Shloka 10
Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas
तच्छेषेणोपजीवन्ति त्रिवर्गफलहेतवे । पुंसां पुरुषकाराणां पर्जन्य: फलभावन: ॥ १० ॥
tac-cheṣeṇopajīvanti tri-varga-phala-hetave puṁsāṁ puruṣa-kārāṇāṁ parjanyaḥ phala-bhāvanaḥ
Indem die Menschen die Reste der für Indra dargebrachten Opfer annehmen, erhalten sie ihr Leben und erlangen die Früchte der drei Ziele: dharma, artha und kāma. So gilt Indra als Parjanya als der Wirkende, der den Erfolg der Bemühungen der Fleißigen ermöglicht.
One might object that people sustain themselves by farming, industry and so on. But as previously mentioned, all human and nonhuman endeavor depends on food and drink, which cannot be produced without ample rain. By the word tri-varga Nanda further points out that the prosperity achieved through sacrifice for Indra is meant not merely for sense gratification but also for religiosity and economic development. Unless people are well fed, it is difficult for them to execute their duties, and without performance of duty, it is very difficult to be religious.
FAQs
This verse says that although people strive for dharma, wealth, and enjoyment, their efforts bear visible results only when rain (parjanya) supports agriculture and livelihood—showing human dependence on higher arrangement.
Kṛṣṇa is redirecting the Vraja community’s thinking about prosperity and worship, emphasizing practical causes like rain and the natural order, setting the stage for the Govardhana worship and Indra’s pride being checked.
Work responsibly, but remain humble about outcomes—recognize factors beyond personal control (nature, timing, grace), and cultivate gratitude and stewardship rather than pride in results.