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Well, HE is antaryAmi and whenever the pride (which is aasuric guNa) lifts its head, HE plans to conquer it. Anyone who is tuned to divinity will feel the same. praSamAya prasAdAya to put an end to but to bless!
bhagavAn api tatraiva baladevena samyuta:
apaSyan nivasan gopAn indra yAga kRutodyamAn 10.24.1
(One day Lord Krishna who was with his elder brother Baladeva happened to see the cowherd men busily arranging for a sacrifice to Indra. They were carrying loads and loads of pUja materials and prasAdams. Very innocent, HE wanted to know the reason.)
kathyatAm me pita: ko ayam sambhramo va upAgata:
kim phalam kasya coddeSa: kena vA sAdhyate makha: 10.24.3
(Being the omniscient God, the Lord Krishna already understood the situation, yet He still humbly inquired to His father, Nanda Gopa as follows:
“My dear father, please explain to Me what is going on here; I see a flurry of activity. What is it meant to accomplish? For whose satisfaction is this yaga intended?”)
jnatvA ajnAtvA ca karmANi jano ayam anutishThati
vidusha: karma siddhi: syAt tathA nAvidusho bhavet 10.24.6
(Please tell Me about it, O father. I have a great desire to know and am ready to listen to you. Certainly, no secrets are to be kept by saints, who see all others as equal to themselves, who have no concept of "mine” or "another's" and who do not differentiate between a friend, an enemy and someone who is neutral. When people in this world perform activities, sometimes they understand what they are doing and sometimes they don't. Those who know what they are doing achieve success in their work, whereas ignorant people do not.)
parjanyo bhagavAn indro meghA: tasyAtma mUrtaya:
te abhivarshanti bhUtAnAm prINanam jIvanam paya: 10.24.8
(Nanda Gopa replied: The great Lord Indra is the controller of the rain. It is the clouds that provide rainwater, which gives happiness and sustenance to all living creatures.)
tat SesheNa upajIvanti tri varga phala hetave
pumsAm purusha kArANAm parjanya: phala bhAvana: 10.24.10
(We offer him (Indra) grain and other substances produced due to the rains that have been released by him. It is because of Indra that, people sustain their lives and accomplish the threefold aims of religious merit, economic development and worldly procession. In this way it is Indra who yields the fruits (in the shape of a bumper crop) of men’s efforts.)
Let us wait to hear ‘modern views’ from kRushNa.
Oh! kRushna. If you are looking for pride in Indra, where are we? That Is why you keep great souls around to gently remind us our fault to correct ourselves.
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Use the theory that works! "I am THE LORD. LISTEN" Would work. But, then what will happen to the bala lIla that HE plans? So, he wants to be very subtle! So, don't buy this theory now. It is only for HIM - like the 'stealing yogam'. Anyone else, will turn around 180 degrees sometime in this life or in future.
karmaNA jAyate jantu: karmaNaiva vilIyate
sukham duhkham bhayam kshemam karmaNaiva abhipadyate 10.24.13
(Lord Krishna said: It is by the force of karma alone that a living entity takes birth, and it is by karma alone that he meets his destruction. His happiness, distress, fear and sense of security all arise as the effects of karma.)
asti ced ISvara: kaScit phala rUpi anya karmaNAm
kartAram bhajate so api na hi akartu: prabhur hi sa: 10.24.14
(Even if there is some supreme ruler who awards all results of their activities, He must also depend upon a performer's engaging in activity. After all if there is a person who does no activity at all then even this supreme ruler has no control over him.)
kim indreNeha bhUtAnAm sva sva karmAnuvartinAm
anISenAnyathA kartum svabhAva vihitam nRuNAm 10.24.15
(Living beings in this world are forced to experience the consequences of their own past actions. All individuals born perform actions guided by their svabhava with which they are born. However Indra has no power to change the svabhava (behavioral tendencies) of beings; so why do you worship him?)
svabhAva tantro hi jana: svabhAvam anuvartate
svabhAvastham idam sarvam sa deva asura mAnuSham 10.24.16
(Every individual is under the control of his own svabhava, and thus he must follow that nature with which he is born. This entire universe, with all its gods, demons and human beings, is based on the svabhava of the living entities.)
tasmAt sampUjayet karma svabhavastha: sva karma kRut
anjasA yena varteta tat evAsya hi daivatam 10.24.18
(A person should remain in the position corresponding to his nature and should perform his own duty to the best of his abilities. Indeed one should worship work itself.)
sattvam raja: tama iti sthiti utpatti anta hetava:
rajasa utpadyate viSvam anyonyam vividham jagat 10.24.22
(The three gunas Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion) and Tamas (ignorance) are the causes of creation, maintenance and destruction of this universe. In particular, the mode of Rajas (passion) populated this universe through the union of a male and female causing it to become full of variety.)
These are words the LORD is using only to put an end to indra's pride.
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Beware! One can follow Rama blindly. When it comes to kRushNa, read in between lines and follow only what is right for you (the rest are only for kRushNa!). Live like Rama and do constant dhyAnam of kRushNa lIla. Perfect yoga.
rajasA coditA meghA varshanti ambUni sarvata:
prajA: tair eva sidhyanti mahendra: kim karishyati 10.24.23
(It is because of the rajo guna of the parkriti that the clouds pour down their rain everywhere. It is by this rain that all creatures gain their sustenance. But what has the great Indra to do with any of this? Law of nature!)
na na: puro janapadA na grAmA na gRuhA vayam
vanaukasas tAta vana Saila nivAsina: 10.24.24
(My dear father, our home is not in the cities or towns or villages. Being forest dwellers, we always live in the forest and on the hills. We are surrounded by great nature, govardhan mountain.... and leaving all these you want to worship Devendra whom we can't even see?)
tasmAd gavAm brAhmaNAnAm adre: ca ArabhyatAm makha:
ya indra yAga sambhArA: tair ayam sAdhyatAm makha: 10.24.25
(Therefore let us conduct a yaga for the cows, and Govardhana Hill! With the same paraphernalia collected for worshiping Indra, let this sacrifice be performed instead.)
pacyantAm vividhA: pAkA: sUpAntA: pAyasAdaya:
samyAvA ApUpa Sashkulya: sarva doha: ca gRuhyatAm 10.24.26
(Let many different kinds of food be cooked, from rice boiled with milk and sugar (pAyasam!) down to boiled pulses including samyavA (kind of porridge made of wheat flour with milk; ghee etc)! And all the available milk should be taken for this sacrifice. No dilution at this stage! Indra will take care of it after govardhan consumes it!)
anyebhya: ca ASva cAndAla patitebhyo yathA arhata:
yavasam ca gavAm dattvA giraye dIyatAm bali: 10.24.28
(You must give appropriate food to everyone else, including dogs, and other suffering souls. You should also give grass to the cows and then present your respectful offerings to Govardhana Mountain.)
etan mama matam tAta kriyatAm yadi rocate
ayam go brAhmaNa adrINAm mahyam ca dayito makha: 10.24.30
(This is My suggestion, O father, and you may carry it out if it appeals to you. Such a sacrifice will be very dear to the cows,and Govardhana Hill, and also to ME. PLEASE READ THIS "ME" AS "SUPREME". Once that Supreme is satisfied, the whole universe is satisfied. Whether Indra likes it or not he has to pour. It is his duty. WHEN THE BOSS SAYS WHO CAN QUESTION? WELL QUESTIONA AND FACE CONSEQUENCES.)
