Govinda Damodara Stotram
By Sage Bilwamangala
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[This Stotra has been composed by Sage Bilvamangala, who is also known as Lila Sukha. His greatest work of course is Sri Krishna Karnamritha. Nothing much is known about the period in which this great sage lived. There is a general agreement that he belongs to South India, visited Dwaraka and later visited Brindavan and attained Samadhi there. Some people believe that he was from Andhra Pradesh. Taking in to account the fact that he is a part of large number of folk tales of Kerala (Bilwamangalathu Swamiyar), His verse from Sri Krishna Karnamrutha is the first verse of the very popular Bala Mukundashtakam which is recited in Kerala and also the fact that he refers to wearing of tiger claw (A practice in Kerala) by the young Krishna in several places, I tend to agree with the school of thought that he originally belonged to Kerala. The Govinda-Damodhara Stotram is the ecstasic outpouring of pure unalloyed Bhakti of this great savant to Lord Krishna. He pictures all the devotees of Lord Krishna, sharing his ecstasy and so deeply drunk by these names, that they do not talk of anything else under all circumstances that they are in. One of the stanzas is from Bhagwatham and few resemble the verses of Mukunda mala. I am sure that before you complete reading this, you would also be intoxicated by the name of Lord Krishna.]

Agre kurunaam atha pandavanam,
Dushasane ahwatha vastra kesha,
Krishnaa tad akroshad ananya natha,
Govinda, damodara Madavethi. 1

When in front of Kurus and Pandavas,
Dushasana dragged her by her cloths and hair,
Angered, Draupadi seeing no other lord,
Called Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara, Oh Madhava.

Govinda - He who lifted the earth (Go) Or He who is the chief of cows.
Damodhara - He who is known by knowledge got by self restraint Or He who was tied by Yasodha in the stomach Or He who keeps in his belly the world called Dhama.
Madhava - He who was born in the family of Madhu.

Sri Krishna Vishno Madhu Kaitabhare,
Bhakthanukampin Bhagawan murare,
Trayasya maam keshava loka natha,
Govinda, Damodhara Madavethi. 2

Hey Krishna, Hey Vishnu who killed Madhu and Kaidabha,
Hey lord who has pity on his devotees,
Hey Lord who killed the asura called Mura,
Hey Kesava, Hey Lord of the world, save me,
Hey Govinda, Hey Damodara, Hey Madhava.

Vikrethu kamakhila Gopa Kanya,
Murari padarpitha chitha Vruthi,
Dadyodhakam moha vasad avochad,
Govinda, Damodara, Madhavethi. 3

The lovelorn Gopa maiden having offered
Her mind at the feet of Lord Murari,
While selling Curds in the street,
Due to her passion filled mind,
Cried, Oh Govinda, Oh Damodara and Oh Madhava.

Ulukhale Sambharitha thandulamsa cha,
Saighatyayantyo musalai pramugdha,
Gayanthi gopyo janithanuragha,
Govinda, Damodhara, Madhavethi. 4

Pounding the mortar full of grains,
With the pestle again and again,
The Gopis due to their budding love,
Sing Oh Govinda, Oh Damodara and Oh Madhava.

Kachithramboja pute nishannam,
Krida shukam kimshuka ratna thundam,
Adhyapayamasa saroruhakshi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 5

A lotus beauty instructed a playful parrot,
With a bright red beak which was seated
On the edge of her hand to say,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Gruha gruhe Gopa vadhu samooha,
Prathi kshanam pinjara sarikanam,
Skalad giram vachayithum pravrutho,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 6

In every home, every second of their time
The bevy of Gopa brides are engaged,
In making the caged parrots repeat,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Paryaykinkabjham alam kumaram,
Prasvapayonthyakhila gopa kanya,
Jagu prabhandam swara thala badham,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 7

Rocking their little ones to sleep in their cradle,
All gopa lasses with expertise sing,
This lullaby with proper notes and beats
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Ramanujam veekshana keli lolam,
Gopi grahithva nava nitha golam,
Abalakam balakam ajuhva,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 8

Examining the brother of Bala Rama,
With ever shifting and playful eyes,
The gopis offer a ball of fresh butter,
To attract the child and call
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Vichithra varnabhirama rame,
Bindehi vakthrambhuja raja hamse,
Sada madhiyee rasengri range,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 9

Hey toungue who is like the royal swan,
And who is interested in chanting of.
Those very ever attractive names,
Always keep enjoying those juicy names,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Ankhadhi rudam shishu gopa gudham,
Stanam dayantham kamalaika kantham,
Sambodhayam aasa mudha yasodha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 10

Oh Lord of the lady of the lotus,
As a baby sitting on the lap of Yasodha daintily,
You used to drink milk from her breast,
And she drowned in the bliss, used to address you,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Krithantham anthara vrajam athmanamaswam,
Samam vayasaihi pasu pala balaa,
Premna yasodha prajuhava krishnam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 11

In the land of Vraja, when Krishna,
Was playing with youths of his age,
Who looked after the cows,
Addressing him alone, Yasodha called,
That Krishna whom she loved as,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Yasodhaya gadham ulukalena,
Go kantha pasena nibhadyamanam,
Rurodha mandam nava nita bhoji,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 12

Tied tightly to the mortar by Yasodha,
With the rope that was used to tie cows,
Slightly whimpering, that boy who ate butter said,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Nijanangane kankana keli lolam,
Gopi grahithwa navanitha golam,
Amardayath pani talena netre,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 13

When in the courtyard Krishna,
Was playing with a bangle,
That Gopi shut his eyes from the back playfully,
And produced before him a ball of butter, Murmuring,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Gruhe gruhe vadhu kadambha,
Sarve milithwa samvaya yoge,
Punyani namani pathanthi nithyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 14

Whenever in houses and homes, the gopi ladies,
Met each other and started talking,
Daily they used to repeat your holy names,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Mandhara male vadanabhiramam,
Bhimbadare puritha venu nadam,
Go gopa gopi jana madhya samastham,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 15

Seeing that ever attractive boy standing below a coral tree,
Singing pleasant notes with flute kept near his reddish lips,
All cows, gopas and gopi maidens amidst other people, used to chant,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Uthaya gopyo aparathra bhoge,
Smrithwa Yasoda Sutha bala kelim,
Gayanthi proccair mantha yantho,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 16

The Gopis having woken up just before dawn,
And remembering the pranks of the son of Yasoda,
Used to sing together loudly while churning for butter,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Jaagadho atha datho navanitha pindo,
Gruhe Yasoda vickitsayanthi,
Uvacha satyam vacha hey murare,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 17

Having woken up and having made the ball of butter,
Yasoda, in her home, became suspicious and told,
Please tell me the truth Hey Murari,
Hey Govinda, Hey Damodhara and Hey Madhava.

Abyarchya geham yuvathi pravriddha,
Prema pravaha dadhi nirmamantha,
Gayanthi gopyo atha sakhi sametha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 18

After the morning prayers, when lasses,
With increased torrent of love, churn the curds.
The Gopis sing along with their friends,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Kwachith prabhathe dadhi purna pathre,
Nikshipya manthum yuvathi mukundam,
Alokya ganam vividham karothi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 19

Rarely in the mornings, with vessel full of curds,
The young ladies used to put the churn in the pot,
And saw Mukunda there and broke into variety,
Of soulful music and started singing,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Kreedarpanam bhojana majjanartham,
Hithaishini stree thanujam Yasodha,
Ajhuhavat prema pariplutakshi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 20

When Krishna dedicates himself to play,
Disregarding even food and bath,
The great lady Yasoda with concern for him,
And with overwhelming flood of love used to Call
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Sukham sayanam nilaye cha Vishnu,
Devarshi mukhya munaya prapanna,
Thenachyuthe tanmayatham vrajanthi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 21

Seeing Vishnu sleeping comfortably on his bed,
The chief of deva sages who have surrendered to him,
Attain the same state as the Lord Achyutha by singing,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Vihaya Nidhram arunodaye cha,
Vidhya krutyani cha vipra mukhya,
Vedavasane prapadanthi nithyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 22

Forsaking sleep and waking up before dawn,
The chief of Brahmins after completing their studies,
And after chanting Vedas, daily take steps to chant,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Vrundavane gopa ganascha gopyo,
Vilokya govinda viyoga khinnam,
Radham jaghusasru vilochanabhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 23

In the Brindavan the crowds of Gopa and gopis,
Seeing the tears starting to flow from eyes of Radha,
Due to the parting of Govinda who was departing cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Prabhatha sanchara gatanu gava,
Sthad rakanartham tanaya Yasodha,
Prabodhayat pani talena mandam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 24

Seeing the departure of cows in the morning,
In order to protect her son,
Yasodha patted him slowly and gently and muttered,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Pravala shobha iva deergha kesa,
Vatambu parnasana pootha deha,
Moole tharunam munaya pathanthi,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 25

Shining like coral, possessing long hair,
Keeping this body alive by eating leaves,
And sitting on the roots of trees, those sages say,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Evam bruvana virahathura brusam,
Vruja striya Krishna vishiktha manasa,
Visrujya lajjam rurudhu sma suswaram,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 26

Having heard these words, the lovelorn crowd.
Of the ladies of Brindavan, with a tumultuous mind,
Threw away their sense of modesty, cried and repeated in a sad voice,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

(This verse is identical one with the Sloka in Bhagawatham which describes the reaction of Gopis to the words of sage Akroora .The poet must have taken it from there.)

Gopi kadchin mani pinjarastham,
Shukam vacho vachayithum pravritha,
Ananda kanda, Vruja Chandra Krishna,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 27

The gopis sometimes, made their parrot,
Put in a gilded cage teach them to recite,
Piece of our happiness, Oh Moon of Vruja, Oh Krishna,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Go vathsa balai shishu kaka paksham,
Badanantham ambhoja dalayathaksham,
Uvacha matha chibukam grahithwa,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 28

When the lord with eyes like the lotus leaf,
Tied the pigtails of the cowherd boys to the cow,
His mother caught hold of his chin and told,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.
Prabhata kale vara vallavagha,
Go rakshanartham drutha vethra dandai,
Akaryam asurananthamaadhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 29

In the mornings fine, the chosen cow herd boys,
Came holding sticks of cane to protect the cows,
And called the causeless, limitless and primeval lord,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Jalashaya kaliya mardanaya
Yada kadambadapatan murare,
Gopanganas chakra suretya gopa,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 30

When Lord Murari jumped from the Kadambha tree,
To chastise Kaliya standing in the river pond,
The gopa maidens devas and gopa lads sang out,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Akruram asadya yada Mukunda,
Sachapothsavartham mathuram pravishta,
Tada sa pauraiy jayathethi bani,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 31

When Krishna entered the city of Mathura
With the dissimilar looking sage Akroora,
To attend the festival of the bow,
The citizens of that city cried, Victory,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Kamsasya duthena yadaaiva nithau,
Vrindavanathad vasudeva sunou,
Rurodha gopi bhavanasya madhye,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 32

When the messenger of Kamsa took away.
From Vrindavana, the sons of Vasudeva,
The gopis wept bitterly inside their houses,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Sarovare kaliya naga badham,
Shisum Yasodha thanayam nishamya,
Chakrur lutayantha pathi gopa bala,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 33

Seeing that the baby son of Yasodha,
Was tied by the kaliya serpent of the pond,
The helpless gopa boys rolled with sorrow and cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Akrurayane yadu vamsa nadham,
Samagachanaam mathuram nirikshya,
Uvacuha viyogatkila gopa bala,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 34

Seeing the departure to Mathura,
Of the lord of Yadus in Akroora’s chariot
And feeling the pain of separation the gopa lads cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Chakranda gopi nalini vanante,
Krishnena hina kusume shayana,
Prafulla neelothphala lochanabhyam,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 35

When a gopi lays down on a bed of flowers,
At the edge of the forest without Krishna,
With tears from her blue lotus like eyes, she cried,
Oh Govinda, Oh Damodhara and Oh Madhava.

Mata pithrubhyam parivaramana,
Geham pravishta vilapa gopi,
Agathya maam palaya viswanatha,
Govinda, Damodara Madhavethi. 36