Original text
॥ दोहा ॥ बन्दहुँ वीणा वादिनी, धरि गणपति को ध्यान। महाशक्ति राधा सहित, कृष्ण करौ कल्याण॥ सुमिरन करि सब देवगण, गुरु पितु बारम्बार। बरनौ श्रीगिरिराज यश, निज मति के अनुसार॥ ॥ चौपाई ॥ जय हो जय बंदित गिरिराजा। ब्रज मण्डल के श्री महाराजा॥ विष्णु रूप तुम हो अवतारी। सुन्दरता पै जग बलिहारी॥ स्वर्ण शिखर अति शोभा पामें। सुर मुनि गण दरशन कूं आमें॥ शांत कन्दरा स्वर्ग समाना। जहाँ तपस्वी धरते ध्याना॥ द्रोणगिरि के तुम युवराजा। भक्तन के साधौ हौ काजा॥ मुनि पुलस्त्य जी के मन भाये। जोर विनय कर तुम कूँ लाये॥ मुनिवर संघ जब ब्रज में आये। लखि ब्रजभूमि यहाँ ठहराये॥ विष्णु धाम गौलोक सुहावन। यमुना गोवर्धन वृन्दावन॥ देख देव मन में ललचाये। बास करन बहु रूप बनाये॥ कोउ बानर कोउ मृग के रूपा। कोउ वृक्ष कोउ लता स्वरूपा॥ आनन्द लें गोलोक धाम के। परम उपासक रूप नाम के॥ द्वापर अंत भये अवतारी। कृष्णचन्द्र आनन्द मुरारी॥ महिमा तुम्हरी कृष्ण बखानी। पूजा करिबे की मन ठानी॥ ब्रजवासी सब के लिये बुलाई। गोवर्द्धन पूजा करवाई॥ पूजन कूँ व्यञ्जन बनवाये। ब्रजवासी घर घर ते लाये॥ ग्वाल बाल मिलि पूजा कीनी। सहस भुजा तुमने कर लीनी॥ स्वयं प्रकट हो कृष्ण पूजा में। माँग माँग के भोजन पामें॥ लखि नर नारि मन हरषामें। जै जै जै गिरिवर गुण गामें॥ देवराज मन में रिसियाए। नष्ट करन ब्रज मेघ बुलाए॥ छाँया कर ब्रज लियौ बचाई। एकउ बूँद न नीचे आई॥ सात दिवस भई बरसा भारी। थके मेघ भारी जल धारी॥ कृष्णचन्द्र ने नख पै धारे। नमो नमो ब्रज के रखवारे॥ करि अभिमान थके सुरसाई। क्षमा माँग पुनि अस्तुति गाई॥ त्राहि माम् मैं शरण तिहारी। क्षमा करो प्रभु चूक हमारी॥ बार बार बिनती अति कीनी। सात कोस परिकम्मा दीनी॥ संग सुरभि ऐरावत लाये। हाथ जोड़ कर भेंट गहाये॥ अभय दान पा इन्द्र सिहाये। करि प्रणाम निज लोक सिधाये॥ जो यह कथा सुनैं चित लावें। अन्त समय सुरपति पद पावें॥ गोवर्द्धन है नाम तिहारौ। करते भक्तन कौ निस्तारौ॥ जो नर तुम्हरे दर्शन पावें। तिनके दुःख दूर ह्वै जावें॥ कुण्डन में जो करें आचमन। धन्य धन्य वह मानव जीवन॥ मानसी गंगा में जो न्हावें। सीधे स्वर्ग लोक कूँ जावें॥ दूध चढ़ा जो भोग लगावें। आधि व्याधि तेहि पास न आवें॥ जल फल तुलसी पत्र चढ़ावें। मन वांछित फल निश्चय पावें॥ जो नर देत दूध की धारा। भरौ रहे ताकौ भण्डारा॥ करें जागरण जो नर कोई। दुख दरिद्र भय ताहि न होई॥ 'श्याम' शिलामय निज जन त्राता। भक्ति मुक्ति सरबस के दाता॥ पुत्र हीन जो तुम कूँ ध्यावें। ताकूँ पुत्र प्राप्ति ह्वै जावें॥ दंडौती परिकम्मा करहीं। ते सहजहि भवसागर तरहीं॥ कलि में तुम सम देव न दूजा। सुर नर मुनि सब करते पूजा॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ जो यह चालीसा पढ़ै, सुनै शुद्ध चित्त लाय। सत्य सत्य यह सत्य है, गिरिवर करै सहाय॥ क्षमा करहुँ अपराध मम, त्राहि माम् गिरिराज। श्याम बिहारी शरण में, गोवर्द्धन महाराज॥
Transliteration
