Govinda Namavali - A Garland of 108 Names in Worship of Govinda/Krishna/Venkateswara Swamy

Govinda is a name that applies to Sri Krishna and Sri Venkateswara Swamy.

 

To be more clear, it is one of the numerous names applicable to the Supreme Being Narayan who incarnated in various forms, from time to time, to save his devotees from miseries and bad elements. With that concept in mind, some exceptional devotees of Vishnu Bhagavan must have created this wonderful garland of 108 names in a lyrical form. The identity of that author is unknown to my perception. But these names of Govinda are trendy and get recited with amazing tunes by many devotees around us.

When we go through these names, it becomes evident that they are addressed to Venkateswara, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, and many other forms of God.

And, let me say one more fact before starting with the names.

I was provided with a pamphlet containing these 108 names of Govinda by a temple priest in Andhra Pradesh when I visited the Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple in a village on the border of Kakinada City some 3 to 4 years ago. I started reciting these names every Saturday afternoon from that day onwards and still continuing this practice. It provides me much satisfaction and happiness.

Here are the Names in Govinda NaamaavaLi

1. Sri Srinivasa gOvinda
2. Sri VenkatEsa gOvinda
3. Bhaktavatsala gOvinda
4. Bhaagavata priya gOvinda
5. nitya nirmala gOvinda
6. neelamEghashyaama gOvinda
7. puraaNa purusha gOvinda
8. pundariikaaksha gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times) || 
9. nandanandana gOvinda
10. navaniita chOra gOvinda
11. pashupaalaka sri gOvinda
12. paapavimOchana gOvinda
13. dushta samhaara gOvinda
14. durita nivAraNa gOvinda
15. sishta paripaalaka gOvinda
16. kashta nivAraNa gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
17. vajramakuta dhara gOvinda
18. varaahamoorti gOvinda
19. gOpijana lOla gOvinda 
20. gOvardhana dhAra gOvinda
21. dashrath nandana gOvinda 
22. dashamukha mardana gOvinda
23. pakshivAhana gOvinda
24. paandava priya gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
25. matsya koorma gOvinda
26. madhusoodana hari gOvinda
27. varAha narasimha gOvinda
28. vAmana bhrigurAma govinda
29. balarAmAnuja gOvinda
30. boudhdha kalki dhara gOvinda
31. vEnugaana priya gOvinda
32. vEnkata ramaNA gOvinda ||  (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
33. siitaa nAyaka gOvinda
34. shrita paripaalaka gOvinda
35. daridrajana pOshaka gOvinda
36. dharma samsthaapaka gOvinda
37. anaatha rakshaka gOvinda
38. aapadbhAndava gOvinda
39. sharaNAgata vatsala gOvinda
40. karuNA saagara gOvinda ||  (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
41. kamala daLaaksha gOvinda
42. kaamitaphala dAta gOvinda
43. paapa vinAshaka gOvinda
44. paahi murArE gOvinda
45. sri mudrAnkita gOvinda
46. sri vastAnkita gOvinda
47. dharaNee nAyaka gOvinda
48. dinakara tEja gOvinda ||  (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
49. padmaavati priya gOvinda
50. prasanna moorati gOvinda
51. aashrita paksha gOvinda
52. abhayahasta pradarshana gOvinda
53. shankhchakra dhara gOvinda
54. shArNga gadAdhara gOvinda
55. virajaa tiirasta gOvinda
56. virOdhi mardana gOvinda ||  (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
57. saalagrAma dhara gOvinda
58. sahsra nAmA gOvinda
59. lakshmiivallabh gOvinda
60. lakshman agraja gOvinda
61. kastoori tilakaa gOvinda
62. kAnchanAmbara dhara gOvinda
63. garuda vAhana gOvinda
64. gaja rAja rakshak gOvinda ||  (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
65. vAnara sEvita gOvinda
66. vAradhi bandhana gOvinda
67. saptagiri vaasa gOvinda
68. sakal svaroopa gOvinda
69. srirAmakrishNa gOvinda
70. raghukul nandana gOvinda
71. pratyaksha dEva gOvinda
72. paramdayAkara gOvinda ||  (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
73. vajrakavacha dhArA gOvinda
74. vyjayanti maalaa gOvinda
75. vyajadhan samgrahaa gOvinda
76. vAsudEva tanayaa gOvinda
77. bilvapatrArchita gOvinda
78. bikshuka samstuta gOvinda
79. stree-pum roopA govinda
80. shivkEshav moorti gOvinda
81. brahmAnda roopA govinda
82. bhakta rakshaka gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
83. nitya kalyaaNa gOvinda
84. neeraja nAbhA gOvinda
85. haatiirAma priya gOvinda
86. hari sarvOttama gOvinda
87. janArdana moorti gOvinda
88. jagat-sAkshi roopa gOvinda
89. abhishEka priya gOvinda
90. aapannivAraNa gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
91. ratna kiriitaa gOvinda
92. rAmAnuja suta gOvinda      

