Damodar (Krishna) Explained

Damodar (Sanskrit: Sanskrit: दामोदर, IAST: , also spelled "Damodara" and "Damodarah") ^[1] is the 367th name of Vishnu from the Vishnu Sahasranama. The various meanings of the name are given as follows:

• "The Lord when He was tied with a cord (dāma) around His waist (udara)", denoting a divine pastime in which Krishna's mother Yashoda bound him for being mischievous. (Used by various Vaishnava adherents.)^[2]
• "One who is known through a mind which is purified (Udara) by means of self-control (dama)".^[3]
• "One in whose bosom rests the entire universe."^[4]

Temples

In many temples, Krishna is worshiped as Damodar. Historic temples and sites related to Damodar includes:

• Radha Damodar Temple, Vrindavan
  • Radha Damodar Temple, Junagadh Damodar Kund, Junagadh

In popular culture

A popular bhajan that celebrates Krishna as Damodara is the Damodarashtakam ^[5] (found in the Padma Purana of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, spoken by Satyavrata Muni in a conversation with Narada and Shaunaka.). It is often sung by devotees during the month of Kartika, and is very popular amongst the Vaishnavas of ISKCON.^[6]

See also

• Achyuta
• Gopala
• Gopinath
• Govinda
• Keshava
• Madhava
• Radha Ramana
• Vāsudeva

References

1. Web site: www.wisdomlib.org . 2015-03-01 . Damodara, Dāmodara, Daman-udara: 26 definitions . 2022-08-03 . www.wisdomlib.org . en.
2. Web site: Meaning, origin and history of the name Damodara.
3. Web site: Destroyer of Evil and Epitome of Love - Tales from the Life of Young Krishna. 23 November 2009.
4. Web site: MantraOnNet.com: Vishnu Sahasranaama . 2011-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110728005117/http://www.mantraonnet.com/vishnu-sahasranaama/351-400.html . 2011-07-28 . dead .
5. Web site: Damodarastakam . www.krishna.com . 3 November 2020.
6. Web site: » Damodarastakam Bhaktivedanta Manor – Hare Krishna Temple . Bhaktivedantamanor.co.uk . 3 November 2020.

External links

• Damodharastakam
• Sri Damodarastaka lyrics and RealAudio recording