The word "gokul" is spelled as /ɡoʊˈkuːl/. The letter "g" represents the voiced velar stop sound /ɡ/. The letter "o" represents the long open o sound /oʊ/. The letter "k" represents the voiceless velar stop sound /k/. The letter "u" represents the close back rounded vowel sound /u/. The letter "l" represents the voiced alveolar lateral approximant sound /l/. "Gokul" is a Hindi word that means "cattle pen" or "cowshed" and is commonly used in Indian culture.
Gokul is a term derived from the Sanskrit language and holds significance in Hindu mythology and spiritual traditions. It is primarily associated with Lord Krishna, who is believed to have spent his childhood in Gokul, a village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
In Hinduism, Gokul is considered a sacred place as it is believed to be the divine abode of Lord Krishna during his incarnation on Earth. The name 'Gokul' is composed of two words: 'Go,' which means cows, and 'kul,' which translates to herd or group. Therefore, Gokul can be understood as a place where a group of cows reside.
According to mythological accounts, Gokul was chosen by Lord Krishna's parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, to protect the young Krishna from the evil King Kansa, who sought to kill him. It is believed that Krishna's miraculous childhood acts, known as leelas, took place in Gokul. These leelas include his playful interactions with the gopis (cowherd girls) and his heroic feats such as lifting the Govardhan hill.
Gokul is revered as a spiritually and culturally significant place by Krishna devotees, who often visit the village to partake in religious ceremonies, festivities, and to seek blessings. The village of Gokul is associated with tales of love, devotion, and miracles that constitute an integral part of Lord Krishna's divine persona.
The word "gokul" has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. "Gokul" is a compound word, made up of two elements: "go" and "kul".
The term "go" refers to "cow" or "cattle" in Sanskrit. Cows hold significant cultural and religious importance in Hinduism, as they are considered sacred animals. They symbolize wealth, generosity, and fertility, and are associated with various deities.
The term "kul" translates to "family" or "clan" in Sanskrit. It represents a group of people coming together as a unit, usually sharing a common ancestry, beliefs, or purpose.
Therefore, "gokul" can be roughly translated as "cow-family" or "cow-clan".