Shloka 23
Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas
रजसा चोदिता मेघा वर्षन्त्यम्बूनि सर्वत: । प्रजास्तैरेव सिध्यन्ति महेन्द्र: किं करिष्यति ॥ २३ ॥
rajasā coditā meghā varṣanty ambūni sarvataḥ prajās tair eva sidhyanti mahendraḥ kiṁ kariṣyati
Didorong oleh guna rajas, awan menurunkan hujan ke seluruh arah; dengan hujan itulah semua makhluk mendapat rezeki dan pemeliharaan. Maka apakah peranan Mahendra, Indra, dalam aturan ini?
Lord Kṛṣṇa continues His mechanistic explanation of existence, concluding mahendraḥ kiṁ kariṣyati: “Who needs the great Indra, since the rain, sent by the clouds, which in turn are impelled by the mode of passion, is actually producing everyone’s food?” The word sarvataḥ indicates that the clouds magnanimously send their rain even on the ocean, rocks and barren land, where there is no apparent necessity for such sweet water.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa explains that rain comes from clouds acting under rajas and natural law, implying Indra is not independently the ultimate provider.
Kṛṣṇa was redirecting the Vrajavāsīs away from performing Indra-yajña and toward honoring their immediate dharma—cow protection and Govardhana worship—establishing devotion centered on Him.
Do your duty sincerely and recognize higher divine order behind outcomes, rather than attributing success to secondary powers—cultivate steady bhakti and gratitude without fear-based appeasement.