Govinda — Delight of the Cows and the Senses

After the lifting of Govardhan, the divine cow Surabhi and Indra bathed the Lord and named him "Govinda". The name speaks of the one who delights and protects the cows, the earth and the senses.

In Sanskrit the word "go" has many meanings: cow, earth, speech and the senses. "Vinda" means one who finds, knows or gives delight. So Govinda is the one who gives joy to the cows, protects the earth, and delights the senses of his devotees by drawing them into his service.

The Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, tells how Indra, angered when the people of Vraja turned their worship to Govardhan hill, sent torrents of rain upon them. The child Krishna lifted the hill and sheltered everyone beneath it. Humbled, Indra came to beg forgiveness, accompanied by Surabhi, the celestial wish-fulfilling cow. Surabhi bathed the Lord with her milk, and Indra bathed him with heavenly Ganga water brought by his elephant Airavata. They hailed him as the Indra of the cows, "Govinda".

In the first chapter of the Gita, Arjuna asks, "O Govinda, what use is a kingdom to us?" Few names are as beloved in devotion. Adi Shankaracharya's hymn "Bhaja Govindam", Jayadeva's "Gita Govinda", the cry of "Govinda, Govinda" raised by pilgrims climbing the hills of Tirumala, and the Govind Dev Ji temple of Jaipur all celebrate this name. Devotees take it as a reminder that the Lord himself cares for the humblest of creatures.

Name Sa

गोविन्द

Name Roman

Govinda

Meaning

one who delights the cows and the senses

Gita Refs

1.32

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10 (after the Govardhan leela)