On the auspicious occasion of Govardhan Puja, let us learn about Lord Krishna’s lila of lifting Govardhan Hill and the timeless lessons He imparted.  

What is Govardhan Puja? 

Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakuta, is celebrated on the Prathama tithi (first day) of the Shukla paksha (bright fortnight) of Kartika masa (Oct-Nov) every year to commemorate Lord Krishna’s extraordinary lila of lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavan from Indra’s wrath. 

Why Perform Sacrifices? 

Krishna, along with Balarama and Their cowherd friends, had just finished teaching some brahmanas who were performing yajnas just to go to Svargaloka that Krishna or Vishnu was the actual goal of the Vedas and enjoyer of all sacrifices (Bhagavad-gita 5.29).  

Then they noticed that the cowherds of Vrindavan were organising a similar sacrifice to pacify Indra, the King of Heaven and supplier of water through rain. 

Despite being all-knowing, as a matter of etiquette, He humbly asked His father, Nanda Maharaja, why they were organising a sacrifice. Nanda Maharaja remained silent, thinking Krishna was too young to understand.  

Krishna continued to ask Nanda Maharaja, saying that:  

• Saintly people did not keep secrets  
• There should be no secrets among close relatives 
• One must perform activities in full knowledge to get the desired result 

Nanda Maharaja then answered Krishna, saying that this sacrifice was a tradition to please Indra and show their gratitude for giving them rain, which is essential for their livelihood, and that one mustn’t give it up for selfish reasons. 

Krishna Instructs the Residents of Vrindavan  

Krishna also wanted to teach them the real purpose of sacrifice and why His pure devotees need not perform Vedic rituals aimed only at temporary happiness by pleasing the devatas (Lord Vishnu’s empowered devotees to manage universal affairs). 

He asked them to forgo this sacrifice for Indra and then spoke like a follower of the karma-mimamsa philosophy (doing one’s duties is enough; results will come, and there is no need to worship anyone), just to anger Indra and cut down his false prestige.  

Krishna asked the residents of Vrindavan to offer a sacrifice to please Govardhan Hill and the brahmanas, as they were Vaishyas (mercantile people who protected cows, Bhagavad-gita 18.44) and their work was directly related to cows and brahmanas. Nanda Maharaja finally relented Indra-yajna. 

Govardhan Puja 

Krishna asked the residents of Vrindavan to prepare nice foodstuffs from the grains and ghee (like rice, dal, halava, pakora, puri, milk preparations like sweet rice, sweet balls, sandesh, rasagulla and laddu, etc.) that were to be used for the Indra-yajna and distribute them as prasadam to all the living beings of Vrindavan. The residents of Vrindavan were simple-hearted and followed His every instruction.  

The assembled brahmanas chanted Vedic hymns, and the residents of Vrindavan came elegantly dressed with their cows and circumambulated Govardhan Hill. 

Krishna then assumed the form of Govardhan Hill. He declared to the residents of Vrindavan that He was Govardhan Hill and that their sacrifice was now complete, and to convince them, He ate the offerings.  

To this day, devotees honour Krishna’s words by worshipping small rocks or pebbles from Govardhan Hill as a Deity. 

Indra Decides to Inundate Vrindavan 

When Indra heard that the residents of Vrindavan had stopped his sacrifice, he became enraged and called for the Samvartaka clouds, which are called when cosmic dissolution is needed.  

Puffed up with his power and position, he thought the residents of Vrindavan were too proud of their opulence and were listening to Krishna, a mere child. He ordered the clouds to inundate Vrindavan and assured them he would accompany them. 

Having received King Indra’s orders, the clouds began to pour incessant rain accompanied by lightning, thunder, and severe winds. 

Krishna Protects the residents of Vrindavan 

With no other shelter, the residents of Vrindavan surrendered to Krishna and prayed to Him to protect them from Indra’s wrath. Krishna understood the situation and lifted the entire Govardhan Hill with His left hand’s little finger as easily as a child lifts a mushroom.  

Krishna then assured the Vrajavasis that they would be protected under the Hill like an umbrella. Krishna protected the Vrajavasis for one week so well that they were not disturbed by hunger, thirst, or similar discomforts. They were all simply in awe of Krishna’s display of power. 

Seeing that his mighty storm clouds did not affect Krishna, King Indra was astonished and ordered them to stop. When the skies cleared up and became sunny again, Krishna asked His dear devotees of Vrindavan to return home.  

After Krishna had replaced Govardhan Hill, the residents of Vrindavan hugged Him and showered Him with blessings. The womenfolk of Vrindavan tearfully offered Him curd and returned home, glorifying His divine feats. The residents of the upper planets also joyfully showered flowers on the Earth and played different instruments to glorify Krishna.  

Garga Muni’s Prophecy Comes True 

The pure-hearted residents of Vrindavan then began to discuss Krishna amongst themselves. How could such an uncommon boy choose to come and live with them in Vrindavan? At just seven years of age, Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill!  

Also, Krishna and Balarama had been performing extraordinary activities even since They were little babies. They had killed powerful sorcerers and demons like Putana, Trinavarta, Shakatasura, Bakasura, Dhenukasura, Pralambasura, and so on. Krishna had caused two Arjuna trees to fall, punished the poisonous serpent Kaliya, saved His friends from a forest fire, and the list continued. 

One of Nanda Maharaja’s friends admitted they were so attracted to Krishna that they could never forget Him, even if they tried. He must be a powerful divine being or the Supreme Being, God Himself. Nanda Maharaja recalled Garga Muni’s prophecy when he had performed Krishna’s name-giving ceremony.  

After making astrological calculations, Gargamuni declared that Krishna was the Supreme Lord who had appeared as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. He had appeared many times before in various forms to punish the miscreants and protect the pious and would continue to do so. The Vrajavasis were happy to hear this and praised Nanda Maharaja and Krishna.

Indra Repents and Surrenders to Lord Krishna 

After this, a Surabhi cow from Goloka (a special cow from Krishna’s abode that can supply unlimited quantities of milk) and Indra came to see Krishna. Indra felt guilty for his offence and fell at Krishna’s lotus feet. He offered elaborate prayers, begging for forgiveness and glorifying Krishna.  

Krishna smiled and told Indra that He had performed this lila to show him mercy. When someone becomes puffed up with false pride due to opulence, Krishna withdraws them to make them realise the truth that He is the Supreme Lord, maintainer, and well-wisher of everyone. 

The Surabhi cow also prayed to Krishna and thanked Him for saving her descendants in Vrindavan. Then, Indra, the Surabhi cow and all the other devatas worshipped Krishna by bathing Him with milk and water from the Ganges. 

The residents of the upper planets danced with joy and chanted Krishna’s holy names. Even the flora and fauna around Krishna could not contain their happiness, and giving up their natural enmity produced valuable items to please Him.  

Such is the power of Krishna that, what to speak of humans, even lower animals, lived in harmony due to His divine presence. 

Join us in following the footsteps of Krishna’s devotees by celebrating Govardhan Puja on 2 Nov 2024. 

To know more, visit: www.iskconbangalore.org/govardhana-puja

Watch the Govardhan lila from the renowned Little Krishna series: