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Sri Krishna lifts Mount Govardhan

One more episode is worth recounting here. It is about teaching a lesson to God Indra, king of Heaven. It must have been clear by now that at the time of Sri Krishna, the economy depended on agriculture. Harvest and crops and thereby life on the earth depended upon timely rains and healthy seasons. God Indra is supposed to control all these forces. Therefore, it was customary on the parts of villages to sing glories of Indra and perform yajnas (sacrifices and rituals) in the glory and honor of Indra and other deities. Every year large amount of butter, wood, grains, and milk etc. would be collected and for a week or so and offered to the deities as an act of gratitude.

Indra had become very proud due such royal respect he received; he did not know that respect demanded out of fear and terror is not true respect. Indra started to think that he was the caretaker, sustainer, and destroyer of the worlds. That is, he thought that he was the Supreme Lord of the universe. Sri Krishna wanted to teach Indra a lesson, and show him his rightful place. Therefore, he suggested to the people of his clan to worship trees, mountains, rivers, grains, and farms instead of wasting large amount of firewood, milk, and its products in the name of Yajna for Indra. Sri Krishna convinced his father how useful and appropriate such a worship of nature would be. Nandalal agreed to this proposal, and on experimental basis it was decide to worship mount Govardhan near Vrindavan. Thus, worship continued and Indra was not remembered. Joyous vrajavasi - people living in Vrindavan, celebrated the occasion of Govardhan Puja with gaiety and fervour.

Indra was furious for having been neglected at the behest of a small boy! Under the infatuation of vanity, and blinded by pride, he was unaware of the real nature of baby boy. He decided to take revenge. He ordered his forces to his presence and asked clouds and wind to wreck havoc on Vrindavan. Obeying the order of the master huge clouds gathered over the village. The day turn into black night, as if. Winds blew tearing apart huts and houses, uprooted tress, and the people of Vraja were terrified beyond description. Soon it started raining cats and dogs, the rain that no one in his/her lifetime had ever seen or imagined. The plains were flooded, houses collapsed. All Gope and Gopis rushed to Nandalal for safety and advice. Even Nandalal had no answer to such a fury of nature.

But Sri Krishna was not perturbed in the least. He advised all the residents of the village to accompany him to mount Govardhan where they would be safe at the top. But it rained and rained and made life impossible there also. Then Sri Krishna decided to dishonour Indra completely. He lifted the mount Govardhan with one little finger and using it as an umbrella, asking all the people to take shelter under it. For seven days and seven nights Indra unleashed his fury, but nothing could hurt the people of Vrindavan under the protection of Sri Krishna and mount Govardhan.

Seeing the most unusual thing in his life, Indra, a pious and godly person as he was, started contemplating about Divine Being with such powers. Soon he realized the truth of Sri Krishna's descent on the earth. 'Oh, what a fool I have been! I challenged the supreme Lord in my blind pride and infatuation,' he repented. Descending down to earth, he prostrated before Sri Hari and sought pardon and forgiveness for his misdeeds. He praised Krishna's and sung hymns of His glories. The all-merciful Lord lifted Indra from his feet and pressed him to his chest in the most loving gesture of brotherhood. From that day, Sri Krishna is also known as Giridhari, Girdhar, and Govardhandhari (one who has lifted and shouldered mount (giri) Govardhan).

Sri Krishna leaves Vrindavan for Mathura

Soon child Krishna reached his adolescence. Life was peaceful, but his mission remained partially unfinished. Still, King Kamsa was ruling the kingdom with vengeance and wickedness. Innocent people were put to unnecessary trouble and hardship. Kamsa must be killed; otherwise sins on the earth would continue to demoralize humanity.

Here in Mathura, sage Narada came to the palace of Kamsa and instigated him thus: "O king, here you are enjoying your kingdom and there at Vrindavan Krishna is living in peace. Don't you remember the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva? That boy is Krishna, and he is the one who has killed all your relatives, Putana, and soldiers sent to Gokul. If no action is taken right away, who knows he might succeed in his chief mission (of killing you) as well!"

At the very mention of the eighth son of Devaki, Kamsa was terrified with fear of death. 'I must take immediate action or else I would perish at the hands of that boy,' he thought. He immediately summoned his trusted and loyal chief Akrura and told him about the whole matter. Kamsa wanted Akrura to go to Gokul-Vrindavan and bring the two brothers - Krishna and Balaram - to Mathura under pretext of visiting his uncle for enjoying festivals and festivities in his kingdom. "Tell Nandalal to send the two brothers to participate in games and sports arranged in Mathura as a part of festival," Kamsa said to Akrura.

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