The Lifting of Govardhan

Shukadeva Goswami looked at King Parikshit and asked gently, “Have you heard the name of Govardhan Hill, Parikshit?”

Parikshit bowed his head and replied, “I have heard it, Acharyadev. But I do not know much about it. It was you who said, Lord, that there was a Govardhan Hill in Goloka.”

“Yes, child,” Shukadeva said. “I said that. To fulfill the wish in Shri Radhika’s heart, Shri Hari brought the land of eighty-four kros from Goloka to this earth. In that land there were also Yamuna and Govardhan, O King. Among all the things in this world that remind us of Shri Hari, Govardhan comes first.”

Parikshit listened with wonder. “How did one mountain become so blessed, great sage?”

Shukadeva smiled softly. “Everything in Goloka is conscious. So it would be wrong to think of Govardhan as only a mountain, O King. Govardhan was born in this world. Govardhan was the son of Drona Mountain. After he was born in Shalmali Island, mountains like Himalaya and Sumeru praised Govardhan, O King. This Govardhan was so holy that even the sage Pulastya wanted to take him from Shalmali to Kashi, Govardhan to Kashi.”

“But why, great sage?”

“Brahmarshi Pulastya thought that if this could be done, then there would be no more need for heaven. Heaven itself would come down to earth.”

Then Shukadeva began to tell the ancient story.

Pulastya Muni went to Dronagiri and said, “Giriraj Drona, I have come to you with a prayer.”

Drona answered with humility, “Not a prayer, Brahmarshi. Please call it a command, O King of Mountains.”

Pulastya said, “What I want may not be called a command. I want your son Govardhan. Will you give him to me?”

Drona asked, “What will you do with him, Brahmarshi?”

Pulastya replied, “I will take Govardhan to Kashi. There, by the blessing of the Lord of Lords, one gains freedom after death. But it is also very important to earn merit while living. Without Govardhan, that is never possible. In Kashi I will sit in Govardhan’s shade and do japa and meditation. That is why I want to take him there.”

Drona’s heart became heavy. “O king among sages, how can I, as a father, send my son so far away? Still, I am afraid of your curse. So take him. What else can I say?”

Then Pulastya called, “Child Govardhan, now come with me.”

Govardhan answered, “My weight, size, and height are all very great. How will you take me?”

Pulastya raised his hand and said, “I will carry you in this hand of mine. You will not suffer at all, son.”

Govardhan said, “But I too have one condition, noble one. If you put me down anywhere on the way, then I will stay there. I will not go farther.”

Pulastya said firmly, “Do not be afraid, Govardhan. I will put you down only when we reach Kashi. Not before that.”

Seating Govardhan on his own hand, sage Pulastya set out on the road to Kashi Dham. His yogic power was endless. He carried that huge mountain with ease.

As he traveled, he came to Brajmandal.

Govardhan was Jatishwar. He remembered everything about Goloka. He knew that Purna Brahma Narayan Himself would come to this Braj, and that His power, Radharani, would also come. Vaikuntha would descend to this earthly world.

So Govardhan thought, “How can I leave Vaikuntha behind and go away? No, this is impossible. I cannot leave my Mukunda Murari and go anywhere. I must do something. I understand now. If I can increase my weight, then sage Pulastya will not be able to carry me. O Lord, O Lord, help me. Show me your grace, Lord.”

Soon Pulastya felt the weight changing.

“Ah, ah, what is happening?” he cried. “Why can I not carry him anymore? Govardhan, Govardhan, how is he becoming so heavy? No, no, I cannot put him down. I must, I must carry him.”

But as he walked on, Pulastya forgot his own promise. In Brajbhumi he put Govardhan down and bathed. Then, filled again with his own power, he tried to lift Govardhan.

Govardhan did not move even a little.

Pulastya called out, “O King of Mountains, rise. We still have a long way to go. Come, Giriraj, sit on my right hand.”

Govardhan replied calmly, “No, great sage, now I will not go anymore. Have you forgotten my condition? You put me down in this land of Braj. I will not rise from here again. You may return alone.”

Pulastya said, “Listen to me, Govardhan. Come with me to Kashi. If my wish is fulfilled there, it will be good for you too.”

