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Looking like the full moon surrounded by a galaxy of stars, Krsna, the playful son of Vrajaraja Nanda, enjoyed blissful pastimes with His intimate associates. These joyous pastimes perfectly befit the enchanting atmosphere of Vrndavana. In the daytime, Krsna tended the cows and sported with His boyfriends. Mother earth felt honored by the touch of Krsna's lotus feet. The cowherd boys felt inconceivable bliss within their minds as they frolicked with Krsna. During their fun-filled days, Krsna often killed some envious demon, who acted like poison to saintly persons. One day Nanda Maharaja, the abode of kindness, simplicity, and joy and other senior men of Vrndavana made preparations to worship the demigod Indra. They collected many articles and made elaborate arrangements for a joyous festival. Noticing this, Krsna said to His father, "0 honored one! What is the name of the ceremony you are organizing? Which demigod are you trying to please? Who is the guru instructing you in this yajna with his infallible words? What injunctions and system of worship are you following? "Why are people running around mechanically in all directions? I do not understand the meaning of it. Of course, since I am only a boy you may not consider Me qualified to comprehend your explanation. But if you think I am eligible, then tell Me all the details of this yajna from beginning to end. If, however, you think it is too confidential, then still you should tell, because one should not keep secrets from well-wishers. But such details should never be revealed to one's enemies." After speaking so maturely, Krsna sat next to Vrajaraja Nanda on a cloth asana. Nanda Baba lovingly picked up His son, who was like a spotless moon moving on the earth, and placed Him on his lap. Hearing the sweet questions of his son, Nanda affectionately smiled revealing his attractive white teeth. The soft glow of his face resembled nectar drops of milk. This nectar appeared to be washing and nourishing Nanda's beard, which was mixed with white and black hair. Beaming in a jolly mood, Vrajaraja Nanda tactfully described the nature of the sacrifice. Nanda Maharaja said, "My dear son! In our family line we have been observing this Indra yajna for a long time. We experience prosperity and freedom from disturbances due to its proper performance. Our only wealth is the cows that live on grass, which needs rain to grow. Rain comes from the clouds that are controlled by the demigod Indra. For all these reasons, therefore, I am making a grand festival to please Indra. I "Every year at this time we carefully observe this sacrifice. Being pleased with our yajna, Indra sends abundant rainfall. The other demigods gladly accept our oblations of ghee, and show their gratitude by preserving what we have and providing what we need. The scriptures say that human beings who honor this tradition become glorious and attain the heavenly planets in their next lives. Any man can attain peace of mind by the blessings of the demigods. Those who neglect to worship the demigods, however, cannot get any relief from their problems." After hearing these bitter words, Krsna smiled mildly to hide His feelings and then refuted Nanda's presentation. Krsna's eloquent delivery amazed and pleased the Vrajavasis. Indeed, Krsna mesmerized the entire audience with His words. Krsna said, "In this regard your actions are not justified. The force of karma causes the birth, maintenance, and destruction of all living entities. It is not the demigods, but it is a person's work that determines his destiny. A saintly person, therefore, need not worship any demigod. One may beg so many desirable things from the demigods. But the demigods cannot give one more then what he is destined by his own pious and impious acts. Only those who cannot control their senses propound that demigods can award more than what one has worked to attain. "You can say that living entities are inspired to act by the Supersoul. But this is also false, because every individual is under the control of his own conditioned nature. In reality, it is the acquired desires and personal nature of a living entity that cause him to act. Where is the question of the Supersoul being the supreme controller? Even the Lord Himself does not directly perform the activities of creation, maintenance, and destruction. All these actions are conducted by the three modes of material nature, namely goodness, passion, and ignorance. "It is not a fact that wherever it rains, the cause is worshiping and pleasing Indra, who in turn sends the rain clouds. There is constant rain during the monsoon season. But you cannot say that Indra sends it. Indeed, the monsoon rains bring mental distress and make people weak and thin. So that rain is not the mercy of someone who is pleased. "Do the seas and mountains worship Indra? Of course not, but still they are full of water. Why does Indra give them so much water? Impelled by the material mode of passion, the clouds pour rain everywhere, and this rain sustains all creatures. Therefore, nothing will happen if you do not Worship Indra. "The brahmana maintains his life by studying and teaching the Vedas, the ksatriya by protecting the earth and political activity, the vaisya by trade and agriculture, and the sudra by serving the other classes. The occupational duties of the vaisya are conceived of in four divisions: farming, commerce, cow protection, and money lending. Of these, our duty is cow protection, "Neither in the past nor the present has there been any certainty about having a successful grain harvest in our village. Therefore, this yajna means nothing to us. It is our nature to dwell in the forest and wander in the woods and on the hills. Since we never stay in one place, why should we perform the Indra yajna, which is not based on scriptural injunctions? "0 father! You are peaceful and respected by everyone. You should have faith in My words, for they will remove all danger. Now just expertly worship Govardhana Hill with all the ingredients collected for the Indra yajna. This great mountain is not only named Govardhana, but it has the ability to increase (vardhana) the health and satisfaction of our cows (go). "Collect pots full of milk and make first-class milk sweets like sweet rice. Cook many tasty foods and fancy cakes. Bring leaf bowls full of ghee, honey, and nectar drinks. Prepare an ocean of yogurt, buttermilk, and fresh butter. Build a mountain of rock candy, and cover all directions with an abundance of shikharini rasala. "Send messengers to invite the brahmanas. Feed them sumptuously until they laugh, and their faces beam with the brilliant garlands of their blissful smiles. At that moment, the brahmanas will consider that the heavenly storehouses of nectar are totally insignificant. Call the priests to conduct the fire sacrifice and distribute cows in charity to the brahmanas. Those among you who are simple-hearted should just try to feed the brahmanas. "You should please everyone by making an annakuta (hill of food) with thick dais, varieties of aromatic vegetables, and very palatable sweet cakes surrounded by pools of unlimited sweet rice. Then worship Giri-Govardhana with the proper articles such as padya. After feeding the brahmanas, you should give food to everyone else, including such fallen souls as dogs and dog-eaters. Saturate the directions with the sweet music of bheris, resonant conches, tumultuous kettledrums, and various other instruments. The witty, well versed brahmanas will start the yajna with perfectly pronounced mangalacarana mantras. The entire horizon will be surcharged with all these auspicious sounds. "According to sastric injunction, you should circumambulate Giriraja to conclude the worship. Decorated with priceless jingling ornaments that delight the ears, the men should dress so luxuriously that even the demigods would be astonished. The housewives with their sweet, gentle smiles should also assemble. Invite the male and female artists to dance and sing along with flutes, vinas and mrdangas. Bring the bullock carts in a procession lead by scholarly brahmanas, who are truly the personified jewels of all auspiciousness. "You, who have the audacity to challenge even Lord Indra, who lives for millenniums, should happily circumambulate Govardhana Hill along with your cows, bulls and calves. Do not think, 'How can we have faith that Giriraja will gratify our desires?' Soon Giriraja will fulfill all your desires and become famous as a second Mahendra. He will reward you handsomely and make all your endeavors fruitful. What more can I say? 0 father! If you want to, you can follow My advice and achieve an auspicious result." After hearing Krsna's speech, Nanda Maharaja and the leading men of Vrndavana accepted His proposal. They agreed that this must be done to satisfy their desires. Acting as the acarya of the yajna, Krsna directed the Vrajavasis to worship Giriraja with all the paraphernalia collected for Indra's worship. This of course made Indra extremely angry. Nothing else could be heard in Vrndavana except the auspicious vibration of instrumental music. Vedic hymns resounded through the sky. The Vrajavasis felt blissful, and all the living entities entered a jolly mood from the worship of Govardhana. Hearing the melodious voices of the ladies, the cuckoos anxiously tried to learn singing from them. Ears attained their purpose by perceiving those auspicious sounds. The cows were adorned with gold-plated horns, colorful silk cloths on their backs, pearl necklaces, and tinkling bells hanging from their necks. Seeing their mothers so richly ornamented, the calves jumped excitedly. Nanda Maharaja brought the necessary articles from his house to worship Govardhana Hill. He initiated the puja by respectfully offering padya (water) to wash Giriraja's feet. In an ebullient mood, he made the-Annakuta hill complete with powerful peaks that delighted all in attendance. The peak rising out of the middle of the hill looked like a crown made of white camphor. The multi-colored cakes stuck on the sides of the Annakuta hill looked like stones and boulders. At the base of the hill there were clay pots full of milk, yogurt, and sweet rice. There were also colorful sabjis, lakes of dahl, and very fragrant soups. Due to its covering of ghee, the Annakuta Mountain looked like golden Mt. Kailasa shimmering under a cover of rain. Different kinds of fruits and flowers decorated its edges. When Nanda Maharaja saw the opulence of Annakuta spreading its sweet aroma of cloves, camphor, and cardamom in all directions, he felt that this was fitting honor to Sri Giriraja, the king of all mountains. Sri Hari smiled happily upon seeing the amazing Annakuta rivaling the peak of Mt. Sumeru. Suddenly, the playful, fun-loving, indomitable Krsna assumed a huge unprecedented form and stood on top of Govardhana Hill. He did this to anger Indra and instill faith in the cowherd men. Observing this powerful form glowing like a thousand suns, Krsna, who remained among the cowherd men in His original human-like form, cast a gentle glance upon everyone and said, "Hung ho! Look! Look! By using all the paraphernalia to exclusively worship Govardhana Hill with pure love you have received his favor. Govardhana, the best of all mountains has now manifested before you as a brilliantly effulgent person. Please look closely! The huge mouth of this expanded form of Giriraja resembles a deep cave. Though his mouth is massive, his face looks as beautiful as the full moon. Usually trees serve as his arms, but now he has two beautiful arms adorned with attractive jeweled armlets. Usually hard rocks cover his body, but now he has assumed a tender sweet form. Look how that beautiful body walks over the other non-moving form! "Moreover, this non-moving form is sitting like a seat made of costly emeralds, but it appears like the huge chest of the moving one. Glittering like a row of rubies, his teeth look like the crown of the non-moving form. The saffron hue of the minerals on the non-moving form gives an attractive hue to the lips of the moving one. In comparison, these two forms of Govardhana manifest the same elegance. Govardhana is reciprocating with your overflowing love and devotion. He is acting like a hungry person extending his arms bedecked with jeweled bangles. Look! Just see how this hill has appeared in person to fulfill your desires! Now offer respects to him." Both Krsna and the people of Vrndavana bowed down to this personified form of Govardhana Hill. In effect, Krsna actually offered obeisances to Himself. When the cowherd men, their wives, and the leading men of Vrndavana saw that form shining like the sun, they raised their folded hands above their heads and said, "Namo! Namo! Namo!" Being overwhelmed in affection, they danced around ecstatically. By joyfully worshiping Govardhana Hill, the Vrajavasis realized that Govardhana is a person. Music from the temples wherein different demigods were being worshiped resounded in all directions. From all sides intoxicated dancers performed blissfully. The heavenly Kinnaras joined in with euphoric dancing. Relishing the music and singing, the Vrajavasis forgot themselves in that joyous Govardhana festival. Govardhana caused the entire atmosphere to abound in happiness. Govardhana Hill affectionately accepted the faithful worship of Nanda Maharaja by manifesting a personal form. Anyone who simply hears and chants about the glories of Giri-Govardhana, which are inconceivable to ordinary people, will be delivered from all calamities. Vrajaraja Nanda, the father of the subduer of demons, concluded the propitious worship of Giriraja by sumptuously feeding the brahmanas, and everyone else down to the dogs. He handsomely rewarded the singers and dancers. Everyone attending the festival received precious gems and divinely opulent garments. Their hearts full of joy, the Vrajavasis talked excitedly among themselves as they did parikrama of Govardhana Hill. Skilled musicians led the way playing the finest instrumental music. The languid muffled tones of bheris, dhakas and kettledrums softened the atmosphere with their pleasing vibrations. With their bodies decorated with designs drawn in kunkuma, the cowherd boys followed behind the musicians. Wielding sticks, they fearlessly drove the multi-colored cows ornamented with gold and jewels. A second group of talented musicians came along playing flutes and vinas. Next came singers with sweet gentle voices, and ecstatic dancers moving in rows one behind the other. Then the gopis, their faces glowing with happiness, came riding on bullock carts that rivaled the golden chariots of the gods. They sang loudly about their intimate pastimes with Krsna. Hari, who removes all obstacles, laughed and joked with His cowherd boyfriends as He circumambulated Govardhana Hill. Eternally bound to Him in faith, Krsna's friends remained fearless and free from all anxieties. Wearing a sweet-smelling flower garland across his broad chest, Nanda Maharaja walked just behind the boys. He was smiling in great satisfaction and accompanied by the leading men of Vrndavana. In accordance to scriptural injunctions, they gave charity to brahmanas at different places while going around Giriraja. It is impossible to find a suitable container to hold the unlimited bliss that the Vrajavasis felt during their parikrama of Giriraja. Even though tiny in size, the soul can enjoy immeasurable happiness. As a result, their souls drowned in inconceivable joy. The continuous music of the dhakas and kettledrums, which are famous on heaven and earth, increased the bliss of the parikrama. Soon they arrived on the banks of the Yamuna (which previously flowed near Govardhana). Being the glorious day of bhratridvitiya tithi, which is very dear to both Yamuna and her brother Yamaraja, they decided to take an auspicious bath. Bhratridvitiya tithi is the day when sisters pray for the prosperity of their brothers. Sunanda, the intelligent, well-behaved daughter of Upananda, invited her cousin-brother Damodara (Krsna), who is always jubilant and victorious, to celebrate the festival. Damodara, who delights all moving and non-moving creatures, gladly accepted the sincere request of Sunanda. His heart overflowed with lov-'"g feelings for that dear sister. She affectionately served many types of delicious drinks and tasty cakes to Krsna and His friends. Haladhara and a!! the boys enjoyed the excellent food while Batu, the skillful jester, entertained the enchanter of the world with his funny jokes and antics. Batu quipped, "Alas! Alas! 0 dear friend, killer of the Agha demon! Why didn't the foolish creator make every tithi as bhratridvitiya tithn. O brother, whose chest shines with the mark of Srivatsa, we count the year in terms of days. So how come You do not have many sisters like Sunanda who acting as the embodiments of kindness, will fill us up like this every day of the year? If this had happened, it would have been a great source of pleasure for us. Yesterday's exciting Govardhana festival has passed. Though heaps of food and drink were offered, and although I am a voracious eater, still I did not enjoy as much as I have today on bratridvitiya." Krsna, who steals everyone's heart with His charming character, enjoyed the simple joking words of Batu as He joyfully ate. Then in mutual affection, Damodara and Sunanda exchanged so much valuable cloth, jewels, and golden ornaments that it astonished the people on earth. Thus, the bratridvitiya celebration ended. Meanwhile, the demigod Indra developed a headache due to being ignored and forgotten by the Vrajavasis. We will now describe how he tried to get relief and revenge by employing excessive rains. While sitting among the demigods, Indra felt sad and distressed seeing that his sacrifice had been cancelled. Burning with rage, Indra said, "Just see how surprising it is! The intelligence of these cowherd men is just like the animals they tend. They stopped my puja just by hearing a few words from a mere child. Even though many goddesses of learning praise me, those offensive cowherd men did not think twice about giving up my worship. Have they been overtaken by false pride? "0 virtuous cowherd men! Now you act deviously without any fear of anyone. Well, I will see how long it lasts. This foolish, arrogant, and talk-native child has offended me. Even though you claim He satisfies your desires and gives you long prosperous lives, we will soon see if He is really your ever well-wisher." Overcome by revenge and frustration, Indra considered for a moment how to retaliate against the Vrajavasis. Angry Indra then released the powerful clouds of universal destruction known as Samvartaka. Coming before their master, the clouds submitted, "We are your servants and always ready to execute your order." To encourage His servants, Indra glanced at them with affection and appreciation as he addressed them. "Hung hoi 0 my playful speedy clouds, who are famous throughout the world for distributing profuse rain. Your pride in your power fills me with strength. Now make me successful by carrying out my orders. You have the unadulterated mood of destroying the whole creation within you. Bu this assignment involves only one small region. Go shake the earth with your thunder and destroy the village of Vrndavana with a deluge." Being released from the task of devastating the universe at a particular time, Samvartaka and other servants of Indra proudly stepped forward to accomplish their mission. First a vast bank of clouds, appearing like a huge patch of moss in the sky, blocked out the sun and covered Vrndavana in total darkness. Extending from Rasatala to Svargaloka, the cloud covering looked like the smoky breath exhaled by the Naga snakes. Released from their bonds, a few ominous clouds, in the sportive mood of breaking the Kedara Mountain, quickly spread across the sky. These dense dark clouds appeared as massive as the celestial elephants guarding the quarters of the globe. Another group of dangerous clouds circled overhead. The clouds, like Mt. Mainaka, the son of the Himalayas, continually expanded and flew freely in the sky without any fear of being cut by Indra's millions of thunderbolts. One fantastically large cloudbank appeared like a second Loka-loka mountain range. The hard peaks of those clouds continued to grow higher and higher while simultaneously expanding in all directions. When the clouds collected they covered all the planetary systems in darkness. Even the sharpest axe could not cut through the dense network of clouds that assembled over Vrndavana. The three worlds appeared to be born out of the darkness created by that ever-expanding cloudbank. The covering of the universe turned as black as the soot smeared on the bottom of a pot. However, the universal disturbances and the attack of the devastating Samvartaka clouds had practically no effect on Vrndavana, which continually bathes in the moonlight emanating from Krsna's jewel-like toenails. After earth, water, fire, air, and so on there is a tenth element known as andha tamasah (blinding darkness). Everything animate and inert in the ten directions appears stupefied by this element. It seemed that no one in the world could see anything. Water dripped from the dome-like covering of the universe. The water drops moved so fast that they formed a continuous stream of water speeding through the universe like a raging river breaking over its dam. Such a thing will never happen again. That torrential downpour seemed like the long hanging branches of the banyan tree of the sky. . The cows sheltered their calves under the blankets of loose skin on their "ecks. In fear of the slashing rainwater, the cows kept their eyes almost closed and their tails hanging straight down. As they shivered uncontrollably from the violent rains, the skin on their backs swelled up. While standing in this painful condition they looked toward Krsna for shelter. When the rain hit the horns of the bulls it bounced off and landed on heir thick fatty humps. Breaking into small pearl-like drops, it then rolled down their broad muscular backs. Alas! Alas! The fierce rainfall angered and tormented the bulls. Observing the torrents of rain, which fell in columns as thick as the trunks of full-grown banana trees, the cowherd men of Vrndavana thought that the devastation had suddenly arrived. Terrified and weakened, they approached Krsna, who makes everyone happy. Full of pain and agony, they said, "0 Krsna! You always save us and give us happiness. Now we are in great danger! Since You are the Lord of Gokula, You should immediately protect us. Look! Look! The flashing lightning bolt appears like the forked tongue of an angry snake. The pounding hailstones are pulverizing the life out of the trees. The lightning bolts entering the water seem like the brilliant fire emitted by mythical hydras. "The clouds roar ferociously as they release torrents of rain as thick as massive columns. The vast sheets of water are increasing in volume like the ocean of devastation. The earth is quickly submerging in the flood, and we cannot distinguish the high ground from the low. Just look around and see for Yourself. The surabhi cows use their own bodies to protect their calves from the pelting hailstones. With their tear-filled eyes they are speaking to You, 'Oh Krsna! Once You saved us from the devastating forest fire, so please save us from this terrible rainfall.' "Look at the condition of the bulls! Upon hitting their humps, the heavy hailstones are being ground into pieces and scattering on the ground like pearls. Their eyes reddened in rage, the bulls raise their heads to look angrily at the clouds. Their faces and bodies are completely drenched in water. Aha! How much they are suffering! This devastation seems like the personification of a big anartha which we cannot remove. Only You can deliver us, therefore, we surrender unto You. We are Your loving kinsmen, so please save us!" After hearing their anxious pleas and seeing the distress of His cows, Krsna, whose blossoming lotus eyes are beautiful to behold, considered, "This must be the work of angry Indra." In a compassionate voice sweeter than honey, Krsna consoled His family and friends, "Do not be afraid! Actually this trouble is as significant as a hunger pain is to one who has just consumed a sumptuous feast. Anyone practicing devotional service can easily remove all anarthas. The Kinnaras and the demigods glorify this fact. For your benefit, I will now enact a special pastime to destroy Indra's mountain of pride." As the relisher of nectarean rasas, Krsna has a beautiful body, which is as sweet as the honey in a flower. Without even tightening His cloth He showed complete indifference to the mighty wrath of foolish Indra. In' stantly, Krsna picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand and held it aloft with no more effort than a child takes to hold a mushroom or an elephant uses to lift a clump of grass. Many loud sounds echoed in all directions when the mountain rose into the air. The echoes sounded like a bunch of rowdy children yelling within its many caves. The lifting of Govardhana Hill produced an angry loud noise that crushed the pride of the elephants guarding the eight directions. That furious sound roamed around and around within the covering of the universe. The sound had enough intelligence to win a wager on whether it could break the long meditation of Brahma on Brahmaloka. That sound dared to interrupt the uproarious madhvika wine drinking festival of the old ladies on Patalaloka. The flowers falling from the trees appeared to be the form of Giriraja's ecstatic laughter due to being touched by Krsna's lotus hand. Those falling flowers seemed to be Giriraja's celebrating the destruction of Indra's fame. Growing higher and higher, the sharp peaks of Giriraja cut the ominous cloud cover to pieces. The row of trees along the peaks of Giriraja challenged the trees in Indra's celestial forest. The lions living on top of Govardhana Hill mistook the hovering clouds for elephants. Using their powerful sharp claws, they ripped apart that cluster of elephant clouds. In fear, the clouds ran hither and thither. Seeing Krsna holding Giriraja aloft with His left hand, Mt. Kailasa shivered in fright while thinking, "Hey look! Who is this covering the sky? How could this happen?" Mt. Sumeru panicked. Overwhelmed by fear, the elephants of the directions jumped in the Manasi Ganga. Giriraja served Gokula as a jewel-bedecked umbrella that could not be moved by the fierce winds or pierced by the razor-sharp lightning bolts of Indra. Balanced on the beautiful emerald pole of Krsna's raised arm, Giriraja cast a pleasing radiance upon everyone. The glimmering rain shower coming down on all sides seemed like streams of dripping pearls. While holding Giriraja in one hand, Krsna, whose wonderful behavior illuminates the world, spoke convincingly to the cowherd community, "Mago! (0 mother) Do not be in anxiety. Father! Do not worry. 0 friends! Do not doubt My ability. Giriraja will not fall from My hand. You directly saw how he personally accepted our worship. Is it then difficult for him to remain suspended in the sky? Although Giriraja appears to be a huge immovable mountain, he is transcendentally situated beyond the doubts and comprehension of this material world. Look how light he is. Even a child like Me can easily pick him up. Oh! Just see! Giriraja is completely independent and moving according to his own sweet will. In this matter, I am but an instrument. "Therefore you should collect all your property and come under the mountain. There is no difference between the village of Vrndavana and this valley below Giriraja. Be happy and stay here peacefully. At the end 01 the kalpa everyone in creation gives up their gross bodies, and lives ^thin the abdomen of Narayana in their subtle bodies. Staying there, however, you could not enjoy as much fun as you can by living here within the belly of Giriraja. "When I lifted the hill, huge chunks of earth fell off the bottom, and formed a natural boundary wall around the perimeter of Giriraja. This wall will keep out the torrential rains. Forget about your pleasure gardens and your attachments to your former residences. Let this place become the source of joyful pastimes for the cows, gopas, and gopis." The string of Govardhana-dhari's reassuring words resembled an elegant necklace made from the nectar of His voice. Immediately, the elderly gopas felt completely pacified by Krsna's sweet words. Taking their wealth, sons, wives, cows, and priests, who felt immeasurable happiness and beamed with matchless beauty, they entered the splendid valley beneath Giri-Govardhana. Taking shelter there, they all filled with surprise and smiled with delight. They clearly saw that the valley beneath Govardhana, which dazzled attractively in the light, could easily accommodate all their innumerable cows, animals, and family members. The valley brimmed with gratifying sense objects to see, touch, taste, and so on. That divine place was the very ornament of the earth. Its purity and opulence exceeded the wealth of the subterranean heavenly planets like Sutala. Fields of rich green barley spread in all directions, and many lakes full of crystal clear water stood here and there. The cows stayed near the border of the improvised town and pastured On fields full of fresh green grass. The Vrajavasis stood around peacefully in different groups. Some cowherd men mixed with the brahmanas, and the elderly married ladies stayed with their daughters. Radhika and other prominent young married gopis gathered beside them. Krsna's intimate friends like Batu remained by His side, and Nanda, Yasoda, and Balarama stood slightly in front of Him. Thus the venerable Vrajavasis relished great joy associating intimately with Krsna. They no longer felt any fear or discomfort from Indra's deluge, which threatened to destroy the whole world. The rain falling from the roaring clouds sounded like water pouring from the mouths of many large water pots. Although situated in different directions, all the Vrajavasis gazed to their hearts content at the gorgeous lotus face of Giridhari, the lifter of Govardhana Hill. Each devotee saw that Krsna was looking directly at him. Feeling relieved, the illustrious brahmanas offered abundant blessings to the blissful younger brother of Balarama. Krsna descended on earth to perform His transcendental pastimes and to crush the pride ot the demons and the demigods. While holding up Govardhana Hill, Krsna was surrounded by all His loving associates. Taking advantage of the intimate setting, they gazed at Krsna with joyful faces, prayed for His victory, or affectionately smelled ^is head. Being saturated with parental affection, Mother Rohini firmly embraced her son Balarama, who always gives immense pleasure to His parents. Both the submissive gopis and the contrary ones like Radhika smiled blissfully while looking at Krsna with love-laden glances. The gopis always play with Krsna and enjoy love sports in the forests of Vrndavana. While gazing upon Him, they looked like thirsty cakori birds continually drinking the ambrosial radiance of His moon-like face. With unblinking eyes they took Krsna within their hearts and lovingly embraced Him. During the festival of lifting Govardhana Hill everyone tasted the greatest ecstasy. To lighten the heart of his beloved friend Krsna, Batu said, "0 dearmost friend of the whole world! Please listen to my words. By my brahman tejas (spiritual potency) I will fill You with happiness. When I am here as Your friend, why are You troubling Yourself by lifting Giriraja? 0 lotus-eyed one! Just order me and I will hold up this great mountain on the tip of my golden stick. You must be exhausted from holding the hill. So now relax and take some rest while I hold the hill." Vrajesvari Yasoda then addressed her son, "0 my darling child! You always act impudently due to the force of Your uncontrolled senses. For years, we peacefully observed the Indra. yajna, but then You abruptly stopped it. Disregarding the demigods never brings auspiciousness. How can one find fortune if he shows enmity toward the demons or the demigods? In the presence of these two fears how can we enjoy living here?" Although Krsna's body is inexhaustible and ever blissful, Yasoda thought that He had overworked Himself. Considering that, she expressed her motherly affection by reaching up to lovingly touch His lotus hand that held the hill. While doing this she said, "Aho! How can Your hand, which is as pure and soft as fresh butter, bear the heavy weight of this mountain without any other help or support? Hung ho\ 0 Giriraja, please be compassionate and give me a boon! If you are actually some worshipable god, then do something to become soft and lightweight so that Krsna will not feel any distress. 0 honorable one! All my son's actions are in accordance with the instructions of sastras and saintly persons." Batu said, "Mother! Do not speak like this! How can you say Krsna is in distress? Listen, what good has that angry Indra done for us? He brutally Stacked us with his dense dark clouds and fierce lightning bolts. Now just ^preciate the dazzling sweetness that Krsna has manifested in His pastime of lifting Giri-Govardhana. Had Indra not become angry, then we would not have had the chance to relish this nectar through our eyes." Mother Yasoda replied to Batu, "0 bold one! Holding a heavy load over the head can never be a show of sweetness. Lifting the enormous weight of Giriraja will cause one to become distressed and disabled. Just see! The locks of curly hair on Krsna's forehead are wet from perspiration. His face has dried out and become pale like a lotus wilted by the snow. His hands and feet have a ruddy color. How can a mother's heart, '0 Siva! Siva!' tolerate seeing such hardship?" Krsna said, "Mother! There cannot be -anything more fun than this. Why are you worried about Me for nothing? Just see, the great mount of Govardhana is floating on his own in the open sky. I told you before that this body of Mine is but an instrument of his will." Yasoda replied, "My dear son! That may true. But how can You not be tired after standing here for so long, and holding that mountain with Your raised arm? 0 intelligent one! I will believe what you said if Govardhana gives up the joyful association of Your lotus hand, and then flies around the sky playing on his own." Batu said, "0 Queen of Vrndavana! Don't you know that this great mountain is sitting on the lotus hand of Krsna by the strength of my mantras and special powers? Therefore my friend is not feeling any pain from holding Giriraja. This is natural because everyone is favorably disposed toward the Lord of their hearts." Yasoda said, "0 impudent one! What kind of nonsense are you speaking? I am burning in anxiety over my son. His tendency is to act independently without caring for any good instructions. And now you come here, make jokes, and laugh about it." Nanda Maharaja interjected, "Why are you scolding Batu? In this world, a person who is expert in diplomacy will use very affectionate words to encourage one in such a trying situation. So understanding the need of the time, Batu spoke appropriately. Besides that, our dear son very much appreciates the words of Batu." Meanwhile, the rest of the Vrajavasis stood around Giridhari admiring the sweetness of His gorgeous transcendental form. Due to their affection for Krsna, the sinless Vrajavasis transgressed ordinary etiquette, and talked loudly among themselves about His extraordinary beauty. One Vrajavasi said, "Up to this time, we have never really appreciated how Krsna's elegant body is the very ornament of the entire earth. Look! Look! As Krsna displays His attractive three-fold bending form, His left side stretches up broad and straight, without showing the three lines on His belly. His right heel is raised, and His left foot appears to be kissing the earth. His well-shaped left knee is slightly contracted, and His waist is gently curved. His garland and uttariya (thin caddar) are swinging to the left side. It is very pleasant to see His arm pit as He effortlessly holds His strong left arm aloft. "His right thumb is tucked into the refulgent red cloth wrapped around His handsome hips, which are enriched with the three beautiful lines of His belly. Just see how the beauty of Krsna's right side decorates the earth. In a merry mood, Krsna glances lovingly at us as His eyes roam here and there. The pollen from the dew-covered blue lotuses tucked over His ears reflects exquisitely on His shining cheeks. Even