Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 37
Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas
एषोऽवजानतो मर्त्यान् कामरूपी वनौकस: । हन्ति ह्यस्मै नमस्याम: शर्मणे आत्मनो गवाम् ॥ ३७ ॥
eṣo ’vajānato martyān kāma-rūpī vanaukasaḥ hanti hy asmai namasyāmaḥ śarmaṇe ātmano gavām
“Núi Govardhana này là bậc cư ngụ nơi rừng, có thể tùy ý hiện ra bất cứ hình dạng nào. Ngài sẽ trừng phạt những kẻ phàm nhân khinh nhờn. Vì thế, để được an ổn cho chúng ta và cho đàn bò của chúng ta, hãy đảnh lễ Ngài.”
Kāma-rūpī indicates that the form of Govardhana can manifest as poisonous snakes, wild animals, falling rocks and so on, all of which are competent to kill a human being.
FAQs
This verse says that those who show contempt are harmed, so the Vrajavāsīs choose reverence—offering obeisance for peace, protection, and the welfare of their cows.
They feared the danger that comes from disrespecting a powerful forest-deity (Govardhana/vanaukasaḥ) and thus recommended offering respects for their own safety and for protecting their cattle.
Practice humility and reverence toward what sustains life—nature, sacred places, and caregivers—and avoid contemptuous behavior that leads to harm and conflict.