bhaktavatsalā govindā bhāgavatapriya govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 1 ||
- śrī-śrīnivāsa = one in whom Śrī (Lakṣmī) abides
- vēṅkaṭēśa = lord of Vēṅkaṭa hill
- bhaktavatsala = tender toward devotees (vatsala = affectionate like a cow to its calf)
- bhāgavatapriya = dear to the Bhāgavatas (devotees of Viṣṇu).
purāṇapuruṣā govindā puṇḍarīkākṣa govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 2 ||
- nityanirmala = eternally stainless/pure
- nīlameghaśyāma = dark (śyāma) as the blue (nīla) rain-cloud (megha)
- purāṇapuruṣa = the Primeval Person of the Purāṇas
- puṇḍarīkākṣa = lotus-eyed (puṇḍarīka = white lotus
- akṣa = eye).
paśupālaka śrī govindā pāpavimocana govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 3 ||
- nandanandana = son (nandana) of Nanda
- navanītacora = stealer (cora) of fresh butter (navanīta)
- paśupālaka = protector/herdsman (pālaka) of cattle (paśu)
- pāpavimocana = liberator (vimocana) from sins (pāpa).
śiṣṭaparipālaka govindā kaṣṭanivāraṇa govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 4 ||
- duṣṭasaṃhāra = destroyer (saṃhāra) of the wicked (duṣṭa)
- duritanivāraṇa = remover (nivāraṇa) of sins/evil (durita)
- śiṣṭaparipālaka = complete protector (paripālaka) of the good/virtuous (śiṣṭa)
- kaṣṭanivāraṇa = dispeller (nivāraṇa) of hardships/sufferings (kaṣṭa).
gopījanapriya govindā govardhanoddhāra govindā [gopījanalola]
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 5 ||
- vajramakuṭadhara = one who wears (dhara) a crown (makuṭa) of diamond (vajra)
- varāhamūrti = one whose form (mūrti) is the Boar (Varāha)
- gopījanapriya = beloved (priya) of the gopī women
- govardhanoddāra = lifter (uddāra) of Mount Govardhana.
pakṣivāhanā govindā pāṇḍavapriya govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 6 ||
- daśarathanandana = son (nandana) of King Daśaratha (i.e., Rāma)
- daśamukhamardana = crusher (mardana) of the ten-faced (daśamukha) Rāvaṇa
- pakṣivāhana = one whose vehicle (vāhana) is a bird (pakṣī), i.e., Garuḍa
- pāṇḍavapriya = beloved (priya) of the Pāṇḍava brothers.
varāha narasiṃha govindā vāmana bhṛgurāma govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 7 ||
- matsyakūrma = Fish (matsya) and Tortoise (kūrma) avatāras
- madhusūdhana = slayer (sūdhana) of the demon Madhu
- varāha narasiṃha = Boar and Man-Lion avatāras
- vāmana bhṛgurāma = the Dwarf (Vāmana) and Paraśurāma (of Bhṛgu's lineage).
veṇugānapriya govindā veṅkaṭaramaṇā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 8 ||
- balarāmānuja = younger brother (anuja) of Balarāma
- bauddha kalkidhara = one who held the forms of Buddha and will hold Kalki
- veṇugānapriya = lover (priya) of flute-music (veṇugāna)
- vēṅkaṭaramaṇa = delight/joy (ramaṇa) of Vēṅkaṭa hill.
