Govinda Damodara Stotram
The famous hymn of the saint Bilvamangala (Lilashuka), in which every verse ends with "Govinda Damodara Madhaveti".
Original text
श्रीकृष्ण विष्णो मधुकैटभारे भक्तानुकम्पिन् भगवन् मुरारे ।
त्रायस्व मां केशव लोकनाथ गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति ॥
विक्रेतुकामा किल गोपकन्या मुरारिपादार्पितचित्तवृत्तिः ।
दध्यादिकं मोहवशादवोचद् गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति ॥
अग्रे कुरूणामथ पाण्डवानां दुःशासनेनाहृतवस्त्रकेशा ।
कृष्णा तदाक्रोशदनन्यनाथा गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति ॥
जिह्वे सदैवं भज सुन्दराणि नामानि कृष्णस्य मनोहराणि ।
समस्तभक्तार्तिविनाशनानि गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति ॥
Author: Attributed to Bilvamangala Thakur (Lilashuka)
This long hymn is traditionally ascribed to the saint Bilvamangala Thakur. Its message is that in every situation — in joy, in danger, at work — the names "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava" should be on our tongue. Four well-known verses are given here.
First: O Shri Krishna, Vishnu, enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha, Lord Murari who is kind to devotees, O Keshava, Lord of the worlds — protect me. O Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!
Second: a gopi who set out to sell curd had her mind so absorbed in Murari's feet that instead of calling "buy curd" she cried "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!"
Third: before the Kurus and Pandavas, when Dushasana dragged Draupadi by her garment and hair, having no other protector, Draupadi (Krishna) called out "Govinda, Damodara, Madhava!"
Fourth: O tongue, always sing these beautiful, enchanting names of Krishna, which destroy the suffering of all devotees — Govinda, Damodara, Madhava.
- Author
- Attributed to Bilvamangala Thakur (Lilashuka)
- Note
- Four selected verses of a long hymn; verse order differs between editions.