The Gopis said, “O Uddhava! Why have you come here all alone? Why haven’t you brought Shree Krishna with you? Krishna is our solace and peace. Why had he protected us, when he really intended to kill us with such torment of separation? Why has he given us so much pain after loving us?” The Gopis are very sad. They recall and narrate the leelas of Shree Krishna.
(Shree Krishna had protected us with love. He had protected us by killing Shakatasura, Trinavarta and Vyomasura.)
God likes festivals
God likes festivals. Shree Nandrai had celebrated “Angaparivartana Celebrations” when Shree Krishna had achieved the age of 108 days. The entire villiage of Gokul was invited by Yashodaji to celebrate this grand event. She desired to celebrate it because child Shree Krishna had turned independently on his side in the cradle!
Nand-Yashodaji had kept the cradle beneath a bullock cart in their courtyard. They were distributing gifts to the villagers and brahmins to earn blessings for Bal Krishna. Pots of milk and curd were laid on the cart and the cradle was nestled safely beneath the cart. Mother Yashoda forgot her child in her chores of hospitality of the visiting guests. Bal Krishna thought that this was not proper, that they should forget him in his own celebration! He desired to attract attention with his child like leelas. Child Krishna cried loudly to attract the attention of his mother, but the commotion of festivity suppressed his voice.
Mother could not hear him. The music and songs were blocking the cries of Shree Krishna. Meanwhile, there came Shakatasura – a demon – to kill Shree Krishna by crushing him under the weight of the cart. Shree Krishna knew about this. Shakatasura sat on the cart to crush both of them – the loaded cart and Krishna. Balkrishna knew Shakatasura’s wicked intentions and while changing side in the cradle, he kicked the cart with his foot. It tossed both of them up in the sky and they crashed on the ground with a thundering sound. Shakatasura was crushed under the broken cart. The Gopis and villagers ran to Krishna’s cradle only to find him in a cheery mood.
The Gopis said, “O Uddhava! Shree Krishna had protected us from many such demons. He had protected us from Vatsasura, Bakasura, Aghasura and other demons. We are indebted to him. He is our soul and life. He dwells forever eternally in our heart.”
“Shree Krishna has protected us twice to save our life from the wild fire. He consumed the wild fire to protect the residents of Vrindavan.”
(Angry Indra sent stormy rains and the region of Vraj sank in stormy water. Vraj was lost in deep darkness and lightning.)
The Gopis said, “O Uddhava! Vraj vasis (residents of Vraj) used to worship Indra, but Shree Krishna asked them to do worship of Mount Goverdhan, instead of Indra – the king of the heavenly deities. Indra felt this was an insult to him and got angry with the residents of Vraj. Indra, the God of rain ordered all his clouds to lash heavy rain and storm upon the land of Vraj. He roared to them, “Wipe Vraj off the face of the earth with floods, rain and storm. Finish them all off with heavy rain and stormy floods. A small time pastoral boy has insulted me by stopping worship of my power and majesty. Go and kill them all.”
The month of Kartika is the beginning of winter, not the rainy season, but heavy rain lashed the village and surrounding territories. It rained constantly and heavily. The tormented villagers ran to Krishna to determine a solution to save the animals, land and human life. Shree Krishna said, “Don’t worry at all. Trust in the Lord of Goverdhan. He will protect us.” While assuring them with his words, Shree Krishna took the entire hillock of Goverdhan on his little finger and the inhabitants and villagers took shelter beneath the umbrella like shelter of Mt. Goverdhan. The cows, calves, domesticated animals, birds, Gopas, Gopis, children and elders enjoyed the protective shelter of Goverdhan. They lived there happily without any fear of rain or flood. A boy of seven years held a large hill on his little finger to save the lives of his devotees and other such souls!
They spent seven days in the protective fold of Lord Balkrishna. Vrajvasis thought fit to share the responsibility of holding the mount. After all, Krishna was a mere boy! As elders, it was their duty to help him in his task. They said to Bal Krishna, “O Krishna! You must be tired with this big burden. Kanaiya! Should we join you to support the mount above? It is our duty to help you.”
Shree Krishna said, “O My Friends and seniors! Come and support it with me.” They tied their waists firmly to ready themselves, took strong sticks and supported the hillock above them.
They then said, “Krishna! Now you may withdraw your support and remove your supportive hand. We will hold the mount collectively from now on!”
Bhagwan said to them, “Support it firmly. Be careful and take care of yourself and the hill. I am withdrawing my hand now.” And as he withdrew his hand slightly, the hill started to stumble unsteadily. “O Kanaiya! Catch it and hold it up. It will crush us under its weight!” The Vraj-Vasis started to scream in panick. Bal Krishna held it instantly.
Bhagwan Krishna sheltered them in his protective refuge. They passed seven days under the protective shade of the mount. Indra realised the powers of the small child and knew now that that he was none else but the incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Indra came down to the earth and prayed for pardon. He saluted Shree Bal Krishna and prayed, “O Lord! Please forgive me for my misbehaviour. I am your humble servant. Please, receive me in your benign refuge.” Thus Shree Krishna removed the ego and the false pride of Indra.
The Gopis said, “O Uddhava! Lord Krishna has saved us many times. It is not possible to narrate his divine attributes. O Uddhava! What else is left to say? You know us very well and you know our heart and soul. Krishna has pained much for us, but now he has forgotten us.”