Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 24
Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas
न न: पुरो जनपदा न ग्रामा न गृहा वयम् । वनौकसस्तात नित्यं वनशैलनिवासिन: ॥ २४ ॥
na naḥ purojanapadā na grāmā na gṛhā vayam vanaukasas tāta nityaṁ vana-śaila-nivāsinaḥ
पिताजी, न हमारे नगर हैं, न जनपद, न गाँव, न घर। हम तो वनवासी हैं; सदा वन और पर्वतों पर ही रहते हैं।
Lord Kṛṣṇa here points out that the residents of Vṛndāvana should recognize their relationship with Govardhana Hill and with the forests of Vṛndāvana, and not worry about a distant demigod like Indra. Having concluded His argument, Lord Kṛṣṇa makes a radical proposal in the following verse.
FAQs
This verse describes the Vraja community as forest- and mountain-dwellers, not city-oriented—highlighting their simple, nature-based life centered on cows, pastures, and the forests of Vṛndāvana.
Kṛṣṇa is setting the context for proper worship according to one’s dharma: since the Vrajavāsīs live by forests, hills, and grazing lands, their gratitude and offerings should be directed appropriately—leading into the Govardhana worship narrative.
Align your spiritual practice with your actual duties and environment—offer gratitude and worship in a way that supports responsible living, humility, and dependence on the Lord rather than pride in status or external power.