śritajanapoṣaka govindā dharmasaṃsthāpaka govindā [daridrajana poṣaka]
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 9 ||
- sītānāyaka = lord/husband (nāyaka) of Sītā
- śritaparipālaka = complete protector (paripālaka) of those who take refuge (śrita)
- śritajanopōṣaka = nourisher (pōṣaka) of people (jana) who seek shelter (śrita)
- dharmasaṃsthāpaka = establisher (saṃsthāpaka) of dharma.
bhaktavatsalā govindā karuṇāsāgara govindā [śaraṇāgatavatsala]
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 10 ||
- anātharakṣaka = protector (rakṣaka) of the forlorn/helpless (anātha)
- āpadbhāndava = kinsman/friend (bāndava) in calamity (āpad)
- bhaktavatsala = affectionate toward devotees (vatsala = tender as a cow to its calf)
- karuṇāsāgara = ocean (sāgara) of compassion (karuṇā).
pāpavināśaka govindā pāhi murāre govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 11 ||
- kamaladaḻākṣa = one whose eyes (akṣa) are lotus-petals (kamala-daḻa)
- kāmitaphaladāta = giver (dāta) of desired (kāmita) fruits (phala)
- pāpavināśaka = destroyer (vināśaka) of sins (pāpa)
- pāhi murāre = protect (pāhi) us, O slayer of Mura (Murāri = Kṛṣṇa who killed demon Mura).
dharaṇīnāyaka govindā dinakaratejā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 12 ||
- śrī-mudrāṅkita = one marked (aṅkita) with Śrī's seal/imprint (mudrā)
- śrī-vatsāṅkita = one bearing (aṅkita) the Śrīvatsa mark (an auspicious whorl of hair on Viṣṇu's chest, said to be the eternal dwelling of Śrī)
- dharaṇīnāyaka = lord (nāyaka) of the earth (dharaṇī)
- dinakaratejas = possessing the brilliance (tejas) of the sun (dinakara).
abhayahasta govindā matsyāvatāra govindā [pradarśaka]
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 13 ||
- padmāvatīpriya = beloved (priya) of Padmāvatī (the goddess of Tirumala, Viṣṇu's consort in his Vēṅkaṭēśvara form)
- prasannamūrti = one of gracious, pleased form (prasanna = serene, kindly)
- abhayahasta = one whose hand (hasta) grants freedom from fear (abhaya)
- matsyāvatāra = the Fish descent (avatāra) of Viṣṇu.
virājātīrdhastha govindā virodhimardhana govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 14 ||
- śaṅkhachakradhara = bearer (dhara) of the conch Pāñcajanya (śaṅkha) and discus Sudarśana (cakra)
- śārṅgagadādhara = bearer of the bow Śārṅga and the mace Kaumodakī (gadā)
- virājātīrthastha = one who stands (stha) at the Virājā-tīrtha (the sacred river at the boundary of Vaikuṇṭha, also a tīrtha near Puri)
- virodhimardana = crusher (mardana) of enemies/adversaries (virodhin).
lakṣmīvallabha govindā lakṣmaṇāgraja govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 15 ||
- sālagrāmadhara = one enshrined/bearing (dhara) the Śālagrāma (an ammonite fossil sacred to Viṣṇu, worshipped as his aniconic form)
- sahasranāma = one of a thousand (sahasra) names (nāma)
- lakṣmīvallabha = beloved husband (vallabha) of Lakṣmī
- lakṣmaṇāgraja = elder brother (agraja) of Lakṣmaṇa (as Rāma).
garuḍavāhanā govindā gajarāja rakṣaka govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 16 ||
- kastūritilaka = one adorned with a tilaka (forehead mark) of musk (kastūrī)
- kanakāmbaradhara = one who wears (dhara) golden (kanaka) garments (ambara)
- garuḍavāhana = one whose mount (vāhana) is Garuḍa the eagle-king
- gokulpālaka = guardian/protector (pālaka) of Gokula.
ekasvarūpa govindā rāmakṛṣṇā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 17 ||
- vānarasevita = served (sevita) by the vānara (monkey) army
- vāradhibandhana = one who built the bridge (bandhana = binding/bridge) across the ocean (vāridhi/vāradhi)
- ekasvarūpa = one of single (eka) form/nature (svarūpa), i.e., non-dual Reality
- rāmakṛṣṇa = both Rāma and Kṛṣṇa (two avatāras who are one).