    

    Last page of Govinda Namavali Pamphlet

    
    
93. svayamprakAsa gOvinda
94. sahasra aksha gOvinda
95. nitya subhaprada gOvinda
96. nikhila lOkEsha gOvinda
97. aananda roopA gOvinda
98. aadyanta rahitA gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)
99. ihapara dAyaka gOvinda
100. ibha rAja rakshaka gOvinda
101. parama dayALO gOvinda
102. padmanAbha hari gOvinda
103. tirumala vAsA gOvinda
104. tulasii vanamAlA gOvinda
105. shEshAdri nilaya gOvinda
106. shEsha shAyinii gOvinda
107. sri Srinivasa gOvinda
108. sri VenkatEsa gOvinda || (gOvindaa hari gOvindaa gOkulanandana gOvindaa - 2 times)

After chanting these names, it is a practice of expressing one's bhakti bhavana (devotional love) through this chant "Edu kondala vaadaa Venkata Ramana gOvindaa gOvindaa gOvinda" which gets translated into "O Lord Venkateswara residing on the seven hills, protect me, protect me, protect me. It is a Telugu-language devotional submission. Other devotees express their bhakti by simply repeating one name "Govinda" three or more times.

Sri Krishna Ashtottara Shatanamavali - 108 Names of Krishna With Meanings

In this post, I am providing the 108 names of Sri Krishna in English text along with their meanings.

The word 'Shatanamavali' stands for "a garland of 100 names". 

Avali (just like in the word Deepavali) literally refers to a row or a line of something and 'shata namam' means 100 names. 

In the above title of this post, there is a prefix of Ashtottara to the word of Shatanamavali. Ashta means eight and uttara means an addition after that. So, "ashtottara shata" translates into 108 (eight after hundred).

While reciting the 108 names, please prefix each name with "Om" (the primordial sound) and suffix with "namaha" (salutations to God) after the name.

For example, the first name is 'Sri Krishnaya'. 

So, it is to be recited as 'Om Srikrishnaya namah'. 

Now, I am providing the 108 names.