Doha: Bandahun Vina Vadini, Dhari Ganapati Ko Dhyan Mahashakti Radha Sahit, Krishna Karau Kalyan. Sumiran Kari Sab Devagan, Guru Pitu Barambar Baranau Shrigiriraj Yash, Nij Mati Ke Anusar. Chaupai: Jai Ho Jai Bandit Giriraja, Braj Mandal Ke Shri Maharaja. Vishnu Rup Tum Ho Avatari, Sundarata Pai Jag Balihari. Svarna Shikhar Ati Shobha Pamen, Sur Muni Gan Darashan Kun Amen. Shant Kandara Svarga Samana, Jahan Tapasvi Dharate Dhyana. Dronagiri Ke Tum Yuvaraja, Bhaktan Ke Sadhau Hau Kaja. Muni Pulastya Ji Ke Man Bhaye, Jor Vinay Kar Tum Kun Laye. Munivar Sangh Jab Braj Mein Aye, Lakhi Brajabhumi Yahan Thaharaye. Vishnu Dham Gaulok Suhavan, Yamuna Govardhan Vrindavan. Dekh Dev Man Mein Lalachaye, Bas Karan Bahu Rup Banaye. Kou Banar Kou Mrig Ke Rupa, Kou Vriksha Kou Lata Svarupa. Ananda Len Golok Dham Ke, Param Upasak Rup Nam Ke. Dvapar Ant Bhaye Avatari, Krishnachandra Ananda Murari. Mahima Tumhari Krishna Bakhani, Puja Karibe Ki Man Thani. Brajavasi Sab Ke Liye Bulai, Govarddhan Puja Karavai. Pujan Kun Vyanjan Banavaye, Brajavasi Ghar Ghar Te Laye. Gval Bal Mili Puja Kini, Sahas Bhuja Tumane Kar Lini. Svayan Prakat Ho Krishna Puja Mein, Mang Mang Ke Bhojan Pamen. Lakhi Nar Nari Man Harashamen, Jai Jai Jai Girivar Gun Gamen. Devaraj Man Mein Risiyae, Nashta Karan Braj Megh Bulae. Chhanya Kar Braj Liyau Bachai, Ekau Bund Na Niche Ai. Sat Divas Bhai Barasa Bhari, Thake Megh Bhari Jal Dhari. Krishnachandra Ne Nakh Pai Dhare, Namo Namo Braj Ke Rakhavare. Kari Abhiman Thake Surasai, Kshama Mang Puni Astuti Gai. Trahi Mam Main Sharan Tihari, Kshama Karo Prabhu Chuk Hamari. Bar Bar Binati Ati Kini, Sat Kos Parikamma Dini. Sang Surabhi Airavat Laye, Hath Jor Kar Bhent Gahaye. Abhay Dan Pa Indra Sihaye, Kari Pranam Nij Lok Sidhaye. Jo Yah Katha Sunain Chit Laven, Anta Samay Surapati Pad Paven. Govarddhan Hai Nam Tiharau, Karate Bhaktan Kau Nistarau. Jo Nar Tumhare Darshan Paven, Tinake Duhkh Dur Hvai Javen. Kundan Mein Jo Karen Achaman, Dhanya Dhanya Vah Manav Jivan. Manasi Ganga Mein Jo Nhaven, Sidhe Svarga Lok Kun Javen. Dudh Charha Jo Bhog Lagaven, Adhi Vyadhi Tehi Pas Na Aven. Jal Phal Tulasi Patra Charhaven, Man Vanchhit Phal Nishchay Paven. Jo Nar Det Dudh Ki Dhara, Bharau Rahe Takau Bhandara. Karen Jagaran Jo Nar Koi, Dukh Daridra Bhay Tahi Na Hoi. 'shyam' Shilamay Nij Jan Trata, Bhakti Mukti Sarabas Ke Data. Putra Hin Jo Tum Kun Dhyaven, Takun Putra Prapti Hvai Javen. Dandauti Parikamma Karahin, Te Sahajahi Bhavasagar Tarahin. Kali Mein Tum Sam Dev Na Duja, Sur Nar Muni Sab Karate Puja. Doha: Jo Yah Chalisa Parhai, Sunai Shuddha Chitta Lay Satya Satya Yah Satya Hai, Girivar Karai Sahay. Kshama Karahun Aparadh Mam, Trahi Mam Giriraj Shyam Bihari Sharan Mein, Govarddhan Maharaj.
