Govardhana Giri Dhara-Govinda!

[Guest guest]

Namaste. I had an opportunity to read a beautiful devotional book

about 'Vishnu Shatpadi Stotra'- the Prayer glorifying Lord Krishna,

composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankara, explained in a speech by Sri

Akhandaananda Saraswati of Vrindavan, India.

 

In the fourth verse, starting as 'uddhRta naga...

the lifter of Mount Govardhana is glorified.

 

The story of Govardhana hill revealed in that book is very interesting.

 

Govardhana hill was a peak of the mountain range originally belonged

to Mount SuMeru. In Treta yuga, when Lord Ramachandra was building the

bridge across the ocean to fight a war with Ravana, Hanuman ji was

bringing the Sumeru mountain to be used in the construction.

 

As he reached Vraja (Vrindavan) he learned that construction of the

bridge was completed and there was no need for the Sumeru.

 

So Hanumanji felt dropping down the Sumeru right at Vraja but the

mounain lamented for being separated from its original family and

loved ones. So even this separation and pain was in vain. Sumeru could

not be used in the great cause and felt devoid of divine service to

Lord Rama in spite of Hanuman ji's effort by carrying it so far. Now

its destiny seemed bad since it was left some where far away from its

own family and the Lord.

 

Then Hanumanji was concerned about the fate of this Sumeru and

asked Lord Rama for advice.

 

The Lord had told Hanumanji that after the pastimes of Rama's

Incarnation in Treta yuga, He would return as Lord Krishna and sport

on the same mountain in the Land of Vraja.

If the Lord had used the mountain in building the bridge across the

ocean, He could simply tread upon it and its divine service, Seva,

would thus be of limited importance.

 

On the other hand, in Dwapara yuga, He as Lord Krishna would come back

to play on the mountain itself day and night, He would engage in His

confidential pastimes in its caves and groves along with His

playmates. He and His cattle would be bathing in its streams and

nourished by its trees with their produce.

It would become very famous as a central stage for His cowherd-role-play.

 

In course of time He would also lift up by hand the whole mountain

over His own head as an umbrella to protect the inhabitants of Vraja

saving them from the torrential rain storm sent by Indra, the king of

heaven.

 

Not only He would simply be treading upon the mountain as if it were

just a bridge but also it would be given a great honor as the

majestic crown held upon the Lord's head!

 

The peak of Mount Sumeru became happy and satisfied, remained there

in Vraja for a long time awaiting the Lord's return. Later on it is

known as Govardhana hill.

 

Jaya Sri Radhey!

 

 

> " Bhajo, Giridhara! Govinda! Gopala! " -

 

> Of course we are all familiar with the Gopi-Saint Meerabai's haunting

> melodies of Divine Love, whose concluding verse are always -

>

> 'meera ke prabhu giridhar, naagar! "

>

> Lord of Mirabai is the Dark Beloved,

> the Lifter of Mount Govardhana!

 

> " tuma bina mere kaun khabar le, govardhana giri dhaari? "

>

> - St. Mira Bai

>

> " O Lifter of Govardhan Mountain!

> Who else is there for me other

> than Yourself to save me

> from this pitiable plight? "

>

> > (Sri Krishna Karnamritam 2.26)

> >

> > " I delightfully take shelter in My Beloved,

> > Govinda, the transcendental Joy,

> > Who is the beautiful, cool, moon faced Lord,

> > Whose flowing soft, curly hair is sprinkled

> > with the foot dust of the blessed cows of Vraja,

> > Who seems to be very EXHAUSTED playing the

> > GAME of lifting Mount Govardhana, and

> > Whose transcendental body is stamped with

> > the saffron covering the Divine bosoms of

> > His sweetheart Gopis! "

>

[Guest guest]

Lifting Mount Govardhana – The Crowning of Krishna as Govinda

=======================================

 

In preparation for the impending battle with Ravana, Rama, the

hero of the epic Ramayana, was building a bridge of stones to the

city of the demon situated at the other end of the ocean. For

this purpose Hanuman, Rama's favorite devotee was searching

around for mountains. He soon came to the mountain known as

Govardhana. The mountain agreed to go with him only on the

condition that Lord Rama's feet should pass over him. Hanuman

readily agreed. However, when they reached the seashore, the

bridge was already complete and there was no space left for

Govardhana. Knowing of Govardhana's desire, Lord Rama promised

that in the future when He would incarnate as Krishna, He would

definitely fulfill Govardhana's wish. He then instructed Hanuman

to establish the mountain near the banks of the river Yamuna at

Vrindavana, where in His Krishna avatara He would play with his bare feet.

