Damodar (Krishna)



Damodar (Sanskrit: दामोदर, IAST: , also spelled "Damodara" and "Damodarah") lit. '"roped around the abdomen"' 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.)
 * "One who is known through a mind which is purified (Udara) by means of self-control (dama)".
 * "One in whose bosom rests the entire universe."

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 (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.