krishna leela series part 24 worshiping govardhana hill
TRANSCRIPT
Previously…
Krishna & cowherd boys sought food offerings from Brahmanas.
Request was made to the Brahmanas’ wives. - They gladly offered despite opposition
Lessons to be learnt
nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalamśuka-mukhād amrta-drava-samyutam
pibata bhāgavatam rasam ālayammuhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāh
O expert and thoughtful men, relish Srimad-Bhägavatam,
the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures.
It emanated from the lips of Sri Sukadeva Gosvämi.
Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful,
although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.3
Context & Personalities of Srimad Bhagavatam
Narada – Vyasadeva – Sukadeva – Parikshit
sarva-vedetihAsAnAmsAram sAram samuddhrtam
“ The essence of all Vedic literature and all histories has
been collected in Srimad-Bhagavatam.”
SB 1.3.41
Krishna & Balarama noticed preparations for Indra-yajna
Krishna desired to stop this. Why?
Bhakti & Its Quality
What is going on, Father?
Result of this sacrifice?-Actor, Action,
-Purpose, Result
Nanda Maharaja remained silent. Why?
No secrecy for the liberal & saintly
Cannot hide from family & friends
Acts done with/without full knowledge
*Injunction / Popular Ceremony?
Nanda Maharaja’s reply – traditional
Rainfall and sustenance
annAd bhavanti bhUtAniparjanyAd anna sambhavahyajnAd bhavati parjanyoYajnah karma samudbhavah
BG 3.14
Rain given by Indra – energy has controller
Agriculture and all other aspects ofhuman life depends on rain
Giving up traditional ceremonialfunction because of lust is not good
Krishna’s tricky talks Purpose?
Forgo sacrificeDemigod worship benefits
are temporary
Actually given by Supreme Lord
Krishna in antaryAmi
Lord is paramAtma and knows what Indra would
do
Purpose is to crush Indra’s pride
Relish the uninterrupted association of all of His
devotees
Krishna speaks Karma Mimamsa Philosophy
Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti summarises …
Karma alone is sufficient to determine one’s destiny.
One’s conditioned nature (svabhAva) is the supreme controller.
The Modes of Nature (Gunas) are the supreme controller.
The Supreme Lord is simply a dependent aspect of karma.
He is under karma’s control.
One’s occupation is the actual worshipable deity
Nanda Maharaja & other elderly members reply:
Own activities alone will not do
Satisfaction of the predominating deity must be done
Examples:Doctor, disease 7 death
Parents’ protection of child – inadequate
Material causes are not enough for results.
The controller’s sanction must be there.
So Indra-yajna must be done.
Krishna says:
No need for Indra-yajna
Everyone has to face the results of own work.
Busy because of natural tendency to work
Accordingly, respective results obtained
Due to nature of work – different bodies, higher and lower, friendship, animosity, etc. achieved
Perform duty as per natural instincts and not divert to demigod worship
Demigods would be satisfied with our proper execution of duties, that’s
enough.
NO HAPPINESS WITHOUT PRESCRIBED DUTY (like unchaste lady)
BG 18.42: Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness — these are the natural qualities by which the brāhmanas work.
BG 18.43: Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the ksatriyas.
BG 18.44: Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaiśyas, and for the śūdras there is labor and service to others.
krsi-go-raksya-vānijyamvaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam
Krishna identifies with Vaishya community
Cosmic Manifestation & 3 modes of material nature
They are causes of creation, maintenance and destruction.
Cloud is caused by action of the mode of passion
Rajo guna’s actions cause rainfall.
After rainfall, jives derive result – Success in Rainfall –
What then has Indra got to do with all this?
Even if you do not please Indra, what he can do?
Water on land & ocean
No special benefit
We don’t go anywhere else for our livelihood
- no other village, city, foreign country
Cities are full of palatial buildings but
happy in this vrndavana forest
Let’s satisfy Govardhana and the local brahmanas.
Let’s not have anything to do with Indra.
Nanda Maharaja agrees but …
Time is of Essence
Nanda Maharaja finally agrees …
Krishna gave directions:
Prepare nice foodstuffs – rice, dhal, halava, pakora, puri, sweet rice,
sweetballs, sandesa, rasagulla, laddu
Invite learned brahmanas for chanting Vedic hymns and offer oblations to the fire
Brahmanas to be given all kinds of grains in charity
Decorate cows
Give money in charity to the brahmanas
Feed others such as dogs, lower grades of people like candAlas with Govardhana
prasadam
Give fresh grass to cows
Circumambulation of Govardhana Hill
Circumambulation with cows in front
Chanting of Vedic hymnsBy Brahmanas
Gopis dressed luxuriantly and sat in bullock carts
Chanted Krishna’s glories
Brahmanas offered their blessings to the cowherd men and their wives, the
gopis.
Krishna assumes great divine form
Krishna is Himself Govardhana
Govardhana Puja celebrated by devotees
even today
Prasadam is always pure
Govardhana’s History from Garga Samhita
Satya Yuga, Salmali Dvipa, Oranacal, Pulastya Rishi & Kashi
Vraja and Govardhana’s desire
Pulastya’s curse
Govardhana’s initial size:eight yojanas long (64 miles); five yojanas wide (40 miles} and two
yojanas high (16 miles)
Yamuna, Govardhana and Kali Yuga’s full effects
It is said that after ten thousand years of the Kali-yuga, Govardhana will have
completely disappeared.
One who neglects Govardhana worship as I am conducting it, will
not be happy.
Snakes on Hill Negligence in worship
& Consequences
In order for good fortune to cows and us, all vrajavAsis near
Govardhana must worship this hill as prescribed by Me.
VrajavAsis returned home
aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena va kalpita
srimad bhagavatam pramanam amalam prema pum-artho mahan
sri-chaitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah na parah
The Supreme Lord Shri Krishna, who is Vrajendra-nandana is the topmost
worshipable Deity. Vrndavana-dhama, which is an expansion of Krishna and non-different from Him, is the highest worshipable abode. The most pleasing
form of worship for the Lord is that which is performed by the gopis of
Vrndavan. Srimad Bhagavatam is the spotless evidence for knowing the
absolute truth and pure love of God, Krishna-prema, is the highest goal of life. These statements, for which we
have the highest regard, are the opinion of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
(Chaitanya-matta-manjusa)a)