Shri Giriraj (Govardhan) Chalisa
Govardhan Puja and Annakut, Krishna lifting Govardhan, Giriraj parikrama, Indra''s pride humbled
Bandhau Veena Vadini,
Dhari Ganpati Ko Dhyaan.
Mahashakti Radha Sahit,
Krishna Karau Kalyaan.
Sumiran Kari Sab Devgan,
Guru Pitu Baarambaar.
Barnau Shri Giriraj Yash,
Nij Mati Ke Anusaar.
рее Chaupai рее
Jai Ho Jai Vandit Giriraja,
Braj Mandal Ke Shri Maharaja.
Vishnu Roop Tum Ho Avtaari,
Sundarta Pai Jag Balihaari.
Swarn Shikhar Ati Shobha Paavein,
Sur Muni Gan Darshan Ko Aavein.
Shaant Kandara Swarg Samaana,
Jahaan Tapasvi Dharte Dhyaana.
Dronagiri Ke Tum Yuvraaja,
Bhaktan Ke Saadho Hau Kaaja.
Muni Pulastya Ji Ke Man Bhaaye,
Jor Vinay Kar Tum Koon Laaye.
Munivar Sang Jab Braj Mein Aaye,
Lakhi Brajbhoomi Yahaan Thaharaaye.
Vishnu Dhaam Golok Suhaavan,
Yamuna Govardhan Vrindavan.
Dekh Dev Man Mein Lalchaaye,
Baas Karan Bahut Roop Banaaye.
Kou Baanar Kou Mrig Ke Roopa,
Kou Vriksh Kou Lata Swaroopa.
Aanand Len Golok Dhaam Ke,
Param Upasak Roop Naam Ke.
Dwaapar Ant Bhaye Avtaari,
Krishnachandra Anand Murari.
Mahima Tumhari Krishna Bakhaani,
Pooja Karibe Ki Man Mein Thaani.
Brajwaasi Sab Le Liye Bulaai,
Govardhan Pooja Karwaai.
Poojan Koon Vyanjan Banwaaye,
Brajwaasi Ghar Ghar Te Laaye.
Gwaal Baal Mili Pooja Keeni,
Sahas Bhuja Tumne Kar Leeni.
Swayam Prakat Ho Krishna Pooja Mein,
Maang Maang Ke Bhojan Paavein.
Lakhi Nar Naari Man Harshaavein,
Jai Jai Jai Girivar Gun Gaavein.
Devaraj Man Mein Risiyaaye,
Nasht Karan Braj Megh Bulaaye.
Chhaya Kar Braj Liyau Bachai,
Ekau Boond Na Neeche Aai.
Saat Divas Bhai Barsaat Bhaari,
Thake Megh Bhaari Jal Dhaari.
Krishnachandra Ne Nakh Pai Dhaare,
Namo Namo Braj Ke Rakhwaare.
Kari Abhimaan Thake Sursai,
Kshama Maang Puni Astuti Gaai.
Traahimaam Main Sharan Tihaari,
Kshama Karo Prabhu Chook Hamaari.
Baar Baar Binti Ati Keeni,
Saat Kos Parikamma Deeni.
Sang Surabhi Airavat Laaye,
Haath Jod Kar Bhent Gahaaye.
Abhay Daan Pa Indra Sihaaye,
Kari Pranaam Nij Lok Sidhaaye.
Jo Yah Katha Sunain Chit Laavein,
Ant Samay Surpati Pad Paavein.
Govardhan Hai Naam Tihaaro,
Karte Bhaktan Ko Nistaaaro.
Jo Nar Tumhare Darshan Paavein,
Tinke Dukh Door Hoi Jaavein.
Kundon Mein Jo Karein Aachman,
Dhanya Dhanya Vah Maanav Jeevan.
Maansi Ganga Mein Jo Nahaavein,
Seedhe Swarg Lok Koon Jaavein.
Doodh Chadha Jo Bhog Lagaavein,
Aadhi Vyaadhi Tehi Paas Na Aavein.
Jal Phal Tulsi Patr Chadhaavein,
Man Vanchhit Phal Nishchay Paavein.
Jo Nar Det Doodh Ki Dhaara,
Bharo Rahe Taako Bhandara.
Karein Jaagran Jo Nar Koi,
Dukh Daridr Bhay Taahi Na Hoi.
Shyam Shilaamay Nij Jan Traata,
Bhakti Mukti Sarbas Ke Daata.
Putraheen Jo Tum Koon Dhyaavein,
Taakoon Putra Praapti Hoi Jaavein.
Dandauti Parikamma Karahin,
Te Sahajahin Bhavsagar Tarahin.
Kali Mein Tum Sam Dev Na Dooja,
Sur Nar Muni Sab Karte Pooja.
рее Doha рее
Jo Yah Chalisa Padhai,
Sunai Shuddh Chitt Laay.
Kalyaankari Yah Satya Hai,
Girivar Karai Sahaay.
Kshama Karahun Aparadh Mam,
Traahimaam Giriraj.
Shyam Bihari Sharan Mein,
Govardhan Maharaj.
About Shri Giriraj (Govardhan) Chalisa
The Chalisa first tells how he came to Braj. It calls him the prince of Dronachal and says the sage Pulastya, charmed by him, brought him with humble requests, and when the sage saw Braj bhoomi, the mountain stayed. It adds that the gods, drawn to this land of Goloka, the Yamuna and Vrindavan, took forms of monkeys, deer, trees and creepers to live there.
At the end of the Dvapara Yuga, Krishna praised the greatness of Giriraj and decided to worship him, calling all the Brajwasis. They brought many dishes from their homes, and the cowherds worshipped together. The Chalisa says Giriraj took a thousand arms, and Krishna himself appeared in the puja, asking again and again for food and eating it. This is the origin of the Annakut offering.
Indra, the king of the gods, grew angry and called the clouds to destroy Braj. A heavy rain went on for seven days, but Krishna held up Govardhan on his nail, and the Chalisa says not a single drop fell below. The exhausted clouds gave up. Indra''s pride broke, he apologised and sang praise, brought Surabhi and Airavat, offered gifts, and made a seven-kos parikrama, traditionally about 21 km. Given assurance of safety, he returned to his realm.
The later verses describe how devotees honour Giriraj: darshan, rinsing the mouth with water from the kunds, bathing in Manasi Ganga, offering milk and tulsi leaves, keeping a night vigil, and doing the dandauti parikrama. It promises relief from illness and worry, a full storehouse for those who offer milk, and a son for the childless. These are matters of faith, and pilgrims also value the peace of the parikrama itself. The festival most closely linked with the hymn is Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, with Annakut offerings, and the parikrama is especially busy on Guru Purnima.
тЭУ Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How did Giriraj Ji come to Braj, according to the Chalisa?
Answer: The Chalisa calls him the prince (yuvraj) of Dronachal. It says the sage Pulastya was charmed by him and brought him with humble requests, and when the sage saw Braj bhoomi, the mountain stayed there. It also says gods took forms of monkeys, deer, trees and creepers to live near this land of Goloka, the Yamuna and Vrindavan.
Question: Why did Krishna ask the people of Braj to worship Govardhan?
Answer: The Chalisa says Krishna praised the greatness of Giriraj and decided to worship him, so he called all the Brajwasis. They brought many dishes from their homes and the cowherds worshipped together.
Question: What happened during the first Govardhan Puja?
Answer: The Chalisa says Giriraj took a thousand arms, and Krishna himself appeared in the puja, asking again and again for food and eating it. The people of Braj were delighted and sang praises of the mountain.
Question: Why did Indra send the rain, and how did Krishna protect Braj?
Answer: Indra was angry and called the clouds to destroy Braj. Krishna held Govardhan on his nail, and the Chalisa says not a single drop fell below while the heavy rain went on for seven days. The exhausted clouds gave up.
Question: How did Indra''s pride end?
Answer: The Chalisa says Indra''s pride was broken. He apologised, praised Krishna, brought Surabhi and Airavat, offered gifts with folded hands, and made a seven-kos parikrama (traditionally about 21 km). Given assurance of safety, he returned to his realm.
Question: What practices does the Chalisa recommend at Govardhan?
Answer: It speaks of darshan, rinsing the mouth with water from the kunds, bathing in Manasi Ganga, offering milk and tulsi leaves, offering a stream of milk, keeping a night vigil (jagaran), and doing the dandauti parikrama.
