोकुलराजधान्यां, वंशीवटे, कुञ्जगृहे च चरन्तं वल्लवराजसूनुं हरिं वन्दे।

in Vrindavan · on the bank of the Yamuna · on Govardhana · in the capital of Gokula · at Vamshivata · in the bower-houses · wandering · I praise · Hari · son of the cowherd king

This verse maps the sacred geography of the Lord's presence, linking him to the specific holy sites of Vraja.

I praise the divine Lord, Mukunda, who wears a peacock feather crest—who is eternally served by Brahma and the hosts of gods, who is the refuge of all people, dear to his devotees, and possessed of auspicious qualities.

brahmādibhirdevagaṇaiśca nityaṃ

saṃsevitaṃ sarvajanāśrayañca

bhaktapriyaṃ bhavyaguṇaṃ mukundaṃ

barhāvataṃsaṃ bhagavantamīḍe

ब्रह्मादिभिर्देवगणैः · brahmādibhirdevagaṇaiḥ — by Brahma and the hosts of gods

नित्यम् · nityam — eternally

संसेवितम् · saṃsevitam — served

सर्वजनाश्रयम् · sarvajanāśrayam — refuge of all people

भक्तप्रियम् · bhaktapriyam — dear to devotees

भव्यगुणम् · bhavyaguṇam — possessed of auspicious qualities

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

बर्हावतंसम् · barhāvataṃsam — wearing a peacock feather crest

भगवन्तम् · bhagavantam — the divine Lord

ईडे · īḍe — I praise

ब्रह्मादिभिर्देवगणैः नित्यं संसेवितं सर्वजनाश्रयं भक्तप्रियं भव्यगुणं बर्हावतंसं भगवन्तं मुकुन्दं ईडे।

by Brahma and the hosts of gods · eternally · served · refuge of all people · dear to devotees · possessed of auspicious qualities · Mukunda · wearing a peacock feather crest · the divine Lord · I praise

This verse elevates the Lord's status, acknowledging his universal divinity and his accessibility to all devotees.

I bow to the eternal Govindadeva, the son of Nanda, who delights all the worlds, the root of bliss, the bestower of boons, Mukunda, who sports in the vicinity of Vrindavan.

nandātmajaṃ nanditasarvaloka-

mānandakandaṃ varadaṃ mukundam

bṛndāvanānte viharantamenaṃ

govindadevaṃ praṇamāmyanantam

नन्दात्मजम् · nandātmajam — son of Nanda

नन्दितसर्वलोकम् · nanditasarvalokam — who delights all worlds

आनन्दकन्दम् · ānandakandam — root of bliss

वरदम् · varadam — bestower of boons

मुकुन्दम् · mukundam — Mukunda

बृन्दावनान्ते · bṛndāvanānte — in the vicinity of Vrindavan

विहरन्तम् · viharantam — sporting

एनम् · enam — this

गोविन्ददेवम् · govindadevam — Govindadeva

प्रणमाम्यनन्तम् · praṇamāmyanantam — I bow to the eternal one

नन्दात्मजं नन्दितसर्वलोकं आनन्दकन्दं वरदं मुकुन्दं बृन्दावनान्ते विहरन्तं एनं अनन्तं गोविन्ददेवं प्रणमामि।

son of Nanda · who delights all worlds · root of bliss · bestower of boons · Mukunda · in the vicinity of Vrindavan · sporting · this · Govindadeva · I bow to the eternal one

This concluding verse of the prayer summarizes the Lord's nature as the source of all bliss and the eternal object of devotion.

Śrī Sadguru speaks:

That Vajranabha, his mind pleased by the sight of Govindadeva's face, resided in the city of Mathura and ruled the land and his people with happiness.

śrīsadgururuvāca

govindadevānanadarśanena

prasannacittaḥ sa tu vajranābhaḥ

vāsaṃ prakurvan madhurānagaryāṃ

śaśāsa bhūmiṃ svajanaṃ sukhena

गोविन्ददेवाननदर्शनेन · govindadevānanadarśanena — by the sight of Govindadeva's face

प्रसन्नचित्तः · prasannacittaḥ — pleased in mind

सः · saḥ — he

वज्रनाभः · vajranābhaḥ — Vajranabha

वासम् · vāsam — residence

प्रकुर्वन् · prakurvan — making

मधुरानगर्याम् · madhurānagaryām — in the city of Mathura

शशास · śaśāsa — ruled

भूमिम् · bhūmim — the land

स्वजनम् · svajanam — his people

सुखेन · sukhena — with happiness

गोविन्ददेवाननदर्शनेन प्रसन्नचित्तः सः वज्रनाभः मधुरानगर्यां वासं प्रकुर्वन् भूमिं स्वजनं सुखेन शशास।

by the sight of Govindadeva's face · pleased in mind · he · Vajranabha · residence · making · in the city of Mathura · ruled · the land · his people · with happiness

This final narrative verse shows the positive impact of the deity's presence on the ruler and his kingdom, concluding the chapter's theme of divine protection.

The person who recites or hears this sacred account of Govindadeva's glory will, by Krishna's grace, always attain only happiness and never any sorrow.

Thus ends the twentieth chapter, titled "The Glory of Govindadeva," in the First Part of the Divyadesavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.

govindamāhātmyamidaṃ pavitraṃ

yaḥ kīrtayedvā śṛṇuyānmanuṣyaḥ

avāpnuyāt sukhameva nityaṃ

kṛṣṇaprasādānna kadāpi duḥkham

गोविन्दमाहात्म्यम् · govindamāhātmyam — the glory of Govinda

इदम् · idam — this

पवित्रम् · pavitram — sacred

यः · yaḥ — whoever

कीर्तयेत् · kīrtayet — recites

वा · vā — or

शृणुयात् · śṛṇuyāt — hears

मनुष्यः · manuṣyaḥ — a human being

अवाप्नुयात् · avāpnuyāt — shall attain

सुखमेव · sukhameva — happiness only

नित्यम् · nityam — always

कृष्णप्रसादात् · kṛṣṇaprasādāt — by the grace of Krishna

न · na — not

कदापि · kadāpi — ever

दुःखम् · duḥkham — sorrow

यः मनुष्यः इदं पवित्रं गोविन्दमाहात्म्यं कीर्तयेत् वा शृणुयात्, सः कृष्णप्रसादात् नित्यं सुखमेव अवाप्नुयात्, कदापि दुःखं न अवाप्नुयात्।

the glory of Govinda · this · sacred · whoever · recites · or · hears · a human being · shall attain · happiness only · always · by the grace of Krishna · not · ever · sorrow

This concluding verse serves as the phala-śruti, promising spiritual and material benefits to those who engage with the narrative of Govindadeva. It reinforces the theme that devotion to the Lord, through hearing or chanting His glories, is the ultimate remedy for the sorrows of the material world.