Govinda (transl. “finder or observer of cattle”), also rendered Govind, Gobinda and Gobind, is an epithet of Vishnu and is also used for his avatars such as Krishna.[1] The name appears as the 187th and the 539th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama. The name is also popularly addressed to Krishna, referring to his youthful activity as a cowherd boy.
Krishna worshipped as Govinda with his consort Radha in the historic Govind Dev Ji Temple (left), Krishna and the cowherds, c. 1800, Victoria and Albert Museum (right)
In the word "Govinda", "Govu" means Indriyas. Govinda therefore means the all-pervading, omnipresent ruler of the sense organs, or Indriyas. "Govu" also means 'Vedas'. Hence Govinda is the supreme being who can be known through the Vedas.[2] Govinda can also be translated as "protector of cows".
Interpretationsedit
Krishna as Govinda at Sri Sri Radha Govind temple, Ahmedabad
Govinda is a name of Krishna and also appears as the 187th and 539th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama, the 1,000 names of Vishnu.[3]
According to Adi Shankara's commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Govinda has four meanings:[3]
The sages call Krishna "Govinda" as he pervades all the worlds, giving them power.
The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata states that Vishnu restored the earth that had sunk into the netherworld, so all the devas praised him as Govinda (protector of the land).
Alternatively, it means "He who is known by Vedic words alone".
In the Harivamsa, Indra praised Krishna for having attained loving leadership of the cows which Krishna tended as a cowherd, by saying, "So men too shall praise him as Govinda."
In the Brahma Samhita, Krishna is praised as Govinda, who is eternal and origin of all living beings.[4]
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in his commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita, states that Govinda means "master of the senses".[5]
Prayersedit
An 8th century Hindu devotional composition called "Moha Mudgara", composed by Adi Shankara, summarises: "If one just worships Govinda, one can easily cross this great ocean of birth and death." This refers to the belief that worshipful adoration of Vishnu or Krishna can lead believers out of the cycle of reincarnation (samsara) and lead them into an eternal blissful life in Vaikuntha, 'the supreme abode situated beyond this material world' where Govinda (Vishnu) resides. The composition expresses the value of inner devotion to Vishnu.
^Bhaja Govindam: Charpat Panjarika Stotram. Pustak Mahal. 20 August 2009. p. 10. ISBN9788122310740.
^ abSri Vishnu Sahasranama, commentary by Sri Sankaracharya, pgs. 69 and 115, translated by Swami Tapasyananda (Ramakrishna Math Publications, Chennai)
^Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati. Sri Brahma Samhita Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati.
^Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, a New Translation and Commentary, Chapters 1–6. Penguin Books, 1969, p 57 (v 32).
Notesedit
Hein, Norvin (May 1986). "A Revolution in Kṛṣṇaism: The Cult of Gopāla". History of Religions. 25 (4): 296–317. doi:10.1086/463051. JSTOR 1062622. S2CID 162049250.
External linksedit
Govind Shaligram
Who is Govinda (Krishna)?
Sacred Hindi verses describing Govinda
February 16, 2024
govinda, this, article, about, name, vishnu, actor, actor, other, uses, disambiguation, redirects, here, temple, imphal, shree, temple, transl, finder, observer, cattle, also, rendered, govind, gobinda, gobind, epithet, vishnu, also, used, avatars, such, krish. This article is about the name of Vishnu For the actor see Govinda actor For other uses see Govinda disambiguation Govindaji redirects here For the temple in Imphal see Shree Govindajee Temple Govinda transl finder or observer of cattle also rendered Govind Gobinda and Gobind is an epithet of Vishnu and is also used for his avatars such as Krishna 1 The name appears as the 187th and the 539th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama The name is also popularly addressed to Krishna referring to his youthful activity as a cowherd boy Krishna worshipped as Govinda with his consort Radha in the historic Govind Dev Ji Temple left Krishna and the cowherds c 1800 Victoria and Albert Museum right Contents 1 Etymology 2 Interpretations 3 Prayers 4 See also 5 References 6 Notes 7 External linksEtymology editIn the word Govinda Govu means Indriyas Govinda therefore means the all pervading omnipresent ruler of the sense organs or Indriyas Govu also means Vedas Hence Govinda is the supreme being who can be known through the Vedas 2 Govinda can also be translated as protector of cows Interpretations edit nbsp Krishna as Govinda at Sri Sri Radha Govind temple AhmedabadGovinda is a name of Krishna and also appears as the 187th and 539th name of Vishnu in the Vishnu Sahasranama the 1 000 names of Vishnu 3 According to Adi Shankara s commentary on Vishnu Sahasranama translated by Swami Tapasyananda Govinda has four meanings 3 The sages call Krishna Govinda as he pervades all the worlds giving them power The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata states that Vishnu restored the earth that had sunk into the netherworld so all the devas praised him as Govinda protector of the land Alternatively it means He who is known by Vedic words alone In the Harivamsa Indra praised Krishna for having attained loving leadership of the cows which Krishna tended as a cowherd by saying So men too shall praise him as Govinda In the Brahma Samhita Krishna is praised as Govinda who is eternal and origin of all living beings 4 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita states that Govinda means master of the senses 5 Prayers editAn 8th century Hindu devotional composition called Moha Mudgara composed by Adi Shankara summarises If one just worships Govinda one can easily cross this great ocean of birth and death This refers to the belief that worshipful adoration of Vishnu or Krishna can lead believers out of the cycle of reincarnation samsara and lead them into an eternal blissful life in Vaikuntha the supreme abode situated beyond this material world where Govinda Vishnu resides The composition expresses the value of inner devotion to Vishnu See also editAchyuta Gopala Gopinath Keshava Madhava Radha Ramana Vasudeva Govinda Kula Shaker song Phalguna month ruled by Govinda this Govinda is different from the original Govinda because he is not the son of Maharaja Nanda Govinda Jaya Jaya an Indian devotional chant or songReferences edit www wisdomlib org 2011 12 19 Govinda Go vinda Govimda 33 definitions www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 08 02 Bhaja Govindam Charpat Panjarika Stotram Pustak Mahal 20 August 2009 p 10 ISBN 9788122310740 a b Sri Vishnu Sahasranama commentary by Sri Sankaracharya pgs 69 and 115 translated by Swami Tapasyananda Ramakrishna Math Publications Chennai Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Sri Brahma Samhita Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad Gita a New Translation and Commentary Chapters 1 6 Penguin Books 1969 p 57 v 32 Notes editHein Norvin May 1986 A Revolution in Kṛṣṇaism The Cult of Gopala History of Religions 25 4 296 317 doi 10 1086 463051 JSTOR 1062622 S2CID 162049250 External links editGovind Shaligram Who is Govinda Krishna Sacred Hindi verses describing Govinda Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Govinda amp oldid 1207325841, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
