The Story of Shri Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill

Once upon a time the elder people of Braj, including Nanda Mahraj(Adoptive Father of Krishna) were all planning a pooja(ceremony)for the God of Weather, Indra. Shri Krishna who was just a small child began to ask questions on why they had to do so. Nanda Mahraj told little Krishna that this ceremony was done every year to please Lord Indra so that he continued to grace the people of Braj with rain when it was needed. But then Little Krishna argued that they were farmers and that they should be doing their duties or ‘Karma’(action of cause and effect) to the best they can, by concentrating on farming and protecting their cattle, rather than performing poojas or leading sacrifices like this for any natural event. After this, the villagers of Braj were satisfied with little Krishna and they didn’t do the pooja.

Furious and Angry by the villagers of Braj for listening to a little boy Krishna and worshipping Govardhan Hill instead of him, Indra, The King of the Heavens and the God of Weather, decided to punish the them by sending big, terrible rain clouds to flood the lands of Vrindhavan. Lord Indra called ‘Samavartaka’(clouds of devastation) and ordered them to unleash wreak on Vrindhavan with strong and fast-moving rain and thunderstorms, and make massive floods that would destroy the people of Vrindhavan.

As terrible rains and thunderstorms destroyed the land and covered it with water, the scared and worried villagers of Vrindhavan approached Shri Krishna for help. Shri Krishna who understood the problem really well knew exactly what to do. Lord Shri Krishna lifted up the skyscraping, gigantic Mount Govardhan at once with his little finger on his left hand and held it up like it was an umbrella to protect his village from the rain and thunderstorms. One by one all the villagers brought their cattle, and other precious things and took shelter under Mount Govardhan. For Seven days they stayed under the mountain safe from the terrible rain and were surprisingly undisturbed by hunger or thirst. They were surprised and shocked to see Govardhan Hill perfectly rested on Shri Krishna’s little finger.

Shocked and in disbelief by what had happened, King Indra called back the clouds of devastation and luckily stopped the rain and thunderstorms. The sky became clear again, the Sun was shining brightly in the blue sky on top of Vrindhavan. Shri Krishna asked the villagers to return back to their homes and gently put Govardhan Hill back to where it was. All the villagers including Nanda Maharaj, Yasodha(Adoptive Mother of Krishna) and Balarama(Krishna’s Step-brother) praised Krishna and showered him with happiness.

This was how King Indra;s pride was destroyed into pieces. He came to Little Krishna with his hands folded and prayed for his forgiveness. Shri Krishna, being the Supreme Personality of Godhead, gave his grace to Indra and educated him about his ‘Dharma’(the duties he should follow) and responsibilities.