paramadayākara govindā vajrakavacadhara govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 18 ||
- bhaktanandana = one who brings joy (nandana) to devotees (bhakta)
- pratyakṣadeva = the directly (pratyakṣa = perceptible, evident) manifest God (deva), a title prized at Tirumala where Vēṅkaṭēśvara is considered svayam-vyakta (self-manifested, not installed by human hands)
- paramadayākara = one who bestows (kara) supreme (parama) compassion (dayā)
- vajrakavachadhara = one who wears (dhara) a diamond (vajra) armor (kavaca).
vasudevasuta govindā śrīvāsudeva govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 19 ||
- vaijayantīmāla = one wearing the Vaijayantī garland (made of five types of gems or flowers, a mark of Viṣṇu)
- vaḍḍikāsula = in Telugu, those deeply indebted/bonded (vaḍḍi = interest
- the compound suggests devoted suppliants who owe everything to the Lord)
- vasudēvasuta = son (suta) of Vasudeva (Kṛṣṇa's biological father)
- śrī-vāsudeva = the blessed (śrī) Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa as son of Vasudeva, or the cosmic Vāsudeva of the Pāñcarātra tradition).
nīlādrivāsa govindā nīlameghaśyāma govindā [kṣīrābḍhivāsa]
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 20 ||
- nityakalyāṇa = one of eternal (nitya) auspiciousness (kalyāṇa)
- nīrajanābha = one whose navel (nābha) is a water-lily/lotus (nīraja = born of water)
- nīlādrivāsa = one who dwells (vāsa) on the blue mountain (nīlādri), another name for Tirumala (the 'blue hill')
- nīlameghaśyāma = dark (śyāma) as the blue (nīla) rain-cloud (megha).
śrīdevinātha govindā devaki nandana govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 21 ||
- svayaṃprakāśaself-luminous
- govindāO Govinda
- ānandanilayaabode of bliss
- śrīdevināthalord of Śrīdevī
- devakinandanajoy of Devakī
- hariHari
- gokulanandanajoy of Gokula
- veṅkaṭaramaṇadelight of Veṅkaṭa
āśritapakṣa govindā nityaśubhaprada govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 22 ||
- tirumalavāsa = one who dwells (vāsa) at Tirumala (the sacred seven hills of Vēṅkaṭēśvara)
- ratnakirīṭa = one wearing a crown (kirīṭa) of gems/jewels (ratna)
- āśritapakṣa = one who sides (pakṣa = side, wing) with those who take refuge (āśrita)
- nityaśubhaprada = one who bestows (prada) eternal (nitya) auspiciousness/welfare (śubha).
ihapara dāyaka govindā ibharāja rakṣaka govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 23 ||
- ānandarūpa = one of the form (rūpa) of bliss (ānanda)
- ādyantarahita = one devoid of (rahita) beginning (ādi) and end (anta), i.e., eternal
- ihapara-dāyaka = one who bestows (dāyaka) benefits both here (iha) and hereafter (para)
- ibharāja-rakṣaka = protector (rakṣaka) of the elephant king (ibharāja = ibha + rāja)referring to Gajendra, the elephant who was rescued from a crocodile.
śeṣaśāyinī govindā śeṣādrinilaya govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 24 ||
- padmadalākṣa = one whose eyes (akṣa) are like lotus-petals (padma-daḻa)
- tirumalanilaya = one whose abode (nilaya) is Tirumala
- śeṣaśāyinī = one who lies (śāyin) on Śeṣa (the thousand-headed cosmic serpent, also called Anantathe Endless)
- śeṣādrinilaya = one who dwells on Śeṣādri (the 'Śeṣa mountain,' another name for Tirumala, said to be the coiled body of the serpent Ādiśeṣa).