 

How the supreme God Krishna came to lift the mountain Govardhana

is an instructive incident which sheds much light on how God goes

about playfully accomplishing His objectives, known popularly as Lila.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/book/details/IDJ094/

 

It all happened when Krishna was merely seven years old. He saw

His parents along with all the villagers involved in hectic

efforts for a sacrificial ritual (yagya) to propitiate and

worship the demigod Indra. On asking why they intended to

propitiate Indra, His father replied: " Indra is the patron deity

of clouds and rain. He is the one who provides us with our

cherished life-giving water. The very items which are used in

worshipping him are sustained by rain. Whatever remains after we

have propitiated him with offerings is used as food by us. It is

Indra who makes our efforts at agriculture and cultivation

successful. This practice has continued since generations and

whosoever wishes to do away with these traditional ritual

practices either due to desire, greed, fear or hostility, can

never hope for well-being in his life. "

 

To this Krishna replied, " Father, all living beings are born

according to their respective karmas, and die because of it. It

is according to their karma that they experience pleasure, pain,

fear or well-being. God distributes the fruits of actions to

those who perform actions. He does not rule over those who don't

perform karma. Whenever everyone here is experiencing the fruit

of their own actions only, what possible use can Indra be to us?

People are but bound to their nature and follow their own natural

disposition and proclivities. The whole world, whether it be

humans or demigods (devatas), all are but established in their

own nature. It is as the result of past actions that a being

acquires various `high' or `low' bodies and leaves them. It is

nothing but one's own karma that assumes the role of an enemy,

friend or an indifferent person. What more can I say, karma is

guru and karma is God. Therefore father, one should follow one's

natural disposition, as reflected in the caste and stage of life

(varna-ashram) granted to us, and performing actions in tune with

it, and respect one's prescribed karma. That by which a man can

easily sustain his life through prescribed actions, that is his

worshippable deity. Like the woman who leaves her husband and

serves a paramour can never hope to gain peace, likewise the one

who ignores the deity directly responsible for his livelihood and

instead worships another god, he can never hope to get happiness. "

 

" Brahmins maintain their livelihood by studying and teaching the

Vedas, Kshatriyas (warrior class) by protecting the earth;

Vaishyas (businessmen) by agriculture, trade, protection of cows

and by lending money against interest; Shudras (serving class) by

serving these three classes. We are Vaishyas, and we have been

engaged in the protection of cows since time immemorial. Father,

it is the three modes of nature (guna) which are responsible for

the creation (rajoguna), maintenance (sattvaguna) and dissolution

of this world (tamoguna). This varied world is created through

rajoguna by the mutual union of man and woman. It is due to being

impelled by rajoguna that clouds shower water all around. By

means of this water is obtained food on which everybody lives.

What has Indra got to do with it? "

 

" Father, we have no towns, countries, territories, villages or

houses to call our homes. We are forest-dwellers, living in

jungles or on mountains. It is the mountain Govardhana that gives

us fruits and food. It's on its slopes that our cattle graze;

therefore, why don't you worship Govardhana instead? Let us now

initiate a ritual sacrifice for the propitiation of cows,

Brahmins and Mount Govardhana. It can be accomplished with the

very materials for Indra's sacrifice. Let milk collected from all

cows be brought together and various sweet dishes, rice, pulses

and various puddings be made for the worship. Let the food be

offered to Govardhana. Let the sacrificial fires be properly fed

with oblations by the Brahmins who are well-versed in the Vedas,

and then let these Brahmins be suitably respected with lavish

offerings of food and sacrificial fees. Then may food also be

distributed to chandalas (the lowest of the lowest) and also

dogs. Cows should be supplied with lush green grass. After that,

take your own meals and then, adorning yourself with sandal

paste, ornaments and putting on beautiful clothes, circumambulate

the Mount Govardhana. "

 

Understanding the significance of Krishna's words, all seniors of

Vrindavana happily accepted them and set out to worship the

supremely auspicious mountain Govardhana. Brahmins started

chanting sacred mantras and the young cowherds, friends of

Krishna started to carry water from the river Yamuna to bathe

Govardhana. However, given its colossal size, no amount of effort

was sufficient enough to transfer the required quantity of water.

