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Mantra · 108 names of Venkateswara, each called 'Govinda', sung up Tirumala

Govinda Namalu

गोविन्दा हरि गोविन्दा । गोकुलनन्दन गोविन्दा ॥

Also known as Govinda Namavali

In Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English — with the meaning of every word, and the one syllable most people pronounce wrongly.

What the Govinda Namalu is

Govinda Namalu, Telugu for 'the names of Govinda', is a chain of 108 epithets of Venkateswara, the Lord of Tirumala, each one followed by the call 'Govinda'. No author is known; it is a traditional pilgrim bhajan, printed in collections of Sri Venkateswara hymns. The form here groups the names into 27 stanzas of four, framed by the refrain 'Govinda hari Govinda, Gokulanandana Govinda'. It opens and closes on the same pair, Srinivasa and Venkatesha. In between, stanzas 7 and 8 run through the ten avatars, from the Fish to Kalki, and several stanzas hold names of Rama and Krishna. Other names belong only to the hill: Padmavati's beloved, the dweller by the Viraja waters, Edukondalavada and Vaddikasulavada (plain spoken Telugu among the Sanskrit), the one worshipped with bilva leaves, and the Lord dear to Hathiram and praised by Ramanuja. The rescue of the elephant king Gajendra is named twice, in stanzas 16 and 25.

Why pilgrims climb calling only Govinda

The Govinda Namalu grew out of a much older habit of the Tirumala climb. One Sri Vaishnava account of Ramanuja's life cites chapter 30 of the Varaha Purana: after the sage Suta described the glory of the Venkata hill, the gathered rishis chose to call on the Lord by the single name 'Govinda' as they went up, and they climbed the slope repeating it aloud without a break. The same account says that Ramanuja, in the twelfth century, made this the rule for every pilgrim going up the hill, both to follow the Purana and to leave no doubt that the shrine at the top was a Vishnu temple. Nobody knows when the bare cry was filled out into 108 named calls, or by whom. Today the names carry the climbers up two stepped footpaths. The older one begins at Alipiri, the 'resting place' at the foot of the seven hills, and rises through 3,550 steps over roughly 9 to 12 km; the shorter Srivari Mettu has about 2,388 steps. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams also holds a Metlotsavam several times a year, a group climb made with devotional singing. Printed editions do not agree on length: the 27-stanza form given here sits beside a longer 38-stanza compilation and a version whose refrain reads 'Venkataramana Govinda'.

The mantra, in six scripts

DevanagariSanskrit & Hindiगोविन्दा हरि गोविन्दा । गोकुलनन्दन गोविन्दा ॥

Tamilகோவிந்தா ஹரி கோவிந்தா । கோகுலநந்தந கோவிந்தா ॥

Teluguగోవిన్దా హరి గోవిన్దా । గోకులనన్దన గోవిన్దా ॥

Kannadaಗೋವಿನ್ದಾ ಹರಿ ಗೋವಿನ್ದಾ । ಗೋಕುಲನನ್ದನ ಗೋವಿನ್ದಾ ॥

Malayalamഗോവിന്ദാ ഹരി ഗോവിന്ദാ । ഗോകുലനന്ദന ഗോവിന്ദാ ॥

EnglishRoman transliterationgovindā hari govindā | gokulanandana govindā ||

“Govinda, Hari Govinda; Govinda, joy of Gokula. (Printed once before Line 1.)”

श्री: śrī — hail, revered
श्रीनिवासा: śrīnivāsā — O Srinivasa, abode of Lakshmi
गोविन्दा: govindā — O Govinda
श्री: śrī — hail, revered
वेङ्कटेशा: veṅkaṭeśā — O Lord of Venkata hill
गोविन्दा: govindā — O Govinda
भक्तवत्सला: bhaktavatsalā — O lover of devotees
गोविन्दा: govindā — O Govinda
भागवतप्रिय: bhāgavatapriya — O one dear to the Bhagavatas
गोविन्दा: govindā — O Govinda

Govinda Namalu lyrics in full

All 29 verses, in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English, each with its meaning. Choose a script:

Download the Govinda Namalu PDFAll 29 verses with their meanings, in Sanskrit. Free to print and keep.

