The Silver Coating

When you gorge on sweets this Diwali, do stop to take off the thin silver foil decoration on it. The varkh, or the �edible� silver foil used for coating sweets, are made from metals that can be harmful for your health. And if you are vegetarian, and biting into that burfi offered after a puja, chances are that you are eating a non-vegetarian offering.

Tests conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pune, confirmed that the silver foil used in food items, such as sweets, paan, supari, and chawanprash, is increasingly being adulterated with aluminium, a hazardous metal. �The long hours of beating the foil in pouches of leather and goat epidermis is extremely unhygienic and it also causes their remnants to mix into the silver foil,� said Dr Sunil Srivastava, of Beauty Without Cruelty, an NGO that has worked on the dangers of silver additives in food.

HT visited one of the workshops where silver foils are made to find that the conditions there are extremely unhygienic.

Eight labourers, crammed into a tiny room were hammering away amidst a lot of noise. �We get small pieces of silver, and place them between a bound booklet of around 300 pages, out of which approximately 20 pages are made of a goat epidermis. The booklet is then placed inside a leather pouch, and beaten with a hammer for up to eight hours till they turn into thin silver sheets,� said Mohammed Akram, a labourer.

Although the metal HT found being used was silver, workers agreed that some factories use harmful metals to cut costs.

Shop owners though deny this. �Pure silver foil is bought to make sweets. We buy them from Khari Baoli,� said Jagdish Agarwal, proprietor of Bengali Sweet House, Bengali Market. He denied knowledge about use of adulterated foils.

�It is hard to put a figure to how many people suffer from consumption of harmful metals in food items, as it is tough to detect. But consumption of aluminium is especially hazardous to health. Aluminium accumulates in tissues, particularly the bone. It can also enter the brain and damage the placenta and foetus,� said Dr Karuna Chaturvedi, chief dietician, Apollo Hospital.

http://tinyurl.com/5jsffb From Hindustan Times

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Lord Gaura Instructs about Giriraja Worship

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu again bestowed His mercy upon Raghunatha dasa by giving him a stone from Govardhana Hill and a garland of small conchshells. This most Holy Giriraja Shila is still worshiped  in the SHri Shri Radha Gokulananda temple in Vrindaavana.

Previously, when Sankarananda Sarasvati had returned from Vrndavana, he had brought the stone from Govardhana Hill and also the garland of conchshells.

He presented Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with these two items-the garland of conchshells and the stone from Govardhana Hill.

Upon receiving these two uncommon items, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was extremely happy. While chanting, He would put the garland around His neck.

The Lord would put the stone to His heart or sometimes to His eyes. Sometimes He would smell it with His nose and sometimes place it on His head.

The stone from Govardhana was always moist with tears from His eyes. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would say, "This stone is directly the body of Lord Krsna."

For three years He kept the stone and garland. Then, greatly satisfied by the behavior of Raghunatha dasa, the Lord delivered both of them to him.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Raghunatha dasa, "This stone is the transcendental form of Lord Krsna. Worship the stone with great eagerness."

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya that in the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the govardhana-sila, the stone from Govardhana Hill, was directly the form of Krsna, the son of Maharaja Nanda. The Lord used the stone for three years, and then in the heart of Raghunatha dasa the Lord awakened devotional service to the stone. The Lord then gave the stone to Raghunatha dasa, accepting him as one of His most confidential servants. However, some envious people conclude that because Raghunatha dasa had not taken birth in the family of a brahmana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not give him the right to worship the Deity directly but instead gave him a stone from Govardhana. This kind of thought is naraki, or hellish. As stated in the Padma Purana, arcye visnau sila-dhir gurusu nara-matir vaisnave jati-buddhih . . . yasya va naraki sah. If one thinks that the worshipable salagrama-sila is a mere stone, that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being or that a pure Vaisnava preaching the bhakti cult all over the world is a member of a particular caste or material division of society, he is considered a naraki, a candidate for hellish life. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed that the govardhana-sila, the stone taken from Govardhana, is nondifferent from the body of Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He indirectly advised such foolish persons that one should not be envious of a Vaisnava who belongs to a different caste or sect. One should accept a Vaisnava as transcendental. In this way one can be saved; otherwise, one is surely awaiting a hellish life.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "Worship this stone in the mode of goodness like a perfect brahmana, for by such worship you will surely attain ecstatic love of Krsna without delay.
   
"For such worship, one needs a jug of water and a few flowers from a tulasi tree. This is worship in complete goodness when performed in complete purity.

"With faith and love, you should offer eight soft tulasi flowers, each with two tulasi leaves, one on each side of each flower."

After thus advising him how to worship, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally offered Raghunatha dasa the govardhana-sila with His transcendental hand. As advised by the Lord, Raghunatha dasa worshiped the sila in great transcendental jubilation.

Svarupa Damodara gave Raghunatha dasa two cloths, each about six inches long, a wooden platform and a jug in which to keep water.

Thus Raghunatha dasa began worshiping the stone from Govardhana, and as he worshiped he saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, directly in the stone.

Thinking of how he had received the govardhana-sila directly from the hands of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Raghunatha dasa was always overflooded with ecstatic love.

The amount of transcendental bliss that Raghunatha dasa enjoyed simply by offering water and tulasi is impossible to achieve even if one worships the Deity with sixteen kinds of paraphernalia.

After Raghunatha dasa had thus worshiped the govardhana-sila for some time, Svarupa Damodara one day spoke to him as follows.

"Offer the Govardhana stone eight kaudis worth of the first-class sweetmeats known as khaja and sandesa. If you offer them with faith and love, they will be just like nectar."

Raghunatha dasa then began offering the costly sweetmeats known as khaja, which Govinda, following the order of Svarupa Damodara, would supply.

When Raghunatha dasa received from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu the stone and the garland of conchshells, he could understand the Lord's intention. Thus he thought as follows.

"By offering me the govardhana-sila, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has offered me a place near Govardhana Hill, and by offering me the garland of conchshells, He has offered me shelter at the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani."

Raghunatha dasa's transcendental bliss was boundless. Forgetting everything external, he served the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with his body and mind.

Who could list the unlimited transcendental attributes of Raghunatha dasa? His strict regulative principles were exactly like lines on a stone.

PURPORT

The words pasanera rekha are very significant. Raghunatha dasa Gosvami followed the regulative principles so strictly and rigidly that they were compared to the lines on a stone. As such lines cannot be erased at any time, so the regulative principles observed by Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami could not be changed under any circumstances.

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Diwali or Dipavali in Kartik

The Diwali Period.
The story goes that Hanuman was sent by Rama to Ayodhya the day before Rama's arrival as prearranged with Bharat to let the residents of Ayodhya know how Sita and Rama and all Their retinue were returning.

This was five days before Diwali, and after the Vijaya dasami (victory of Rama ) celebration.

THE STORY BEHIND OF "DIWALI"
King Dashrath ruled the rich and prosperous city of Ayodhya.  He had three wives and Kaikayi was his favourite.  She saved his life in a war at a very crucial time.  Dashrath granted her two favours for saving his life.

Dashrath had four sons.  Rama, the oldest, was everybody's favourite.  He was married to the beautiful and devoted Sita.  Just before Ram's coromation, Kaikayi reminded Dashrath of her two favors.  She told him to crown Bharat as king and to banish Ram to the jungle for fourteen years.  Her wishes were granted.

The old king Dashrath later died of a broken heart. After a few years in the forest, Sita was lured by the demon king Ravana.  Rama, with the help of a monkey general, Hanuman, rescued Sita and defeated Ravana. After fourteen years in exile Ram and Sita and returned to Ayodhya.

It is in Their honor that "Diwali" is celebrated.  "Diwali" signifies the victory of good over evil.

Today in India for Diwali all the shops are decorated brightly.  Many people make "rangoli"  in their house or outside.  They are filled to capacity in this festive season.  Everybody buys new things and decorates their homes.  People visit their friends and relatives and give them sweets. On Diwali friends come over for the whole day and relatives come and go.  Everyone has a wonderful time celebrating the return of Sita and Rama. Thus Diwali has become a day when all the sad things of the past are forgotten and happy times are remembered.

The famous slOkam on DhIpAvaLi is:

thailE LAKSHMEE: JalE  GANGAA dhIpAvaLi dhinE vasEth
alakshmI parihArArTam abhyangasnAnam aacharEth
Tatha Aabharanam vasthram dharEyEth sarvasampadhE

(meaning): On the early morning of DhIpAvaLi (before Sunrise of KrishNa Paksha Chathurthi of Iypaasi Month ), MahA LakshmI resides in oil and GangA Devi stays in the waters. For the sake of chasing away poverty / inauspiciousness, One should take an oil bath and wash oneself with hot water and thereafter wear new clothes. This is refered to in more detail below.

1st day - Yam:
Generally people place one lamp out in the Southern direction.
Pray to Yamaraj to request the shakti to complete all your tasks, fulfill your life and then safely return home.

2nd day - Narak Chaturdasi:
Lord Krishna killed Narakasura (the son of Hiranyaksha and Bhumi Devi) he stole the 16000 princesses and did generally all manner of bad things. Bhumi requested Krishna to come and kill the demon.
Devotees glorify Krishna as the personification of good, who always triumphs and destroys evil - on this day!!!

Here's some details:

This is the day when Sathyabhama rode with the Lord to the battle at PrakjyOthisha puram, the capital of Naraka-asuran and helped her Lord to put an end to the adharmic - sinful acts of that Asuran. He was a son of Bhumi Devi, but had strayed and committed many offenses against the devotees oft he Lord. The compassionate Mother understood the role of dushta Nigraham of Her Lord and prayed for Her son to be granted Moksham and be remembered on the day of his destruction by the Sudarsanam discus of the Lord.

Outside the slokams of Bhagavatham, the tradition is that she prayed for the pristine waters of Ganga, which arose from the Lord's feet from TrivikramAvatham time to enter into the oil and waters at the home of pious devotees on this day, when they  take the oil bath in hot water during the early morning ( before sunrise ) of this Naraka Chathurthi day. She also prayed for all people to celebrate her son's moksham as a pandigai wearing new clothes and eat special sweets and nourishments. Lord KrishNA granted her wish and thus we celebrate this day of DipAvaLi. We light fire crackers, light lamps and with "sound and light" we celebrate this great deed of the Lord. We go around inquiring our friends and relatives : " GangA SnAnam Aacchaa? " .

This is also the  day, when the Lord brought the PaarijAthA tree from Indra's Nandavanam to please SathyabhAma and planted it in her garden at Dwaraka.

3rd Day - Bhaktasiroman Hanuman - this is where Hanuman is worshipped.

Dhanteras:
Two days before the main festival of Deepawali is Dhanteras in honour of Dhanwantari, the physician of the gods. He is considered a minor incarnation of Vishnu and arose out of the Ocean of Milk, carrying the pot of amrita, the drink of immortality. He is considered the father of the Indian System of medicine called Ayurveda. Dhanteras is a part of the Deepawali celebrations and not a festival in its own right. People bathe early in the morning and observe a fast, which is broken only after sunset, when the housewife lights an earthen lamp at the gate. New clothes are worn on this day and a new utensil is bought which is kept at the place of worship. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India.139-142.)

4th Day - Sri Laxmi Puja:
Lord Vishnu for the first time worhipped Laxmi on this day. What happens is described in the next section on Diwali (Deepawali). Laxmi Puja.

Maha Lakshmi PoojA. This is also the day, when the new year accounts are started by commercial houses and Maha Lakshmi pooja is performed with great ceremony.

Some do KedAra Gauri poojA on this day (Shiva and Parvati pooja). However, Gauri does not mean exclusively Parvathi. It also  means a eight year old Virgin girl. it also means speech, Turmeric and Tulasi. For Sri VaishNavas, it means Bala Lakshmi. KedAram means a meadow rich with water or a collection of water under the trunk of a tree. It is not just a mountain chain in HimAlayAs. Hence, KedArA symbolizes richness or samrutthi or subheeksham. Under this definition, KedAra Gauri Poojaa is then understood as PoojA for the Goddess of Wealth, MahA Lakshmi.

