SRI GOVARDHANA

[Guest guest]

Sri Govardhana-Vasa-Prarthana-Dasakam

 

by

 

Srimad Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

 

 

"O beautiful Govardhana, matchlessly enormous king of mountains! Please

bestow upon me my most cherished desire - residence near your side. You took

the shape of an umbrella with the arm of your own Lord as the handle, thus

pulverising the arrogant pride of Indra who was intoxicated by his own

opulence.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Please grant me a dwelling near your side so that I can

easily witness and serve the youthful lovers Sri Radha-Krsna as They perform

newer and newer secret, amorous lilas within your many caves where They become

completely maddened from drinking prema. You arre present and making everything

possible.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Please grant me a dwelling near your side. If you say to me,

'Sri Radha-Krsna also perform pastimes at Sanketa and at other places in the

forests, so why don't you desire to reside there?' I will reply that upon your

incomparable pearl-studded altars, on your jewelled simhasanas, below your

trees, in your cracks and crevices, upon your crest, and in your multitude of

caves, Sri Krsna and Baladeva always enjoy playful sports accompanied by

Sridama and the other sakhas.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Please grant me residence near your side because, having

manifested a lustrous black vedi (raised sitting place) with an enchanting

scent, you facilitated and witnessed the dana-keli pastime enacted by the

youthful lovers Sri Radha-Krsna, who Themselves are a treasure-house of

delicious rasa-mellows. Thus you increase the transcendental pleasure of Sri

Krsna's exalted rasika devotees who relish those mellows.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Please grant me residence near your side. The unprecedented

Radha-kunda is most dear to Sri Krsna and also your dear friend. Embracing

Radha-kunda to your neck in a playful mood, you remain hidden there while

watching Sri Radha-Krsna enjoy pastimes in Their freshly blossoming youth. That

secluded spot is also perfectly suitable for me - I will sit right there and

reslish Their pastimes with you.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Please grant me residence near your side. You are worshiping

Sri Radha-Krsna with your nice spacious field, ponds, streams and waterfalls,

forests, fresh grass, and shade-trees, and you are nourishing Sri Krsna's

beloved cows whose numbers are thus increasing at every moment. Your very name

'Govardhana' ('gah' means cows, and 'vardhayati' means to nourish and increase)

is successful and renowned throughout the three worlds. If I can reside near

you, I will also be able to receive the darsana of my istadeva Sri Krsna, who

comes to you when He brings His cows out to graze.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Please bestow upon me residence by your side. Sri Krsna, the

slayer of Aghasura and Bakasura, showed you special honour by establishing Vraja

beneath you while holding you aloft, thereby turning you into a new home for the

Vrajavasis and protecting them from Indra's hostility. You are the crown of

Vrndavana and Krsna always takes care of you since you are His dear devotee.

Krsna's nature is that He is merciful to those who, although unqualified,

reside near those whom He honours, so by residing near you I also will

certainly obtain Krsna's mercy.

 

*

 

"O Giriraja Maharaja! From the moon-like face of Srimati Radhika the

following words have issued: 'This hill is the best of those who are known as

Haridasa'. These words from the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.18) have revealed the

nectar of your name, and all the Vedas have established you as the fresh tilaka

of Vraja-mandala. You are such a high-class devotee, so if I stay with you, I

will certainly get high-class bhakti. Therefore the most desirable place to

reside is near your side; please grant me a dwelling there.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! You are absorbed in the rasa of friendship towards Sri

Radha-Krsna who are surrounded by Their sakhis and sakhas, and you are the

unparalleled source of happiness for the men, women, birds, animals, and all

the living entities of Vraja. You are so kind. Krsna just touched you and

automatically you lifted yourself up to serve Him, becoming weightless on His

finger. You fulfill Krsna's desires and protect all Vrajavasis, so please

accept this most fallen and miserable person and by mercifully bestowing upon

me residence near your side, make even poor me a worthy recipient of Sri

Krsna's love.

 

*

 

"O Govardhana! Although I am a cheater and a rogue, the greatly merciful

Sri Sacinandana Krsna Caitanya, who is most dear to you, has offered me unto

you (so you are therefore obliged to accept me). Without considering whether I

am qualified or unqualified, please bestow upon me a residence near your side.

 

*

 

"Whoever ardently meditates on these then nectarean verses glorifying Srila

Govardhana, the master of mountains, will very quickly obtain blissful residence

near Govardhana, thereby attaining the auspicious jewel of direct service to Sri

Radha-Krsna. This composition is recited in the poetic meter known as 'Malini'."

 

 

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