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Refrain

गोविन्दा हरि गोविन्दा ।
गोकुलनन्दन गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, Hari Govinda; Govinda, joy of Gokula. (Printed once before Line 1.)

Line 1

श्री श्रीनिवासा गोविन्दा श्री वेङ्कटेशा गोविन्दा ।
भक्तवत्सला गोविन्दा भागवतप्रिय गोविन्दा ॥

Hail Srinivasa, Govinda; hail Venkatesha, Govinda. Govinda who loves His devotees; Govinda dear to the Bhagavatas, His faithful followers.

Line 2

नित्यनिर्मला गोविन्दा नीलमेघश्याम गोविन्दा ।
पुराणपुरुषा गोविन्दा पुण्डरीकाक्ष गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, ever pure; Govinda, dark as a rain cloud. Govinda, the ancient Person; Govinda with lotus eyes.

Line 3

नन्दनन्दना गोविन्दा नवनीतचोर गोविन्दा ।
पशुपालक श्री गोविन्दा पापविमोचन गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, the son of Nanda; Govinda, the butter thief. Govinda, the herdsman of cattle; Govinda who frees from sin.

Line 4

दुष्टसंहार गोविन्दा दुरितनिवारण गोविन्दा ।
शिष्टपरिपालक गोविन्दा कष्टनिवारण गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who destroys the wicked; Govinda who removes misdeeds. Govinda who protects the good; Govinda who removes hardship.

Line 5

वज्रमकुटधर गोविन्दा वराहमूर्ति गोविन्दा ।
गोपीजनलोल गोविन्दा गोवर्धनोद्धार गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who wears the diamond crown; Govinda in the form of the Boar. Govinda beloved of the cowherd women; Govinda who lifted Govardhana hill.

Line 6

दशरथनन्दन गोविन्दा दशमुखमर्दन गोविन्दा ।
पक्षिवाहन गोविन्दा पाण्डवप्रिय गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, son of Dasharatha; Govinda who crushed the ten-headed Ravana. Govinda who rides the bird Garuda; Govinda dear to the Pandavas.

Line 7

मत्स्य कूर्म गोविन्दा मधुसूदन हरि गोविन्दा ।
वराह नरसिंह गोविन्दा वामन भृगुराम गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda as the Fish and the Tortoise; Govinda, Hari, slayer of Madhu. Govinda as the Boar and the Man-Lion; Govinda as Vamana and Parashurama of the Bhrigu line.

Line 8

बलरामानुज गोविन्दा बौद्धकल्किधर गोविन्दा ।
वेणुगानप्रिय गोविन्दा वेङ्कटरमणा गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, younger brother of Balarama; Govinda who bears the forms of Buddha and Kalki. Govinda who loves the music of the flute; Govinda, Venkataramana.

Line 9

सीतानायक गोविन्दा श्रितपरिपालक गोविन्दा ।
दरिद्रजनपोषक गोविन्दा धर्मसंस्थापक गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, lord of Sita; Govinda who protects those who take refuge in Him. Govinda who sustains the poor; Govinda who establishes dharma.

Line 10

अनाथरक्षक गोविन्दा आपद्बान्धव गोविन्दा ।
शरणागतवत्सल गोविन्दा करुणासागर गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, protector of the helpless; Govinda, kinsman in times of trouble. Govinda who is tender to those who surrender; Govinda, ocean of compassion.

Line 11

कमलदलाक्ष गोविन्दा कामितफलदा गोविन्दा ।
पापविनाशक गोविन्दा पाहि मुरारे गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda with eyes like lotus petals; Govinda who grants the fruit one desires. Govinda who destroys sin; protect us, Murari, Govinda.