Govardhan answered, “Forgive me, sage Pulastya. I will not break my vow. I will stay here. You will not be able to take me anywhere now.”

Then the sage became angry. “Proud Govardhan, do you dare defy me? The result will not be good. By my curse, every day you will become a little smaller. Your height will lessen by one sesame seed each day.”

Angry with Govardhan, sage Pulastya went alone toward Kashi Dham. And Govardhan Hill sat there in Braj Dham and began waiting for Purushottam.

Parikshit asked, “This Govardhan is the greatest devotee of Purushottam. But then why did he not get a human form in Lord Krishna’s pastimes?”

Shukadeva replied, “Even without a human body, what Govardhan received in the Vrindavan pastimes has no equal anywhere else, O King.”

Parikshit leaned forward. “What did Govardhan receive that was so great? Please tell me that, Lord.”

Shukadeva said, “Then I must tell you about an old custom of Vrindavan, Parikshit. That custom was called Indra worship.”

Vrindavan worshiped Indra, the king of the gods. This custom had been followed all over Vrindavan and before that in Gokul too. It was a tradition of the cowherd community. The worship was done at the end of the rainy season. Just as subjects pay tax to a king, in the same way the cowherd community offered tax to Indra.

Once again Nanda Raja and the elders had started preparing for this worship.

Just then Krishna came and stood there.

“What will you do with all these things, Father?” He asked. “Will there be some worship?”

Nanda Maharaj replied, “Yes, little cowherd prince, there will be worship. The rainy season is over, is it not? Now it is time for Indra worship. Have you forgotten, Krishna?”

Krishna said, “Indra worship? Oh yes, yes, I remember now. But why is there any need to do the same worship every year? This year we may simply not do it.”

Nanda was startled. “What are you saying, Krishna? We will not worship Indra? Then there will be great danger, child.”

“What danger?” Krishna asked. “Are you afraid of Indra?”

Nanda frowned. “Krishna, what kind of behavior is this? Do you not know that Indra is the king of the gods? Speak of him with respect.”

Krishna looked at him and said, “Respect or fear? You are afraid, Father. You are calling fear respect. You worship Indra because if you do not, everyone will be in danger. Is that not true? Then this worship is only compulsion. Where is devotion in it?”

Nanda tried to end the talk. “Do not trouble us, Kanai. Go to your mother. Go to your mother. We have a lot of work now.”

But Krishna said again, “Let us not do this worship, Father.”

Nanda grew impatient. “Ah Kanai, am I not telling you? Go away from here.”

At that moment Upananda spoke. “No, Nanda Raja, wait. Kanai never speaks without reason. Your son is greater than all of us in knowledge and wisdom. We should listen to what he says.”

Nanda turned to him. “Upananda, you also come. Krishna, come to me. Now tell us, child, what is the reason for your objection? We will hear what you say.”

Krishna asked, “Can you tell me what result comes from worshiping Indra?”

One of the elders replied, “He is the king of the gods. By worshiping him, people gain devotion and liberation.”

Krishna shook His head. “He who is not free himself, how will he give liberation? That can never be possible.”

“What are you saying, Kanai?” they asked. “The king of the gods is not free?”

“No, he is not,” Krishna answered. “The result of karma makes a person into a god. By earning much merit, a human being can become a god. He can enjoy all the pleasures of heaven. But when the fruit of that merit ends, they return again to die.”

Nanda stared at Him. “Wha- what are you saying, Kanai?”

“Yes, Father, I am speaking the truth. No god is eternally free, not even King Indra. So by serving them one does not gain liberation. None of the gods are free from fear, Father. Each one has fear in the heart.”

“The gods feel fear?” they asked. “Whom are they afraid of?”

Krishna replied, “The reason for the gods’ fear is Time. When their time is complete, they must return again to die. Even Brahma himself is afraid of this Time. Now you tell me, if they themselves are afraid, how can they remove your fear?”

Nanda said slowly, “You have said a very strange thing, Krishna. I have never heard such words. Very well, if that is so, then you tell us, Kanai, whom should we worship?”