vāmanaṝpa govindā naraharirūpa govindā [hariharaṝpa]
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 25 ||
- varāharūpa = one of the form (rūpa) of Varāha (the Boar who rescued the Earth)
- śrī-kūrmarūpa = one of the auspicious (śrī) form of Kūrma (the Tortoise who bore Mount Mandara during the churning of the ocean)
- vāmanarūpa = one of the form of Vāmana (the Dwarf who reclaimed the three worlds from the demon king Bali in three strides)
- naharirūpa = one of the form of Narahari (Man-Lion, who tore apart Hiraṇyakaśipu).
raghukula rāma govindā śrī rāmakṛṣṇa govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 26 ||
- śrī-paraśurāma = the blessed warrior-sage Paraśurāma (Viṣṇu's sixth avatāra, wielder of the axe paraśu, who cleared the earth of corrupt Kṣatriyas 21 times)
- śrī-balarāma = the blessed Balarāma (Kṛṣṇa's elder brother, the seventh avatāra, wielder of the plough and mace)
- raghukula-rāma = Rāma of the Raghu lineage (the Solar dynasty)
- śrī-rāmakṛṣṇa = the blessed Rāma-and-Kṛṣṇa (the eighth and ninth avatāras united).
śrīdevinātha govindā śrīvatsāṅkita govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 27 ||
- tirumalanāyaka = ruler/lord (nāyaka) of Tirumala
- śritajana-pōṣaka = nourisher (pōṣaka) of people (jana) who take shelter (śrita)
- śrīdevīnātha = lord (nātha) of Śrīdevī (Mahālakṣmī)
- śrīvatsāṅkita = one bearing (aṅkita) the Śrīvatsa (the eternal mark on Viṣṇu's chest that serves as Lakṣmī's perpetual abode).
kṣetrapālaka govindā tirumalanātha govindā |
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 28 ||
- govindānāma = one whose name (nāma) is Govinda itself
- vēṅkaṭaramaṇa = the delight (ramaṇa = one who revels, lover) of Vēṅkaṭa
- kṣetrapālaka = guardian/protector (pālaka) of the sacred kṣetra (pilgrimage site)
- tirumalanātha = lord (nātha) of Tirumala.
eḍukòṇḍalavāḍa govindā ekatvarūpā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 29 ||
- vānarasevita = attended/served (sevita) by the vānara (monkey) hosts
- vāradhibandhana = one who bound/bridged (bandhana) the ocean (vāradhi)
- ēḍukoṇḍalavāḍa = one who dwells (vāḍa) among the seven hills (ēḍu-koṇḍaluthe seven peaks of Tirumala in Telugu)
- ekatvārūpa = one of the form (rūpa) of Oneness (ekatva).
pratyakṣadevā govindā paramadayākara govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 30 ||
- śrī-rāmakṛṣṇa = the blessed Rāma and Kṛṣṇa (recurring pairing affirming avatāra unity)
- raghukula-nandana = delight (nandana) of the Raghu dynasty
- pratyakṣadeva = directly manifest (pratyakṣa) God (deva)self-revealed at Tirumala
- paramadayākara = bestower (kara) of supreme (parama) compassion (dayā).
vaḍḍikāsulavāḍa govindā vasudevatanayā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 31 ||
- vajrakavachadhara = wearer (dhara) of the diamond (vajra) armor (kavaca)
- vaijayantīmāla = one wearing the Vaijayantī garland (five-jewel or five-flower garland symbolic of the five elements, a signature ornament of Viṣṇu)
- vaḍḍikāsulavāḍa = one who dwells among (vāḍa) the Vaḍḍikāsulu (devoted suppliants of Tirumala, Telugu word for those bound to the Lord)
- vasudeva-tanaya = son (tanaya) of Vasudeva (Kṛṣṇa's father).