Line 12

श्रीमुद्राङ्कित गोविन्दा श्रीवत्साङ्कित गोविन्दा ।
धरणीनायक गोविन्दा दिनकरतेजा गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda marked with the sacred seal; Govinda bearing the Srivatsa mark. Govinda, lord of the earth; Govinda radiant as the sun.

Line 13

पद्मावतिप्रिय गोविन्दा प्रसन्नमूर्ती गोविन्दा ।
अभयहस्त गोविन्दा अक्षयवरद गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, beloved of Padmavati; Govinda of serene form. Govinda whose hand grants freedom from fear; Govinda who grants imperishable boons.

Line 14

शङ्खचक्रधर गोविन्दा शार्ङ्गगदाधर गोविन्दा ।
विरजातीर्थस्थ गोविन्दा विरोधिमर्दन गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who holds the conch and discus; Govinda who holds the Sharnga bow and the mace. Govinda who dwells by the Viraja waters; Govinda who crushes all opposition.

Line 15

सालग्रामधर गोविन्दा सहस्रनामा गोविन्दा ।
लक्ष्मीवल्लभ गोविन्दा लक्ष्मणाग्रज गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who holds the Shalagrama stone; Govinda of a thousand names. Govinda, beloved of Lakshmi; Govinda, elder brother of Lakshmana.

Line 16

कस्तूरितिलक गोविन्दा काञ्चनाम्बरधर गोविन्दा ।
गरुडवाहन गोविन्दा गजराजरक्षक गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda with the musk mark on His brow; Govinda clad in golden garments. Govinda who rides Garuda; Govinda who saved the king of elephants.

Line 17

वानरसेवित गोविन्दा वारधिबन्धन गोविन्दा ।
एडुकोण्डलवाड गोविन्दा एकस्वरूपा गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda served by the monkey army; Govinda who bridged the ocean. Govinda, lord of the seven hills; Govinda whose nature is One.

Line 18

श्रीरामकृष्णा गोविन्दा रघुकुलनन्दन गोविन्दा ।
प्रत्यक्षदेवा गोविन्दा परमदयाकर गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda as Sri Rama and Krishna; Govinda, joy of the Raghu clan. Govinda, the god seen before our eyes; Govinda, supremely compassionate.

Line 19

वज्रकवचधर गोविन्दा वैजयन्तिमाल गोविन्दा ।
वड्डिकासुलवाड गोविन्दा वसुदेवतनया गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who wears the diamond armour; Govinda wearing the Vaijayanti garland. Govinda, the Lord of the interest coins (vaddikasulavada); Govinda, son of Vasudeva.

Line 20

बिल्वपत्रार्चित गोविन्दा भिक्षुकसंस्तुत गोविन्दा ।
स्त्रीपुंरूपा गोविन्दा शिवकेशवमूर्ति गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda worshipped with bilva leaves; Govinda praised by mendicants. Govinda in both female and male form; Govinda in the form of Shiva and Keshava together.

Line 21

ब्रह्माण्डरूपा गोविन्दा भक्तरक्षक गोविन्दा ।
नित्यकल्याण गोविन्दा नीरजनाभ गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda whose form is the whole universe; Govinda, protector of devotees. Govinda of perpetual auspiciousness; Govinda from whose navel the lotus rises.

Line 22

हथीरामप्रिय गोविन्दा हरिसर्वोत्तम गोविन्दा ।
जनार्दनमूर्ति गोविन्दा जगत्साक्षिरूप गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda dear to Hathiram (the saint Hathiram Bavaji); Govinda, Hari, highest of all. Govinda in the form of Janardana; Govinda, witness of the world.

Line 23

अभिषेकप्रिय गोविन्दा आपन्निवारण गोविन्दा ।
रत्नकिरीटा गोविन्दा रामानुजनुत गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who loves the sacred bath (abhisheka); Govinda who removes calamity. Govinda with the jewelled crown; Govinda praised by Ramanuja.

Line 24

स्वयम्प्रकाशा गोविन्दा आश्रितपक्ष गोविन्दा ।
नित्यशुभप्रद गोविन्दा निखिललोकेश गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, self-luminous; Govinda who sides with those who depend on Him. Govinda who ever grants good; Govinda, lord of all the worlds.