Krishna answered, “Father, think with all your heart and soul about that Time whom the gods themselves fear. By thinking of Him, the mind will become peaceful and controlled. Then, giving up desire for the fruit of actions, worship Yajnapati.”

“Who is Yajnapati?” they asked. “Whom are you speaking of, Kanai?”

“Yajnapati is Shri Hari Himself,” Krishna replied. “He has many glories, Father, many glories. Cows, Brahmins, saints, fire, the gods, the Vedas, and dharma, all these are His manifestations. Hari is revealed through them. Whether you worship a god, a Brahmin, the Vedas, or dharma, worship them as Shri Hari. Then you will gain liberation.”

“Then whom shall we worship now, Kanai?”

Krishna smiled and said, “Why, Govardhan Mountain is right here before your eyes. Worship this mountain.”

They were surprised. “Shall we worship a mountain? No, Kanai. Better we worship our cattle or the Brahmins praised in the Vedas. That will give even more fruit.”

Krishna said, “What are you saying? Why should Govardhan be only a mountain? You do not know his true identity. Govardhan was born from the heart of Shri Hari. And Brahmarshi Pulastya carried this mountain with his own hands all the way to Braj Dham. Now do you understand his greatness?”

The elders said, “We have never heard such things.”

“Now you have heard them,” Krishna replied. “So there will be no more worship of Indra. This time in Vrindavan there will be only the worship of Govardhan.”

Still they hesitated. “But Krishna, Indra gives us life. It would not be right to dishonor him like this.”

Krishna said, “But Govardhan also gives us life. Do you know how many herbs are on this mountain? How many mines, living creatures, crops, and green fields are here? Are they not all givers of life?”

The elders nodded. “Yes, yes, what you say is true, Krishna.”

Krishna then said, “Father, begin the arrangements for serving Govardhan Mountain, the cows, and the Brahmins. This is my wish. Of course, if you have some other wish, I will not stop you.”

Nanda answered at once, “No, no, there is no question of thinking anything else. What you say, that is what will happen, Krishna. We will worship Govardhan.”

Then others asked, “What does Nanda Maharaj say?”

Nanda spoke to all. “Very well. When a wise man like Upananda has agreed with Kanai, then let everyone in Vrindavan worship Govardhan this time. But we have never worshiped Govardhan before. We do not know how this worship is to be done.”

Krishna said, “I will tell you, Father. All of you listen.”

Everyone replied, “Yes, yes, speak Kanai, speak. We will all listen.”

Krishna instructed them carefully.

“Think of Govardhan Mountain as the image of a deity. Just as the feet of a deity are washed, in the same way wash the foot of Govardhan with panchamrit, milk, the water of Yamuna, and Ganga water. Then smear the place with cow dung and on that bring and place the things for worship and sacrifice. Offer flowers, incense, and lamps for arati. Offer a fine seat, clothes, garlands, jewels, and food. Then go around him, bow with devotion, and recite the mantra.”

The people asked, “What is the mantra for this worship, Kanai? We do not know the mantra.”

Krishna said, “With devotion you will pray and say, ‘O Govardhan, you sit holding Vrindavan in your lap, Vrindavan which is like the umbrella of the Supreme Brahman and the crown of Goloka. I bow to you.’ Saying this, offer your folded hands. Then with joyful music arrange many delicious foods and make Annakut. After Govardhan’s worship is over, feed cows, Brahmins, Shudras, Chandalas, all creatures, and all people till they are full. Give gifts. Then with the dancing and singing of the gopis and gopas, the Govardhan festival will end.”

Someone then asked, “Good. But in the parts of Braj land where there is no Govardhan, whose worship will be done there?”

Krishna answered, “There too this Govardhan festival will be held. Make the shape of Govardhan Mountain with cow dung, flowers, creepers, and leaves, and worship that as Govardhan. All people who live on earth should worship Govardhan. If this worship is done every year, happiness in this life and the highest gain in the next life are certain.”

Hearing from Krishna’s own mouth the greatness of Govardhan worship, all the gopas and gopis of Vrindavan began preparing for that great festival.

Soon the holy day arrived.

All of Vrindavan wore new clothes that day. Auspicious music sounded everywhere.