1. Sri Krishnaaya = Krishna word refers to dark hue (his skin is dark/blue, hence the name)
2. Kamalaanaathaaya = Consort of Sri Lakshmi (kamalaa refers to Sri Lakshmi)
3. Vaasudevaaya = Lord of Vasus, Lord of Universe
4. Sanaatanaaya = The Primordial One , The Eternal One
5. Vasudevaatmajaaya = Son of Vasudeva
6. Punyaya = The Virtuous, The Pure & Holi Being 
7. Leelaamaanusha vigrahaaya = The Divine Player assuming  human form
8. Srivatsa kaustubha dharaaya = One who wears Srivatsa mark and Kaustubha gem
9. Yasodaa vatsalaaya = Dearest child of Yasoda
10. Haraye = The Lord of Nature
11. Chaturbhujaatta chakraasigadaa shankhashaarnga ayudhaaya = Bearer of the weapons of Divine Wheel, Sword, Mace, Conch, and Bow in his four hands
12. Devaki nandanaaya = Son of Devaki
13. Srishaaya = Lord of Sri (Goddess Lakshmi's Consort)
14. Nandagopa priyaatmajaaya = Dearest son of Nandagopan
15. Yamunaavega samhaarine = Destroyer or Defender of the speed of River Yamuna
16. Balabhadra priyaanujaaya = Dearest brother of Balarama
17. Putanaa jeevitaharaaya = Taker of demoness Putana's life
18. Shakataasura bhanjanaaya = Slayer of  demon Shakata (Cart shaped demon)
19. Nandavraja janaaanandaaya = Provider of Joy to Nanda and the people of Braj Region 
20. Sachchidaananda vigrahaaya = Embodiment of Sat, Chit, and Ananda (Eternity, Awareness,  and Bliss)
21. Navaneeta viliptaangaaya = One whose body is smeared with fresh butter
22. navaneeta nataaya =  One Who dances for butter or makes Others Dance for Butter
23. Anaghaaya = The Blemishless
24. Navaneeta navaahaaraaya = One who wears freshly made garlands
25. Muchikunda prasaadakaaya = Bestower of grace to Muchikunda (A king who saved Indra from demons)
26. Shodasha stree sahasreshaaya = The Lord of 16000 gopikas (women attached to Sri Krishna in Brindavan)
27. Tribhangine = One who is three-fold-bent while playing flute
28. Madhuraakrutaye = Sweet-looking One
29. Suka vaagamrutaabdeendave = Ocean of Nector in the words of Suka yogi
30. Govindaaya = Protector or Caretaker of Cows (also humans)
31. Yogiinaampataye = Lord of sages
32. Vatsavaatiicharaaya = One wandering around caring for the calves
33. Dhenukaasura mardanaaya = One who beat up the Ass-demon Dhenuka
34. Truniikruta trunaavartaaya = Who killed the Whirlwind demon Trunavarta by throwing him like a grass
35. Yamalaarjuna bhanjanaaya = Who uprooted the trees known asYamala and Arjuna (two angels)
36. Uttalataalabhetrey = Who broke all the big Taala trees while killing the Dhenuka demon
37. Tamaala shyamalaakrutaye = One whose hue is dark similar to Tamala (Cinnamomum tree)
38. Gopagopeeswaraaya = Lord of Gopas and Gopis (the cowherds & cowherdesses)
39. Yogine = One who himself is a great yogi (Sage)
40. Kotisurya samaprabhaaya = Whose Glow is as lustrous as one crore Suns
41. Ilaapataye = Lord of Ila (Mother Earth's Lord) Ila also refers to the supreme sacred knowledge.
42. Paramjyotaye = The Supreme Light
43. Yaadavendraaya = Lord of Yadava clan
44. Yadoodvahaaya = It refers to Krishna ( one of the Two Yadus- Krishna & Balarama)
45. Vanamaaliney = One who wears Vanamaala (a garland of wild flowers of the forest)
46. Peetavaasasey = One wearing the Silk dhoti
47. Paarijaata apahaarakaaya = One who stole Paarijata tree from heaven to please Satyabhama
48. Govardhanaachalodhartrey = One who uprooted Govardhan mountain to save people & cattle
49. Gopaalaaya = Caretaker of Cows and cattle
50. Sarvapaalakaaya = Caretaker of all beings
51. Ajaaya = The unborn eternal being
52. Niranjanaaya =  The blemishless being