In exasperation the boys appealed to Krishna: " O Krishna, the

Yamuna is too far from here and Govardhana too big for our

efforts. How will we be able to bring in the required amount of

water for the worship? "

 

Krishna replied: " Friends, Govardhana is very compassionate. Don't

worry. " Krishna then started praying " : " Dear Govardhana, my

friends are tired. Both Ganga and Yamuna lie in your feet. Please

manifest either of them. " No sooner had He said so than sprung

from the feet of Govardhana, the river Ganga, known as Manasi

Ganga (Ganges of the mind – as it sprung from the `mental wish'

of Lord Krishna). Devotees can still have darshan of this sacred

water-body at Govardhana today.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/artimages/manasi_ganga.jpg

 

Then the mountain was anointed with its water and bedecked with

ornaments. Finally, a lavish feast was offered to it. Remember,

here is an instruction for all of us serving and worshipping

deities in our homes. While anointing, bathing, dressing or

offering pure food to the deity we have to realize that it is a

living entity with consciousness rather than a non-living piece

of sculpture. We should love the deity as much as we love our own

body, and serve it similarly.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/RM89/

 

In order to reinforce this Krishna suddenly assumed another form

which was huge and situated it on Mount Govardhana. Thus now it

was Krishna who was making offerings from the base of the mount

and it was Krishna Himself who was also consuming the offerings.

In this manner did Krishna also manifest the eternal Vedic dictum

on how to perform worship of a deity: `Shivo bhootva Shivam

yajet,' meaning become God and then worship God. In the

Govardhana-Lila of the Lord, it is Krishna worshipping Himself as

Govardhana. Thus after completing the worship in the prescribed

manner, all returned to Vrindavana.

 

However, when people get used to receiving gifts and tokens of

respect, they get so habituated to it that they are distressed if

it is curtailed. They get angry thinking: " Why wasn't I given

gifts and respect this time? " They do not realize that gifts and

respect are a token of the reverence in the hearts of those who

give them. The receiver however, has no right to expect either

respect, or any gift.

 

Indra had begun to accept the worship of the people of Vrindavana

as his due. Therefore, when he did not receive this worship he

got immensely angry. A classic example of how anger blinds one

whether it is a human being or a god. Demonic instincts came to

the fore in Indra and he commanded the clouds to rain havoc in

Vrindavana, creating as much destruction as possible. The clouds

began to pour sheets of water over Vrindavana and lightning

flashed all around. Large chunks of hail fell from the sky, so

much so that elevations and depressions on the ground became

invisible, all being submerged under water. The people were

terrified and covering their heads, their children and cattle

with their bodies, shivering, they surrendered themselves to the

lotus feet of the Lord, saying: " O Krishna, You are our only Lord

and savior, save us from Indra's wrath. "

 

Krishna very well realized that it was all Indra's doing. Then,

wanting to destroy the vain pride of Indra who thought of himself

as the absolute lord of the world, did Krishna initiate one of

the most fascinating of all His Lilas. He proceeded to uproot

with ease the mighty Mount Govardhana, much as a child would

pluck a mushroom, and held it aloft playfully on the tip of the

small finger of His left hand and called out aloud: " O People of

Vrindavana along with your cattle come under Govardhana. "

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/PH31/

 

With their minds thus reassured, the residents of Vrindavana

entered the cavity under Mount Govardhana. Under their loving

gaze did the seven-year old Krishna effortlessly hold aloft the

mountain for seven days, not at all budging from His position. On

the seventh day, His friends, the young cowherds of Vrindavana

said: " Krishna you have not had any rest at all. Your hand must

be paining. Shift the mountain to any one of us or if you don't

want to do so, at least shift it to your other hand so that we

can in the meanwhile massage your left hand. Shri Krishna

replied: " My brothers don't worry about me. If you want to help

just prop up the mountain with your wooden sticks that will be

helpful to me. "

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/PG82/

 

This is how our beloved Krishna allows us to believe that we are

the " doers " , while the fact is we are never doing anything which

could influence the outcome in any manner. Also, love and

affection, like that between Krishna and His friends, does not

acknowledge superiority or mastery. Later when Krishna would

boast while playing with His friends that it was He who had

lifted the mountain His friends would immediately remind Him not

to forget that if it weren't have been for the support of their

sticks, Krishna would never have managed to hold on to the

mountain single-handedly.

 

Observing the mighty power he was against, Indra was humbled, and

with his design thwarted, he ordered the rain clouds to withdraw.