Parikshit asked, “Who came to see the worship, great sage?”

Shukadeva replied, “Everyone from Vrindavan came. Even the heavenly world did not stay away. Riding on the back of a great king elephant like Indra’s own elephant, Nanda Maharaj arrived before Giriraj with Rohini Devi and Yashoda. With him came Balaram and Krishna. Vrishabhanu came with Radhika and Kirti Devi. All the respected people of Vrindavan stood there. The friends of Radharani and the friends of Krishna were all there.”

Now the worship of Govardhan began.

Krishna Himself went around that King of Mountains. Hearing of this, Lord Mahadev, the Lord of Lords, came to see the worship. Yamuna Devi also came in the form of a human woman to see Govardhan’s worship.

Parikshit asked with wonder, “In what form did Govardhan accept the worship, Acharyadev? Did he take some divine form?”

Shukadeva answered, “No, Parikshit. He remained in that mountain body. But do you know, O King? Shri Hari Himself took on that mountain form. So Krishna now appeared in a unique divine form. The people of Vrindavan thought that perhaps this was Govardhan’s real form. They bowed with devotion and prayed before him for happiness and prosperity. Saying, ‘So be it,’ that divine form of Krishna disappeared.”

Thinking that the worship had been successful, everyone rejoiced. Joy spread all through Vrindavan. Krishna too joined that joy with His friends. Singing and dancing began all around. Everyone was delighted by the sweet and fragrant prasad of the worship.

Just then, a terrible danger gathered in the sky over Vrindavan.

Parikshit asked anxiously, “What happened, great sage?”

Shukadeva replied, “The people of Vrindavan stopped worshiping him and instead worshiped Govardhan Hill. King Indra heard this. His face became dark with terrible anger.”

In a thunder-like voice, Indra shouted, “What great insult is this? To dishonor me? At the words of one talkative, foolish, arrogant boy, Vrindavan has insulted King Indra? They do not know what a great mistake they have made. They will be punished. I will destroy Vrindavan.”

A servant bowed and said, “Give the order, O King of gods.”

Indra commanded, “Free the host of Samvartaka clouds. At once.”

“As you command, King of gods. I am doing it.”

Parikshit asked, “What is Samvartaka, Lord? Is it something very terrible?”

Shukadeva said, “Yes, O King. Samvartaka means terrible clouds. Once those clouds are released, they can destroy the whole world. Those clouds are so dreadful that if people saw them, they would tremble in fear. Some are yellow, some are bright red, some are smoke-colored, and some are white like camphor. Those clouds are huge and frightening like giant elephants.”

Parikshit asked again, “What does it mean to loosen their chains, great sage? Are they kept tied somewhere?”

“Yes, O King,” Shukadeva answered. “They are kept guarded under strict watch. If they were released and rushed into the outer world, then the great destruction would happen at once. In Indra’s own palace these Samvartaka clouds are kept bound in chains.”

Now Indra gave the order to set them free.

As soon as the order was given, the leader of the cloud host came, bowed to Indra, and stood there. His name was also Samvart.

Indra said, “Listen, Samvart. Take your followers and go at once toward Vrindavan. Show all your power in that Vrindavan. Let everything be swept away. Let Vrindavan be washed clean and completely destroyed. Not a single living being should remain alive there. Show mercy to no one. Will you remember that?”

Samvart bowed low. “I will remember, King of gods. Vrindavan is nothing. If you order it, I can destroy this whole creation.”

Indra said, “No, Samvart. Creation has done me no harm. It is Vrindavan that has insulted me. Go and completely destroy that foolish, talkative boy. Go now. I myself am coming behind you.”

“As you command, King of gods. We are going to carry out your order.”

Then Parikshit said, “I have one question, Acharyadev. Surely King Indra did not recognize Shri Krishna. He wanted to kill Him because he thought Him an ordinary human boy. But to kill a few ordinary beings, Indra’s thunderbolt would have been enough. Then why did he call those world-ending clouds against creation itself?”

Shukadeva replied, “Listen, O King. Indra understood that Vrindavan would never take such a great decision just because of the words of some foolish cowherd boy. Why did something happen this time that had never happened before? In his mind there was both doubt and fear.”

