hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo
yad rāma-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sparaśa-pramodaḥ
mānaḿ tanoti saha-go-gaṇayos tayor yat
pānīya-sūyavasa-kandara-kandamūlaiḥ
hanta -- oh; ayam -- this; adrih -- hill; abalah -- O friends; hari-dasa-varyah -- the best among the servants of the Lord; yat -- because; rama-krishna-carana -- of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and Balarama; sparasa -- by the touch; pramodah -- jubilant; manam -- respect; tanoti -- offers; saha -- with; go-ganayoh -- the cows, calves and cowherd boys; tayoh -- to Them (Sri Krishna and Balarama); yat -- because; paniya -- with drinking water; suyavasa -- very soft grass; kandara -- caves; kanda-mulaih -- and edible roots.
Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities -- water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.
This translation is quoted from Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrita (Madhya 18.34).
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains the opulence of Govardhana Hill as follows: Paniya refers to the fragrant, cool water from the Govardhana waterfalls, which Krishna and Balarama drink and use to wash Their feet and mouths. Govardhana also offers other beverages, such as honey, mango juice and pilu juice. Suyavasa indicates durva grass, used to make the religious offering of arghya. Govardhana also has grass that is fragrant, soft and conducive to the strong growth of cows and increased production of milk. Thus this grass is used for feeding the transcendental herds. Kandara refers to the caves where Krishna, Balarama and Their friends play, sit and lie down. These caves give pleasure when the weather is too hot or too cold, or when it is raining. Govardhana also features soft roots for eating, jewels for ornamenting the body, flat places for sitting, and lamps and mirrors in the form of smooth stones, glistening water and other natural substances.