Noticing the clear sky and rising sun, Krishna called out: " O

cowherds the stormy winds and showers have stopped. The rising

waters too have receded. You can all come out now. " When they had

all come out with their belongings, Krishna replaced Govardhana

at its previous position. Overflowing with emotion, the residents

of Vrindavana rushed to Him. Many of them embraced Him while the

gopis overwhelmed with affection and joy worshipped Him with curd

and unbroken rice (akshat). Much relived and delighted, they all

then headed back to their homes, which to their surprise they

found dry and totally devoid of the rainwater.

 

Objection: How is it possible that the houses of the inhabitants

of Vrindavana became totally dry?

 

Resolution: For this you must remember that God's Lila doesn't

fulfill only a single purpose. He achieves multiple objectives

during the course of a single Lila. To understand how the water

was removed from Vrindavana, we have to once again go back to the

Ramayana.

 

Goddess Sita, around whom the epic is woven, was very fond of

feeding auspicious Brahmins in her kitchen, making food for them

with her very own hands. However many fed, she was never

satisfied; given the lack of appetite in the Brahmins she cooked

food for. She complained of this to her husband Rama, who teased

that she had still not seen a `true brahmin'. " Show me one then "

she replied. Lord Rama then invited sage Agastya, who was famed

for once having drunk the entire ocean to flush out the demons

hiding in it.

 

Devi Sita was delighted that she would get a chance to offer food

to such an accomplished sage. In the morning, she seated him in

the room just next to the kitchen and then started serving him.

He started gobbling it all up even without batting an eyelid.

Soon it was evening. However, the sage continued unperturbed.

Devi Sita then mobilized all the resources at her disposal and

continued to ensure a regular supply of food for him. Seventeen

days passed away in this way. Finally exasperated, Sita took

refuge with Rama and asked him to resolve the matter. Rama then

gestured to Agastya to wrap up the game now. The latter suddenly

burped and asked for water. However, the couple expressed their

inability to supply the requisite amount of water to quench his

thirst. Then did Lord Rama promise him: " A long time later in

the future I will lift Mt. Govardhana, and during that time there

will a deluge of rain in the city of Vrindavana. At that time you

can come and drink away all the water accumulated there. Till

then, you can withdraw yourself into samadhi. " Agastya welcomed

this suggestion and did as told.

 

It was this Agastya who drank away all of Vrindavana's water to

quench his thirst.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/artimages/agastya.jpg

 

 

The Council of the Elders:

 

Witnessing Krishna's marvelous feat, the residents of Vrindavana

became perplexed and called a council of elders. They then

addressed Nanda Baba, the father of Krishna: " The exploits of

this child are truly extraordinary. How come such an exceptional

child has taken birth amongst us ordinary, rustic people? Such a

birth truly belittles Him. "

 

Nanda Baba, fearing that the elders doubted whether his darling

Krishna was truly his son or not, replied: " O cowherds, hear from

me what the best of astrologers said at the time of Krishna's

birth. It was prophesized that he would be a delight of all

Vrindavana and would ensure that we cross over all difficulties

with His help. Those who are extremely fortunate would cherish

affection for Him, and would never be defeated by enemies. This

boy is similar to the Supreme Lord Narayana in His qualities.

Hence, you all should not feel any amazement at His exploits. "

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/RH77/

 

Hearing these words, the elders of Vrindavana were satisfied and

became extremely delighted. They respectfully honored Nanda Baba

and ceased to feel any surprise over Krishna's feats. However,

not far from there, Krishna's mother Yashoda too got wind of the

conversation. Consequently, there started blowing in her mind

winds of doubt, and not without reason too. She called Krishna

and asked Him:

 

Darling Krishna, people doubt who you belong to?

 

Krishna: To you of course mother.

 

Yashoda: But people are saying all sorts of things. They are

pointing out that though your father and I both are extremely

fair in complexion, you are dark in contrast. Why is it so?

 

Krishna: Mother it is because of you. When I was born I too was

fair like you. However, it was pitch dark at that time. You were

sleeping away merrily. I was sleeplessly turning sides the whole

night. As a consequence, the darkness of the night stuck to me

and I became black.

 

Krishna's simple mother could never disbelieve her son. She

stretched out her hand and squeezed Him to her chest. The same

question was put to Him insultingly by Duryodhyana, the villain

of the epic Mahabharata. The following dialogue takes place there:

 

Duryodhyana: Nobody can say for sure who your parents are. If

Nanda Baba and Yashoda are your parents then why are so black?

 

Krishna: I am black (kaalaa) because I have come as your end (kaal).