Parikshit said softly, “I understand, great sage. Then King Indra had guessed something.”

“Yes, O King, exactly so,” said Shukadeva. “Even if he did not know Krishna’s youthful form, Indra no longer had any doubt that this youth could not be an ordinary human being. So he took no risk. Before that magical boy could show any more of His power, Indra wanted to crush and remove Him. Besides, when someone is overcome by anger, he loses all sense of right and wrong. At that time, no reason works.”

Parikshit asked, “Could the Samvartaka clouds do any harm to Vrindavan, Acharyadev?”

Shukadeva answered, “When Shri Hari Himself is the protector, can any harm ever come to them, O King? He was guarding Vrindavan. What could one mere cloud do there? Still, yes, some disaster did happen.”

“What happened, Acharyadev? Please tell me.”

“The host of Samvartaka clouds rushed toward Vrindavan with terrible thunder,” Shukadeva said. “Hearing their roar, people’s hearts began to tremble. Along with those clouds, riding his great Airavata and carrying his thunderbolt, King Indra himself came rushing with great force.”

By the order of the king of the gods, the cloud host began to pour down water.

“No one had ever seen such rain before, O King.”

Parikshit asked, “What was that rain like, Lord?”

Shukadeva said, “What those clouds began to pour down could not be called ordinary rain, O King. It was as if pillars of water stretched from the sky to the earth. In that heavy flood there appeared the current of a great ocean. So strong was its pull. Along with the terrible rain began a violent storm. The flashes of lightning seemed to burn the earth. Hailstones as big as mountains began to fall. No one could stand before that fierce wind and water. Under this sudden attack on the land of Vrindavan, the cattle became completely helpless. They began to cry out in fear.”

Parikshit said, “What is this? This sounds like the description of the final destruction, great sage.”

“It was destruction indeed, O King,” Shukadeva replied. “If this is not destruction, then what else would you call destruction? The host of Samvartaka became powerful with the power of King Indra. Then they poured down their terrible force. Vrindavan was nearly drowned.”

The gopas and gopis were overcome with fear. Crying out in terror for their lives, they began running toward Nanda’s house.

“Save us, save us, save us, save us. Save us. Krishna Balaram, save us. We are dying. Vrindavan is being swept away. Save us, save us. Nanda Maharaj, Nanda Maharaj, where is Krishna? Where is Balaram? We are all about to die.”

Krishna said, “Here I am. You have come to me. What is there to fear now?”

The people cried, “Krishna, Krishna, destruction has come. Krishna, destruction has come. Water is everywhere. Oh listen, listen to the roaring of the clouds. Look at the flash of lightning, it is as if fire has broken out. What will happen now, Madhav? What will happen? We cannot hold back our cows and calves in any way, Krishna. In fear they are breaking their ropes and running away. The roofs have been blown off. Where will they stay? Everything is floating away in the water. Save us, Krishna, save us. O Balaram, Balaram, save us. I say, save us. We worshiped Govardhan instead of Indra. So the king of the gods has become angry and wants to destroy us. What shall we do, Krishna? Where shall we go?”

Krishna said, “Do not be afraid. Be calm. No disaster can harm you. The result is never bad when one acts on Krishna’s words. This Vrindavan is completely safe.”

Still trembling, they said, “Krishna, O Balaram, we are trembling with fear for our lives. You, you take away our fear. Protect us, Krishna. Protect us, Balaram.”

Nanda Maharaj, seeing the suffering of all, cried out, “What is this state? What has happened? Alas, alas, alas. Now Vrindavan will truly sink to ruin. So many people, animals, and birds, what fault is theirs? O Bhagavan, Bhagavan, protect us, protect us, Lord.”

Krishna at once said, “What are you saying, Father? It does not suit your mouth to say that Vrindavan will sink to ruin. Father, Father, be calm. Krishna is standing beside you.”

Nanda looked to Him helplessly. “Kanai, Kanai, what shall we do, Kanai? Tell us, child. Show us the way, Krishna.”

The time had come for the Lord to protect those who had taken shelter of Him.