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upahRutya balIn samyan AdRutA yavasam gavAm
go dhanAni puraskRutya girim cakru: pradakshiNam 3.24.33
(The villagers then did all that Madhusudana had suggested. They arranged for the brahmanas to recite the auspicious Vedic mantras, and using the paraphernalia that had been intended for Indra's yagna, they presented offerings to Govardhana Hill .They also gave grass to the cows. Then, placing the cows, bulls and calves in front of them, they circumambulated Govardhana.)
anAmsi anadud yuktAni te cAruhya sva alankRutA:
gopya: ca kRushNa vIryANi gAyantya: sa dvijASisha: 3.24.34
(As the beautifully ornamented gopi’s followed along, riding on wagons drawn by oxen, they sang the glories of Lord Krishna, and their songs mingled with the brahmana’s chanting of Vedic mantra’s.)
kRushNa: tu anyatamam rUpam gopa viSrambhaNam gata:
Sailo asmIti bruvan bhUri balim Adad bRuhad vapu: 3.24.35
(Krishna then assumed a (separate form from Himself so that there were now two copies of Krishna) huge form to instill faith in the cowherd men. Declaring "I am Govardhana Mountain!" He ate the offerings that were offered to the Govardhana.)
tasmai namo vraja janai: saha cakra AtmanAtmane
aho paSyata Sailo asau rUpI no anugraham vyadhAt 3.24.36
(Together with the people of Vraja, the Lord bowed down to this form of Govardhana Hill, thus in effect offering prayers to Himself. Then He said, "Look how this mountain has appeared in person and bestowed mercy upon us!”)
esho avajAnato martyAn kAma rUpI vanaukasa:
hanti hi asmai namasyAma: SarmaNe Atmano gavAm 3.24.37
("This Govardhana Hill, can assume any form he wishes and will kill any residents of the forest who disrespect him. Therefore let us offer our prayers to him for the safety of ourselves and our cows.")
iti adri go dvija makham vAsudeva praNoditA:
yathA vidhAya te gopA: saha kRushNA vrajam yayu: 3.24.38
(Thus the villagers were inspired by Vasudeva to perform the worship Of Govardhana Mountain Instead Of Indra and they carried out Krishna’s wishes to the best of their abilities. After worshipping the great mountain the villagers; cows and the brahmana’s returned back to the village.)
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indras tadA Atmana: pUjAm vijnAya vihatAm nRupa
gopebhya: kRushNa nAthebhyo nandAdibhyaS cukopa ha 10.25.1
(Sree Sukar said: My dear King Parikshit, when Indra understood that his sacrifice had been put aside, he became furious with Nanda Gopa and his men, who had accepted Krishna as their protector. )
gaNam sAmvartakam nAma meghAnAm cAnta kArINAm
indra: pracodayat kruddho vAkyam cAheSa mAni uta 10.25.2
(Angry Indra sent forth the destructive clouds known as Samvartaka (These clouds are usually released only during the dissolution of the universe). Imagining himself the supreme ruler, he spoke as follows.
aho SrI mada mAhAtmyam gopAnAm kAnanaukasAm
kRushNam martyam upASritya ye cakrur deva helanam 10.25.3
([Indra said:] Just see how these cowherd men living in the forest have become so greatly intoxicated by their prosperity! They have surrendered to an ordinary human being, Krishna, and thus they have offended me!? When 'pride' and 'power' gets heavier, 'poise' vanish!)
yathA adRuDhai: karma mayai: kratubhi: nAma nau nibhai:
vidyAm AnvIkshikIm hitvA titIrShanti bhavArNavam 10.25.4
(Their taking shelter in Krishna is just like the foolish attempt of men who abandon true knowledge of the self and instead try to cross over the great ocean of material existence in the false boats of ritual sacrifices.)
vAcAlam bAliSam stabdham ajnam pandita mAninam
kRushNam martyam upASritya gopA me cakrur apriyam 10.25.5
(These cowherd men have acted inimically toward me by taking shelter of this ordinary human being, Krishna, who thinks Himself very wise but who is actually a foolish, arrogant, over talkative child. These words from Devendra?? This hiding pride that our kRushNa wants to crush.)
aham ca airAvatam nAgam AruhyAnuvraje vrajam
marud-ganair mahA vegair nanda goshTha jighAmsayA 10.25.7
([To the clouds of destruction King Indra said:] The prosperity of these people has made them mad with pride, and their arrogance is backed up by Krishna. Now go and remove their pride and bring their animals to destruction.
