Garga Samhita (Vaishnavite text)


religionHinduism
languageSanskrit
verses12,000
chapters267
authorGarga

Garga-samhita (गर्ग संहिता, IAST: Garga-saṃhitā) is an ancient Sanskrit-language Vaishnavite scripture based on Hindu deities Radha and Krishna. Its authorship is attributed to the sage Garga, the head priest of Krishna’s clan Yadava. It is the earliest text that associates Radha Krishna and gopis with the Holi festival.

Chapters

#Khanda (Book)Number of chaptersContent
1Goloka-khanda20Pastimes of Radha Krishna in Goloka, Structure of Goloka.
2Vrindavana-khanda26Krishna’s pastimes with Radha, Gopis and Gopas (cowherds); identifies various places (including Vrindavan) in the Mathura mandala (region) as the sites of these events.
3Giriraja-khanda11Divinity of Govardhan Hill and its festivals
4Madhurya-khanda24Love life of Radha Krishna in Vrindavan, including descriptions of Radha Krishna, Gopis, and Yamuna
5Mathura-khanda25Krishna’s return to Mathura, and his killing of Kamsa; conversation between Uddhava and Gopis
6Dvaraka-khanda22Foundation of the Dvārakā city, its description, and Krishna’s pastimes there
7Vishvajit-khanda50Krishna’s exploits and divinity, including his role in the Mahabharata War
8Balabhadra-khanda13Balarama’s exploits and divinity
9Vijnana-khanda10Devotional instructions for deity worship
10Ashvamedha-khanda62Ugrasena’s ashvamedha; Radha-Krishna’s reunion in Vrindavan and departure to Goloka
11Garga-samhita Mahatmaya4Significance of Garga-samhita

Garga-Sanmita contains 11 khandas or parts:

See also

  • Brahma Samhita
  • Brahma Vaivarta Purana

Further reading

  • Includes the original Sanskrit text with Roman transliteration and English translation.
  • Garga Sanhita in Sanskrit and Hindi
  • Garga Sanhita in English