53. Kaamajanakaaya = The instigator of desires
54. Kanjalochanaaya = Dark beautiful-eyed One
55. Madhughney =  Slayer of demon Madhu
56. Mathuraanaathaaya = Lord of Mathura
57. Dwaarakaa naayakaaya = The hero of Dwaraka
58. Baliney = Strong person
59. Brindaavanaanta samchaariney = One who loiters around Brindavan
60. Tulasiidhaama bhooshanaaya = One who wears the Tulasi-leaves garland
61. Shamantakamanir hartrey = Stealer of the Shamantaka jewel
62. Naranaaraayanaatmakaaya = The Self-Same Nara and Narayan
63. Kubjaa krishnaambara dharaaya = One who made Kubja apply the ointment (that she was taking for Kansa) to his own body
64. Maayiney = Deceiver and Enchanter
65. Paramapurushaaya = The Supreme Being
66. Mushtikaasura chaanoora mallayuddha Vishaaradaaya = One who excelled in the dual fight with two wrestlers named Mushtikaasur and Chanoora
67. Samsaara vairiney = Enemy of the Material world
68. Kamsaaraye = Slayer and enemy of the devil king Kamsa
69. Muraaraye = Enemy of demon Mura
70. Narakaantakaaya = Destroyer of demon Naraka
71. Anaadi brahmachaariney = The eternal Brahman himself
72. Krishnaavyasana karshakarmanaaya = Remover of Draupadi's distress
73. Sisupaala shirachhetrey = One who chopped out the head of Sishupala
74. Duryodhana kulaantakrutaaya = One who destroyed Duryodhana's clan (community)
75. Viduraakroora varadaaya = One who granted boons to Vidura and Akrura
76. Viswaroopa pradarshakaaya = Who exhibited his Universal Form
77. Satyavaachey = Truth speaking One
78. Satyasamkalpaaya = One with True Determination
79. Satyabhaamaarataaya = The Lover of Satyabhama
80. Jayiney = Who is Victorious
81. Subhadraapoorvajaaya = Born prior to Subhadra
82. Jishnavey = Who is known as Jishnu (or Vishnu)
83. Bhishma muktipradaayakaaya = Who granted salvation to Bhishma
84. Jagadguravey = Teacher of the World
85. Jagannaathaaya = Lord of the World
86. Venunaada vishaaradaaya = Expert in playing Flute
87. Vrishabhaasura vidhvansiney = The destroyer of Vrishabha (the Bull demon)
88. Baanaasuraamtakaaya = Slayer of demon Banasura
89. Yudhistira pratishtaatrey = One who established Yudhistir as King
90. Barhibarhaavatamsakaaya = One who wears Peacock feathers in his head
91. Paarthasaarathaye = The charioter of Partha (Arjuna)
92. Avyaktaaya = The Unmanifested One
93. Giitaamruta mahodadhaye = The Ocean of the Nectar of Gita (Essence of Bhagavadgita)
94. Kaaliiyaphani maanikyaramjita sripadaambujaaya = One whose lotus feet are adorned with Gems of the Kali serphant's hood
95. Daamodaraaya = One whose waist got tied with a rope by Yashoda
96. Yajnabhoktrey = One who consumes the sacrificial offerings
97. Daanavendra vinaashakaaya = Destroyer of Lord of demons
98. Naaraayanaaya = The All Pervasive One
99. Parasmai brahmaney = The Ultimate Brahman (Supreme Being)
100. Pannagaashana vaahanaaya = One whose Carrier is Garuda, the devour of snakes
101. Jalakriidaasamaasakta gopiivastraapahaarakaaya = Who stole and hid the robes of gopis while they were playing in Yamuna waters
102. Punyaslokaaya = One whose praise is meritorious
103. Tiirthapaadaaya = Whose feet are Holy Places
104. Vedavedyaaya = The Source of Vedas
105. Dayaanidhaye = The Ocean of Kindness
106. Sarvatiirthaatmakaaya = The Soul of all Holiness
107. Sarvagraha roopiney = The Ultimate Form of All Elements
108. Paraatparaaya = Greater than the Greatest

Om itihi Srikrishna ashttottara shatanaamaavali samaaptaah:

This is the completion (end) of Sri Krishna's 108-names list

Om Namo Sri Krishnaaya namah:

Om Namo Narayanaaya namah: