Shloka 12
Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas
श्रीशुक उवाच वचो निशम्य नन्दस्य तथान्येषां व्रजौकसाम् । इन्द्राय मन्युं जनयन् पितरं प्राह केशव: ॥ १२ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca vaco niśamya nandasya tathānyeṣāṁ vrajaukasām indrāya manyuṁ janayan pitaraṁ prāha keśavaḥ
ศรีศุกเทวะกล่าวว่า: เมื่อพระเกศวะ (พระกฤษณะ) ได้ฟังถ้อยคำของนันทาและผู้อาวุโสชาววรชะทั้งหลายแล้ว ด้วยประสงค์จะปลุกเร้าความพิโรธในพระอินทร์ พระองค์จึงตรัสกับพระบิดาดังนี้
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that Lord Kṛṣṇa’s intention was not simply to insult a demigod, but rather to knock down the great mountain of false pride that had arisen within the Lord’s tiny servant, who was supposed to represent the Lord as Indra. By lifting Govardhana Hill Lord Kṛṣṇa would thus initiate a blissful annual festival called Govardhana-pūjā, and He would further enjoy the pleasant pastime of dwelling for several days beneath the hill with all His loving devotees.
FAQs
This verse sets the stage: Kṛṣṇa intentionally prepares the Vraja community to challenge Indra’s assumed supremacy, leading to the lesson that pride—even in a powerful deva—must be corrected by devotion to the Supreme.
Kṛṣṇa aimed to redirect the Vraja-vāsīs from dependence on Indra-worship toward pure, direct devotion and dharmic gratitude to Govardhana and their actual livelihood—thereby exposing and curing Indra’s arrogance.
It teaches to place primary reliance on the Supreme Lord and righteous duty rather than fear-based appeasement of worldly powers—acting with clarity, gratitude, and devotion instead of anxiety.