I will follow you to Vraja, riding on my elephant Airavata and taking with me the swift and powerful wind-gods to decimate the cowherd village of Nanda Gopa)
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manushyatvam yAto madhubhit api deveshu avinayam
vidhatte cet nashTa tridaSa sadasAm ko api mahimA
tataSca dwamsishye paSupahatakasya Sriyam iti
pravRuttastvAm jetum sa kila maghavA durmada nidhi: N.62.8
(Devendra thundered, "Even if you are the destroyer of demon Madhu, once you have assumed the human form (Indra is still thinking about maryAtApurush rAmaavatAr, though that was in the previous Yuga!), you better respect the group of Devas. If not their their glory will go down! Oh! I will put an end to this! (Now blind with pride!) The richness has spoiled these cowherd and they are listening to this useless little cowherd boy! Let me take the punitive measure in the beginning itself! Oh! kRushNa, Guruvaayoorappa, where is Indra's prowess infront of your splendor? Who will put an end to whom? To what? HE WILL DECIDE)
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vidyotamAnA vidyudbhi: stananta: stanayitnubhi:
tIvrai: marudgaNai: nunnA vavRuShur jala SarkarA: 10.25.9
(Propelled by the fearsome wind-gods, the clouds blazed with lightning bolts and roared with thunder as they hurled down hailstones and massive drops of rain. Whether the other Devas liked it or not, they had to follow the line of command!)
sthUNA sthUlA varsha dhArA muncatsu abhreshu abhIkshNaSa:
jalaughai: plAvyamAnA bhU: nAdRuSyata natonnatam 10.25.10
(As the clouds released torrents of rain as thick as massive columns, the earth was submerged in the flood, and high ground could no longer be distinguished from low.)
ati AsArAti vAtena paSavo jAta vepanA:
gopA gopyaS ca SItArttA govindam SaraNam yayu: 10.25.11
(The cows and other animals were shivering from the excessive rain and wind. Gopa’s and the Gopi’s who were also troubled by this cold and rain all approached Lord Govinda their protector for shelter.)
Sira: sutAn ca kAyena pracchAdyAsAra pIditA:
vepamAnA bhagavata: pAda mUlam upAyayu: 10.25.12
(Trembling from the distress brought about by the severe rainfall, and trying to cover their calves with their own bodies, the cows approached the lotus feet of the Krishna. I wish most of TN did that instead of taking refuge in the wicked media.)
kRushNa kRushNa mahA bhAga tvan nAtham gokulam prabho
trAtum arhasi devAn na: kupitAd bhakta vatsala 10.25.13
([The Gopa’s and the Gopi’s women addressed the Lord:] Krishna, Krishna, O most fortunate (mahA bhAga) one, please deliver the cows from the wrath of Indra! O Lord, You are so affectionate to Your devotees. Please save us also. LET US HAVE THE FAITH THAT HE WILL SAVE WHO SURRENDERS TO HIM.)
tatra pratividhim samyag Atma yogena sAdhaye
lokeSa mAninAm maudhyAd dhanishye SrI madam tama: 10.25.16
(kRushNa bhagavAn started HIS promise. LET US HEAR IT VERY CAREFULLY. By My divine power I will completely counteract this disturbance caused by Indra. God’s like Indra are proud of their power, and out of their false ego they falsely consider themselves the Lord of the universe. I will now destroy such ignorance and arrogance.)
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In an island in kshIrAbdhi, there is beautiful mountain called trikUDa. This mountain and its valley highly are blessed by mother nature. There lived a King of elephants who protected all the gentle animals while terrified all the cruels. On a hot summer, Gajendra was sporting in the forest with his wives. They got tormeneted by the heat. They walked as much as they could and fortunately came to a lake filled with lotus. With absolutely no respect for mother nature, they drank and spurted water all over. In that rejoicing, he did not see the danger awaiting for him.
tam tatra kaScit nRupa daivacodita: grAho balIyAn caraNe rushA agrahIt
yadRucchaya evam vyasanam gata: gaja: yathAbalam sa: atibalo vicakrame 8.2.27
(Oh! King, there is something called the daiva Sakti. Prompted by that, a strong crocordile grabbed gajendra's foot. The stronger elephant tried his best to escape from this unexpected strong grip. We are all stuck in this horrible grip of kaalam as well as............)
Other female elephants cried. Male elephants tried their best to pull. But, the grip was so strong that everybody felt helpless. So, are we. But, we are all looking for help from above while praying for the success of others who are trying hard. thousand years passed by. Both Gajendra and the crocodile are alive, still the tug of war continued. Devas and animals wondered. Gajendra wondered what is hodling him from death even! Suddenly his previous life's sadhana prompted him to surrender to the supreme. Oh! GajendravaradA, this incidence happened in Devalokam so 1000 years is nothing. We are in marttya lokam. So, please force your garuDaf ly faster.
Let us all surrender to that supreme power
om namo bhagavate tasmai yata etat cidAtmakam
purushAya Adi bIjAya pareSAya abhidhImahi 8.3.2
(I medidate upon and offer namaskArams to that bhagavAn who is the life of everything, who is the dweller inside all, who is the prakRuti, who is the supreme.)
yasmin idam yata: ca idam yena idam ya idam swayam
ya: asmAt parasmAt ca ca para: tam prapadye swayambhuvam 8.3.3
(This universe is HIM. It came from HIM. It came becasue of HIM. HE is above everything. surrender to that LORD who is swayambhu (who is born from self). IF ONE HAS THAT ABSOLUTE FAITH WILL THEY EVER DARE TO LIE? SEE HOW SPIRITUALLY ADVANCED THIS GAJENDRA IS.)
ya: swAtmani idam nijamAyayA arppitam kvacit vibhAtam kwa ca tat tirohitam
aviddha dRuk sAkshi ubhayam tat Ikshate sa AtmamUlo avatu mAm parAtpara: 8.3.4
(Using his own Maya and thought HE brings out the universe from within during creation and consumes it during dissolution. He is self luminant and illuminates the universe. with his impeccable sight he observes both prakRuti and Universe as a wirness. May that supreme who is the soul of everything and who is above everything, protect me/us.)
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na hi sat bhAva yuktAnAm surANAm ISa vismaya:
matto asatAm mAna bhanga: praSamAyopakalpate 10.25.17
(Gods (such as Indra etc) are supposed to be full of positive qualities. Negative qualities such as arrogance and pride (Indra considers himself to be the ruler of this universe) is certainly not appropriate for them.. When I seek to destroy this false pride of those bereft of goodness, My only purpose is to correct them and make them learn from their mistakes. )
tasmAn mat SaraNam goshTham mannAtham matparigraham
gopAye svAtma yogena so ayam me vrata Ahita: 10.25.18
(I must therefore protect the gopa’s and the gopi’s by My power, for I am their shelter, I am their master, and indeed they are My own family. After all, I have taken a vow to protect My devotees. (Krishna always delivers his promises; so He has to protect those who surrender to Him.) Lord Rama also says the same thing during vibhIshaNa SaraNAgati)
ity uktvaikena hastena kRutvA govardhanAcalam
dadhAra lIlayA kRushNaS chatrAkam iva bAlaka: 10.25.19
(Having said this, Lord Krishna, who is Lord Vishnu Himself, picked up Govardhana mountain with one hand and held it aloft, as an umbrella, just as easily as a child holds up a mushroom. What an easy job for the creator who lifted the whole earth in His canine teeth as the VarAham!)
na trAsa iha va: kAryo mad hastAdri nipAtatne
vAta varsha bhayenAlam tat trANam vihitam hi va: 10.25.21
(You should have no fear that this mountain will fall from My hand. And don't be afraid of this fearsome wind and thunderous rain, for your deliverance from these sufferings has already been arranged.