 

However, when Krishna's beloved Radha asked Him the same

question, His reply was markedly different:

 

Radha: My Dear, Even though you are so beautiful, why are you

black?

 

Krishna: Dear Radhe, Actually I was extremely fair. However, I

have become dark only to enhance your fair beauty, which is all

the more magnified by contrast with my dark complexion.

 

Some bhaktas speculate that since Krishna always lives in the

eyes of the gopis of Vrindavana, it is the black kohl (kaajal) of

their eyes that has blackened Him. Or perhaps He is dark because

He absorbs all the negativity in the hearts of His worshippers.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/RM69/

 

 

Indra asks for Forgiveness and Krishna is Given a New Name:

 

After Krishna had saved Vrindavana from the torrential rains,

there descended from the heavens the sacred cow Kamadhenu (to

congratulate Him) and Indra (to ask for forgiveness). The latter said:

 

" Dear Lord, blinded by rage, I set out to destroy Vrindavana with

heavy showers and stormy winds. By ruining my efforts and

therefore crushing my pride you have done me a great favor. You

are not only my Lord, but also guru, nay my very soul. "

 

Laughingly Krishna replied in a voice deep like the rumbling of clouds:

 

" O Indra, Highly intoxicated as you were with the pride of the

majesty of indra-hood (which is but a post which is refilled by

me at the beginning of every creation), I blessed you by

interrupting your sacrifice so that you could live in the

constant realization of my presence. Blinded by their wealth and

power, people forget that I am constantly holding vigil over them

carrying the stick of chastisement. However, to prevent such

persons from falling into deep hells I often demonstrate to them

the ineffectiveness of their position and wealth against my own

powers. You may now return O Indra, and rule over the heavens

according to my commandments (because I am the Supreme Lord) and

execute your assigned duties without being puffed up by pride or haughtiness. "

 

Then Kamadhenu, the mother of all cows, came forward and said: " O'

Krishna, its you who protected my progeny, the cows of

Vrindavana. Therefore, rather than Indra it is you who are our

protector king. Hence, we cows wish to crown you as our Indra. "

 

Then, Kamadhenu anointed Krishna with her milk and named Him

" Govinda, " the protector of cows, signifying that it is the

Supreme Lord Himself who is the protector of cows, pointing out

to the exceptional affection He has for these creatures.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/WK22/

 

 

Conclusion:

 

The divine and beautiful Govardhana Lila of Krishna operates at

many levels and achieves many objectives at the same time:

 

1). Our pride is but food for God. However, even the humbling of

our pride is a manifestation of His grace, since it affords us an

opportunity to witness and remember His divine presence.

 

2). Krishna never lets down those who surrender to Him. Indeed,

faith moves mountains.

 

3). He fulfilled the promise made to Govardhana at the time of

Rama avatara.

 

4). He kept the promise made to sage Agastya to quench His thirst.

 

5). Mount Govardhana is one of the most potent places associated

with Krishna. It is actually a visible form of Krishna. Not only

did He play on its slope with His bare feet but also declared

that Govardhana should be circumambulated (pradakshinam kurut –

Shrimad Bhagavata Purana – 10.24.29). Anybody and everybody

should circumambulate this divine mountain at least once in their lifetimes.

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/book/details/IDK262/

 

6). Krishna demonstrated the authentic Vedic way of worship

(Shivo bhootva Shivam Yajet), where everybody, regardless of his

caste or creed is offered prasadam.

 

7). Cows in Sanskrit are called `go'. The word `go' also means

the sense organs (indriyas). The ruler over these indriyas is

Indra. Worship of Indra means worshipping our sense organs, in

other words, living according to our desires. When one sets on

the path of bhakti, Indra overwhelms us with the deluge of

desires. Nobody can hope to win over desires (vaasana) by his or

her mere efforts. It is only by surrendering unto Him that we can

hope to save ourselves. Hence, the true Lord of our senses, their

Indra, is none other than Krishna, or Govinda (Protector of our

sense organs).

 

8). God wants us to worship out of affection and not fear.

 

9). Finally, God's exceptional love for cows is made amply

evident in this Lila. In fact, the very word Govardhana means the

sustainer and nourisher (vardhana) of cows (go).

 

Illustration: http://www.exoticindia.com/product/WJ28/

 

===========================================

This article by Nitin Kumar

 

, pyari_h <no_reply wrote:

 

> In the fourth verse of Sri Shankara's 'Shatpadi Stotra', starting as 'uddhRta

naga...

> the lifter of Mount Govardhana is glorified.

>