Bhumi Devi's  prayer to the Lord are moving and are housed in the chapter 59 of the Dasama skandham (10th canto).
Here are some illustrative verses :

namasthE devadEvEsa sakha chakra gadhAdhara I
bhakthEccHOpAttha rUpAya ParamAthman namOsthu thE II

(meaning ) : Salutations to Thee , the God of Gods ! sporting the conch, the disc and the mace ! Obesiance to Thee, the supreme Consciousness, who assumest bodies to fulfill the yearnings of Thy devotees !

Nama: PankajanAbhAya Nama: PankajamAlinE I
Nama: PankajanEhtrAya NamasthE PankajaAngrayE II

( meaning ) : Salutations to the Lotus-navelled ! Salutations to the Lotus-garlanded! Salutations to the Lotus eyed ! Salutations to the Lotus-footed !

namO BhagavathE thubhyam VaasudEvAya VishNavE I
PurushAya AdhibheejAya PurNabhOdAya thE nama: I

(meaning ) : I salute VaasudEvA , the support of all ! I salute VishNu, the inner pervader of everything ! I salute Him, who is the ultimate source of everything ! I salute Him, who is All-Intelligence !

AjAya janayithrEasya BrahmaNE ananthasakthayE I
ParaavarAthman BhUthAthman Paramaathman namOsthu thE II

(Meaning ) : Salutations to Him , who manifests both as the cause and the efect! Salutations to Him, who is ever existent ! Salutations to Him , who is the supreme spirit ! Salutations to Him, Who is the Infinite power ! Salutations to Him , who is the greatest being ! Salutations to Him, who is the father of the worlds ! Salutations to Him, who is birthless !

OM NamO BhagavathE VaasudEvAya !

Today and tomorrow even more , all of us can benefit from reciting Sri Sthuthi of Swami Desikan and Sri Sthavam of KurEsa and ChathusslOki  of AlavandhAr . We can also perform aaradhanam to Maha Lakshmi with Lakshmi AshtOttharam or Lakshmi sahasra Naamam .

Those , who do not have the time can at least  recite one slOkam from Sri Sthuthi, which starts with KalyANAnAm avikala nidhi : and receive Her blessings for the year to come !

Om Sriyai Nama:

5th Day - Amavasya, Dipavali - Dipanvita - Damodhar lila happened.
The 14 year period of exile of Lord Rama, Sita and Rama's brother Laxman was completed, and Rama returns to Ayodhya on the Amavasya night. When Lord Rama reached the outskirts of Ayodhya it was on the night of the New Moon Day (Amavasya).The sky was very dark and Sri Rama enacted the pastime that He could not make out the way to His palace. The citizens of Ayodhya hearing of their beloved Lord's return, with hearts full of love lighted rows and rows of oil lamps so that Sri Rama could make his way back safely
to the Palace and resume ruling the kingdom. How fortunate the Ayodhyavasis were, to welcome the Lord who was none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sriman Narayana and His Consort Lakshmi as Sita, the citizens light lamps etc to greet and light the path for the Divine couple's return.

Deepawali or the festival of lights is celebrated during the last days of Ashvina and at the beginning of Karttika, exactly twenty days after Dussehra. It is the main festival of the season. In north India, it is usually called Diwali. This is a composite festival which includes smaller ones as well. See overview of entire period here.

The day before Deepawali is Chhoti Deepawali, a minor Deepawali, when after puja (worship) five lamps are lit at five strategic places in the house: the gateway, the barn, the well, the peeal tree, and the kitchen. Traditionally, these lamps are of earthenware, filled with clariefied butter (ghee) into which cotton wicks are immersed. These days clarified butter has given place to oil or wax. Nowadays more people prefer candles to earthen lamps.

Before the Deepawali season, houses are cleaned and white-washed. One of the main features of the festival is the worship of Lakshmi (Laxmi), the Goddess of Fortune, Beauty, Prosperity and Wealth. Deepawali is celebrated on Amavasya, the darkest night of the month, and houses, shops, places of work, etc., are lit all through the night, least Lakshmi turn her back on a house that is dark. Since she will not enter a dirty place, the residence or the place of work is thoroughly washed and cleaned. Lakshmi has an elder sister called Jyesthaa Devi, who loves squalor and dark and dingy corners. The understanding between the two sisters is that either will not enter a house if the other is present.This custom of cleaning the house may have started in ancient times when it was realised that the hot summer followed by rains made the house musty and encouraged the prevalence of germs (fungal infections, allergies due to mites, etc) By washing the houses with lime water, the germs were killed. It is , till today, a perfect method of disinfecting a house.

On Deepawali night first Lakshmi is worshipped and silver coins are offered to her. Clay figures of Lakshmi, Vishnu and other gods are also worshipped, invoking their blessings. Lighted earthenware lamps decorate the roof, the walls, the doorways, in fact, the entire house. The rows of light apart from making this dark bright and gay, are also meant to welcome the souls of the departed ancestors who visit the family on Deepawali night. In Bengal, lighted torches are fixed on long poles to guide the souls of the departed ancestors.

The lighting of lamps on Deepawali night is so important that even when a family is in mourning and no festivities take place, five lamps are always lit at strategic places in the house. Fireworks and crakers are let off not only for enjoyment but also to scare away evil spirits that wander about on this night.

Deepawali is also celebrated to mark the victory of Rama over Ravana, of good over evil which is the basic theme of the Ramayana. Rama returned home to Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile and was crowned king. Every house in Ayodhya was illuminated to welcome Him. The illuminations symbolise the removal of spiritual darkness from the country and the expression Ram Rajya, the rule of Rama, is synonymous with the perfect rule. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Pages 142-144.)

On Deepavali Day we may recite the following verses :

For Goddess Lakshmi
*******************
lakshmiiM kshiirasamudraraaja tanayaaM shriiraN^gadhaameshvariiM
daasiibhuuta samastadevavanitaaM lokaikadiipaN^kuraam .
shriimanmanda kaTaakshalabdavibhava brahmendra ga.ngaadharaaM
tvaaM trailokya kuTumbiniiM sarasijaaM vande mukundapriyaam

maatarnamaami kamale kamalaayataakshi
shriivishNuhR^itkamala vaasini vishvamaataH .
kshiirodaje kamalakomala garbha gauri
lakshmii ! prasiida satataM namataaM sharaNye

For Sri Rama
*************
aapadaa maartihantaaraM bhiitaanaaM bhiitinaashanam.h .
dvishhataaM kaaladaNDa.n taM raamachandraM namaamyaham.h .. 1 ..

namaH kodaNDahastaaya sandhiikR^ita sharaaya cha .
khaNDitaakhila daityaaya raamaayaapannivaariNe .. 2 ..

raamaaya raamabhadraaya raamachandraaya vedhase .
raghunaathaaya naathaaya siitaayaaH pataye namaH .. 3 ..

agrataH pR^ishhThatashchaiva paarshvatashcha mahaabalau .
aakarNa puurNa dhanvaanau rakshetaaM raamalakshmaNau .. 4 ..

sannaddhaH kavachii khaDgii chaapabaaNadharo yuvaa .
gachchhanmamaagrato nityaM raamaH paatu salakshmaNaH .. 5

After the chanting the Krishna Ashtakam offer Naivedya such as fruits, sweets, rice preparations, milk and offer some Tulasi leaves and flowers by chanting:

"sri seeta lakshmana bharata shatrugna hanumad sametha sri
ramachandra parabrahmane namah:"

We may then show the aarati by waving either a lamp lighted with a ghee soaked wick or camphor and recitethe mangala shloka for the day :

mangalam kosalendraaya mahaneeya gunaapthaye,
chakravarthy tanujaaya saarvabhoumaaya mangalam

followed by

yatra yatra raghunaatha kiirtanaM
tatra tatra kR^itamastakaaJNjalim .

bhaashhpavaari paripuurNa lochanaM
maarutiM namata raakshasaantakam ..

upachaaraa padesena kR^itaan.h ahara harmayaa.
apachaaraani imaan.h sarvaan.h xamasva puruShottamaH

then offer sashtanga namaskaram to the Lord 4 times.

May The Lord shower his blessings on one and all on Deepavali Day

DIWALI DAY:
Lord Damodara and the broken pot - Binding on Diwali Day Srimad Bhagavatam 10:9:1-2.

"Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued:  One day when mother Yasoda saw that all the maidservants were engaged in other household affairs, she personally began to churn the yogurt.  While churning, she remembered the childish activities of Krsna, and in her own way she composed songs and enjoyed singing to herself about all those activities."(SB 10:9:1-2)

DIWALI FESTIVAL: 10th October. 1968,  (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Hamsadutta dasa written from Seattle., Letters book Vol 1. p.549.)

Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100's of candles, indifferent parts of the temple, and offering a special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, while Lord Ramachandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years banishment by the order of His father. His younger step-brother Bharat, took charge f the Kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramachandra took back the charge again from His brother, and seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali, and Deepabali. Deepabali means the same thing - Deepa means candles, and bali means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Deepabali. In India, this Deepavali function is celebrated in a special auspicious occassion. This Deepabali function can be observed on 21st October, and Prasad can be distributed on 22nd October, during daytime, which is known as Govardhan Puja and Annakuta Ceremony. In India, in all Vaishnava temples, this ceremony is observed and 100's of people are given prasadam according to the capacity of the temple. So I understand that last year the Deepabali ceremony was held in the temple, and there was collection of $130.00. So you can do the needful.
Hope you are all well. Your Ever Well Wisher. A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami.

Govardhan Puja - Annakut:
New Grains offered as Annadan at this time
The worship of Giri-Govardhan Hill and the cows.

The day after Deepawali is celebrated as Govadhan Puja when Mount Govardhan, near Mathura, is worshipped. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-four (or 108) different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. This ceremony is called ankut which means a mountain of food. Various types of food � cereals, pulses, fruit, vegetables, chutneys, pickles, and salads � are offered to the Deity and then distributed as prasada to devotees.

This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna. According to a legend, before Krishna was born, Indra, the god of Rain, was the chief deity of Vraj. Then Krishna instigated the people to stop worshipping Indra. Indra wanted to show his power over Krishna and brought about a cloud-burst which flooded the countryside for many days. People were afraid that the downpor was a result of their neglect of Indra. But Krishna assured them that no harm would befall them. He lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain. This gave him the epithet Govardhandhari. After this, Indra accepted the supremacy of Krishna. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Pages 145-146.

Bhaidhuj: (Bali-Daityaraj-Puja)

When Lord Vamandev was pleased with Bali maharaj and appeared in Vishnu-rupa, Bali asked a boon that Lord Vishnu would be on every door at Patalaloka because in Nether regions Bali wants his society Lord Vishnu agrees and goes to become a Dwarpalaka of Bali. Narad tells Laxmi where Lord Vishnu is. Laxmi plays trick on Bali - she goes to Bali as a poor woman seeking help - with her she takes raksha bandan. She says to Bali that she doesn't have a brother - and would dearly like one. When the raksha bandan is tied the brother has to offer her something. Bali asked Laxmi what he can give her, Laxmi replied that you have my everything in your service - please release Lord Vishnu.

As Yama's sister is Yamuna and she fed Yama to his satifaction he said that from now on any brother who visits thesister on Bhaidhuj day will escape the hand of Yamaraj - the sister prays for her brother.

Brother goes to sister's house � the very best of foods are cooked, and then the sister feeds brother.

There is another significance to this day culturally: The last festival associated with Deepawali is Bhaya Dhuja, popularly called Tikka in Punjab. In Vedic times, it was called Bhartri-dwitiya. Two days after Deepawali, women and girls apply saffron and rice grains to the foreheads of their brothers to protect them from evil and to wish them long life and prosperity. The brothers in turn give the sisters presents. In Uttara Pradesh and Harayana, the tikka is usually a paste of vermilion with rice grains in it.

A red mark on the forehead is reminiscent of Shiva's third eye and is believed to keep the evil away and thus protect the wearer. With constant wars in North India, the custom of applying a tilak to the forehead of men going to war assumed an aided significance. Mothers, wives and sisters applied tilak to the men to protect them from harm. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Page 146.)

Yama Dwitiya:
During the month of Karttika, the business community observes Yama-dwitiya by worshipping Yama, the god of Death, his scribe Chitragupta, his messanger Yamaduta, Ganapati and the river Yamuna. Om this occasion, the royal seal, the pen and the inkpot are also worshipped. Sisters prepare food for their brothers and, if the brother has this food sitting on the banks of the river Yamuna, on Yama-dwitiya day, it is believed to give him and his sister�s husband a long life.

Yama and Yami, goddess spirit of the river Yamuna, were twins born to Surya, the Sun god and his wife Samjna. According to a legend, Yama was lame and the cause of this disability was a curse pronounced on him by his step-mother, Chhaaya. Samjna, finding the effulgence of her husband Surya excessive, went away and in her place left her shadow Chhaaya. The physical likeness between Sa,jna and Chhaaya was so marked, that Surya had no reason to suspect her. One day Yama kicked his step-mother Chhaaya for being partial to her own children. At this Chhaaya cursed him and said that the leg that kicked her would be full of worms. Surya heard the curse and, realising that a mother would never curse her own children, suspected the identity of Chhaaya and went in search of his real wife, Samjna.

Yami, Yama�s twin sister, was transformed into the sacred river Yamuna in whose purifying waters people bathe on holy days. Yama was given an equally important role and made the god of Death, whom all fear. (Shakti M Gupta. 1991. Festvals, Fairs and Fasts of India. Page 146.)

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Prayers to Shri Govardhana Hill

Here are the ShrI Govardhana-vAsa-prArthanA-dazaka & ShrI GovardhanAzraya-dazaka from Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami which were the favourites of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. They have been translated by Kusakratha dasa prabhu.

ShrI Govardhana vAsa prArthanA dazaka

Ten Appeals for Residence at Govardhana Hill

Text 1

nija-pati-bhuja-daNDac-chatra-bhAvaM prapadya
     pratihata-mada-dhRSToddaNDa-devendra-garva
atula-pRthula-zaila-zreNi-bhUpa priyaM me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     nija-own; pati-of the Lord; bhuja-arm; daNDac-handle; chatra-of an umbrella; bhAvam-the state; prapadya-attaining; pratihata-checked; mada-arrogant; dhRSTa-bold; uddaNDa-with raised wepons; devendra-the king of the demigods; garva-pride; atula-incomparable; pRthula-great; zaila-mountain; zreNi-series; bhUpa-king; priyam-dear; me-to me; nija-own; nikaTa-near; nivAsam-residence; dehi-please give; govardhana-O Govardhana; tvam-you.

     O Govardhana, O king of all incomparable great mountains, O hill that became an umbrella with the arm of your own Lord as the handle and then destroyed the pride of the deva king madly attacking with raised weapons, please grant the residence near you that is so dear to me.

Text 2

pramada-madana-lIlAH kandare kandare te
     racayati nava-yUnor dvandvam asminn amandam
iti kila kalanArthaM lagnakas tad-dvayor me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     pramada-passionate; madana-amorous; lIlAH-pastimes; kandare kandare-in every cave; te-of you; racayati-performs; nava-yUnor dvandvam-the youthful divine couple; asminn-in this; amandam-great; iti-thus; kila-indeed; kalana-of seeing; artham-for the purpose; lagnakaH-guarantee; tad-that; dvayoH-of the two; me-of me.

     O Govardhana, please grant to me the residence near you that will guarantee the sight of the youthful divine couple as they enjoy passionate amorous pastimes in your caves.

Text 3

anupama-maNi-vedI-ratna-siMhAsanorvI-
     ruha-jhara-dara-sAnu-droNi-saGgheSu raGgaiH
saha bala-sakhibhiH saGkhelayan sva-priyaM me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     anupama-incomparable; maNi-jeweled; vedI-courtyards; ratna-jeweled; siMhAsana-lion-thrones; UrvIruha-trees; jhara-waterfalls and swiftly-flowing mountain brooks; dara caves; sAnu-peaks; droNi valleys; saGgheSu-in the multitudes; raGgaiH-with happiness; saha-with; bala-Lord BalarAma; sakhibhiH-with friends; saGkhelayan-playing; sva-own; priyam-dear; me-to me.

     O Govardhana, O hill where Lord KRSNa happily plays with BalarAma and His friends in the incomparable jeweled courtyards, jeweled lion-thrones, trees, waterfalls, mountain-brooks, caves, peaks, and valleys, please grant the residence near you that is so dear to me.

Text 4

rasa-nidhi-nava-yUnoH sAkSiNIM dAna-keler
     dyuti-parimala-viddhaM zyAma-vediM prakaSya
rasika-vara-kulAnAM modam AsphAlayan me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

rasa-of nectar; nidhi-oceans; nava-yUnoH-of the youthful divine couple; sAkSiNIm-the witness; dAna-keleH-of the dAna-keli pastime; dyuti-splendor; parimala-fragrance; viddham-filled; zyAma-dark; vedim-courtyard; prakaSya-manifesting; rasika-vara-kulAnAm-of the best of those expert at relishing transcendental pastimes; modam-happiness; AsphAlayan-causing; me-of me.

     O Govardhana, O hill that provides the dark courtyard that witnesses the dAna-keli pastime of the nectar-treasure youthful divine couple, O hill that brings great bliss to the best of they who relish transcendental nectar, please grant to me residence near you.

Text 5

hari-dayitam apUrvaM rAdhikA-kuNDam Atma-
     priya-sakham iha kaNThe narmaNAliGgya guptaH
nava-yuva-yuga-khelAs tatra pazyan raho me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     hari-to Lord KRSNa; dayitam-dear; apUrvam-unprecedented; rAdhikA-kuNDam-RAdhA-kuNDa; Atma-own; priya-sakham-dear friend; iha-here; kaNThe-on the neck; narmaNA-playfully; AliGgya-embracing; guptaH-hidden; nava-yuva-yuga-of the youthful divine couple; khelAH-pastimes; tatra-there; pazyan-seeing; rahaH-in a solitary place; me-of me.

     O Govardhana, O hill that, hiding as you playfully embrace the neck of your dear friend, Lord Hari's dear, unprecedented RAdhA-kuNDa, secretly gazes at the pastimes of the youthful divine couple, please grant to me residence near you.

Text 6

sthala-jala-tala-zaSpair bhUruha-chAyayA ca
     pratipadam anukAlaM hanta samvardhayan gAH
tri-jagati nija-gotraM sArthakaM khyApayan me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     sthala-land; jala-water; tala-surface; zaSpaiH-with grasses; bhUruha-of trees; chAyayA-with the shade; ca-and; pratipadam-at every step; anukAlam-at the right time; hanta-indeed; samvardhayan-nourishing; gAH-the cows; tri-jagati-in the three worlds; nija-own; gotram-name; sArthakam-meaningful; khyApayan-proclaiming; me-of me.

     O Govardhana, O hill that by nourishing the cows with its water, grass, and the shade of its trees declares to the three worlds the appropriateness of its own name, please grant to me residence near you.
     Note: Govardhana means "that which nourishes (vardhana) the cows (go)."

Text 7

surapati-kRta-dIrgha-drohato goSTha-rakSAM
     tava nava-gRha-rUpasyAntare kurvataiva
agha-baka-ripuNoccair datta-mAna drutaM me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     surapati-of the king of the demigods; kRta-done; dIrgha-long; drohataH-from the enmity; goSTha-of Vraja; rakSAm-protection; tava-of you; nava-new; gRha-house; rUpasya-in the form; antare-within; kurvatA-doing; eva-indeed; agha-baka-ripuNA-by Lord KRSNa, the enemy of BakAsura; uccaiH-greatly; datta-given; mAna-honor; drutam-quickly; me-of me.

     O Govardhana, O hill that the enemy of Agha and Baka honored by transforming into a new house to give Vraja protection from the sustained fury of the sura king, please grant to me residence near you.

Text 8

giri-nRpa-hari-dAsa-zreNi-varyeti-nAmA-
     mRtam idam uditaM zrI-rAdhikA-vaktra-candrAt
vraja-nava-tilakatve klpta-vedaiH sphuTaM me
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     giri-of hills; nRpa-the king; hari-of Lord KRSNa; dAsa-of servants; zreNi-of the multitudes; varya-the best; iti-thus; nAma-name; amRtam-nectar; idam-this; uditam-spoken; zrI-rAdhikA-of zrI  RAdhA; vaktra-of the mouth; candrAt-from the moon; vraja-of Vraja; nava-new; tilakatve-as the tilaka marking; klpta-conceived; vedaiH-by the Vedas; sphuTam-manifested; me-of me.

     O Govardhana, O king of mountains, O hill whose nectar name "the best of Lord Hari's servants"  flows from the moon of zrI RAdhA's mouth, O hill that the Vedas declare to be the tilaka marking of Vraja,  please grant to me residence near you.

Text 9

nija-jana-yuta-rAdhA-kRSNa-maitrI-rasAkta-
     vraja-nara-pazu-pakSi-vrAta-saukhyaika-dAtaH
agaNita-karuNatvAn maM urI-kRtya tAntaM
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     nija-own; jana-people; yuta-endowed; rAdhA-kRSNa-of zrI zrI RAdhA-KRSNa; maitrI-friendship; rasa-nectar; Akta-anointed; vraja-of Vraja; nara-of the people; pazu-animals; pakSi-and birds; vrAta-to the hosts; saukhya-of happiness; eka-sole; dAtaH-giver; agaNita-immeasurable; karuNatvAn-because of mercy; mam-me; urI-kRtya-accepting; tAntam-distressed.

     O Govardhana, O philanthropist that gives transcendental happiness to Vraja's people, animals, and birds, all anointed with the nectar of friendship for zrI zrI RAdhA-KRSNa surrounded by Their friends, out of Your immeasurable mercy, please accept unhappy me and please grant me residence near you.

Text 10

nirupadhi-karuNena zrI-zacInandanena
     tvayi kapaTi-zaTho 'pi tvat-priyenArpito 'smi
iti khalu mama yogyAyogyatAM mAm agRhNan
     nija-nikaTa-nivAsaM dehi govardhana tvam

     nirupadhi-boundless; karuNena-with mercy; zrI-zacInandanena-by the son of zacI; tvayi-in you; kapaTi-a cheater;; zaThaH-a rascal; api-although; tvat-priyena-by your beloved; arpitaH-given; asmi-I am; iti-thus; khalu-certainly; mama-my; yogya-suitability; ayogyatAm-or unsuitability; mAm-me; agRhNan-not considering.

     Although I am a cheater and a criminal, unlimitedly merciful Lord zacInandana, who is very dear to you, has given me to you. O Govardhana, please do not consider whether I am acceptable or not, but simply grant me residence near you.

Text 11

rasada-dazakam asya zrIla-govardhanasya
     kSitidhara-kula-bhartur yaH prayatnAd adhIte
sa sapadi sukhade 'smin vAsam AsAdya sAkSAc
     chubada-yugala-sevA-ratnam Apnoti tUrNam

     rasada-nectarean; dazakam-ten verses; asya-of this; zrIla-govardhanasya-zrIla Govardhana; kSitidhara-of mountains; kula-of the multitudes; bhartuH-the king; yaH-one who; prayatnAd-with care; adhIte-reads; sa-he; sapadi-at once; sukhade-blissful; asmin-in this; vAsam-residence; AsAdya-attaining; sAkSAc-directly; chubada-auspicious; yugala-of the divine couple; sevA-of the service; ratnam-the jewel; Apnoti-attains; tUrNam-quickly.

     One who carefully reads these ten nectar verses describing zrIla Govardhana, the king of mountains, will very soon reside near that blissful hill and quickly attain the precious jewel of the service to the handsome divine couple.



zrI GovardhanAzraya-dazaka

Ten Appeals for Shelter at Govardhana Hill

Text 1

saptAhaM murajit-karAmbuja-paribhrAjat-kaniSThAGguli-
     prodyad-valgu-varAtakoparimilan-mugdha-dvirepho 'pi yaH
pAthaH-kSepaka-zakra-nakra-mukhataH kroDe vrajaM drAg apAt
     kas taM gokula-bandhavaM giri-varaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

    sapta-seven; aham-days; murajit-of Lord KRSNa; kara-hand; ambuja-lotus; paribhrAjat-shining; kaniSTha-little; aGguli-finger; prodyad-manifest; valgu-beautiful; varAtaka-lotus whorl; upari-above; milan-meeting; mugdha-charming; dvirephaH-bumblebee; api-also; yaH-who; pAthaH-water; kSepaka-expelling; zakra-of Indra; nakra-of the crocodile; mukhataH-from the mouth; kroDe-in the lap; vrajam-Vraja; drAg-at once; apAt-protected; kaH-who; tam-that; gokula-of Gokula; bandhavam-the friend; giri-of mountains; varam-the best.

     Who will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill, the best of mountains, the friend of Gokula, the charming bumblebee that for seven days stood on the graceful whorl of the lotus flower of Lord KRSNa's hand and protected Vraja from the mouth of the Indra-crocodile raining a great monsoon?

Text 2

indratve nibhRtaM gavAM suranadI-toyena dInAtmanA
     zakreNAnugatA cakAra surabhir yenAbhiSekaM hareH
yat-kacche 'jani tena nandita-janaM govinda-kuNDaM kRtI
     kas taM go-nikarendra-paTTa-zikharaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

     indratve-as king; nibhRtam-in a solitary place; gavAm-of the cows; suranadI-of the celestial Ganges; toyena-with the water; dInAtmanA-humble; zakreNa-by Indra; anugatA-following; cakAra-did; surabhiH-surabhi; yena-by whom; abhiSekam-bathing ceremony at the coronation; hareH-of Lord KRSNa; yat-of which; kacche-in the vicinity; ajani-was manifested; tena-by Him; nandita-delighted; janam-the people; govinda-kuNDam-Govinda-kuNDa; kRtI-pious person; kaH-who?; tam-that; gaH-of the cows; nikara-of the herds; indra-of the king; paTTa-zikharam-whose peak is the place of pastimes.

     What pious person will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill, whose peak is the place of pastimes for Lord KRSNa, the master of the surabhi cows, and near which is blissful Govinda-kuNDa, where a surabhi cow, followed by humbled Indra bearing the waters of the celestial Ganges, bathed Lord KRSNa and secretly crowned Him king of the surabhi cows?

Text 3

svar-dhuny-Adi-vareNya-tIrtha-gaNato hRdyAny ajasraM hareH
     sIri-brahma-harApsaraH-priyaka-tat-zrI-dAna-kuNDAny api
prema-kSema-ruci-pradAni parito bhrAjanti yasya vratI
      kas taM manya-munIndra-varNita-guNaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

     svar-dhuni-the celestial Ganges; Adi-beginning with; vareNya-best; tIrtha-of sacred places; gaNataH-of multitudes; hRdyAni-charming; ajasram-always; hareH-of Lord KRSNa; sIri-to Lord BalarAma; brahma-to Lord BrahmA; hara-Hara; apsaraH-ApsaraH; priyaka-Priyaka; tat-that; zrI-dAna-zrI DAna; kuNDAni-lakes; api-also; prema-love; kSema-happiness; ruci-love; pradAni-giving; paritaH-everywhere; bhrAjanti-shine; yasya-of which; vratI-a pious person; kaH-who?; tam-that; manya-great; muni-of sages; indra-by the best; varNita-described; guNam-virtues.

     What pious person will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill, which is glorified by the great sages, and which is encircled by the lakes SIri-kuNDa, Brahma-kuNDa, Hara-kuNDa, ApsaraH-kuNDa, Priyaka-kuNDa, and zrI-dAna-kuNDa, which are splendid with the happiness of pure love and more dear to Lord Hari than the celestial Ganges and a host of other sacred places?

Text 4

jyotsnAmokSaNa-mAlya-hAra-sumano-gaurI-balAri-dhvajA
     gAndharvAdi-sarAMsi nirjhara-giriH zRGgAra-siMhAsanam
gopAlo 'pi hari-sthalaM harir api sphUrjanti yat-sarvataH
     kas taM go-mRga-pakSi-vRkSa-lalitaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

     jyotsnAmokSaNa-jyotsnAmokSaNa; mAlya-MAlya; hAra-HAra; sumanaH-SumanaH; gaurI-GaurI; balAri-BalAri; dhvajA-Dhvaja; gAndharva-GAndharva; Adi-beginning with; sarAMsi-lakes; nirjhara-with swiftly moving streams; giriH-the mountain; zRGgAra-of amorous love; siMhAsanam-the lion-throne; gopAlaH-Lord KRSNa; api-also; hari-of Lord KRSNa; sthalam-the place; hariH-Lord KRSNa; api-also; sphUrjanti-is manifested; yat-sarvataH-everywhere; kaH-who?; tam-that; gaH-cows; mRga-deer; pakSi-birds; vRkSa-trees; lalitam-charming.

     Who will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill, which is charming with cows, deer, birds, and trees, and which is the place where the lakes JyotsnAmokSaNa-kuNDa, MAlya-kuNDa, HAra-kuNDa, SumanaH-kuNDa, GaurI-kuNDa, BalAridhvaja-kuNDa, GAndharvA-kuNDa, many other lakes, many swiftly-moving mountain streams, many lion-thrones for amorous pastimes, many places for Lord Hari's other pastimes, and the cowherd boy Lord Hari Himself, are all splendidly manifest?

Text 5

gaGgA-koTy-adhikaM bakAri-pada-jAriSTAri-kuNDaM vahan
     bhaktyA yaH zirasA natena satataM preyAn zivAd apy abhUt
rAdhA-kuNDa-maNiM tathaiva murajit-prauDha-prasAdaM dadhAt
     preyaH-stavyamano 'bhavat ka iha taM govardhanaM nAzrayet

     gaGgA-of Ganges Rivers; koTi-than millions; adhikam-greater; bakAri-of Lord KRSNa; pada-from the foot; ja-born; ariSTAri-kuNDam-zyAma-kuNDa; vahan-carrying; bhaktyA-with devotion; yaH-who; zirasA-on the head; natena-bowed; satatam-always; preyAn-dearer; zivAd-than ziva; api-even; abhUt-became; rAdhA-kuNDa-RAdhA-kuNDa; maNim-jewel; tathA-still; eva-certainly; murajit-of Lord KRSNa; prauDha-great; prasAdam-mercy; dadhAt-manifested; preyaH-stavyamanaH-the most glorious of the dear devotees; abhavat-became; ka-who?; iha-here; tam-that.

     Who will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill? He who with always devotedly caries on his bowed head the lake known as zyAma-kuNDa, which is millions of times greater than the Ganges, and which was born from the foot of Lord KRSNa, becomes more dear to the Lord than even the demigod ziva. He who in the same way carries the jewel known as RAdhA-kuNDa attains the full mercy of Lord KRSNa. He becomes the most dear and glorious of devotees.

Text 6

yasyAM mAdhava-nAviko rasavatIm AdhAya rAdhAM tarau
     madhye caJcala-keli-pAta-valanAt trAsaiH stuvatyAs tataH
svAbhiSThaM paNam Adadhe vahati sA yasmin mano-jAhnavI
     kas taM tan nava-dam-pati-pratibhuvaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

     yasyAm-where; mAdhava-Lord KRSNa; nAvikaH-the boatman; rasavatIm-sweet; AdhAya-taking; rAdhAm-RAdhA; tarau-on the boat; madhye-in the middle; caJcala-restless; keli-pastime; pAta-valanAt-because of the violent waves; trAsaiH-with fear; stuvatyAH-prayed; tataH-then; svAbhiSTham-own desire; paNam-the price; Adadhe-took; vahati-carries; sA-She; yasmin-in which; mano-jAhnavI-the MAnasa-gaGgA; kaH-who?; tam-that; tan-that; nava-young; dam-pati-of the divine couple; pratibhuvam-place.

     Who will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill, where the divine couple enjoy Their rescue-fee pastimes, and where the MAnasa-gaGgA flows? In the MAnasa-gaGgA the pilot MAdhava took sweetly beautiful RAdhA on His boat, and when She, frightened by a great storm, prayed that He calm it, He claimed from Her as a rescue-fee the fulfillment of His amorous desires.

Text 7

rAse zrI-zata-vandya-sundara-sakhI vRndAJcitA saurabha-
     bhrAjat-kRSNa-rasAla-bAhu-vilasat-kaNThI madhau mAdhavI
rAdhA nRtyati yatra cAru valate rAsa-sthalI sA parA
     yasmin sa sukRtI tam unnatam aye govardhanaM nAzrayet

     rAse-in the rAsa dance; zrI-of goddesses of fortune; zata-by hundreds; vandya-worshiped; sundara-beautiful; sakhI-of friends; vRnda-by multitudes; aJcitA-accompanied; saurabha-fragrant; bhrAjat-glistening; kRSNa-of Lord KRSNa; rasAla-nectar; bAhu-arm; vilasat-splendid; kaNThI-neck; madhau-in spring; mAdhavI-dear to Lord KRSNa; rAdhA-RAdhA; nRtyati-dances; yatra-where; cAru-beautiful; valate-moves; rAsa-sthalI-the arena of the rAsa dance; sA-She; parA-transcendental; yasmin-in which; sa-he; sukRtI-pious; tam-that; unnatam-exalted; aye-ah!

      Ah, what pious person will not take shelter of lofty Govardhana Hill, the beautiful and transcendental place of the rAsa dance, where zrI RAdhA, accompanied by Her beautiful friends worshiped by hundreds of goddesses of fortune, and the splendid, nectar arm of Lord KRSNa playfully resting on Her neck, dances in the springtime rAsa-lIlA?

Text 8

yatra svIya-gaNasya vikrama-bhRtA vAcA muhuH phullatoH
     smera-krUra-dRg-anta-vibhrama-zaraiH zazvan mitho viddhayoH
tad yUnor nava-dAna-sRSTija-kalir bhaGgyA hasan jRmbhate
     kas taM tat-pRthu-keli-sUcana-zilaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

     yatra-where; svIya-gaNasya-of Her own friends; vikrama-bhRtA-bold; vAcA-with words; muhuH-continually; phullatoH-blossoming; smera-smiling; krUra-cruel; dRg-eyes; anta-corners; vibhrama-moving; zaraiH-with arrows; zazvan-always; mithaH-together; viddhayoH-pierced; tad-that; yUnoH-of the youthful couple; nava-new; dAna-of the dAna-keli pastimes; sRSTija-manifested; kaliH-quarrel; bhaGgyA-by the crooked words; hasan-laughing; jRmbhate-becomes manifested; kaH-who?; tam-that; tat-of that; pRthu-great; keli-pastimes; sUcana-indication; zilam-nature.

     Who will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill where, blossoming with happiness at the outrageous joking words of Their friends, perpetually wounded by the swift arrows shot from the corners of Their cruel, smiling eyes, and laughing at the crooked words of the ever-new dAna-keli quarrel, the youthful divine couple displayed so many transcendental pastimes?

Text 9

zrIdAmAdi-vayasya-saJcaya-vRtaH saGkarSaNenollasan
     yasmin go-caya-cAru-cAraNa-paro rIrIti gAyaty asau
raGge gUDha-guhAsu ca prathayati smAra-kriyAM rAdhayA
     kas taM saubhaga-bhUSitAJcita-tanuM govardhanaM nAzrayet

      zrIdAma-zrIdAmA; Adi-beginning with; vayasya-friends; saJcaya-multitudes; vRtaH-surrounded; saGkarSaNena-with BalarAma; ullasan-playing; yasmin-in which; gaH-of cows; caya-herds; cAru-beautiful; cAraNa-herding; paraH-devoted; rIrI iti-rI rI; gAyati-sings; asau-He; raGge-in the arena; gUDha-hidden; guhAsu-in caves; ca-and; prathayati-manifests; smAra-amorous; kriyAm-pastimes; rAdhayA-with zrI RAdhA; kaH-who?; tam-that; saubhaga-with auspiciousness; bhUSita-decorated; a{.sy 241}cita-graceful; tanum-form.

     Who will not take shelter of graceful and auspicious Govardhana Hill, where, accompanied by zrIdAmA and His other friends, playing with SaGkarSaNa,  and carefully herding the cows, Lord KRSNa happily sings rI rI, and where Lord KRSNa enjoys amorous pastimes with RAdhA in the rAsa dance arena and deep in the hidden caves?

Text 10

kAlindIM tapanodbhavaM giri-gaNAn aty-unnamac-cekharAn
     zrI-vRndAvipinaM janepsita-dharaM nandIzvaraM cAzrayam
hitvA yaM pratipUjayan vraja-kRte mAnaM mukundo dadau
     kas taM zRGgi-kirITinaM giri-nRpaM govardhanaM nAzrayet

      kAlindIm-the YamunA River; tapana-of the sun-god; udbhavam-the daughter; giri-of hills; gaNAn-the multitudes; ati-very; unnamac-lofty; cekharAn-crowns; zrI-vRndAvipinam-zrI VRndAvana; jana-by the people; Ipsita-desire; dharam-fulfilling; nandIzvaram-NandIzvara; ca-and; Azrayam-shelter; hitvA-abandoning; yam-which; pratipUjayan-worshiping; vraja-kRte-for the sake of Vraja; mAnam-respect; mukundaH-Lord KRSNa; dadau-gave; kaH-who?; tam-that; zRGgi-of mountains; kirITinam-the crown; giri-of  mountains; nRpam-the king.

     Who will not take shelter of Govardhana Hill, the crowned king of all mountains? For the people of Vraja's sake Lord Mukunda neglected the sun-god's daughter YamunA, a host of other lofty hills, the wish-fulfilling forest of VRndAvana, and the town of NandIzvara, and respectfully worshiped Govardhana Hill.

Text 11

tasmin vAsadam asya ramya-dazakaM govardhanasyeha yat
     prAdurbhUtam idaM yadIya-kRpayA jIrNAndha-vaktrAd api
tasyodyad-guNa-vRnda-bandhura-khaNer jIvAtu-rUpasya tat-
     toSAyApi alaM bhavatv iha phalaM pakvaM mayA mRgyate

     tasmin-in this; vAsa-residence; dam-granting; asya-of this; ramya-charming; dazakam-ten verses; govardhanasya-of Govardhana Hill; iha-here; yat-which; prAdurbhUtam-manifested; idam-this; yadIya-of which; kRpayA-by the mercy; jIrNa-an old; andha-blind man; vaktrAd-from the mouth; api-even; tasya-of that; udyad-manifesting; guNa-of virtues; vRnda-multitudes; bandhura-charming; khaNeH-of the mine; jIvAtu-the life; rUpasya-in the form; tat-that; toSAya-for satisfaction; api-also; alam-greatly; bhavatv-may be; iha-here; phalam-the fruit; pakvam-ripened; mayA-by me; mRgyate-sought.

     By the mercy of Govardhana Hill these ten beautiful verses about Govardhana Hill, which grant residence at Govardhana Hill, have come from the mouth of a blind old man. The pleasure of Govardhana Hill, which is my life and soul, and which is a beautiful jewel-mine of transcendental virtues, is the ripe fruit I seek from my labor in writing these verses.

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Chapter 3 of Vraja-riti-cintamani

Chapter 3
1       Govardhana Hill is like a flag of intense sweetness placed in the opulent land of Vrndavana.  As the king of mountains Govardhana Hill offers very pleasing royal service to the young prince of Vraja.
2       The rocks of Govardhana Hill are many kinds of splendid jewels that provide thrones, couches, and other kinds of furniture for Sri Krsna, the supreme monarch of all nectar mellows.
3       Govardhana Hill's beautiful forests and caves are Krsna's nectar pastime palaces, each one perfect for the supreme good fortune of His beloved and Her friends.
4       Govardhana Hill's trees and vines serve Sri Krsna by offering Him blossoming branches with sweet fruits, and flowers filled with honey, nectar and fragrant pollen.
5       The red, vermilion, yellow and other coloured pigments of Govardhana Hill decorate Lord Krsna's transcendental body for the pleasure of His beloved gopis.
6       The musk left by deer, as well as the kunkuma, camphor, and aguru naturally produced by Govardhana Hill, were all used to give a sweet fragrance to the transcendental body of Lord Krsna.
7       There is a pleasant grove of sandalwood trees on Govardhana Hill.
Although snakes generally flock to sandalwood trees, no snakes ever come here, or if sometimes a snake may come it is not poisonous, or if sometimes a poisonous snake may come its poison is automatically counteracted, and it can do no harm.  As the best servant of Lord Hari, Govardhana Hill has made this wonderful arrangement for the Lord's pleasure.
8       One time a contrary fawn-eyed gopi left Sri Krsna.  A short time afterwards She saw a snake on the road.  Frightened, She took shelter of Lord Krsna, embracing Him and begging for protection.  As Lord Hari's best servant, Govardhana Hill made all these nectarean arrangements for His pastimes.
Note: This verse may also be translated in the following way:
        Rejected by a certain contrary fawn eyed gopi, Sri Krsna said: "I have just been bitten by one of Govardhana Hill's snakes".  When the gopi heard this, she became repentant and came before the Lord with many apologies.  As Lord Hari's best servant, Govardhana Hill made all these arrangements for His pastimes.
9       The rocks of Govardhana Hill are all precious gems.  Some are sapphires, some emeralds, some rubies or crystals.  They provide the perfect backdrop for Lord Krsna's pastimes.
10      If, while walking on Govardhana Hill, Krsna's elder brother Balarama sees a series of golden stones, He thinks: 'the daughter of King Vrsabhanu must have just now walked before Me', and He changes course to avoid an awkward situation.  In the same way, if She sees a series of crystal stones, She thinks: 'Balarama must have just now walked before Me', and She changes Her course.
11      If, on Govardhana Hill, which is the best of Lord Hari's servants, Sri Krsna sees a golden stone, He takes it to be His beloved.  In the same way, His beloved sees a sapphire, She assumes it is Her lover.
12      The gopis' necklaces, ornaments, red foot cosmetic, betelnuts, and other paraphernalia gaze on the beauty of Govardhana Hill's groves and caves. Who would not become enchanted by the beauty of Govardhana Hill?
13      Sri Krsna is the sapphire and the gopis the golden necklaces ornamenting Govardhana Hill.  The pastimes of Krsna and the gopis are the sons and daughters of Govardhana Hill.  Who is able to describe the glories of Govardhana Hill?
14      The peacocks dance enthusiastically, the bees and cuckoos sing melodiously and may other birds chirp a rhythmic accompaniment, as they all gaze on the serve to Lord Hari done by Govardhana Hill, the best of Lord Hari's servants.
15      The land around Govardhana Hill in all directions is filled with many lakes, groves, and other charming places of Lord Krsna's pastimes.  Many lovely streams flow from Govardhana Hill onto these lands in all directions.
16      To the east is Dana-nivartana-kunda.  When Sri Radhika's handsome beloved remembers it, He begins to tremble, and the hairs on His body stand erect.
17      To the east of that is Candra-sarovara, where the divine couple enjoyed many rasa dances.  The memory of this place makes Them dance in ecstatic love.
18      Southeast of Govardhana Hill is Sanksarsanananda-sarovara, and to the east of that is Gauri-tirtha, which is scrupulously avoided by Gauri's husband, Lord Siva.
19      The nectar flood of supreme good fortune rising from His eternal pastimes with Her has made Her beloved supremely learned in the philosophy of forest-pastimes.
20      In between Sankarsana-sarovara and Dana-nivartana-kunda is Anandaraja-tirtha, where the Mahanna-kuta festival delighted the young prince of Vraja.
21      West of that are two splendid places in the mouth of Krsna's pastimes. They are Sri Dhana-ghata and Sri Sumani-ghata, where the divine couple playfully talked and joked.
22      At this place the divine couple enjoyed the playful quarrel pastimes known as dana-keli.  Who would not be astonished by this pastime?  When this pastime enters the ears it makes both the body and mind dance.
23      Govardhana Hill resembles a gigantic peacock that has Govinda-kunda as its tail.  The Manasa-ganga, where the divine couple eternally enjoys boat-sailing pastimes, enters into the waters of Govinda-kunda.
24      If one hears about the divine couple's boat-sailing pastimes, he will become stunned in ecstasy and it will not be possible for him to stop hearing about them.
25      On the Manasa-ganga's shores are many madhavi-vine pavilions with nectar beauty that shines in the three worlds.  There the divine couple enjoys splendid pastimes that are eternally remembered in the world's hearts.
26      With its nearby forest groves and the limitless nectar-trickling flowers in its waters, Kusuma-sarovara shines with great splendour.  Is it the handsome face of Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains?
27      This lake is known as Kusuma-sarovara because of the many blossoming flowers, destined to become gopis in the future, that grow in its waters. Simply by one bathing in this Kusuma-sarovara, Narada Muni attained a gopi-form.  This fact is directly confirmed in the words of the enchanting Supreme Personality of Godhead.
28      The Supreme Personality of Godhead eternally enjoys pastimes on Govardhana Hill.  He personally lifted Govardhana Hill with His own hand to protect His cowherd associates.  Who is able to describe the glories of Govardhana Hill, the best of Lord Hari's servants?
29      Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda are Govardhana's two love-filled eyes. Because it nourishes the gopas, gopis, and surabhi cows with Lord Madhava's sweetness, it shines with the name 'go-vardhana'.
30      Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda are two great floods of the nectar of beauty.  They are two great oceans of splendour.  They are two beautiful roots from which sweet devotional service grows.
31      They are two jewel-mines of love.  They are two seeds from which grow the jewel-vines of transcendental pastimes.  How did they become two splendid and nectar-sweet lakes?
32      By seeing these two lakes, Radha and Krsna believe They are present in them.  It is as if They directly see each other there.  The wise say that by approaching these lakes one directly approaches Radha and Krsna.
33      Longing to meet, but forced to remain separate, Radha and Krsna assumed the forms of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda.  In this way They becomes splashed with the nectar of meeting each other.
34      I think that when Radha saw Krsna She melted with ecstasy and thus assumed the liquid state of the waters of Radha-kunda, and in the same way when Krsna saw Radha He also melted in ecstasy and became the waters of Syama-kunda. In this way these two lakes bear the names and qualities of the divine couple.
35      Out of great kindness to the people, so they could directly taste Their sweetness, Radha and Krsna have become these two lakes.  Shining with happiness, the devotees bathe in these two lakes.
36      I think these two lakes are the divine couple's love.  They who are fortunate bathe there.  Because bathing there is like bathing in Their transcendental love, these two lakes bear the names of the divine couple.

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Sri Govardhanastaka
Eight Prayers Glorifying Govardhana Hill


1    krsna-prasadena samasta-saila-
        samrajyam apnoti ca vairino pi
    sakrasya yah prapa balim sa saksad
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

May Govardhana Hill, which by Krsna�s mercy became the king of all mountains and received the respectful tribute of its arch-enemy Indra, fulfil my desire.

2    sva-prestha-hastambuja-saukumarya-
        sukhanubhuter ati-bhumi-vrtteh
    mahendra-vajrahatim apy ahanan
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

As it was held above the earth it became so filled with happiness by experiencing the softness of its beloved Krsna�s lotus hand it did not even know it was being struck by Indra�s thunderbolt.  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

3    yatraiva krsno vrsabhanu-putrya
        danam grhitum kalaham vitene
    sruteh sprha yatra mahaty atah sri-
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

Trying to collect a toll, Krsna quarrelled there with King Vrsabhanu�s daughter.  The personified Vedas yearn to listen to that quarrel.  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

4    snatva sarah svasu samira-hasti
        yatraiva nipadi-paraga-dhulih
    alolayan khetali caru sa sri-
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

Bathing in a nearby lake, the elephant of a pleasant breeze covered with pollen of kadamba and other flowers gracefully plays there.  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

5    kasturikabhih sayitam kim atrety
        uham prabhoh svasya muhur vitanvan
    naisargika-sviya-sila-sugandhair
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

How is it that sweet fragrance of the musk deer and the various natural scents there make the Lord so calm and relaxed?  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

6    vamsa-pratidhvany-anusara-vartma
        didrksavo yatra harim harinyah
    yantyo labhante na hi vismitah sa
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

Searching there for Lord Hari on the path of His flute music, the astonished deer do not find Him.  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

7    yatraiva gangam anu navi radham
        arohya madhye tu nimagna-naukah
    krsno hi radhanugalo babhau sa
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

As the divine couple travelled on the Ganges there the boat began to sink in the middle.  Krsna was splendidly handsome as Radha clung to his neck.  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

8    vina-bhavet kim hari-dasa-varya-
        padasrayam bhaktir atah srayami
    yam eva saprema nijesayoh sri-
        govardhano me disatam abhistam

Without taking shelter of the feet of the hill that is the best of Lord Hari�s servants and full of love for the divine king and queen, how is it possible to attain pure devotional service?  May Govardhana Hill fulfil my desire.

9    etat pathed yo hari-dasa-varya-
        mahanubhavastakam ardra-cetah
    sri-radhika-madhavayoh padab ja-
        dasyam sa vinded acirena saksat

May the reader of these eight verses glorifying Lord Hari�s greatest servant, his heart melting with pure love, quickly attain direct service to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava.

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Sri Krsna-Sandarbha by Srila Jiva Goswami

Text 39-40
It may appear that the statement of our paribhasa-sutra and the statement of the Bhuma-purusa contradict each other, but actually they do not. This may be seen from the following explanation: Even though Sri Krsna is the Original Personality of Personality, in order to bewilder the residents of Vrajabhumi during the worship of Govardhana Hill, He manifested and expansion of His own transcendental form and then along with the residents of Vraja, offered respectful obeisances to this expanded form of Himself. In this way, even though Krsna is the Original Personality of Godhead, He offered respectful obeisances to His own expansion, as a part of His transcendental pastimes. Offering obeisances to His expansion during the worship of Govardhana Hill, Sri Krsna said ( S.B. 10.24.36): "Accompanied by the residents of Vrajabhumi, I offer my respectful obeisances to Myself, the Supreme Person."

Anuccheda 92, Text 16
"O Lord Govinda, O beloved of the gopis, O Supreme Controller, O killer of Kamsa, O supreme object of worship for the demigods, O Lord who expertly lifted the great Govardhana Hill with one hand and protected all the cows, calves and cowherds of Vraja, O best of the gopas, please cure the blindness in my eyes."

Anuccheda 94
That Sri Krsna is the eternal Personality of Godhead is also confirmed in the following statement of the cowherd residents of Vrndavana (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.26.25):

"Let Krsna, who is so kind, beautiful and merciful, protect us. When angry Indra sent torrents of rain, accompanied by showers of ice blocks and high wind, He immediately took compassion upon us and saved us and out families, cows, and valuable possessions by picking up the Govardhana Hill, just as a child picks up a mushroom. He saved us so wonderfully. May He continue to mercifully glance over us and our cows. May we live peacefully under the protection of wonderful Krsna."*

Anuccheda 106, Text 69
...where is the beautiful and opulent hill named Govardhana, which is filled with pleasant streams, waterfalls, and caves with many minerals and precious jewels, and crowded with many handsome birds,...

Anuccheda 152, Text 6
The word 'sukhapah' may also be interpreted to mean 'easily understood'. When Sri Krsna performs extraordinary feats (such as the lifting of Govardhana Hill), the mental speculators and materialists immersed in the bodily concept of life become able to understand that Sri Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The intimate devotees and associates of the Lord, however, continue to consider the Lord to be their friend or son, and thus, in one sense, it is difficult for them to understand the true position of the Lord, because of their intimate friendship with Him.

Anuccheda 172, Text 2
Each different abode of the Lord has its own specific feature, and specific pastimes are enjoyed in each abode. There is no overlapping of pastimes, where the pastimes of one abode are performed in another. However, even in the Lord's manifest pastimes within the material world, the Lord's abode manifests very wonderful features. For example, although the inner part of Dvaraka city is only 12 yojanas (96 miles) in diameter, within that relatively small place there are millions of palaces 2 krosas (4 miles) across, as well as many gardens, lakes and so on, all very large. Another example is the valley Govardhana Hill, which although very small in size, contains the infinitely large spiritual realm of Gokula.


Sri Brihad-Bhagavatamirta, The Nectar of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by Srila Sanatana Goswami

Text 7
Glory to Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains, the hill the gopis declared was the best servant of Lord Hari, the hill personally worshipped by Lord Krsna when He stopped the indra-yajna, the hill that for seven days rested on Lord Krsna's lotus hand.

Text 87
In the land of Vraja, in Vrndavana forest, or on Govardhana Hill, places where there is no danger of their being killed or stolen, the cows, buffaloes, and other animals go in the morning, eat grass and drink water to their heart's content, and then voluntarily return to their homes in the evening.


Sri Vraja-vilasa-stava: Prayers Glorifying the Lord's Pastimes in Vraja by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

Text 51
Full of love for the residents of Vraja, and eager to protect Him, Lord Krsna respectfully lifted Govardhana Hill for seven days with His graceful hand. The caves of Govardhana Hill are splendidly decorated with kunkuma particles left when Sri Sri Radha-Krsna enjoyed transcendental pastimes. May Govardhana Hill, which is studded with many beautiful jewels, protect you all.

Text 53
The delightful forest of Vrndavana, beautiful Govardhana Hill and the nectarean area of the rasa dance, what to speak of other places are not equal to even a single particle of Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda. Let me take shelter of these two lakes, which are more dear to Lord Krsna than His own life's breath.

Text 64
The Manasa-ganga River flows so swiftly on the side of Govardhana Hill that it's waves push the splendid rocks lining it's shores. I pray the Manasa-ganga River, where Sri Sri Gandharvika-Muravimardana (Sri Sri Radha-Krsna) enjoy jubilant boating pastimes, may give me shelter.

Text 75
When Vraja's king offered a great quantity of foodstuff to Govardhana Hill, Krsna, the enemy of Aghasura, assumed a gigantic form, proclaimed that He was actually Govardhana Hill, invited everyone to ask boons from Him, and, fooling even Srimati Radharani, ate all the offered food. Let me take shelter of the anna-kuta festival, when Lord Krsna enjoyed these pastimes.

Text 76
Charming and handsome Lord Krsna enjoys transcendental pastimes on the summit of Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains. There He splendidly manifest, eternally enjoying the pleasures of a transcendental king. With great love and devotion I worship Govardhana Hill, where Lord Krsna enjoys transcendental pastimes.

Text 79
Sri-sarovara, Brahma-sarovara, Kadambakhanda-sarovara, Sumanah-sarovara, Rudra-sarovara, Apsarah-sarovara, Gaurika-sarovara, Jyotsnamoksana-sarovara, Malyahara-sarovara, Vibudhari-sarovara, Indradhvaja-sarovara, and many other beautiful lakes are splendidly manifested as so many beautiful jewels in a circle around divine Govardhana Hill. Let me glorify these transcendental lakes.

Text 103
When, aimlessly wandering around Govardhana Hill, madly calling out "O Radha! O Krsna!" again and again, and stumbling as I walk, will I sprinkle the places of the Lord's pastimes with tears from my eyes?

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Worship of Shri Giriraja from Garga Samhita

CANTO THREE SHRI GIRIRAJA CHAPTER ONE

SHRI GIRIRAJA PUJA VIDHI, THE WORSHIP OF SHRI GIRIRAJA

TEXT 1

Sri Bahulasva said : Why did Lord Krsna lift Govardhana Hill as a child playfully lifts a mushroom.

TEXT 2

O best of sages, please tell that wonderful and glorious transcendental pastime of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TEXT 3

Sri Narada said : As citizens pay an annual tax to their king, so the gopas, farmers all, at the end of each monsoon season offered a tribute to Indra.

TEXT 4

Noticing the arrangements for the indra-yajn, as the gopas listened, Krsna asked a question of King Nanda.

TEXT 5

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : What is the result to this worship of Indra ?  Do they say it brings a material result or a spiritual result ?

TEXT 6

Sri Nanda said : Worship of Indra brings both sense gratification and liberation. Without it a person cannot be happy in this world.

TEXT 7

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : Indra and the other demigods enjoy living in Svargaloka because of their past karma. When their good karma is exhausted they again enter theworld of humans. Please understand that worshipping them does not bring liberation.

TEXT 8

Even the demigod Brahma is afraid of that, so what may be said of fruitive workers on the earth ?  They are actually wise say that endless time is the most powerful, the supreme.

TEXT 9

With all their heart renouncing all material pious results, the wise take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worship Him with the best of pious deeds. They, and not others, attain final liberation.

TEXT 10

The cows,  saintly persons, fire-gods, demigods, Vedas and principles of religion are all potencies of Lord Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They who, instead of worshipping the demigods, worship Lord Hari, attain happiness in this life and the next.

TEXT 11

The hill named Govardhana is the king of the kings of the kings of mountains. It was born from Lord Hari's own chest. It has come here by the power of Pulastya Muni. By seeing it one becomes free from having to take birth again in this world.

TEXT 12

First worship the cows, brahmanas and demigods and then make a great offering to Govardhana Hill. That offering is the king of yajnas and it is very dear to Me. If you do not desire to make that offering, then do whatever you wish.

TEXT 13

Sri Narada said : Among them the elderly gopa Sannanda, who throughly knew the real principles of religion, became very pleased. As bewildered Nanda listened, Sannanda spoke to Lord Krsna.

TEXT 14

Sri Sannanda said : Dear son of Nanda, You are wealthy with a great treasury of transcendental knowledge. How should the hill be worshipped ?  Please truthfully tell.

TEXT 15

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : A person who controls his senses and engages in devotional service should collect the ingredients for the worship, anoint Govardhana Hill with cow-dung, ....

TEXT 16

.... and, as he chants the mantras for the thousand-headed Purusa, with other brahmanas bathe the hill with Ganga water and Yamuna water.

TEXT 17

Then he should bathe the hill with streams of white milk, panamrta, fragant flowers and then Yamuna water again.

TEXT 18

Then he should offer splendid garments, food, a great throne, many garlands and ornaments and many lamps.

TEXT 19

Then he should circumambulate the hill, offer obeisances and with folded hands recite this mantra :

TEXT 20

Obeisances to you, who are Goloka's crown and the lap where Vrndavana forest grows !  Obeisances to Govardhana Hill, the Supreme Personality of Godhead's parasol !

TEXT 21

Then he should offer a handful of flowers and then, as mrdangas, karatalas and other musical instruments make sweet sounds, he should offer arati to Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 22

Then he should chant the mantra that begins with "vedaham" and then he should worship the hill. Then with great faith he should place a hill of food near Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 23

Then he should offer four, six and five cups of Ganga and Yamuna water mixed with tulasi leaves.

TEXT 24

Then, with a peaceful heart, he should serve Govardhana Hill by offering it a feast of fifty-six kinds of food. Then with fragant flowers he should worship the fire-gods, brahmanas, cows and demigods.

TEXT 25

After feeding the exalted brahmanas with fragrant and delicious foods, he should also give excellent foods to the others, even down to the dogeaters.

TEXT 26

Then he should have the gopas and gopis dance among the cows and call out "Victory!"  In this way he should perform a festival to worship Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 27

Now please hear how this worship should be performed when one is not near Govardhana Hill. One should make from cow dung a model of Govardahana Hill.

TEXT 28

Human beings on this earth should decorate that model with many flowers,  blades of grass,  and a network of vines,  and regularly offer worship to it.

TEXT 29

A person who has a mountain of gold but does not use it to worship a stone he has taken from from Govardhana Hill,  goes to a terrible hell.

TEXT 30

A person who regularly worships the Lord's form as Salagrama-sila is not touched by hell as a lotus leaf is not touched by water.

TEXT 31

An exalted brahmana who regularly serves a stone from Govardhana Hill attains the result of having bathed in all the holy rivers and lakes in the seven worlds.

TEXT 32

A person who year after year elaborately worships Govardhana Hill attains all happiness in this life and liberation in the next.



CHAPTER TWO

SRI GIRIRAJA-MAHOTSAVA
THE GREAT FESTIVAL OF SRI GIRIRAJ


TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : Hearing Sri Krsna's words, Nanda, Sannanda and the other rulers of Vraja were filled with wonder. Abandoning what they had done, they performed the worship of Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 2

O king of Mithila, taking many offerings, King Nanda, Yasoda, their two sons Krsna and Balarama and Garga Muni, all eager and joyful, went to worship Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 3

Quickly climbing on a wonderfully decorated great elephant chained with golded shackles, Nanda went, with the many cows and with the wealth of the autumn harvest to the edge of Govardhana Hill. He looked like Indra Himself, accompanied by his beloved.

TEXT 4

Bringing the ingredients for the performing the yajna, the Nandas, Upanandas and Vrsabhanus, along with their wives, children and grandchildren, went to Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 5

Dressed in splendid garments and jewel ornaments and eager as a cakori bird or a bumblebee, as She rode in a palanquin with Her friends, Radha looked like Saci herself.

TEXT 6

O king, nicely decorated, gratefully moving two beautiful camaras, accompanied by millions of gopi friends and their faces splendid as two moons, Radha's best friends. Lalita and Visakha, gloriously stood by Her side.

TEXT 7

Then Rama, Viraja, Madhavi, May, Yamuna, and Ganga, accompanied by thirty-two, eight and sixteen groups of gopis, arrived.

TEXT 8

In their previous births these gopis had been the women of Mithila, the women of Kosala, the personified Vedas, the great sages, the women of Ayodhya, the Yajna-Sitas, the women of the forest,

TEXT 9

...the women of Vaikuntha, who have Rama as their leader, the women of the highest Vaikuntha realm, the women of various effulgent realms, the women of Dhruvaloka and Lokacala,...

TEXT 10

... Laksmi's friends splendid with three transcendental virtues, the women riding in airplanes, the vines and plants, the jalandharis, the daughters of the ocean, the daughters of King Barhismati, the women of Sutalaloka,...

TEXT 11

... the apsaras and all the serpent king's daughters. Now, as
girls of Vraja, nicely decorated, and their hands splendid with many offerings, they approached Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 12

Then the gopa men, adolescents and boys dressed in yellow garments, wearing turbans crowned with peacock feathers, decorated with beautiful necklaces, gunja and forest garlands and holding new flutes and stick, came.

TEXT 13

Hearing of the Govardhana festival from my mouth, carrying the Ganga in his matted locks, wearing a necklaces of skulls, his body anointed with the powder of bones, decorated with a necklace and bracelets of many snakes,...

TEXT 14

... reeling from having drunk dhattura poison, accompanied by Parvati and his many associates and riding on his carrier Nandi, Lord Siva came to the circle of Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 15

Many thousands of rajarsis, viprarsis, surarsis, siddhesas, yogesvaras, paramahamsas and brahmanas came to see Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 16

O king, its stones jewels, its many peaks golden and its form splendid with intoxicated bees, beautiful caves and swiftly-flowing streams, Govardhana Hill was like a great elephant.

TEXT 17

Then, manifesting humanlike forms and bearing auspicious gifts in their hands, the mountain kings, headed by Mount Meru and Mount Himalaya, offered their respectful obeisances, bowing down to the humanlike form of Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 18

Following Krsna's instructions, Nanda, the king of Vraja, had many brahmanas worship Govardhana Hill. Then Nanda worshipped the brahmanas, fire-gods and cows and then gave a very opulent offering to Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 19

Pleased by the earnestly singing Nandas, Upanandas, Vrsabhanus, gopas and gopis, Lord Krsna circumambulated Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains.

TEXT 20

As the demigods showered flowers and the Vrajavasis showered grains, Govardhana Hill, the great king of the kings of the kings of mountains, glistened with great glory, as if it were a great monarch in the midst of a yajna.

TEXT 21

Manifesting a gigantic form different from His own, Lord Krsna appeared from the midst of Govardhana Hill. Declaring, "I am this hill," He ate the entire hill of food that was offered.

TEXT 22

Seeing Govardhana Hill's great power and opulence and their hearts full of joy and wonder, the gopas and gopis asked the hill to grant them a benediction.

TEXT 23

They said, " The gopas know that You are the Deity worshipped by the kings of mountains. Nanda's son Krsna has shown Your true nature to us. Please grant that day after day our relatives, friends and cows may prosper."

TEXT 24

Manifesting a handsome divine form decorated with crown and armlets, Govardhana Hill, the king of the kings of mountains, said, "So be it," and suddenly disappeared.

TEXT 25 AND 26

The Nandas, Upanandas, Vrsabhanus, Balarama, Sucandra, King Vrsabhanu, King Nanda, Krsna, all the gopas, gopis and cows, the brahmanas, the siddhas and yogesvaras headed by Lord Siva, as well as everyone else bowed down and worshipped Govardhana Hill. Then, happy at heart and all their desires fulfilled, they returned to their own homes.

TEXT 27

In this way I have described to you Sri Krsnacandra's transcendental pastime of offering a great festival to worship Govardhana Hill, the king of the kings of mountains. This wonderful and purifying narration frees the people from the greatest sins.



CHAPTER THREE

SRI GOVARDHANODDHARANA
THE LIFT OF SRI GOVARDHANA

TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : When from my mouth he heard that his sacrifice had been stopped and a festival for Govardhana Hill performed in its place, Indra became furious.

TEXT 2

Unleashing the samvartaka clouds used at the time of cosmic destruction, Indra sent them to destroy Vraja.

TEXT 3

The clouds thundered with anger. They were many wonderful colors, some black, some yellow, some green,...

TEXT 4

... some the color of an indragopa insect, some the color of camphor and some the color of blue lotuses.

TEXT 5

Furious, they showered raindrops as big as elephants and thunderbolts as big as elephants trunks.

TEXT 6

Big as mountain peaks, millions of rocks fell. The wind threw away many trees and houses.

TEXT 7

O king of Mithila, the earth was filled with ferocious, terrifying and devastating sounds of thunder.

TEXT 8

The entire universe, with the seven planetary systems and the expanses of outer space, echoed with the sounds of thunder. The elephants holding the directions trembled. The stars fell to the circle of the earth.

TEXT 9

Wishing to save themselves, the gopas and their families, with the children in front, ran to Nanda's palace.

TEXT 10

Terrified, the people of Vraja bowed down before the two Supreme Lords, Krsna and Balarama, surrendered to Them and took shelter of Them.

TEXT 11

The gopas said : Balarama ! Balarama ! O might-armed ! Krsna !
Krsna ! O master of Vraja ! Save, save Your people from these calamities brought by Indra !

TEXT 12

By Your word we stopped the indra-yajna and offered a festival for Govardhana Hill. Now Indra is angry. What should we do ? Please tell us !

TEXT 13

Seeing the gopas, gopies, cows and all of Gokula very upset, calm and peaceful Krsna spoke to the gopas.

TEXT 14

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : Don't be afraid. With your dependents go to Govardhana Hill. He accepted our worship. He will protect us.

TEXT 15

Sri Narada said : After speaking these words, Lord Krsna went, with His own people, to Govardhana Hill. Lifting the hill, Krsna playfully held it aloft with one hand.

TEXT 16

As a child effortlessly holds a mushroom, or as an elephant holds a lotus in its tongue, so Sri Krsna, the prince of Vraja, the kind Supreme Personality of Godhead, held Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 17

Lord Krsna said to the gopas : Father, mother, kings of the gopas, take your relatives, associates, household paraphernalia, wealth and cows and go beneath the hill. There you need not fear Indra.

TEXT 18

When they heard Lord Krsna word's, the gopas took their families, cows and household paraphernalia and went under the hill.

TEXT 19

O king, when Krsna asked, Balarama and all the boys His age steadied the hill with their sticks

TEXT 20

Seeing a great flood of water coming, in His mind Lord Krsna ordered Lord Sesa and the Sudarsana-cakra to come under the hill.

TEXT 21

Brilliant as ten million suns, the Sudarsana-cakra hovered above the hill and drank up the falling streams of water as Agastya Muni drank up the ocean.

TEXT 22

Coiling Himself around the hill, Sesa stopped the incoming flood as a shoreline stops the waters of an ocean.

TEXT 23

For seven days Lord Krsna steadily held Govardhana Hill. As if they had become cakora birds, the stunned gopas gazed at Lord Krsnacandra.

TEXT 24

Mounting his maddened elephant Airavata and accompanied by his armies, furious Indra went ot the circle of Vraja.

TEXT 25

Wishing to destroy Nanda's village, Indra threw his thunderbolt from far away. Krsna suddenly paralyzed both the thunderbolt and the arm that threw it.

TEXT 26

Terrified, Indra fled with the demigods and samvartaka clouds as if he were an elephant wounded by a lion.

TEXT 27

Suddenly the sun rose. The clouds were gone, the winds stopped and the streams carrried away very little water.

TEXT 28

The ground dried up, the sky became clear and the animals and birds became happy.

TEXT 29

By Krsna's order the gopas, taking their wealth and cows with them, slowly emerged from under the hill.

TEXT 30

Then Krsna, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, said to His friends, "Go out." They said to Him," You go first. We will hold the hill with our own strength."

TEXT 31

Then Lord Krsna, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, shifted half of the hill's weight to the talkative gopa boys.

TEXT 32

That burden made the gopa boys fall, devastated, to the ground.

TEXT 33

With one hand Krsna picked them all up. Then, as everyone watched, with a playful flourish Krsna set the hill down where it was before.



TEXT 34

O king the gopas and gopis, now understanding that Nanda's son Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, worshipped Him, showered Him with unbroken grains of rice, offered Him many foods made with milk and yogurt and humbly bowed down before Him.

TEXT 35

O king, then Nanda, Yasoda, Rohini and the gopa elders headed by Sannanda, embraced Krsna, gave Him great wealth and filled with kindness and love, spoke many benedictions blessing Him.

TEXT 36

O king, singing, dancing and playing musical instruments, the people of Vraja approached Lord Krsna and worshipped Him. In this way all their desires were fulfilled.

TEXT 37

Then the jubilant demigods showered beautiful flowers grown in the beautiful Nandana gardens and the Gandharvas and Siddhas in the higher planets sang the glories of Sri Krsna, the lifter of Govardhana Hill.




CHAPTER FOUR

SRI KRSNABHISEKA
THE CORONATION-BATHING OF SRI KRSNA
TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : Then, accompanied by the demigods, Indra went to a secluded place on Govardhana Hill and bowed down before Lord Krsna.

TEXT 2

Sri Indra said : You are the master of the demigods, the supreme controller, the Lord who is perfect and complete, the oldest, the supreme person greater than the greatest and above the material energy, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari. O master of the spiritual sky, O master of the universes, please save me ! Please save me !

TEXT 3

You are the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, perfect and complete, who descends as the ten avataras. Desiring to protect the Vedic scriptures and the cows of piety and desiring also to kill the demons headed by Kamsa, You have taken birth in this world.

TEXT 4

O master of the spiritual sky, as a father forgives his son, please forgive me, a proud fool bewildered by Your illusory potency, a fool who has become a great reservoir of offenses to You. O master of the demigods, O home where the universes dwell, please be kind to me.

TEXT 5

Om. Obeisances! Obeisances to You! Obeisances to You, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, the pleasure of the cows, land and senses, the Lord who resides in Gokula as the protecter of the cows, the master of the gopas, the husband of the gopis, the lifter of the elephant among mountains, an ocean of mercy, the creator of the universes, the auspiciousness of the universes, the home where the universes dwell, the enchanter of the universes, the enchanter of many millions of Kamadevas, the lover of King Vrsabhanu's daughter, a lamp shining in King Nanda's family, all-attractive Sri Krsna, the perfect and complete original Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of countless universes, the master of the transcendental abode of Goloka, the companion of Balarama !

TEXT 6

Sri Narada said : A person who, rising in the morning, recites these prayers of Indra attains all perfections. Dangers will not make him fear.

TEXT 7

After offering these prayers, Indra folded his hands and accompanied by all the demigods, bowed down before Lord Krsna.

TEXT 8

Then, on beautiful Govardhana Hill, the surabhi cow born from the milk-ocean bathed the gopa-king Krsna with great streams of milk.

TEXT 9

Its four trunks filled with celestial Ganga water, the intoxicated elephant Airavata bathed Lord Krsna.