though He must be tired from lifting Giriraja, Krsna is delighting our minds with the nectar of His gentle smile. Today His beautiful face is more dazzling than anything." A second Vrajavasi said, "0 look! Look! It is a great mystery that since Krsna has not moved for a long time, His ankle-bells, which crush all false pride, solve all problems, and deliver one from all dangers, have now become silent just like a dumb person. Although they are awake, those ankle-bells seem just like a pair of swans sleeping in a front of a blue lotus flower. Just see! The ankle-bells are absorbed in silent meditation just like a self-realized soul. But when Krsna lifted Giriraja their meditation broke and they moved slightly. The demigods praised that pleasant jingling sound and came to serve it. Seeing that, the ankle-bells again fell silent, feeling apprehensive about their sudden movement." Someone else said, "0 look at Krsna! While holding Giriraja nonchalantly in one hand, He holds His pastime flute in His other hand. Pressing it gently to His lips, He plays soft sweet tunes that fill us with exhilaration." Noticing this, Batu said with alarm, "0 my friend! Do not be so daring! Do not play Your flute. How will You protect Your friends today if Giriraja becomes ecstatic from hearing the sweet melodies of Your flute and falls off Your hand? Your flute has the power to destroy everything. Simply hearing it, mountains melt into rivers and rivers turn stone. Aho! Look! It can do many incredible things." The cowherd boys said, "0 Kusumasava! May this mountain maintain His patience and keep protecting us from the calamitous inundation. If Giriraja melts into a river, he himself will become the very source of our destruction. But that will not happen. A person with great patience may ^ometimes thrill with ecstasy, but he quickly recovers his composure. There ^ not the slightest fear that Giriraja may change his position. Just relish "ie honey nectar of Krsna's flute and give up your restlessness." Another person said, "Look! Just see the foolishness of Indra! Even though He is supposed to be a well-wisher of all, he has shown anger to such an innocent person. Within his heart he has enmity against Krsna. 0 lifter of Giriraja! Indra tries to destroy our dynasty with his lightning bolts, whereas Krsna always does well for the world. Indra merely guards the eastern direction, whereas Krsna protects all the directions. Why has Hari (a second name for Indra) become so shameless by assuming the same name as our Lord Hari?" Someone else said, "How astounding! Before us we see the delivers from the inundation, the clouds causing the inundation, difficult times due to the inundation, and the very ocean of inundation! Are we being bewildered by some illusion? Or has someone cast a magic spell over us? Although we are in such a dangerous condition, still we have not been defeated." One person said, "Though we are in the middle of a terrible devastation, we are delighting in a conversation full of joking and laughter. While relishing these nectarean talks we do not feel any anxiety or disturbance." One Vrajavasi said, "0 Radhika, Your face is superbly beautiful. Do not make Your eyebrows dance while Krsna is holding up Govardhana. For that will severely agitate His mind. Then His arm will start shaking violently and cause the mountain to immediately fall off His hand. Please do not cause such a perilous situation." Radhika joked with Syamala-sakhi, a witty, sweet speaker expert in making people laugh. Glancing shyly from the corner of Her eyes, Radharani said, "Hey doe-eyed Syame! Do not infuse your ecstasy in My heart. Calm down and control your mind." One gopi said, "Krsna, who turned the king of mountains into a play ball, must have tremendous patience. His clever behavior is beyond compare." Another gopi replied, "Alas! Alas! Your words are drawing exactly the opposite conclusion to my intentions. So now listen to your praises. Oh enchanting one! I will accept that the holder of Giriraja has great patience if He can keep His patience after seeing the splendid beauty of your full breasts." A third sakhi said, "0 sakhi, stop joking! Krsna's greatness is His ability to satisfy everyone with His unique sweetness. He is especially pleasing When He teases wanton ladies like us." One sakhi said, "Just see how Krsna holds up the mountain with His left hand while softly playing the flute with His right hand. He casts loving side long glances on everyone and shakes His head pleasantly while listening to His friends." Then one dear sakhi told Radhika, "Listen carefully to my words. While all the Vrajavasis relish the pastime of constantly looking at Krsna, He is absorbed in glancing at You alone. Just see how His body has erupted with ecstatic symptoms such as tears, trembling, and thrill bumps. But the other Vrajavasis think these transformations are due to His lifting Giriraja." One sakhi said, "Yes! What you said is absolutely .true. Please take this oearl necklace as a reward for your realization." While admiring the infinite loveliness of Radhika, Krsna enveloped in yiss, trembled, and perspired profusely. Observing these ecstatic changes, one gopi pointed to the cowherd men and told her girlfriend. "Hey look! The gopas think that Giridhari is feeling tired. In a mood of compassion, they have raised their sticks above their heads to help Him hold up the hill." Seeing the prominent cowherd men endeavoring to hold up Giriraja, Radhika, whose face outshines the moon, covered Her head with Her veil and looked shyly at the ground. Then, unseen by Her sakhis, Radhika beamed a sweet, gentle smile to bathe Krsna in a shower of nectar. While looking at the cowherd men Batu said, "0 residents of Vrndavana! Do not be afraid! You are just scratching the body of Giriraja with your sticks. But do not think that you are holding up the hill. Krsna is not the least bit tired. Besides, He is the brother of Balarama who is famous for His unlimited strength. The pure and potent body of Krsna emits a dazzling radiance. Only a sudden calamity could reduce that effulgence. 0 my friend Krsna! Observing the trembling of Your body, I can understand that the beautiful face of that famous sakhi Radhika has put You into great distress." The prince of Vrndavana is the abode of unfathomable attributes. His face is as fresh as a blue lotus flower bathed in the soft moonlight. When He smiles attractively His beautiful teeth sparkle like a thousand rays of light. A radiant pearl necklace adorns His chest. Krsna reveals the ecstasy in His heart by gently moving His reddish lips. After listening to the playful words of Batu, Krsna responded sweetly to the delight of His intimate friends. He said, "The cowherd men have a very favorable attitude toward Me, therefore, I always fulfill their desires. Why are you laughing at them? The Vrajavasis do not know the inconceivable power of My body. Nor do they know that the famous Radhika is actually one of My matchless forms. Radha's body is non-different from Mine and She is My favorite lover. The gopas attempt to hold up Giriraja simply proclaims their parental love for Me. Indeed, their action is quite befitting! What could be more pleasurable than this." Then Krsna spoke to the gopas, "Ho! Ho! 0 gopas\ You are famous for reposing all your love in Me. So why do you behave like this? Even though Ae great Mahadeva, the father of Ganesh, respects you, you are acting ^ike common men. Give up this wearisome endeavor. Just look at Me! You can plainly see that I am not the least bit tired." Just like a cow hankering to see her calf, Yasoda stepped forward and ^oke affectionately to her son, "0 beloved one! The day has moved along, and You appear afflicted and lackluster from not eating; Your belly has caved in and Your jeweled belt has slipped off. Seeing that Your lotus face has withered from fasting, the cows refuse to eat anything or move an inch from here, even though nearby there are fields rich with grains. "Therefore, I appeal to You because You are very compassionate. Please stop playing artistically on Your flute, and drop Your arm so I can feed You with my hand. One whose actions are exemplary will adjust his be-, havior according to the conditions. I have brought You some warm soft cakes and tasty creamy yogurt with thick skin on top. Now take these delicious items along with Rama and Your friends." Batu said, "0 my dear friend! Your mother spoke correctly. You should never go against her. Moreover, I am also upset by hunger." Krsna, the crest-jewel of relishers, said, "0 Mother! I do not feel like a single moment has passed. Yet why do others think this short time to be so long? But since one should not disobey his superiors, I think it is proper for Me to gladly eat from your hand." Meanwhile, holding a brilliant, flashing lightning bolt in his hand, Indra sped through the sky on his elephant carrier. Though sitting on his elephant carrier, Airavata, Indra actually rode upon the chariot of his anger. Showing his unflinching affection toward the rain clouds, Indra cracked the sky and made everyone cry with a tumultuous thundering sound. Hissing like an angry snake, Indra raced to Vrndavana to survey the situation. Since he had already sent the Samvartaka clouds a few days before, he assumed Vrndavana must now be totally demolished. Astonishment seized Indra's mind upon seeing the dense peaks of Govardhana piercing the huge Samvartaka clouds and soaring above them. The deer, birds, and other living entities of Vrndavana wandered about happily, unaffected by Indra's torrents of rain. Clusters of white clouds completely covered the base of Govardhana. These clouds enhanced the beauty of Giriraja as they washed the mountain with the rains of devastation. Giriraja looked like a huge umbrella, and the clouds seemed like a decorative fringe of pearls ornamenting that umbrella. While observing this, Indra, thinking himself the supreme controller, decided to exhibit the limit of his anger. Cruel hearted Indra disrespected both the cows and the Lord. In order to destroy the land of cows, he instigated the clouds of devastation to thunder menacingly and pour incessant rain on Vrndavana. Out of fear, the clouds dutifully followed the directions of Indra. With the mood of a determined fighter, the furious storm tried to blow away Giriraja with severely high winds. Sri Hari, His effulgent jewel-like body washed by the moonlight of His smile, instantly removed whatever hardship Giriraja felt from the lightning bolts, heavy hailstones, profuse rains, and high piercing winds. By seeing Krsna's effulgence and feeling the sweet breath from His lustrous lotus face, Giriraja felt totally relieved while relishing the exciting adventures of the Lord. Outside the shelter of the hill, the fearsome thunderbolts crisscrossing the sky looked like creepers of light dangling in the air. Ominous dark clouds loaded with rain flashed with occasional rainbows. Beneath GiriraJa; the cloud-like Mukunda Himself and the steady streaks of lightning gopis created another type of storm. The rainbow appeared as the peacock feather on Krsna's crown, and the stream of Krsna's beauty flowed like the constant rain. The only difference was that underneath the mountain Krsna's brilliant kaustubha gem served as the effulgent sun. Krsna is the perfect conjugal lover. His face is a spotless moon and His eyes are always roaming seductively. To completely remove the Vrajavasis' anxiety about His fatigue from lifting Giriraja, Krsna played sweetly again on His murali. Hearing that ambrosial sound, one Vrajavasi said, "Look! Look! A blue lotus hangs over Krsna's left ear. The pleasing vibration of His blissful flute spreads in all directions. In this joyful pastime, His creeper-like right eyebrow rises slightly, as if saying, 'What can you say about My left hand which is effortlessly holding up Giriraja?' Thus glittering with excellence, the all-attractive Giridhari displays His sweet power." By the mercy of Govardhana Hill the Vrajavasis did not feel the least bit disturbed. Rather, they tasted endless happiness passing their time absorbed in loving thoughts of Krsna. This pastime completely astonished the brahmanas and other devotees fixed in neutrality (santa-rasa). Radhika and the gopis in madhurya rasa exhibited their deep love for Krsna. Among His friends (sakhya-rasa), the jokers like Madhumangala pleased Krsna by laughing and merry-making. Intimate friends like Subala continually enthused and encouraged Him. Raktak, Patrak, and others in dasya-rasa constantly served Krsna with affection. Thus the different associates of Krsna delighted in their individual loving relationships with Him. Mother Yasoda and others overcome with parental affection (yatsalya-wsa), however, felt very sad to see Krsna like this. To please her son, Yasoda tried to offer Krsna some juicy camphorated tambula made of cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, lime paste, catechu, and betel nut. Wrapped in a dark green pan leaf, this expertly made tambula had the power to aid digestion, remove anxiety, and fill one with pleasure. Holding it in her lotus palm, Yasoda tenderly offered it to Krsna while pleading, "0 my darling Damodara! Please stop playing Your melodious murali. The sound of the flute cannot fill Your stomach. Please take this and remove my anxiety. Why are you disturbing my mind by not eating? Now eat this Wonderful tambula which will enchant Your mind. If You do not want it, then at least eat something that You like very much. You have passed many days without eating, so do not delay anymore. If You are waiting for the rain to stop, then please consider that Your brother Balarama is very much afflicted by hunger. Since You will do anything for Your brother please honor my request and accept this tambula." After saying this, Yasoda called, "Subala! You are overflowing with love for Krsna. Since you are also the dear object of His affection, will you please offer this tambula to Krsna?" Saying this, Yasoda put the tambula in his hand. Krsna's dear friend Subala felt boundless joy as he held the tambula in one hand and removed Krsna's flute with his other hand. Taking the edge of his cloth, he gently cleansed Krsna's lotus face, which was adorned with aguru and slightly reddish in hue. Seeing Krsna's lips turn red from chewing the tambula offered by Subala, Yasoda smiled in happiness. Outside the umbrella of Giriraja, the huge cloud formation sent by furious Indra poured incessant rains and blew fierce hurricane winds. Yet not even one particle of dust washed off the surface of Giriraja. The deer, birds, animals, and even the leaves on the trees remained totally unaffected by the devastating storm. The deluge, which assailed the earth after being brought from the ocean by the clouds, again ran back to the sea. The discomfort the clouds underwent from swallowing the ocean water and vomiting it back was the only result of their proposed calamity. The storm tried his best to show off his power. But he soon became totally exhausted from pouring profuse rain. Alas! Alas! The clouds retreated and fell at the feet of their master. Illusioned by his rage, Indra felt no fatigue as he continued to attack Giriraja. Being blinded by anger, he finally lost all his intelligence and went totally blind. The torrential rains and cyclone winds harassed Vrndavana continually for seven days. Although repeatedly trying to fulfill the order of Indra, whose intelligence was more crooked than millions of lightning bolts, the clouds could not destroy or even slightly disturb the people of Vrndavana. The big clouds and their assistants almost died from their hard labor to please Indra. Although pulled down from his platform of false pride and defeated, the shameful Indra retained his fighting spirit. Those seven days felt like seven milleniums of intense pain for Indra. Yet the Vrajavasis saw it as seven joy-filled hours. Oh just see the wonderful splendor of the Lord's divine prowess which transcends the comprehension of even Brahma and Siva! Although Govardhana Hill is immovable, it rested on the hand of Krsna. For seven long days, the monsoon rains and horrific, earth-shaking winds tortured the people of the world with bitter suffering and untold miseries. The serene and peaceful Giriraja, however, was not the least bit disturbed. Being constantly bathed by the rains and anointed with the fragrance: of Krsna's divine body, Giriraja looked absolutely radiant and beautiful throughout the whole ordeal. By the mercy of Krsna the danger finally ended. In the distance, the Vrajavasis saw the gateways and roof top rooms of their houses glittering attractively from being washed by the heavy rains. A fresh clear sky ap" neared to fill all directions with auspiciousness. The people of Vrndavana felt they had just emerged from a deep, dark well of calamity and come to the light of good fortune. The earth planet thought it was again sitting on the tusks of Adi Varaha. The plants and creepers sprouted anew and unfurled fresh leaves. Just as one cured of the disease of insanity attains peace and no longer suffers from epileptic fits, similarly, the wind, now freed from the disease of devastation, blew gently. The rivers, the wives of the ocean, again flowed slowly and respectfully toward their husbands. Just as the forceful pushings of the mind subside as one advances on the path of God realization, similarly, the blasting clouds dissipated to leave a clear sky behind them. After aborting seven children represented by the seven days and nights, the wife of time now gave birth to a beautiful son appearing as the auspicious eighth day. On that day, the Supreme Lord Giridhari said, "The fierce wind and rain has now ceased, and the sky is totally free from the clouds of devastation. Free from the thick covering of mud, the earth is now dry and smooth. After falling unconscious for one week, the sun opened his eyes. 0 residents Vrndavana, your village has returned to its normal state. Now it is time to come out from beneath the mountain." After hearing this, everyone assembled in a happy mood and lead out the cows. The cows considered themselves fortunate because they got to relish the sweetness of Krsna's face for seven continuous days. They lost interest in other things that had previously pleased them. When the cowherd boys called them out they delayed for a while, and then shot out like. a volley of arrows. But when they saw Krsna still under the hill, they quickly ran back and surrounded Him. Immediately, Krsna drove them out again by glancing at them with the compassion of a friend. From all directions, the smooth skinned, pleasant looking herds of cows streamed out from the valley under Govardhana Hill. As they came up they looked like the expanded hood of Sesa Naga rising out of Patalaloka, or a sheet of moonshine hiding in a cave out of fear of darkness, or like matted locks of diffused light being born from the crystal mountain of Giriraja. Thus induced by Krsna's words, the cowherd men gave up their fear and smiled cheerfully. With great enthusiasm they left the temporary village beneath Giriraja. The elated gopis cast veiled glances at Krsna as they walked out from the hill. The effulgent gopis seemed like the rays of a brilliant light visible even in the daytime, or the dazzling rays emanating from the valuable jewels below the mountain; or the glowing light of the ruby atop the hood of a naga snake. ;; After the cowherd boys left, Krsna set the hill down exactly in its previous location. He tossed Giriraja off His hand just like a child throwing a flower ball. Then Krsna met His friends for more pastimes of wandering in Vrndavana. Overwhelmed with ecstatic love, the residents of Vrndavana came forward to greet Krsna according to their individual relationships with Him. His eyes pouring forth tears of love, Balarama warmly embraced Krsna. Mother Yasoda said, "Alas! Alas! My son's body has been severely weakened from bearing such a heavy weight." Using her lotus-palm, Yasoda massaged Krsna's left arm and kissed His hand affectionately. Rohini, who had attained the summit of parental affection, offered arati to Krsna and Balarama with an artistically designed, jeweled ghee lamp. With their hearts, which were abodes of deep love for Krsna, the housewives of Vrndavana offered Him their full blessings. Then they worshiped Krsna with yogurt, rice paddy, and fresh grass. The potent brahmanas and their attractive wives offered boons and words of praise. Sananda and the other elderly men bound by the ropes of intense parental affection embraced the boys and smelled their heads. The beloved gopis and their associates, dyed in pure love and covered by shyness, also honored Krsna and Balarama. They worshiped Them with their doe-eyed glances and their lotus faces blossoming with desire. While they embraced Krsna and Balarama within their minds, their lips shone attractively with sweet seductive smiles. As the spring season is ornamented with the months of Caitra and Vaisakha which are full of fragrant flowers, similarly, demigods such as the Siddhas,Vidyadharas, Gandharvas, and Kumpurusas showered flowers in great delight while singing the glories of Krsna. The demigods prayed, "All glories to the son of Nanda Maharaja! All glories to holy abode of Vrndavana, which abounds in blissful mellows! 0 Krsna! You are enriched by superb qualities. The pure taste of serving Your lotus feet is the source of unlimited bliss in the hearts of realized souls. Your all-attractive, transcendental body is concentrated liquid nectar. The moonlight of Your nails, which shines like brilliant rubies, takes away all the miseries of Your intimate associates. There is no limitt0 Your fame. Hey Sridhara! Hey sober one! Hey superexcellent hero of Vrndavana! 0 gopa with a bluish body! May You always be victorious! "Anyone who once says, 'I am Yours! And from this day forward I completely surrender unto You' is immediately delivered from material existence by Your mercy. It is impossible for us to calculate how much You reward one who serves Your enchanting lotus feet, which remove the miseries of repeated birth and death. 0 beloved of Gokula! You are served, worshiped, and glorified by pure devotees who are eternally liberated and full of knowledge. 0 Lord of all the demigods! Your transcendental behavior astonishes the entire universe. We repeatedly offer our obeisances unto You. "0 Krsna, all glories unto You! Indra, who is especially angry, crooked, impudent, and falsely proud, misbehaved by cruelly attacking Vrndavana with his Samvartaka clouds. The Vrajavasis prayed to You for protection, and You saved them from destruction by holding up Giriraja with the splendid pole of Your arm. In this pastime, Giriraja sat in Your hand just like a play ball. You offered Your lotus hand to Giriraja as a wonderful bed. "You turned Indra's mountain of pride into an insignificant pebble. Just as a crest jewel is firmly fixed in the crown of a king, similarly, those opposed to You are tightly bound in the prison of material existence. Alas! What is the destiny of one full of false pride? 0 friend of the Vrajavasis! 0 ocean of compassion! 0 Lord of the three worlds who wanders throughout the creation! You personally maintain the surrendered souls by Your inconceivable potencies. But those bound in the prison house of pride never attain the fortune of serving Your lotus feet. "0 Lord, all victory unto You! You have sown the seed of conjugal love within the hearts of the gopis. 0 You, whose elegant crown is adorned with a peacock feather glistening attractively like a beautiful rainbow. You constantly chum the mellows of love into a condensed form, and then taste that bliss with Your intimate devotees. "Without a doubt. Your body is totally transcendental. It is the origin of creation and ornamented with compassion. Your body is the source of unlimited glories and is the shelter of endless spiritual euphoria. You are the embodiment of fortune for the adept yogis seeking spiritual ecstasy in their hearts. "Appearing fresh and ever-youthful, You always take pleasure in satisfying the residents of Vrndavana. Your body is the personification of complete jubilation and You are forever full of happiness. You perfectly execute each and every one of Your actions. All glories unto to You! You are always yearning for the love of Your devotees. Your enemies consume themselves by envying You. When demons oppose you, You playfully taunt them. You are known as Syamasundara because Your spiritual body resembles the hue of a beautiful blue rain cloud. , "The devotees, who are like honeybees at Your lotus feet, have no desire for economic development, sense gratification, or salvation. One engaged in serving You never tries to enjoy husband, wife, son, and so For a devotee. You alone are the only wife, husband, child, teacher, a wealth. You are their fame, pride, and the very meaning of their lives. "Of course, You are known only by You prema bhaktas. Although we demigods attempt to glorify You, we do not really know You. You are far beyond the reach of prayers. Your effulgence derides the radiance of the clouds. You take away the sufferings of the distressed. Your enchanting transcendental body surges with waves of amorous love. You turn Your enemies into insignificant beings. Your splendid moon-like face smashes Candra's pride to pieces, and Your presence makes Vrndavana beautiful. You remove all other aspirations from one who surrenders unto You. You are restless with hankering to ever delight in love. All glories to You! All glories to You! "0 gentle-eyed one! Your beautiful eyes have forcefully captured the splendor of the lotus. 0 one who allures the eyes with the camara fan of Your artistic hair style. 0 lotus-eyed one! Your sweet lips deride the taste of ripe bimba fruits. You give bliss and elegance to the world. Your glittering teeth, more attractive than kunda flowers, mock the brilliance of a row of pearls. 0 effulgent one! Your cheerful smile shines like twinkling Stars. All glories unto You! "Your singing and flute playing unfold many erotic pastimes. Seeing You saturates the mind and heart with ecstasy. You are decorated with glimmering golden earrings that swing to and fro, and reflect splendidly on Your soft cheeks. Your opulent ornaments accent Your exquisite beauty. "The bees hum loudly as they hover above the garland draped on Your powerful broad chest. That soft pure garland is sprinkled with pollen and drops of honey. Out of Your infinite compassion, You fill the hearts of Your devotees with delight. All glories to You! ' "You are the abode of all desirable beauty. The lines of Laksmi compliment Your enchanting chest. Your garland swings out of fear and Your necklaces move like waves. Your handsome chest induces lusty desires within the impenetrable hearts of chaste housewives. Seeing Your own reflection in a mirror. Your pride increases like a sporting new Cupid. Your chest is further beautified by Your arms which resemble the elegant trunk of a baby elephant. All glories to You! "0 chief advisor of the cowherd men! You are their leader and only shelter. 0 beloved son of Nanda Maharaja! You are glorious and venerable. You alone can remove the dense pride of Indra. Please make us mirthful by bestowing Your mercy. Brahma praised You for killing the demons drunk with power. We demigods can never conquer You in battle, so please, therefore, rule us according to Your free will. "You remove the miseries from the three worlds, stop the cycle of birth and death, and delight the hearts of Your devotees. A peacock feather decorates Your brilliant crown. You sport in the forest groves along the bank of the Kalindi. You destroy the mode of ignorance. We worship Your limbs which glisten like the branches of a tamala tree. Your brilliant dark blue form derides a mountain of kajala. All glories to you! Please makes us intensely attached to You and engage us in Your service. Free us from the control of lust and keep us under Your control. "Please destroy the fear of repeated birth and death. You withhold Your kindness from the cruel and wicked, therefore, please remove the disease of desiring honor and distinction. Please make us fortunate by manifesting fully m our hearts. Hey learned one! Your wandering in the kunjas of Vrndavana excites the mind and exhilarates the heart! You shine brilliantly like the autumn moon, and Your gentle smile is alive with pastimes. The witty words flowing from Your mouth produce infinite varieties of intimate mellows. "You are always anxious to relish emotional ecstasies within Your heart. You are famous throughout the Vedas for dispelling doubts and solving disputes. Your pleasing words fill the ears with waves of loving flavors. Your inner joy arises from pure love. You are a mine of transcendental splendor! Your roving eyes, which mock blossoming lotuses, are slightly reddish due to the intoxication of lust. Seeing Your eyes pleases the eyes of everyone. As the reservoir of mercy, You deliver the entire world from distress and dangers. "You establish rules and regulations to create good fortune for the people of the world. You sit on the lotus of the heart of a devotee who glorifies You with pure love. But when You get angry, You can act like Yamaraja to easily crush the prowess of an insubordinate servant like King Indra. You are decorated with the rare jewel of formidability. You fearlessly lifted Govardhana, and stood like a graceful dancer effortlessly holding the mountain in Your lotus hand. The white lotus tucked over Your ear resembles a conchshell, and Your earrings glitter like sunshine. You are famous for satisfying the devotees who desire to see Your magnificent form. "You are known by men and demigods. You mystify both the moving and non-moving. You are the indomitable force! With the pinky finger of Your left hand You held up the vast mountain of Govardhana. Colorful varieties of loving moods enhance Your pure character. 0 illustrious one! Although the Vraja gopis are Your most confidential lovers, You uphold the strictest codes of morality. You compassionately protected Gokula from the clouds of devastation that assailed Your beloved Vrndavana with floods, lightning bolts, and torrents of rain. Abounding in kindness, You always do good for everyone and satisfy all desires. 0 skillful one! Your youthful elegance conquers the splendor a cloudbank. You appear in this World to bestow Your blessings, and violently suppress opposition to pure dharma. "You dress in gorgeous, glimmering golden garments which outshine the pollen of kadamba flowers. You are the wisest among all wise men. You conquered the crafty Indra and shattered his false pride. May You who affectionately protected the residents of Gokula by lifting Giriraja, be the continual object of our glorification. "0 Lord! Just with Your hands You easily pulverized the pride of invincible demons like Bakasura, Putana, Vastasura, and others. Like a powerful snake, You instantly subdued Your enemies such as Aghasura. You demolished the pride of the angry Lord Brahma. You protected the Yamuna by banishing Kaliya with Your forceful dancing. 0 beautiful one! You courageously saved Your friends from the forest fire by putting them in illusion. "0 Lord! Whenever You associate intimately with the gopis, Your mind becomes agitated to enjoy conjugal pastimes due to the intensity of their pure love. We saw this tendency of Yours when You stole the clothes of the Vraja kumaris. In this humorous pastime You captivated the minds of the innocent girls with Your sweet pleasant words. By accepting the offering of delicious foods from the yajna patnis. You reciprocated with their love. You are the abode of blissful festivals. "0 intelligent one! You saved the world from the deluge of destruction! You removed Indra's pride by stopping his worship and by defeating him when he attacked Vrndavana. You satisfied the desires of everyone by lifting the king of all mountains. You bestow happiness according to one's mood of love toward You. "0 Lord, You please the eyes of everyone! You forgive even the lowest, most offensive living entities within the universe if they surrender unto You. 0 Lord, You always increase the happiness of Your intimate servants. You manifested dreadful boldness by uprooting Indra's Nanda-kanana forest with the peak of Giriraja. "When will we fallen ones be eligible to hear Your auspicious glories? You possess adorable beauty and deserve to be worshiped by everyone. 0 Lord! Who can completely know all of Your unlimited attributes? No one in the universe has the qualities that You do. 0 embodiment of all pleasing traits! You are inconceivable to the non-devotees, but You are the benevolent maintainer for one who surrenders to You in distress or humility. "We beg You, therefore, to please show compassion and protect us. Please beautify and enlighten us so that we can surrender unto You and drown in the ocean of Your blissful service. Ignorance and illusion have nearly killed us. Please fill us with detachment and ever-increasing love for You. Please destroy our wicked thoughts and empower us to properly glorify You. "0 Lord! We offer our obeisances unto you. Your splendor is immeasurable! 0 embodiment of compassion! If You give us Your mercy then we can take shelter of Your lotus feet, offer our respects, and chant Your holy name. All glories to You! You continually perform exciting pastimes in the hearts Your pure devotees. "You always give pleasure to the king and queen of Vrndavana. Your wandering through the forests of Vrndavana nourishes it with the full extent of Your compassion. You crush the conceit born of false ego. At every moment You give joy to Your devotees. To protect Your own community, You are ready to destroy millions of enemies. "0 younger brother of Baladeva! You are always fixed in the highest bliss. 0 worshipable one! You are the superexcellent master of all arts. Everything about Your character is pure and sublime. You astonish the heart with Your sensational pastimes. Although You are all pervading, You are rarely perceived. "You are famous as Sri Hari because You remove all bad behavior from Your servitors. You instantly favor a repentant soul who sincerely prays, '0 my Lord! You are the deliverer from material bondage. For so long I have not served you. Now please accept me and engage me in Your loving service.' You give inner strength to the repentant and take pleasure in protecting Your devotees. You are an ocean of the finest qualities. "You obliterate the pride of Cupid. Radhika always serves You and pleases You more than anyone else. Sri Radha, who has perfectly mastered the sixty-four arts, is the main support for all Your astounding transcendental adventures. You created a jovial celebration by lifting Govardhana Hill. The mind of a humble and submissive person always dwells in You alone. "You give everything in charity. Among millions of wise and venerable demigods like Brahma and Siva, You alone have the power to award all auspiciousness and give ecstatic love to every living entity. Just by a glance You can enlighten and liberate anyone. You fulfill the desires of one who is anxious to glorify Your transcendental pastimes. "Whenever You hear jingling ankle-bells and the loud sound of various Percussion instruments such as the din-din drum played by the gopis. Your heart leaps with a desire to relish intimate pleasure pastimes. Your characteristic of being controlled by Your devotees is Your natural embellishment. Alas! You are very difficult to understand. Are Your pastimes also inconceivable by Sankarsana? Indeed, You are truly transcendental. 'The impious can never comprehend You with their logic and argument. You deliver one from the cycle of birth and death. Your playing is like the sporting of a mad elephant. You are spilling over with humorous pastimes. 0 Lord, who can properly glorify You? Jnanis and mental speculators can never perceive the truth about You. Being completely pure, You exist beyond all contamination of the material energy. 0 peaceful one! What more can we say? You are the benefactor of everyone. "You eternally exist as the sublime mysterious one, beyond the injunctions of the sastras. 0 supreme controller! Even Mahesh cannot fathom Your pastimes, what to speak of Kuvera and other celestials. 