Govardhan Ashtakam is an eight-verse Sanskrit prayer that beautifully glorifies the Govardhan Hill in connection with Lord Krishna. On Govardhan Puja, you can recite this prayer as an offering of love and reverence to Govardhan Hill.
Who Wrote Govardhan Ashtakam?
Sri Govardhan Ashtakam is one of the eight-verse hymns included in the collection titled Stavamrt-lahari. Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarthi Thakura composed this song, Govardhan Ashtakam, praying for the fulfillment of his desire for pure devotional service to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.
Govardhan Ashtakam Lyrics with Verse-by-Verse Meaning
(1)
krsna-prasadena samasta-saila-
samrajyam apnoti ca vairino ’pi
sakrasya yah prapa balim sa saksad
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: May Govardhana Hill, which by Krishna’s mercy became the king of all mountains and received the respectful tribute of its arch-enemy Indra, fulfill my desire.
(2)
sva-prestha-hastambuja-saukumarya
sukhanubhuter ati-bhumi-vrtteh
mahendra-vajrahatim apy ajanan
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: As it was held above the earth it became so filled with happiness by experiencing the softness of its beloved Krishna’s lotus hand it did not even know it was being struck by Indra’s thunderbolt. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
(3)
yatraiva krsno vrsabhanu-putrya
danam grhitum kalaham vitene
sruteh sprha yatra mahaty atah sri
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: Trying to collect a toll, Krishna quarreled there with King Vrishabhanu’s daughter. The personified Vedas yearn to listen to that quarrel. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
(4)
snatva sarah svasu samira-hasti
yatraiva nipadi-paraga-dhulih
alolayan khelati caru sa sri
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: 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)
kasturikabhih sayitam kim atrety
uham prabhoh svasya muhur vitanvan
naisargika-sviya-sila-sugandhair
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: 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)
vamsa-pratidhvany-anusara-vartma
didrksavo yatra harim harinyah
yantyo labhante na hi vismitah sa
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: 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)
yatraiva gangam anu navi radham
arohya madhye tu nimagna-naukah
krsno hi radhanugalo babhau sa
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: As the Divine Couple traveled on the Ganges there, the boat began to sink in the middle. Krishna was splendidly handsome as Radha clung to His neck. May Govardhana Hill fulfill my desire.
(8)
vina bhavet kim hari-dasa-varya-
padasrayambhaktir atah srayami
yam eva saprema nijesayoh sri-
govardhano me disatam abhistam
Meaning: 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)
etat pathed yo hari-dasa-varya-
mahanubhavastakam ardra-cetah
sri-radhika-madhavayoh padabja-
dasyam sa vinded acirena saksat
Meaning: 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.
