Hrishikesh and Gudaakesh: Meaning, Relevance and Importance of these Names (Pronouns)

Explanation of words “Hrishikesh” and “Gudaakesh”: Their Relevance as Pronoun, their Importance and their Meaning

Different commentators have explained these two words in different ways. In “Narada Panchratra” has explained these two words as

Hrishikesh (हृषीकेश): Hrishika (हृषीक) + Ish (ईश): Here Hrishka means “Indriya” (Sensory Organs) and Ish means Lord. Thus, “Narada Panchratra” has explained Hrishikesh as “One who is the Lord of Indriya” which contextually here means “Krishna”. Similarly “Narada Panchratra” explains Gudaakesh (गुडाकेश): Gudaakaa (गुडाका) + Ish (ईश): Gudaakaa is a word which means “Nidra (Sleep) or Tandra, that also means Alasya (Laziness) and Ish means Lord. Further breaking down the word Gudaakaa gives us the way this word has been formed Gudaakaa (गुडाका) – Gud + aa + kae + k + tap (गुड + आ + कै + क + टाप~). Thus, “Narada Panchratra” has explained Guddaakesh as “One who has won over Alasya (Laziness) which contextually here means “Arjuna”.

Interestingly, when we analyse the word “Gudaakesh” we find that this word is also used as a pronoun for Lord Shiva. This explanation is nowhere mentioned in Geeta but the fact is that Lord Hanuman (who is considered to be Avtaar of Lord Shiva) is (sitting or marked) on the flag which is attached with the chariot of Arjuna (monkey bannered flag – कपिध्वजः – Shloka 20, Adhyay 1). Is it merely a co – incidence or is this be one of the reasons of calling Arjuna as Guddakesh?

Ksheer Swami (क्षीरस्वामी) while explaining Amarkosh has defined Hrishikesh (हृषीकेश) by using the literal meaning of Hrishik (हृषीक) which means “Indriya”. Hrishik is a word that has been derived from Hrish (हृष) (Dhatu or the root). Hrish means becoming happy or feeling pleasure. Now, Sanskrit texts has defined that people feel pleasure (or as a matter of fact any feeling) through “Indirya (sensory organs)” and therefore these “indirya” are also called Hrishik. Ish is again the same. Thus, Ksheer Swami has defined Hrishikesh as One who is Lord of Indriya or One (Lord) who gives ultimate pleasure. All texts say that one can attain ultimate bliss and pleasure in the Supreme only. Krishna is Lord or the Supreme himself. Therefore, Hrishikesh is a pronoun for Krishna.  

What we have found that in all these explanations these words are taken as

Hrishikesh (हृषीकेश): Hrishika (हृषीक) + Ish (ईश), and

Gudaakesh (गुडाकेश): Gudaakaa (गुडाका) + Ish (ईश)

But these words can be taken in a different way also

Hrishikesh (हृषीकेश): Hrishi (हृषी) + Kesh (केश), and

Gudaakesh (गुडाकेश): Gudaa (गुडा) + Kesh (केश)

We must note here that the two words Hrishik and Gudaakaa from which Hrishikesha and Guddakesha has been formed neither are common words nor are they words that are frequently used colloquially either at present or at the period of Mahabharata. Therefore, we can doubt on the possible explanations which has been given by taking Hrishik or Gudaakaa as Mool (originating) words.

Let’s now take up the other possible explanation. Hrish and Gudaa are and were common words. Hrishi (हृषी) means Pleasure and Kesh (केश) means hair (बाल). Now what could be the possible relationship between Pleasure and Hair? It can be a simile. In extreme fear or in extreme pleasure one feels goose bumps. In this state hair of people becomes straight. So, Hrishi (हृषी) + Kesh (केश) can mean a person who is having straight hair as it happens in extreme pleasure. Gudaa (गुडा) has three meanings. First one is Plant of Cotton, second is Bati (Tablet) and the third is Goli (again Tablet in English) and Kesh (केश) is the same as explained above. How the three meanings of Gudaa do relate to Kesh? The Cotton grows as circular on the plant and tablets are also circular in shape. In hair Curled hair can be a close replica of these shapes. Therefore, Gudaakesh can mean a person who is having curly hair. Physical structure of Krishna and Arjuna suggests that Krishna was having straight hair while Arjuna was having curly hair. So, this way also Krishna and Arjuna could have been called as Hrishikesha and Gudaakesh respectively.

Further, in Shanti Parva of Mahabharata under Narayaniyopaankhyaan several main names of Lord Vishnu are explained. In this Hrishikesh has been explained as Hrishi (हृषी) which has been explained as One which gives pleasure and Kesha (केश) as Ray (Kiran - किरन) and in this context Vishnu is also prayed as “One who through the rays of Sun and Moon Pleases the entire World or Universe” and so he is called Hrishikesha (हृषीकेश). Similarly, it is also explained here that word “Keshava” (another pronoun for Krishna) is also made out of the word Ray (Kiran - किरन).       

Whichever, meaning we take it is clear that Hrishikesha and Gudaakesha is used respectively for Krishna and Arjuna.

The evolution and development of words always have a contemporary usage which defines their actual meaning in the way it has been used during the time period of concern. Everything apart from the texts of Mahabharata and Gita of that time period has been lost. Hence, whatever explanation any commentator would give, it would be natural to have some difference of opinion among one another or may be from one school of thought to another.

Ref: Some references in this Article has been taken from Narada Panchratra 5.8.17; Shreemad Bhagwat Gita Rahasya; Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Pg 402, Ed. 28 and Mahabharata Shantiparva 341. 47, 342. 64, 65, Udyoga 69.9)