0 friend of humanity! Please reside in our hearts! Your devotees become deeply satisfied whenever You manifest before them. The demigods like us have been severely oppressed by tyrants like Kamsa. Please enliven us by showering Your mercy upon us. "You are witty, clever, attractive, and enchanting. Your matchless prowess always benefits the thousands of gorgeous gopis. Your love is ever expanding throughout the day and night. In conjugal enjoyment, You take the aggressive role and behave like a maddened elephant in the kunjas. Your handsome body appears like a mound of kajala. We constantly pray to Your charming pastimes that surround You like a dazzling aura." Thus the perfectly composed prayers of the demigods resounded throughout the atmosphere to enchant the hearts of everyone with the glories of Krsna. Vrajaraja Nanda, who has a jovial personality, ruled his kingdom with excessive affection. After the Govardhana pastime, the respectable men of Vrndavana approached Nanda Maharaja and appealed to him, "0 King of Vrndavana! Although You completely removed the fear and doubts we had about stopping the sacrifice for Indra, due to our wealth and prestige, we are still somewhat contaminated with suspicion. In great amazement we watched Indra send innumerable Samvartaka clouds to drown the world and completely wash away our village of Vrndavana. Your seven year-old son, who is a fountainhead of youth beautified with long tresses of curly hair, appears like the embodiment of sweet joy. We saw Him pick up the massive mountain of Govardhana with His left hand and hold it for seven continuous days! "Such a marvelous feat is very difficult even for Lord Siva, the master of Parvati. Just as an elephant easily plucks a lotus full of fragrant honey with his trunk, your son effortlessly picked up Giriraja. By doing this, Krsna turned the famous Indra, who was infatuated with unlimited anger, into an insignificant village goat. Therefore we cannot understand the identity of this person who bewilders us and covers our knowledge. As soon as Krsna appeared in our village, He became the life and soul of everyone. his lips are as sweet as a bandhuli flower, yet He drank the deadly poison of Putana's breast milk, purified her, and made her His nursemaid. "One day Yasoda placed sleepy Krsna beneath a cart to take rest. Suddenly just by kicking His delicate feet, which are softer than a bunch of asoka leaves, He smashed the cart and killed the hideous Sakatasura who was hiding there. Thereafter, with the ring of His two anus, which break our patience and are unconquerable by men and demigods, He clutched the throat of the terrible windstorm demon and squeezed out his life. Then in the course of playing, He killed offensive demons like Vatsasura, Bakasura, and Aghasura. In this activity, Krsna did not fight or even feel the least bit fatigued. "By nature this boy of yours is simply enjoying throughout the day and night. His ecstasy and loving affection seem to increase at every moment! We have never seen anyone with such unique matchless beauty. You must have noticed all these things too. We beg you, therefore, to please reveal the truth about the real identity of Your son." Maharaja Nanda laughed loudly in appreciation of the statements of the cowherd men. His lips refulgent with a glorious sweetness, Nanda said, "0 respectable cowherd men! Please listen attentively and put your faith in my truthful words. Garga Muni, who has a pure and blissful mind, and who is adorned with the quality of omniscience, performed the name-giving ceremony of my son. That great muni dispelled the doubts and illusions about Krsna's identity by stating, There is no limit to the good fortune of your son. Even the paramahamsas who have reached the zenith of knowledge cannot perceive the mysterious truth about Him. In each of the four yugas your son has appeared in four different colors. In Satya-yuga, He came in a white color; in Treta-yuga, He proclaimed victory in a red color; in Dvarpara-yuga, He appeared dark blue like a rain cloud, and in most Kali-yugas He comes in a white color. "Garga Muni continued, 'But once in the day of Brahma, He appears in a dark blue form as Krsna, and afterwards He appears in a yellow color. By His own desire and spiritual power He appeared as the son of Vasudeva. Therefore, He is also named Vasudeva, and He is equal to Narayana. Those who love Him become free from all offenses, experience auspi-Clousness everywhere, and remain always satisfied. He is the only object of love for both men and women. Out of fear of Him, no enemy comes here to Vrndavana.' Nanda Maharaja said, "Therefore my dear cowherd men, you need not be afraid in this matter. My son Krsna acts for everyone's benefit in all '"espects. It is quite fitting that you have developed such affection for Him. Do not allow the mood of awe and reverence (aisvarya bhava) to reduce the intensity of your friendly love toward Him. On its own, the mood of majesty (aisvarya bhava) is neither natural nor intimate. Do not, therefore, put yourself in distress by maintaining this mood of awe and reverence toward Krsna. Make this youthful son of mine the object of your compassion." Thus relieved and satisfied, the residents of Vrndavana gladly returned to their respective homes. Sometime later, Krsna, being attracted by the opulence of Giriraja and to get relief from the fatigue of holding him up for a week, strolled along a ridge of Govardhana Hill. Krsna walked there alone in order to bestow mercy upon the heavenly King Indra. The cowherd boys suffered greatly in the absence of their beloved friend. Krsna's pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill had covered the one with a thousand eyes in layers of intense embarrassment. As a result, Indra abandoned his bad qualities of anger and pride, and came to Vrndavana from his heavenly abode accompanied by a kamadhenu, who carried the sweet smell of good fortune. Indra wanted to meet Krsna and beg pardon for his grave offense. In her humble way, the surabhi cow, accompanying Indra, approached Krsna and spoke affectionately with the logic of the goddess of learning. Surabhi said, "0 Lord! You are the tilaka mark of good fortune on the head of the capital of Nanda Maharaja. Please hear my words attentively. You are famous throughout the universe and worshipable by all living beings. You are incomprehensible and You manifest incredible opulence in this world. Even if hundreds of angry Indras try to kill the cows and gopas with fast moving ferocious clouds pouring torrents of rain, You will always protect Gokula and saturate its residents with complete bliss. "Being pleased by Your merciful behavior, Brahma anxiously told me, '0 goddess Surabhi! Go happily bathe the "Indra of Gokula," who is the beloved son of Nanda Maharaja. Under Krsna's compassionate protection, the Vrajavasis, who are praised by the poets, rebelled against Indra even though they are not envious of him. I am well known for my own misdeed of previously stealing Krsna's boyfriends and cows. Surabhi! I will follow you on my swan, along with the munis, rsis, Kinnaras, Caranas, Siddhas, and demigods, in order to relish the spiritual bliss of this pastime.' Surabhi continued, "Hey Krsnacandra! Just see the person standing behind me. He is always overwhelmed with grief from his anger and of-fenses. Casting his eyes down in shame, he repents for his rude and arrogant actions. Within his mind he is always rebuking himself. He really wants to be forgiven for his grave offenses to You, but he is afraid to step forward. If You allow, he will come and submit his petition." Indra wiped the tears from his thousand eyes and got down from his mountain of false pride. As he lay on the ground surrendered to the Lord, it appeared that the radiance from the expensive gems on his crown ill"' minated the lotus feet of Krsna. After lying a long time on the ground, Indra stood up, folded his hands, and bowed his head. With fear and' devotion in his heart he gazed at Krsna's jewel-like toenails glowing like moonshine. Out of ignorance and false pride he had previously acted foolishly- Now humbled, Indra offered prayers to Lord Krsna. King Indra said, "Krsna! You are the Lord of all lords! You are the beloved son of the King of Vrndavana! Your nature is to be totally independent! Grand festivals are held just to worship You. You are the highest truth, so it is difficult for someone like me to understand Your greatness. Those blinded by the arrogance of pride become intoxicated by drinking the wine of their false egos. Then how can they think favorably about Your glories? Since their eyes are diseased, they cannot perceive their own perverted actions. They are just like owls that cannot see the light of the radiant sun. "Therefore, 0 kind one! Please listen to me. It is quite befitting that You stopped my sacrifice in order to severely punish one whose vision had been so infected with false pride. For a blind man, a stick is the best medicine. 0 Lord, You are an ocean of compassion! Although You taught me a good lesson, I took it in the wrong way. The intelligence of hypocrites always directs them to act incorrectly. "What can be said of us who lust after the poison of sense gratification, if even the greatest sages, who are free from material attachments, can become agitated by the powerful mode of passion. Unless Your insurmountable illusory energy acts, then how can false ego exist? All glories to You, the benevolent one! You are the essence of everything in the three worlds. You are the embodiment of auspiciousness for Vrndavana. 0 matchless one! 0 Damodara! You are the abode of transcendental names and qualities. 0 friend of Dama, Sudama, and Vasudama, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. "You are difficult to know. Please do not cover us with illusion. 0 Lord! Please be kind to us. With a slight sidelong glance from Your eyes You can cause fortune or misfortune. 0 unborn one! Although You never take birth, You appear in unlimited incarnations. In bygone times, You pleased the demigods and enjoyed Yourself by becoming Upendra. Just now You will enjoy being bathed by Surabhi. You are the blue sapphire crest-jewel in the crown of the Indras in every universe. "0 lifter of the great mountain of Govardhana! Although previously known as Abhirama (beautiful and pleasing). You will now be known by Me name of Govinda, which Your devotees will regularly chant. Go means tending and caring for cows. 0 Lord! From today, everyone will call You Govinda." After becoming purified of his false pride by glorifying Krsna, Indra commenced the auspicious bathing ceremony. Brahma, the Four Kumaras, Uma, Mahadeva, Tamburu, Kartikeya, Narada, and Savita attended Krsna's abhiseka. Many exalted rsis and sages beautified the assembly The effulgent wives of the demigods such as Arundhati also visited. The celestial Apsaras like Urvasi watching from the sky enhanced the festival with their splendid forms and qualities. Govardhana, with the limbs of his own body, provided an elegant throne made of smooth stones and jewels. The demigod Varuna personally held a fine white umbrella over Krsna's head, which had a fringe of hanging pearls that appeared like falling raindrops. Vayu, his arm trembling in ecstatic devotion, stood beside the Lord fanning Him with a camara whisk. The full moon assumed the form of a mirror made of jewels. Pancajanya, the Lord's conchshell, sanctified the atmosphere with loud sounds. The effulgent Sudarshan cakra expanded as many lamps to illumine all directions. Krsna's white lotus flower expanded into many white umbrellas to shield the Lord. Kaumodik, the Lord's club who is honored for his strength, stood like a jeweled pillar for the bathing ceremony. The personified forms of the sacred oceans, rivers, ponds, and lakes came with pots of water to bathe Krsna. Mother Bhumi collected the finest quality earth in a box covered with seven jewels. Placing the box on a jeweled plate, she slowly approached Krsna and offered it to Him. The best herbs and medicinal plants personified presented themselves for Krsna's service. Great sacred trees such as the banyan and peepul manifested in person to give Krsna leaves containing the five types of tastes in golden pots studded with gems of lapis lazuli. The forest gods from the ten directions brought water pots covered with coconuts and various delicious fruits. The Lord of the mountains brought exotic gems and jewels. The nine jewels, the eight yogic siddhis, the best jewels like cintamani, kamadhenu, and desire-trees all assumed