Their minds thus pacified by Lord Krishna, they all entered beneath the hill, where they found ample room for themselves and all their cows, wagons, servants and priests.)
kshut tRud vyathAm sukhApekshAm hitvA tair vraja vAsibhi:
vIkshyamANo dadhAvadrim saptAham nAcalat padAt 10.25.23
(When Lord Krishna is there who will remeber hunger and thirst and personal comforts? He stood there holding up the hill for seven days as the people of Vraja gazed upon Him lovingly.)
govardhana giridhara lAl kI jai!
When Indra observed this exhibition of Lord Krishna's power, he became most astonished. He realized that this is no ordinary boy and realizing his mistake he ordered the clouds to stop pouring down on land of Vraja.
kham vyabhram uditAdityam vAta varsham ca dAruNam
niSamyoparatam gopAn govardhana dharo abravIt 10.25.25
Seeing that the fierce wind and rain had now ceased and that the sky had become clear of dark rain clouds and the bright sun had risen, Lord Krishna, the lifter of Govardhana mountain, spoke to the cowherd community as follows.)
Oh! kRushNa, please have mercy on us, we offer ourselves to you.
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niryAta tyajata trAsam gopA: sa strI dhanArbhakA:
upAratam vAta varsham vyuda prAyAS ca nimnagA: 10.25.26
([Lord Krishna said:] My dear Gopa’s, please go out with your wives, children and possessions. There is no cause to fear since the wind and rain have stopped, and the rivers' high waters have subsided. Oh! kRushNa, when are you going to say this again? You prove this again and again and we still keep asking. Give us the unshakable devotion kRushNa.)
bhagavAn api tam Sailam sva sthAne pUrva vat prabhu:
paSyatAm sarva bhUtAnAm sthApayAmAsa lIlayA 10.25.28
(After collecting their cows and loading their belongings into their wagons, the cowherd men went out. The women, children and elderly persons gradually followed them.
While others looked on, Lord Krishna put down the hill in its original place, just as it had stood before.)
tam prema vegAn nirbhritA vrajaukaso yathA samIyu: parirambhaNAdibhi:
gopya: ca sa sneham apUjayan mudA dadhi akshatAdbhi: yuyuju: sadASisha: 10.25.29
(All the residents of Vrindavana were overwhelmed with ecstatic love, and they came forward and greeted Sree Krishna according to their individual relationships with Him - some embracing Him, others bowing down to Him, and so forth. The gopi’s presented water mixed with yogurt and akshata, and they showered it upon Him. They even thought that it is their blessing that gave HIM the strength. Didn't Valmiki say the same thing - "May my ramayaNam give strength to Rama"? The sambandh that a bhakt holds with the LORd is so strong.
yaSodA rohiNI nando rAmaS ca balinAm vara:
kRushNam Alingya yuyuju: ASisha: sneha kAtarA: 10.25.30
(Mother Yashoda, mother Rohini, father Nanda Gopa and Balarama, the bravest among all, embraced Krishna. They were overcome with love for Krishna and offered Him their blessings.)
tato anuraktai: paSupai: pariSrito rAjan sa goShTham sa balo svrajad hari:
tathA vidhAni asya kRutAni gopikA gAyantya Iyu: muditA hRudi spRuSa: 10.25.33
(In the heavens, all the gods, including the Siddhas, Gandharvas and Caranas, sang the praises of Lord Krishna and showered down flowers.
Surrounded by His loving cowherd friends and Lord Balarama, Krishna then went off to the forest to attend to His cows. The cowherd girls returned to their houses, singing joyfully about the lifting of Govardhana Hill and other glorious deeds performed by Lord Krishna. Their hearts were filled with intense joy and devotion towards Krishna.)
