9. Divine name Govinda

5/5/08

"To avoid bad dreams think of Govinda"  is today's theme.

Let us first examine the different meanings of the word GOVINDA:

1.The best known interpretation is one who attains/protects/leads cows. He comes down to earth and takes up the most humble occupation of a cowherd and becomes accessible to the common man and woman. "Govindo vedanaath (knows) gavaam (cows)- one who knows each of the cows in detail and the cows know Him too and showers abundant love for each other.

2. One who lifts the earth is another meaning :"go" also means earth. Remember in one of His dashaavathaaraas He manifests as Varaaha or boar and saves Mother Earth from the clutches of Hiranyaaksha.  So he is Govinda, one who lifts (vindathi) the Earth (go).

3. "Go" also means the word of the Vedas. Let us see what Shruti says about Govinda: "Gavaam stuti giraam vinda: Govinda: sa udaahrita:"--One who is the object of innumerable words and phrases of praise from all class of people, mortals and the celestials, is Govindan. (from Vekantesa sthottharam)

4. "A fourth meaning is that He is the giver of Speech. He is the power because of which all living creatures , through the medium of speech, convey knowledge mutually to each other, be it the braying of an ass, the barking of a dog , in the spirited eloquence of an orator or in the devotional outpouring of the overwhelmed votary" (Venkateswara ashtotthram-Divyadesham on line)

Now let us see why we are advised to think of Vishnu as Govinda to avoid bad dreams or to have good dreams that will come true.

Govinda is distinct and different from other forms of Vishnu. He is depicted as four-handed Krishna with bow and arrow in all the four arms to protect His devotees. His effulgence is extraordinary, as cool, pleasant and inviting as the moonlight. Meditation of His roopam removes all anxieties, stresses and uncertainties. So if we think of Govinda, our mind becomes calm and cool like the moonlight and our prayer for good dreams is answered by Him.

Let us look scientifically at the basic explanation of dreams. Our brain pieces together images and stories from random electrical pulses it receives from the brain stem. These are sent out every hour and half, while you are sleeping. The front part of your brain tries to sense the signals and interprets these signals and determines what you dream about. (from a book on dream analysis). Now if we feed the brain stem with calm, beautiful, positive thoughts with the help of Govinda Naamam, all the signals the front part of the brain receives will be mostly connected  with these good thoughts we fed earlier. So the interpretation of the brain cannot be anything different than what it received and hence a bad dream is impossible. So Govinda also lifts (vindathi) us from material world ("go" )to the spiritual world.

Another interesting thing is that Vishnu or Krishna likes this name Govinda the most because Govinda naamam reminds Him of His playful pastimes with cows and Gopas and Gopis, who are extremely dear to His heart. So when we address Him as Govinda not only when invoking him to bless us with good dreams, but any time we call Him Govinda, he answers to this Naama with the highest pleasure. He was not hesitant even to leave Rukminidevi and come to the side of Draupadi, when he hears Govinda naamam from her.

Finally "govindaat, mritthyu bibhethi" means Death is afraid of Govinda. Govinda can be the source of fear to Death and at the same time He is Bhaya naashakan of devotees! He is the source of fear and courage at the same time!

Sarvathra Govinda naama sankeerthanam Govinda! Govinda!