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----- bhagap270.html
The Brahmana women returned to their husbands and they
were received well. The Brahmanas repented. But for fear of Kansa,
they could not go to Vrindavana. They worshipped Krishna at
home.
INDRA AND THE RAISING OF GO-VARDHANA. THE INSTALLATION.
(THE RAINY SEASON AGAIN.)
SKANDHA X. CHAP. 24-27.
There were great preparations for Yajna in honor of Indra.
"What is this all about, father? " asked Krishna of Nanda. " What
is the outcome of this sacrifice? In whose honor is it to be performed
and how?"
Nanda replied "Child, Indra is the Cloud-God. He will
give us rains. The rains give life to all beings. Therefore people
worship Indra by these sacrificial offerings. The enjoyment of that
only which remains after sacrifice conduces to Dharma, Artha and
Kama."
Krishna replied: "The birth and death of men are shaped
by their own Karma. Happiness, misery, fear, well-being, these are
all the effects of Karma. If there be any god who dispenses the
fruits of Karma, he must also follow that Karma and not act inde-
pendently of it. When people are governed by their own Karma,
where does Indra come in? He can not undo what follows from
Svabhava (Svabhava is Karmic tendency). Karma is the Lord and
Karma is to be worshipped. It is Rajas that works the clouds.
What can Indra do? We do not live in towns or villages but we live
in the forest. Therefore let us make Yajna offerings to our cows,
our Brahmanas and our hills. The preparations that you have already
made will serve the purpose." Nanda and other Gopas approved of
what Krishna said. They made offerings to the cows, the Brahmanas
and the Hill. They went round the Hill to shew respect. Krishna
said " I am the Hill " and assumed some form which created faith in
the Gopas. He then partook himself of the offerings to the Hill.
Indra became highly incensed. He sent forth his clouds and
winds and there were rains and thunder-storms and hail-stones at
Vrindavana.
Krishna carelessly lifted up the Govardhana hill with one hand
and the people of Vrindavana with their cows took shelter in the
cave.
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