charming forms to worship the Lord. Standing at a distance, they faced Krsna with folded hands. The goddess of Mt. Sumeru offered a golden cloth, and the goddess of the Himalayas presented splendid necklaces. The goddess of Gandhamadana Mountain brought golden lotuses from Manasarovara Lake and personally strung a garland for Krsna. The goddess of the Malaya Mountain delivered the best quality sandal-wood. Grinding it on a stone from Govardhana, she made a smooth fragrant paste for Krsna. Without the knowledge of her husband, Parvati handed Krsna a gorgeous jeweled necklace. With their own hands, the Sapta-Rsis plucked fresh lotus buds from the Mandakini River to offer to the Lord. When needed for service, the sun god made the lotus flowers blossom for the Lord. The shining of the moon appeared as a mirror. Agni offered an artistically designed golden incense pot with a hanging fringe made of coral. The best quality aguru scent burned in the pot, and rose into the sky through its thousands of holes. Garuda expanded his effulgent golden wings to form a protective canopy oVer the Lord. All the kings of the snakes fanned their hoods to serve as jeweled flags to surround the bathing platform. The various mantras and prayers used for abhiseka like purusa-sukta and sri-sukta took personal forms to chant in alternating low and high tones. The surabhi cow contributed the panca-gavya and Lord Brahma provided the panca-amrta. Airavata (Indra's elephant carrier) filled the gem-studded bathing pots with water from the Akash-Ganga, which he carried in his trunk. The demigods in the sky vibrated instrumental music. The celestial ladies showered flowers from Nanda-kanana while intoxicated Gandharvas, Caranas, Kimpurusas, Siddhas, Sadhyas, and Vidyadharas joyfully danced in the sky. All the Apsaras appeared to please Krsna with a special drama. They conveyed the meaning of the play with various dance steps and facial expressions. Upon beholding the elegant form of Syamasundara, the famous Apsara Urvasi felt enchanted and devoted herself to the Lord. Taking the lead in directing the bathing festival of Krsna, Lord Brahma approached Surabhi and said, "Today is the best day to observe a happy occasion. 0 simple village folk! Do not delay. Everyone queue up behind Lord Siva and please start the abhiseka. Before I take my turn, let the leading ladies of the universe come forward. First Arundhati, who tried to please me, should bathe the Lord. Then Anasuya, who is non-envious and free from passion and ignorance, and Parvati, the respectable daughter of the Himalayas who gives bliss to everyone, should step forward. Then the other exalted ladies such as Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas who welcomes the Lord when He awakens; Aditi, the mother of the demigods whose love is never broken; Sarasvati, the goddess of learning; and the beautiful Svaha should bathe Krsna." Then Lord Brahma, who meditated upon a lotus, asked Krsna to sit down on the bathing platform. He began the worship by washing Krsna's feet and offering Him delicious madhuparka and tambula. According to a previous arrangement, the senior ladies of Vrndavana, their hearts drowning in prema, bathed Giridhari with fragrant panca-amrta, panca-gavya, and the milk dripping from Surabhi's milk bag. Seeing the captivating splendor of Murari's body during the abhiseka made the onlookers question His identity. They wondered, "Is this a Monsoon cloud being bathed in moonshine? Is it a concentration of all blueness covered with white? Is it a small hill of blue-sapphires covered by the pure water of crystal gems? Is it a fresh tamala tree decorated with by radiant pearls? Is it a blue lotus covered with bright white camphor Powder?" Just like enthusiastic mothers anxious to bathe their adorable children Gayatri, Parvati, Aditi, and the other chaste demigoddesses like Arundhati stepped forward and smeared Krsna's body with oil and fragrant cleansing powders. One after another the Four Kumaras and the Sapta-rsis bathed Giridhari while chanting mantras. Ordered by Brahma, the Four Kumaras offered water with their folded palms. Feeling great ecstasy, the young sages cried and shivered in delight. After smearing fragrant reddish oil upon Krsna's body, Parvati and other ladies performed the sahasra-patra snana. They held a plate above Krsna's head that had a thousand holes and showered Him with streams of crystal clear, camphorated water. By the powerful presence of the kama-dhenu, kalpa-taru, and cintamami gems everything required for Krsna's bathing automatically manifested. After Krsna's bath some pretty chaste girls dried His beautiful body with fine soft cloths. Different girls dried His hair, chest, hands, legs, and feet. One young girl, with the mood of an intimate lover, wrapped Krsna's body with a fresh dry cloth while removing the wet one and wringing it out. After they had dried Krsna's body from head to toe a few times, Parvati advised the young girls how to neatly dress Him. They lovingly offered Krsna the best quality garments, ornaments, and unguents which they had previously collected. Although Krsna accepted all this on Brahma's request, He felt somewhat disturbed because His confidential pastimes with the gopas and gopis were temporarily interrupted. Despite His anxiety, Krsna did not want to interfere with the demigods who tasted so much happiness from bathing Him. Being Krsna's devotees, they tried their best to serve Him with affection. Krsna accepted their offerings but remained grave. After Krsna's bath and dressing, Brahma offered Him an auspicious seat under a tree. Brahma wanted to give the utmost pleasure to the Lord by worshiping Him with all opulence. Along with offering the standard sixteen items of puja, Brahma also intended to chant some elaborate mantras. While Brahma was making these arrangements, Lord Siva approached him and said, "0 Brahma! There is a well-known saying that an intelligent person does not worry. Krsna's puja will be done by this small boy standing in front." Just nearby an attractive effulgence emanated from the eighteen syllable mantra (Gopala mantra) which had manifested a personified form of a small boy. Seeing that everyone in the assembly was pleased with this little boy, Brahma said, "0, the Gopala mantra of ecstatic mellows has come in person. Narada Muni gave this great mantra, whose meter is gayatri, to men and sages in order to remove the obstacles to bhakti from their hearts. Thus I am being completely distinguished in two ways. I will also worship Krsna by chanting this mantra." Empowered by the Gopala mantra, Brahma worshiped Krsna. Many eminent devotees attended the puja including Narada and rsis like Sanaka, who uproots all anti-devotional desires; Dhruva, the ideal of devotional determination; Prahlada, who gives delight to all, and the Vasus, who are eternally fixed in the Satvata philosophy. Stepping forward, Brahma washed Krsna's lotus feet. Then he sat down in the lotus posture and gazed appreciatively at the Lord with his eight eyes. The milk ocean personified brought valuable bathing pots for the Lord, along with many big beautiful, pure white conchshells. Brahma was anxious because there were no stands to hold them. Suddenly, Mt. Meru personified appeared with many golden three-legged stands to properly hold those conches. The demigods and their wives worshiped Krsna with a variety of articles. The goddess of Kailasa presented an auspicious quartz crystal lota that increased everyone's happiness. The splendidly beautiful goddess of the Himalayas offered a fancy tray of sweet-smelling wild flowers. The vanadevis supplied fragrant forest flowers, sun-dried rice, barley, kusa grass, sesame seeds, white mustard seeds, wild black rice, darbha grass, aparajita flowers, and other natural items mixed with water to bathe Krsna's attractive lotus feet. They also provided captivatingly aromatic nutmeg, cloves, and allspice for washing His mouth. Bhumi-devi delivered incredible natural scents. Some demigods from the Nanda-kanana forest donated an ornament made from divine, wish fulfilling flowers along with garments of the finest yellow cloth. Svaha, the wife of Agni, offered a brilliant lamp containing ghee from surabhi cows and natural camphor scent. The kamadhenus delivered an abundance of heavenly milk products. Aditi furnished many kinds of fancy cakes and sweet pies. Saci-devi, Indra's wife, supplied enchanting tambula covered with golden pan leaves. The demigods and demigoddesses arrived from every direction bringing valuable items to offer to Krsna. In great joy, Brahma chanted the mula manias to initiate the auspicious bathing ceremony. The demigods played the appropriate melodies on their kettledrums while the Apsaras danced with euphoria. The Gandharvas and Caranas sang with youthful exuberance to fill everyone's heart with bliss. Kartikeya devotedly held an umbrella over Krsna's head. The rsis recited purifying hymns. Brahma adorned Krsna's forehead with Pleasing, artistically drawn tilaka. Overwhelmed in jubilation, he placed an opulent crown on Krsna's head. The potent jewels on that crown flashed light in all directions. While setting the crown, Brahma said. "0 Krsna, You are the supreme king among all the kings of the universe!" Hearing this, rsis like Sunanda and others loudly chanted selected prayers,"All glories to the enchanter of Vrndavana! 0 son of Nanda Maharaja! 0 almighty one! You are the charming beloved of the splendid gopis! You are the crest-jewel! of all the demigods! The nectar of serving Your lotus feet far surpasses the bliss of brahman. 0 Govinda! You are the original cause of all creation. We offer our repeated obeisances unto You." After preparing himself by setting aside his snake ornaments and skull garland, and by talking a bath in the Manasi Ganga to wash off his ashes Lord Siva offered the final arati. He worshiped Krsna with pure fragrant clay, incense, padidy, an elegant jeweled ghee lamp, and sweet-smelling scents. He chanteid various mantras to conclude the arati and abhiseka. Following the Vedic injunctions, Gayatri, Gauri, Arundhati and other wives of the demigods took turns offering arati with ghee lamps. As the worship concluded, Narada Muni merged in ecstasy as he sang about Krsna's pastime of lifting Goivardhana Hill. Tamburu, the king of the Gandharvas, sang along with hiim. Brahma distributed maha-prasadam to all the devotees at the conclusion of Govinda's; bathing ceremony. Lord Brahma gave the following order to the personified conches, jewels, kalpa-tarus, cintamani gems and so on, "Please decorate and ornament the sages, the demigods and their wives, the lord of the snakes, and all the other guests." Everyone attending Krsna's glorious abhiseka received priceless gifts in charity. Feeling the supreme euphoria from successfully conducting the abhiseka. Lord Brahma looked as> brilliant as the sun. Before returning to their celestial homes, all the demigods respectfully circumambulated Govinda. However, Indra and Surabhi remained behind for a moment. After the four-headed one and all the demigods departed, Krsna addressed the fearless intelligenit Indra. In a happy humorous mood, Krsna said, "Is your anger now pacified? Tell me truthfully. You are close to Me, so you should not conceal the mood of your heart. I did not subdue your anger out of revenge or enmity. But I wanted to show how your actions were full of false pride. By mature I cannot bear to see My own devotees possessing false pride. It is well known that such persons deserve to be punished by Me. "0 Indra, I favored you by stopping the sacrifice. 0 subduer of your enemies! It does mot suit you to maintain envy toward Me. Now return to Svarga and enjoy your position. Do not become carried away by your wealth and loose your intelligence again." Indra listened patiently to Krsna's compassionate words and accepted His kind chastisement. After respectfully circumambulating the Lord, be went back to Indrapuri. Then Krsna anointed Surabhi with the fragrance of His pure affection and bid her farewell. Dressed in a glimmering new golden outfit, Krsna looked most beautiful as He returned to Vrndavana. It seemed as if He had just returned after a moment's absence.