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Govardhana Dharam Vande (Govardhan Puja Mantra) — Word-by-Word Meaning

गोवर्धनधरं वन्दे

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

गोवर्धनधरम्
Govardhana-Dharam
The bearer (lifter) of Mount Govardhana
वन्दे
Vande
I bow to, I worship
गोपालम्
Gopalam
The protector of cows; the cowherd Lord (Krishna)
गोकुलोत्सवम्
Gokulotsavam
The festival (delight) of Gokula
गोविन्दम्
Govindam
Govinda — one who gives joy to cows and the earth
गोकुलानन्दम्
Gokulanandam
The bliss of Gokula
गोपिकाप्राणवल्लभम्
Gopika-Prana-Vallabham
The beloved who is the very life-breath of the Gopis
गोवर्धनो महामेरुः
Govardhano Maha-Meruh
Govardhana, (lifted as though it were) the great Mount Meru
गोविन्देन धृतः करे
Govindena Dhritah Kare
Held aloft by Govinda upon his hand
गोपानाम्
Gopanam
Of the cowherds (the people of Vraja)
गोधनानाम्
Go-Dhananam
Of the cattle-wealth (the cows)
रक्षको भव शाश्वतम्
Rakshako Bhava Shashvatam
Be the eternal protector (of us all)

Complete Translation

I bow to the lifter of Mount Govardhana — the cowherd Lord who is the festival of Gokula, Govinda, the bliss of Gokula, the very life-breath beloved of the Gopis. O Govardhana, lifted like the great Mount Meru upon the hand of Govinda — be forever the protector of the cowherds and of their cattle-wealth.

Origin & History

Source: Govardhan Puja / Annakut tradition (rooted in the Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10)

Author: Unknown (devotional invocation of the Vaishnava tradition)

Period: Puranic / classical

The lifting of Govardhana is one of the most celebrated episodes of Krishna's Vraja-lila, told in the tenth Canto of the Bhagavata Purana. To curb the pride of Indra and to establish devotion to the hill and the cows that nourished Vraja, the boy Krishna raised Mount Govardhana on a single finger and sheltered all the people and cattle beneath it through seven days of storm. In memory of this, the day after Diwali is kept as Govardhan Puja, and this invocation — 'Govardhana-Dharam Vande' — is sung while offering the Annakut to the Lord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Govardhan Puja?▼
Govardhan Puja (Annakut) is celebrated the day after Diwali, on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. It commemorates Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana on his little finger to shelter the people and cattle of Vraja from the torrential rains sent by Indra. Devotees build a model of the hill and offer Annakut, a great variety of food, to Krishna.
What does 'Govardhana-Dharam Vande' mean?▼
It means 'I bow to the lifter of Mount Govardhana.' The verse salutes Krishna as Gopala, Govinda, the joy of Gokula and the beloved of the Gopis, honouring the form in which he held the mountain aloft to protect his devotees.
Why did Krishna lift Govardhana?▼
When the people of Vraja, on Krishna's advice, worshipped Govardhana hill and the cows instead of Indra, the offended Indra unleashed a deluge. Krishna lifted Govardhana on the finger of his left hand and held it like an umbrella for seven days, sheltering all beings — teaching that surrender to God is the truest protection.
What is Annakut?▼
Annakut means 'mountain of food'. On Govardhan Puja a large assortment of cooked dishes, grains and sweets is arranged before Krishna in the shape of a hill, symbolising the abundance of Govardhana, and offered to him with this mantra before being shared as prasada.

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