The hill that is a god
Giriraj, "king of mountains", is Govardhan, the long low hill near Mathura that Krishna held up for seven days to shelter the people of Braj from Indra's storm. In Braj it is not a monument to that story but a deity in its own right: Krishna himself told the cowherds to worship the hill, and appeared within it to accept their offerings. The chalisa begins there: "Vishnu roop tum ho avatari" — you are an incarnation in Vishnu's form.
What the chalisa tells
- How Govardhan came to Braj: he is "the crown prince of Dronagiri"; the sage Pulastya was so taken with him that he asked, and carried him away. When Pulastya's party reached Braj, they stopped there — and Govardhan stayed. (Fuller tellings add that Govardhan agreed to go only if never set down, and that Pulastya, putting him down in Braj, cursed him to shrink a little each day; the chalisa does not include the curse.)
- Goloka on earth: seeing Vishnu's Goloka mirrored in the Yamuna, Govardhan and Vrindavan, the gods longed to live there and came as monkeys, deer, trees and creepers.
- The first Govardhan Puja: at the end of Dvapara, Krishna praised the hill and called all the Brajvasis to worship it. Every house brought dishes; the cowherds did the puja; Krishna himself appeared in the hill with a thousand arms and asked for food.
- Indra's rain: the angry king of the gods sent clouds to drown Braj; for seven days the rain fell, Krishna held the hill on a nail, and "not one drop came down". Indra, humbled, begged forgiveness, made the seven-kos parikrama, and brought Surabhi and Airavata as gifts.
The promises of Govardhan
The second half lists what worship of Giriraj brings: darshan removes sorrow; sipping water from the kunds blesses a life; bathing in Mansi Ganga leads to heaven; milk offered as bhog keeps away illness of mind and body; water, fruit and Tulsi leaves bring the wished-for fruit; pouring a stream of milk keeps the storehouse full; staying awake in jagran removes fear and poverty; and those who do the dandauti parikrama — measuring the 21-km path with full prostrations — "cross the ocean of existence with ease". The poet signs himself "Shyam" and, in the last doha, "Shyam Bihari".
When and how to recite it
- Govardhan Puja / Annakoot, the day after Diwali, when a Govardhan of cow dung or a mountain of food is made and worshipped.
- Before or during the Govardhan parikrama, and on Guru Purnima (Mudiya Purnima), when lakhs walk the hill.
- At home: place a Giriraj shila or picture, offer milk, Tulsi and a little sweet, light a lamp, recite the chalisa and do a small parikrama of the altar.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Govardhan called Giriraj?
"King of mountains" — because Krishna declared it worthy of worship and appeared within it, making this small hill the most honoured mountain in Braj.
How long is the Govardhan parikrama?
About 21 km, the "seven kos" the chalisa mentions. Dandauti parikrama covers it with prostrations and can take days or weeks.
When is the Giriraj Chalisa recited?
Above all on Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, and during the parikrama; many in Braj recite it daily.
Who brought Govardhan to Braj?
According to the chalisa, the sage Pulastya, who took him from his father Dronagiri; Govardhan remained in Braj when the sages stopped there.
What does the chalisa say about offering milk?
That offering milk as bhog keeps illness of body and mind away, and pouring a stream of milk keeps one's storehouse full — which is why milk abhishek of Giriraj is so common.
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