Line 25

आनन्दरूपा गोविन्दा आद्यन्तरहिता गोविन्दा ।
इहपरदायक गोविन्दा इभराजरक्षक गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda whose form is bliss; Govinda without beginning or end. Govinda who grants this world and the next; Govinda who protected the king of elephants.

Line 26

परमदयालो गोविन्दा पद्मनाभहरि गोविन्दा ।
तिरुमलवासा गोविन्दा तुलसीवनमाल गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, supremely merciful; Govinda, Hari of the lotus navel. Govinda who dwells at Tirumala; Govinda wearing the garland of tulasi.

Line 27

शेषसायिने गोविन्दा शेषाद्रिनिलया गोविन्दा ।
श्रीनिवास श्री गोविन्दा श्री वेङ्कटेशा गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda who reclines on the serpent Shesha; Govinda whose home is Sheshadri hill. Srinivasa, Sri Govinda; Sri Venkatesha, Govinda.

Refrain (closing)

गोविन्दा हरि गोविन्दा ।
गोकुलनन्दन गोविन्दा ॥

Govinda, Hari Govinda; Govinda, joy of Gokula. (Printed again after Line 27.)

The syllable people get wrong

In vaḍḍikāsulavāḍa (stanza 19) both ḍ sounds are retroflex, made with the tongue tip curled back to the roof of the mouth, and the first is doubled, so it is said vudd-dee-KAA-su-la-VAA-da with a held, heavy d. Saying it with a soft English d, or as 'vadi', loses the Telugu word vaḍḍi, 'interest', that gives the name its meaning.

When the Govinda Namalu is chanted

Weekday. Thursday

Festival. Tirumala Shanivaralu, the Saturdays of Purattasi

Questions

No composer is recorded. It is a traditional bhajan of the Tirumala pilgrimage, handed down by singers and printed in devotional collections. Namalu is Telugu and namavali is Sanskrit; both mean 'string of names', so the two titles refer to the same text. Editions differ in length and wording: one edition has 27 stanzas, another runs to 38, and singers often repeat the refrain after every pair of lines where the printed text gives it only at the start and the end.

Both are everyday Telugu, not Sanskrit. Edukondalavada in stanza 17 is 'the one of the seven hills' (edu, seven; kondalu, hills; vada, the one). One edition prints the Sanskrit Saptagirisha here and gives Edukondalavada as an alternative, but most other editions and singers use the Telugu. Vaddikasulavada in stanza 19 is 'the one of the interest coins' (vaddi, interest; kasulu, coins), a name tied to the tradition of the Lord's wedding loan from Kubera.

Both are devotees remembered at Tirumala. Hathiram Bhavaji came from near Ayodhya around 1500 and settled beside the temple. According to legend, Venkateswara visited him to play dice, and when he was accused of stealing an ornament the Lord left behind, an elephant ate the sugarcane he had been ordered to finish overnight, which is where the name Hathi-ram comes from. The Hathiramji Mutt named after him later ran the temple from 1843 to 1933. Ramanuja, the twelfth-century acharya, organised the temple's rituals and the pilgrims' Govinda chant.

Bilva is usually offered to Shiva, but at Tirumala, during the month of Dhanurmasa, the thousand-name archana to Venkateswara uses bilva leaves in place of tulasi, following the Vaikhanasa Bhrigu Samhita. The temple's history also records a dispute between Shaivas and Vaishnavas over the nature of the image, which Ramanuja is said to have settled. Read beside the name stripumrupa, 'in both female and male form', the line Shiva-Keshava-murti presents one deity in whom these forms meet.

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Govinda Namalu

What the Govinda Namalu is

Why pilgrims climb calling only Govinda

The mantra, in six scripts

Govinda Namalu lyrics in full

The syllable people get wrong

When the Govinda Namalu is chanted

Questions

Have your chart read before you decide

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