strīpuṃsarūpā govindā śivakeśavamūrti govindā
brahmāṇḍarūpā govindā bhaktarakṣaka govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 32 ||
- bilvapatrārcita = one worshipped (arcita) with bilva leaves (bilvapatras, sacred to both Śiva and Viṣṇu)
- bhikṣuka-saṃstuta = praised (saṃstuta) by bhikṣukas (wandering mendicants/ascetics)
- strīpuṃsarūpa = one of the form (rūpa) that encompasses both female (strī) and male (puṃs), i.e., the androgynous completeness of the divine
- śivasakha = friend (sakha) of Śiva.
hātīrāmapriya govindā hari sarvottama govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 33 ||
- nityakalyāṇa = of eternal (nitya) auspiciousness (kalyāṇa)
- nīrajanābha = lotus (nīraja = water-born) at the navel (nābha), from which Brahmā emerged
- hātīrāmapriya = beloved (priya) of Hātīrāma Bhaṭṭu (the Telangana saint-devotee who lived at Tirumala in the 17th century and is said to have received the Lord's direct darśana through his devoted service)
- hari-sarvottama = Hari who is supreme (sarvottama = highest of all).
abhiṣekapriya govindā āpannivāraṇa govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 34 ||
- janārdhanamūrti = one of the form (mūrti) of Janārdana (he who sends people to liberationone who harrows/compels
- or, one who is prayed to by people)
- jagatsākṣirūpa = one whose form (rūpa) is the witness (sākṣin) of all the worlds (jagat)
- abhiṣekapriya = one who delights (priya) in the abhiṣeka ceremony (ritual anointing with sacred waters, milk, honey, etc.)
- āpannivāra = one who wards off (nivāra) calamities/afflictions (āpad).
svayamprakāśā govindā āśritapakṣa govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 35 ||
- ratnakirīṭa = one wearing a crown (kirīṭa) of gems (ratna)
- rāmānujanuta = one praised (nuta = saluted, extolled) by Rāmānuja (the 11th-12th century Vaiṣṇava philosopher-saint and founder of Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, who visited Tirumala)
- svayamprakāśa = self-luminous (svayam = by itself
- prakāśa = light)
- āśritapakṣa = one who sides (pakṣa = party, wing) with those who take refuge (āśrita).
ānandarūpā govindā ādyantarahitā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 36 ||
- nityaśubhaprada = one who bestows (prada) perpetual (nitya) auspiciousness/welfare (śubha)
- nikhilalōkēśa = lord (īśa) of all (nikhila) worlds (loka)
- ānandarūpa = of the form (rūpa) of bliss (ānanda)
- ādyantarahita = devoid of (rahita) beginning (ādi) and end (anta), i.e., eternal.
paramadayālo govindā padmanābhahari govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 37 ||
- ihapara-dāyaka = bestower (dāyaka) of blessings both here (iha = in this world) and hereafter (para = in the next)
- ibharāja-rakṣaka = protector (rakṣaka) of Ibharājathe elephant king (ibha = elephant
- rāja = king), referring to Gajendra
- paramadayāla = supremely compassionate (paramadayāluTelugu form of paramadayālu)
- padmanābha-hari = the lotus-naveled (padmanābha) Hari (Viṣṇu), from whose navel the lotus bearing Brahmā emerged at creation.
śeṣādrinilayā govindā śeṣasāīnī govindā
śrī śrīnivāsā govindā śrī veṅkaṭeśā govindā
govindā hari govindā gokulanandana govindā [veṅkaṭaramaṇa govindā] || 38 |
- tirumalavāsa = dweller (vāsa) at Tirumala
- tulasīvanamāla = one wearing a garland (māla) of tulasī from the garden/forest (vana)tulasī (holy basil) is the most sacred plant of Vaiṣṇava devotion, said to be the earthly form of Lakṣmī and the most beloved offering to Viṣṇu
- śeṣādrinilaya = one whose abode (nilaya) is Śeṣādri (the hill of Ādiśeṣa)
- śeṣaśāyinī = one who reclines (śāyin) on Śeṣa (Ananta, the cosmic serpent).
