Govinda (Sanskrit:गोविन्द,transl. "observer of cattle"), also renderedGovind,Gobinda, andGobind, is anepithet ofVishnu and his avatars, such asKrishna.[1] The name appears as the 187th and the 539th name of Vishnu in theVishnu Sahasranama. The name is also popularly addressed to Krishna, referring to his youthful activity as a cowherd boy.
Govinda can be directly translated as "protector of cows". Moreover, in the word "Govinda", "Govu" meansIndriyas. Govinda therefore means the all-pervading, omnipresent ruler of the sense organs, orIndriyas. "Govu" also means 'Vedas'. Hence Govinda is the supreme being who can be known through the Vedas.[2]
Govinda is a name of Krishna and also appears as the 187th and 539th name of Vishnu in theVishnu Sahasranama, the 1,000 names of Vishnu.[3]
According toAdi Shankara's commentary onVishnu Sahasranama, translated by SwamiTapasyananda, Govinda has four meanings:[3]
In theBrahma Samhita, Krishna is praised as Govinda, who is eternal and origin of all living beings.[4]
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in his commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita, states that Govinda means "master of the senses".[5]
An 8th century Hindu devotional composition called "Moha Mudgara", composed by Adi Shankara, summarises: "If one just worships Govinda, one can easily cross this great ocean of birth and death." This refers to the belief that worshipful adoration of Vishnu or Krishna can lead believers out of the cycle ofreincarnation (samsara) and lead them into an eternal blissful life inVaikuntha, 'the supreme abode situated beyond this material world' where Govinda (Vishnu) resides. The composition expresses the value of inner devotion to Vishnu.
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