Shloka 23
Indra’s Prayers and the Coronation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as Govinda
Govindābhiṣeka
श्रीशुक उवाच एवं कृष्णमुपामन्त्र्य सुरभि: पयसात्मन: । जलैराकाशगङ्गाया ऐरावतकरोद्धृतै: ॥ २२ ॥ इन्द्र: सुरर्षिभि: साकं चोदितो देवमातृभि: । अभ्यसिञ्चत दाशार्हं गोविन्द इति चाभ्यधात् ॥ २३ ॥
śṛī-śuka uvāca evaṁ kṛṣṇam upāmantrya surabhiḥ payasātmanaḥ jalair ākāśa-gaṅgāyā airāvata-karoddhṛtaiḥ
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Urged by the mothers of the devas and accompanied by the sages of heaven, Indra anointed Kṛṣṇa, the descendant of Daśārha, with the celestial Gaṅgā water brought by Airāvata, and proclaimed His sacred name, “Govinda.”
According to the ācāryas, because Indra was embarrassed by his blunder of attacking Vṛndāvana, he was reluctant to worship the Lord. Therefore the heavenly mothers, such as Aditi, encouraged him to go ahead and do so. Feeling authorized by the encouragement of demigods less offensive than he, Indra then bathed the Lord. Indra discovered that the beautiful cowherd boy named Kṛṣṇa is indeed the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
After realizing Krishna’s supremacy and His protection of Vraja during the Govardhana episode, Indra performed an abhiṣeka and formally declared Krishna as “Govinda,” the Lord who gives pleasure and protection to the cows, the senses, and the land.
It signifies divine recognition of Krishna as the supreme protector of the cows and the devotees; Surabhī’s milk honors Him as the shelter of the cows, and Indra’s bathing with celestial Gaṅgā water marks Indra’s surrender and acceptance of Krishna’s higher authority.
This verse teaches that status and power can create pride, but real wisdom is to acknowledge one’s mistakes, seek forgiveness, and honor the true source of protection—cultivating humility and devotion instead of ego.