Govinda
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.
Etymology
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".
Interpretations
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
- 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
An 8th century Hindu devotional composition called "
See also
- Achyuta
- Gopala
- Gopinath
- Keshava
- Madhava
- Radha Ramana
- Vāsudeva
- Govinda (Kula Shaker song)
- Nanda)
- Govinda Jaya Jaya an Indian devotional chant or song
References
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2011-12-19). "Govinda, Go-vinda, Govimda: 33 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
- 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
- Hein, Norvin (May 1986). "A Revolution in Kṛṣṇaism: The Cult of Gopāla". History of Religions. 25 (4): 296–317. S2CID 162049250.