Krishna and Mount Govardhan
Listen to the Story
Read this interesting story to know how Krishna saved his people from the anger of Lord Indra
The Gathering Storm
“We must perform the grand yajna to appease Lord Indra,” said one elder. “If we fail, he will send a mighty storm upon us.”
Little Krishna, with his mischievous smile and twinkling eyes, listened intently. “Why do we worship Indra every year?” he asked.
“To ensure he blesses us with rain,” Nanda Maharaj explained.
“But, Father,” Krishna said, “is it not Govardhan Parvat that nourishes our cows and fields? It is Govardhan Hill that gives us fresh grass, pure water, and shade. Shouldn’t we worship the mountain instead?”
The villagers pondered his words. Convinced by Krishna’s wisdom, they prepared an offering for Govardhan instead of Indra. But Indra, furious at being ignored, unleashed his wrath. Torrential rains poured down, and thunder roared across the land. The villagers ran, seeking shelter, fear gripping their hearts.
The Divine Protector
With effortless grace, the little boy placed his pinky finger beneath Govardhan Hill and lifted it as if it were a mere leaf. The villagers gasped in awe—Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill was a sight they would never forget.
“Come, take shelter beneath Govardhan,” Krishna called.
One by one, the people of Vrindavan, along with their cows and calves, hurried beneath the mountain, now held aloft like a great umbrella. For seven days and seven nights, Krishna stood unwavering, shielding his people from Indra’s fury.
The Defeated King of the Heavens
“O Lord,” he said, “I now understand. You are not just a little cowherd boy—you are the Supreme One. Forgive my arrogance.”
Krishna smiled, lowering Govardhan Parvat gently back into place. “Pride blinds even the mightiest,” he said. “True strength lies in protecting, not in destroying.”
From that day on, the people of Vrindavan celebrated Govardhan Puja, honoring the mountain that had sheltered them and the divine boy who had lifted it with a little finger.
What We Learn
The story of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill teaches us some important lessons:
1. Gratitude for Nature
The villagers learned that nature takes care of us—Govardhan Mountain gave them food, water, and shelter. This reminds us to respect and take care of nature in return.
2. Humility Over Pride
Indra was proud and thought everyone should worship him. But he realized his mistake when Krishna didn’t fight back, but simply protected his people. This teaches us that being humble is more important than being powerful.
3. Faith and Courage
The people of Vrindavan were scared, but they trusted Krishna. Because of their faith, they stayed safe. This shows us that even in tough times, if we have faith and courage, we can overcome anything.
4. Celebrating the Right Things
Instead of blindly following old traditions, Krishna taught the villagers to think about what truly helps them. This reminds us to always question and learn, instead of just doing something because "it has always been done that way."
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