Govinda is another name for the Hindu deity, Śrī Krsna. Go can refer to cows, land or one's senses. Vinda means "protector." When the two words are combined, Govinda means Krsna who is the protector of the cows, the land and/or one's senses.

The devas (heavenly beings) were inspired to apply this name to Śrī Krsna after he lifted the Govardhan Hill for the protection of the Brajbasis (inhabitants of Vrindavan).

A famous prayer called the Bhaja Govindam was written in the 8^th century by a devotee named Adi Sankara (a.k.a. Sankaracharya), a summary of which is; "If one just worships Śrī Govinda, one can easily cross this great ocean of birth and death." This refers to the belief that worshipful adoration of Krsna can lead believers out of the cycle of reincarnation, or samsara, and into an eternal blissful life in Vaikuntha, 'beyond this material world' where Govinda resides.

As it refers to Krsna..

• Govinda (or Govind) is a name of Krsna and also appears as the 187^th and 539^th names in the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• According to Adi Sankara's commentary on the Vishnu Sahasranama, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, Govinda has three meanings:
  • The sages call Krsna "Govinda" as He pervades all the
    
    
    
    worlds, giving them power.
  • The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata states that Vishnu restored the earth that had sunk into the netherword, or Patala, so all the devas praised Him as Govinda (Protector of the Land).
  • Alternatively, it means "He who is known by Vedic words alone." Adi Sankara's Bhaja Govindam prayer expresses the value of inner devotion to Krsna.
• In a different Hindu scripture, the Harivamsa, Indra praised Krsna for having attained loving leadership of the cows Krsna tended as a cowherd by saying, "So men too shall praise Him as Govinda."

In the secular world..

• Govinda's is a name of vegetarian restaurant chain run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, more popularly known as the Hare Krishnas.
• "Govinda" is a hit single by British band called Kula Shaker. The song was released in 1996, and is unique in being the only British Top Ten hit to be sung entirely in Sanskrit.
• Govinda Ahuja is a Bollywood actor and politician, popularly known by just his first name.
• Shane "Govinda" O'Madden, a musician from Austin, Texas.

References

Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, commentary by Sri Sankaracharya, translated by Swami Tapasyananda, available at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. Available at an Indian web site: and US site: .

Srimad Bhagavatam