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

मैं गोवर्धन को धारण करने वाले गोपाल को प्रणाम करता हूँ — जो गोकुल के उत्सव हैं, गोविन्द हैं, गोकुल के आनन्द हैं, और गोपियों के प्राणों के प्रिय हैं। हे गोवर्धन, जो महामेरु के समान गोविन्द के कर पर धारण किए गए — आप सदा गोपों और उनके गोधन (गायों) के रक्षक बनिए।

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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