PRARTHANA DASAKAM
by Srila Raghunath das Goswami
1.
O Govardhana! You became the umbrella which was held by the arm of your own Lord Krsna! In this way Sri Krsna diminished Indra, the king of the demigods, who was intoxicated by great pride. You are the incomparable king of all the big mountains, please allow me to live close by you.
2.
O Govardhana! The young Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, play splendid wild loving games in your every cave, so I became very eager to see Them there. Please allow me to live close by you.
3.
O Govardhana! In topmost joy Krsna plays together with Balarama and the cowherd boys in your incomparable jeweled pavilions and thrones, in the hollows of your trees, in your caves, and valleys. Please allow me to live close by you!
4.
O Govardhana! You are the witness of Radha and Krsna's tax game (In which Krsna charges tax from the ghee the gopis carry on their heads) which is an ocean of mellows. You increase the joy of the mellows of the devotees with your display of bluish platforms that are full of splendour and fragrance. Please allow me to live close by you!
5.
O Govardhana! You affectionately and secretly embrace the neck of your own
dear friend, Sri Radha Kunda, the place which is very dear to you and Lord
Hari. Please allow me to live close by you and show me the intimate pastimes of
the Divine Young Couple there!
6.
O Govardhana! You make your name, keeper of cows, successfully constantly giving land, water, grass and the shade of your trees to the cows and thus you are famous in the three worlds. Please allow me to live close by you!
7.
O Govardhana! Your glories are increased by the enemy of Aghasura and Bakasura, Sri Krsna, when He protected the Vrajavasis and vanquished Indra by quickly using you as their new shelter from the rain. Please allow me to live close by you.!
8.
O Govardhana! King of mountains! Because the nectar of your name as Hari's best servant emanated from Srimati Radharani's pearl-like mouth, which was revealed by Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam (10.21.18), you are called the new tilaka (because of your long thin bluish shape at the edge of Vraja) of Vraja. Please allow me to live close by you.
9.
O Govardhana! You are the only giver of joy to Sri Sri Radha Krsna and Their associates, that are always surrounded by the people, animals and birds of Vraja in the mood of friendship. Please mercifully accept me and allow me to live close by you.
10.
O Govardhana! Although I am vile and deceitful, the causelessly merciful Sri Sacinandana submitted me to you. Therefore, do not consider whether I am qualified or unqualified and accept me. Allow me please to live close by you.
11.
Anyone who carefully recites these ten verses praising the king of mountains Srila Govardhana, that are the givers of divine mellows, will swiftly attain a place to live close by Govardhana, the bestower of bliss, and he will attain the precious jewel of the auspicious loving service of the Divine Couple, Sri Sri Radha Krsna.
namaste girirajaya sri govardhana namine
ashesha klesha nashaya paramananda dayine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the king of all hills, Govardhana Hill (the source of enjoyment for the senses, land, and cows). He is a servant of Krsna and is Krsna Himself. He puts an end to unlimited sufferings and bestows the supreme bliss. (Preyo Bhakti Rasarnava)
hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo
yad rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kandamulaih
Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this
hill supplies Krsna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd
friends, with all kinds of necessities-water for drinking, very soft grass,
caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to
the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krsna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill
appears very jubilant. (SB 10.21.18)
These two verses are known as the sri-govardhana-pranama-mantra.
govardhano jayati saila-kulaadhi-raajo
yo gopikaabhirudito hari-daasa-varyah
krsnena sakra-makha-bhanga-krtaarcito yah
saptaaham asya kara-padma-tale 'py avatseet
saptaaham evaacyuta-hasta-pankaje
bhrngaayamaanam phala-moola-kandaraih
samsevyamaanam harim aatma-vindakair
govardhanaadrim sirasaa namaami
"Glorious is Sri Govardhana, the great King in the dynasty of hills, whom the gopis praised as the best of Krsna's servants; who was resting for seven days in Krsna's lotus hand and whom Krsna made worshipable by disrupting Indra's sacrifice."
"I offer my prostrated obeisances to the Govardhana Hill, who was kept for seven days in the lotus hand of the infallible Lord Krsna and who served Him with his own paraphernalia—swarms of black bees and an abundance of delicious fruits and roots."