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govinda: A name for the youthful Krishna. Literally, the lord of the cows ("go").

gopāla: A name for the divine baby Krishna. Literally, shepherd of the cows ("go").

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"Krishna's names have amazing meanings. Govinda, lovely cowherd boy, Govinda the Lord of senses. Gopala, lovely divine child Gopala, the nourisher of the senses."  ~ Shyamdas


"The Vaishnava tradition tells us that although God is the most powerful person and no force can overpower him, he still becomes subservient to one who loves him unconditionally... The gopis' love for Krishna is a metaphor for the love of every individual soul to God, the supreme attractive force."  ~ Krishna Dharma


"I meditate on the child Mukunda (Gopal), the eternal god of unlimited spiritual forms, who looks affectionately at his mother's face as he suckles her breast."  ~ traditional prayer

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