Krishna said, “People of Braj, listen to me. The same Govardhan whom you worshiped will now protect you.”

The people were confused. “Govardhan? Govardhan will protect us? But how will Govardhan protect us? How will he do it?”

Then someone said, “Krishna has spoken truly. At the end of the worship we all had the darshan of Lord Govardhan. Have you forgotten? Take whatever valuable things each of you has in your house and quickly come to Govardhan. Bring the cows, calves, and birds with you too.”

The people cried, “We are going, we are going, we are going. We are going at once, at once. But how shall we go? The roads we know are gone. Water like a great ocean is everywhere. We cannot even stand.”

Krishna said, “You will be able to go. I say you will. Go, bring whatever you have.”

Parikshit asked, “Lord, were the people of Braj able to return to their homes?”

Shukadeva answered, “Yes, O King, they were. When Bhagavan Himself has spoken, His words cannot fail. Taking all their wealth, their families, and their cows and calves from their homes, the people of Braj came and stood before Govardhan Hill. Krishna and Balaram also came there with Nanda, Yashoda, and Rohini. Ignoring the terrible flood, thunder, and lightning, Krishna moved toward Govardhan.”

Parikshit whispered, “Then what happened, Lord?”

Shukadeva’s face brightened as he spoke.

“Krishna lifted that huge Govardhan Mountain up from the ground. O King, have you seen how someone holds a lotus leaf in one hand? In exactly that way He held Govardhan Mountain in His right hand.”

Parikshit was astonished. “In one hand? That huge mountain stayed in His one hand?”

“Yes, O King,” Shukadeva said. “It all remained in His hand.”

Holding Govardhan Hill up from the ground, Krishna said to the people of Braj, “Now go without fear and take shelter under this mountain. No one will be able to harm you anymore. Bring whatever you have and come stand here.”

The people cried with relief, “Come, come, come, come, come. There is no more fear. There is no more fear. Come. What a wonderful thing. What a divine play this is.”

Others called out, “Come, come, do not delay. Come here and take shelter.”

Holding up Govardhan Hill, Shri Krishna stood there in that way.

Parikshit asked, “How long did He stand there, Lord?”

“For seven full days,” Shukadeva replied. “For seven days the terrible disaster continued in Vrindavan. But Govardhan Mountain could not be shaken at all. King Indra, of course, left no effort undone.”

Indra shouted at the clouds, “Why is your strength fading, Samvart? Have you become afraid? Your followers cannot destroy one little Vrindavan. And with this strength you boast of world-ending power?”

Samvart replied, “Forgive us, King of gods. You yourself are with us. We are strong only by your strength. Even so, this small land cannot be destroyed. Look, Lord, all of Vrindavan has found shelter under Govardhan Hill.”

Indra said angrily, “No, it is Krishna who is holding Govardhan Hill in His own hand. Vrindavan is being saved because of that Krishna. Show even more power, Samvartaka. I am giving you more power from my thunderbolt. With this power destroy the land of Braj.”

Under the lifted mountain, all the people of Braj had found shelter. They were safe, but the hearts of the mothers were full of emotion.

One queenly mother began to weep.

Someone asked, “What is wrong, Queen? Why are you crying? We are all safe here. Do not be afraid. These clouds can do us no more harm.”

Mother Yashoda said through her tears, “They will not harm us, I know. But but my little boy, my Kanai, is standing there holding this whole mountain in His hand. He is giving shelter to so many people. We are all, we are all sitting here looking at His face. If something happens to Him, who will care for Him, Maharaj?”

Balaram said, “Mother, do not worry so much. Nothing will happen to Kanai. Do you not see, He is standing there holding an entire mountain in one hand? Is that the work of an ordinary person? Do not worry for Him, Mother.”

But Yashoda could not stop thinking like a mother. “How can you say I should not worry, child? Has my boy eaten anything? A boy who cannot stay even a moment without milk, kheer, and butter, no food is going to His mouth. How can I, as His mother, accept that? I am going.”

“Where will you go?” they asked.

“To Kanai. I cannot eat unless I feed Him first. I am going.”

“Mother, Mother, listen. Do not go, Mother.”

“All right, all right, give it to me. I will take it to Him.”

But Yashoda shook her head. “No, no, no, I will go. If I do not feed Him with my own hands, the boy will not put anything in His mouth. I will go. Kanai, Kanai, Kanai.”

She came near Krishna and said, “What is it, Mother?” He asked. “Go inside. Do not be afraid. The danger has passed.”

Yashoda answered, “No, child, the danger has not passed. To save us, You Yourself have fallen into danger, Kanai. Who will put food into Your mouth, tell me? Look, look, I have brought food. Open Your mouth, child, open Your mouth. How can I eat without feeding You? Here, take it, child, take it.”

Krishna smiled and said, “Mother, give it, give it, Mother, give it. Feed Me.”

Parikshit was overcome with wonder. “What is this you have said, great sage? He who is standing there holding Govardhan Hill in one hand, and Mother Yashoda has come to put food into His mouth?”

Shukadeva replied, “No, O King, she never believed that Shri Krishna is God Himself. The Vrindavan pastimes are sweet, the Vrindavan pastimes are full of motherly love. No matter how many impossible things Shri Krishna may do, to Mother Yashoda He is still her dear Kanai. If mother does not feed Him, He does not eat. There is no God there, O King. There is only the eternal bond between mother and child. Mother Yashoda is feeding her Gopal to her heart’s content. Now Krishna, carefree, is laughing and happily eating from His mother’s hand.”

Then Shukadeva said softly, “Where else is there such a sight, Parikshit? Nowhere. That is why the glories of Vrindavan can never be fully told, O King. Everything here is sweet. Everything is nectar.”

Parikshit, deeply moved, said, “I am becoming blessed, Lord. Truly blessed. That nectar is flowing through my ears, my mind, and my life. It is making me pure, holy, and spotless. Ah, that youthful form of Madanmohan. And beside Him the loving veil of Mother Yashoda. Let death come to me with this sight in my eyes. I have no more fear, Lord. I have no fear.”

Shukadeva continued, “Now hear the rest of the disaster of Vrindavan, Parikshit. The host of Samvartaka clouds could not destroy that land of Braj at all. Then King Indra understood his mistake. He understood the terrible offense he had committed by thinking Krishna to be an ordinary human being. By then he had stopped the fury and called the clouds back. The storm and rain stopped, and the sun came out.”

Krishna then said to the people of Braj, “There is no more fear. Nature is calm now. Look there, the sun has risen. The water of Yamuna has also gone down. Come, come, all of you come out without fear. Take your cows and calves and return to your homes.”

The people of Braj cried out in joy, “Blessed Krishna, blessed are You. You saved the land of Braj from the very hand of death. Blessed, blessed Krishna, blessed are You. That terrible host of clouds was afraid of our Krishna, they were afraid. King Indra was afraid.”

They embraced Him in great joy. They placed tilak on His forehead with yogurt, milk, and sandal paste. Even though King Indra had been defeated, the gods of heaven cried out in praise. Throughout Vrindavan the gopas and gopis began singing this wonderful story of Krishna.

Delighted by the praise and bathing ceremony of the people of Braj, Krishna then went to rest in a lonely forest near Yamuna.

And just then King Indra came there.

All his pride and ego had now been crushed.

Indra fell before the Lord and prayed, “O Lord, O Master of Yoga, O Holder of the Hill, forgive me. I have received the punishment for my pride, Lord. All my arrogance has been destroyed. But unless You forgive me, I find no peace, Lord. I have come to Your shelter. Give me a place at Your holy feet, Lord.”

Krishna said with mercy, “I forgave you long ago, King of gods. If I had no affection for you, I would not have crushed your pride in this way. This is how I destroy the ego of those on whom I show mercy. Go now, King of gods. Return to Amaravati. Remember Me with a pure heart. Perform your own duty. And never again be proud.”

Indra bowed again and again. “My salutations, Lord. Salutations. Victory to You. Victory to You.”

In the land of Braj celebration began again. Normal life started again.

But one doubt still remained in the minds of the people of Braj.

To clear that doubt, they returned again to Nanda Raja.

And what they heard there, they could never have imagined.

Hearing that, the land of Braj fell silent in amazement.