TEXT 10

Then the joyful devas, kinnaras, gandharvas, rsis and personified Vedas offered prayers to Lord Krsna and showered Him with flowers.

TEXT 11

When the coronation bathing of Sri Krsna was completed noble Govardhana Hill became to melt with joy.

TEXT 12

Pleased, the Lord left the mark of His lotus hand on the melting hill. O king, even today that handprint can be seen on Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 13
O king of Mithila, know that the footprints Krsna left there are a great holy place that destroys the people's sins.

TEXT 14

O king of Mithila, nwxt to Lord Krsna footprints were the surabhi cow's hoofprints.

TEXT 15

O king of Mithila, the celestial Ganga water that bathed Lord Krsna on Govardhana Hill became the Manasa-ganga lake, which destroys all sins.

TEXT 16

O king, the streams of the surabhi cow's milk that bathed Lord Krsna on Govardhana Hill became the Govinda-kunda lake, which destroys the greatest sins.

TEXT 17

Sometimes the water in that lake tastes like delicious milk. One who bathes there attains Lord Krsna's feet.

TEXT 18

Circumambulating Lord Krsna, bowing down, making many offerings, calling out, " All glories!" and showering Him with flowers, the happy demigods returned to their celestial abode.

TEXT 19

A person who hears this narration of Sri Krsna's ceremonial bathing attains a result much greater than the result of ten asvamedha-yajnas. He attains the supreme creator's transcendental abode.



CHAPTER FIVE

GOPA-VIVADA
THE DISPUTE AMONG THE GOPAS

TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : Having seen Krsna wonderful and surprising pastimes, the gopas and gopis said to Nanda and Yasoda :

TEXT 2

O king of the gopas, no one in your family could lift a hill. O Yasoda, you could not hold even a single rock for seven days.

TEXT 3

What is the strength of a seven-year-old boy? How strong must one be to lift Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains?  We have begun to doubt the identity of your unnaturally strong boy.

TEXT 4

With one hand He playfully held up the greatest of mountains as an elephant holds up a lotus flower or a child holds up a mushroom.

TEXT 5

O Yasoda, your complexion is fair. O Nanda, your complexion is also fair. This boy is very dark. He is different from the rest of the family.

TEXT 6

This boy is like a ksatriya. For Balarama a ksatriya's nature is not unexpected. He was born in a ksatriya family descended from the moon-god.

TEXT 7

If you don't tell us the truth, we will leave the community. Was this boy really born in a family of gopas? If you don't tell us, there will be a great quarrel.

TEXT 8

Sri Narada said : As she heard the gopas words, Yasoda became gripped with fear. Then King Nanda spoke to the angry gopas.

TEXT 9

Sri Nanda said : O gopas, I will carefully tell you what Garga Muni said. O gopas, by his words you will be quickly free of your anxiety. Garga Muni said to me :

TEXT 10

In the word "Krsna" the letter "k" means "the lover of the goddess of fortune", "r" means "Lord Ramacandra", "s" means
"the Lord of six opulences " or "the Lord who resides in Svetadvipa"

TEXT 11

"N" means "Lord Nrsimha", "a" means "the eternal one" or "the
Lord who enjoys what is offered in the sacrifical fire" and "h" means "the Nara-Narayana Rsis."

TEXT 12

These six letters combine to form the name of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is perfect and complete. That is why this boy is named Krsna.

TEXT 13

In the other yugas He is white, red or yellow but at the end of Dvapara-yuga and the beginning of Kali-yuga, this boy becomes dark-complexioned (Krsna).

TEXT 14 AND 15

That is why Nanda's son has the name Krsna. Because He is the Lord (deva) that rules over the eight vasus (the heart, mind, intelligence and the five senses), He is also called Vasudeva.

TEXT 16

Because He is the husband (pati) of King Vrsabhanu's daughter Radha, who was born in the palace of Kirti-devi, He is also called Radha-pati.

TEXT 17

Sri Krsna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is perfect and complete. He is the master of countless universes. In the transcendental abode of Goloka He shines with transcendental glory.

TEXT 18

In order to relieve the earth of its burden, kill the demons headed by Kamsa and protect the devotees, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead has now become your son.

TEXT 19

O descendent of Bharata, His names are endless. His names are hidden even from the Vedas. His transcendental pastimes will show what His names are. Do not be surprised by them.

TEXT 20

When I heard Garga Muni say this about my son, I did not doubt his words. The words of the Vedas and the words of a brahmana are the final proof of what is true in this world.

TEXT 21

The gopas said : If the great sage Garga Muni actually came to your home and performed the name-giving ceremony, why did you not call your relatives to come and witness it?

TEXT 22

You kept the name-giving ceremony a secret even when it was performed in your own home!

TEXT 23

Sri Narada said : Their bodies filled with anger as they spoke these words, the gopas left Nanda's palace and went to King Vrsabhanu.

TEXT 24

Filled with anger for their kinsman Nanda, all the gopas spoke to Nanda's friend, King Vrsabhanu.

TEXT 25

The gopas said : O King Vrsabhanu, you have a noble heart. You are the best person in our community. O king, O leader of the gopas, you should sever your ties of friendship with King Nanda.

TEXT 26

Sri Vrsabhanu said : What wrong has King Nanda done that I should sever my ties of friendship with him? King Nanda is worshipped by the gopas. He is the crown that gloriously decorates our community. He is my dear friend.

TEXT 27

The gopas said : O king, if you do not sever your ties of friendship with him, we, the people of Vraja, will sever our ties of friendship with you. O thoughtful one, in your home you have a grown-up daughter of marriageable age.

TEXT 28

If you, the first person in our community, who have now become maddened with your wealth and opulences, find yourself unable to give Her in marriage to a suitable bridegroom, the fault will be yours alone.

TEXT 29

If you do not for a long time sever your ties of friedship with King Nanda, we will ostracize you from our community. O noble-hearted one, reject, reject King Nanda.

TEXT 30

Sri Vrsabhanu said : O gopas, I will repeat for you Garga Muni's words. Those words will make you free of all these anxieties. Garga Muni said ;

TEXT 31

The boy that was born in Nanda's home is the master of countless universes. He is the master of Goloka. He is greater than the greatest. No one is greater than Him.

TEXT 32

On the demigod Brahma's request, Krsna came to this universe to remove the earth's burden and kill the demons headed by Kamsa.

TEXT 33

Sri Radha, who in the realm of Goloka is Sri Krsna's first queen, has taken birth in your home. You do not know how exalted She is.

TEXT 34

I will not arrange the marriage of Radha and Krsna. They will be married in Bhandiravan forest by the Yamuna's shore.

TEXT 35

In a beautiful secluded place near Vrndavana forest the demigod Brahma will perform their wedding.

TEXT 36

O best of the gopas, please understand that, in the palace of Goloka, Radha is the first queen of Sri Krsna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the crest jewel of the worlds.

TEXT 37

From Goloka all you gopas have come to the earth. The gopis and cows have also come, by Radha's wish from Goloka.

TEXT 38

After speaking these words, the great sage Garga Muni left. From that day I have not doubted Radha's exalted position.

TEXT 39

The words of the Vedas and the words of a brahmana are the final proof of what is true in this world. O gopas, now I have explained all this to you. What more do you wish to hear?



CHAPTER SIX

SRI HARI-PARIKSANA
THE TEST OF SRI KRSNA

TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : After hearing King Vrsabhanu's words, the surprised people of Vraja became peaceful and free of all doubts.

TEXT 2

The gopas said : O king, you speak the truth. Radha is Lord Hari's beloved. His potencies have made you become opulent and glorious in this world.

TEXT 3 - 5

We see that you have thousands of intoxicated elephants, tens of millions of restless horses, tens of millions of chariots glorious as the demigods airplanes, tens of millions of beautiful palanquins, many millions and millions of cows beautiful with gold and jewels, many wonderful jewel palaces and all possible pleasures. Even Kamsa himself is defeated when he sees your wonderful strength.

TEXT 6

You are the son-in-law of King Bhalandana, the ruler of Kanyakubja. You are as rich as Kuvera.

TEXT 7

Even King Nanda's home does not have wealth and opulence equal to yours. The farmer King Nanda, who is the master of many cows, is poor-hearted in comparison to you.

TEXT 8

O master, if Nanda's son is in truth the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then please put Him to a test that will reveal His divinity as we all watch.

TEXT 9

Sri Narada said : Hearing their words, King Vrsabhanu devised a test to determine the extent of King Nanda's wealth.

TEXT 10 -11

O king of Mithila, as everyone watched, King Vrsabhanu took ten million necklaces of giant pearls, each pearl splendid as ten million glittering crowns, placed them in many jewel caskets and had many handsome men take them to King Nanda with a proposal for his son's marriage.

TEXT 12

Entering King Nanda's assembly, bowing down, and presenting the caskets of pearls, the handsome men bearing the marriage-proposal spoke to Nanda.

TEXT 13 and 14

The men bearing a marriage proposal said : Aware that his daughter Radha, who is splendid as ten million moons and whose eyes are like new lotus flowers,is now old enough to be married, King Vrsabhanu has given some thought to who should be Her husband. He has decided on your son, who is charming as Kamadeva himself and whose powerful arm lifted Govardhana Hill. O master, O king of the vaisyas, seeing us, glorious King Vrsabhanu sent us with this message.

TEXT 15

Please accept these pearls as a wedding gift. Please give a similar gift to this girl. She is very respectable and glorious.

TEXT 16

Sri Narada said : Gazing at the precious gift, Nanda became filled with wonder. Thinking to ask Yasoda if they had anything equal to that gift, he went to the palace's inner rooms.

TEXT 17

Thinking for a long time, King Nanda and glorious Yasoda came to the same conclusion : "In our home there is nothing equal to these pearls."

TEXT 18

"If we do not give a proper gift we will be embarrassed before everyone. Everyone will laugh at us. What should we do? What can we give on the occasion of Sri Krsna's wedding?

TEXT 19 - 21

Observing that Nanda and Yasoda thought they had nothing suitable to give in return, Lord Krsna, the savior from distress, took one hundred of the pearl necklaces and with His own hand, planted the pearls one by one as if He were a farmer planting grains.

TEXT 22

When he again counted the pearl necklaces and found they were one hundred necklaces less, Nanda became filled with doubt.

TEXT 23

Sri Nanda said : There are fewer necklaces than before. Alas, this is the fault of my own relatives!

TEXT 24

Now I am unhappy at heart. I will ask whether Krsna or Balarama took the necklaces for their playing.

TEXT 25

Sri Narada said : Thinking in this way, Nanda asked Krsna . Lord Krsna, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, smiled and respectfully spoke to King Nanda.

TEXT 26

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : We gopas are farmers. We plant all kinds of seeds. I planted some pearls in the fields.

TEXT 27

Sri Narada said : Hearing his son's words and rebuking Him,
Nanda, the King of Vraja, went with Him to the fields to retrieve the pearls.

TEXT 28

There they saw hundreds of beautiful, tall, green-leaved pearl trees.

TEXT 29

O King, in that place millions upon millions of bunches of pearls shone like many stars in the sky.

TEXT 30

Then the delighted Nanda could understand that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These glittering pearls were bigger even than the first ones.

TEXT 31

Placing many millions of bharas of these pearsl on many wagons, Nanda, the king of Vraja, gave them to the men carrying the marriage-proposal.

TEXT 32

They took the gift and gave it all to King Vrsabhanu. O king, everyone who saw this pastime praised the great wealth of King Nanda.

TEXT 33

Filled  with wonder, free of doubt and now convinced that Nanda's son really was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all the people of Vraja bowed down before King Vrsabhanu.

TEXT 34

O king of Mithila, from that day on everyone in Vraja understood that Radha was Krsna's beloved and Krsna was Radha's beloved.

TEXT 35

O king of Mithila, the place where Nanda's son planted pearls became the lake Mukta-sarovara, the king of holy places.

TEXT 36

A person who at that place gives in charity a single pearl attains the result of giving a hundred thousand pearls. Of this there is no doubt.

TEXT 37

O king in this way I have described to you Govardhana Hill's festival, which brings with it both sense gratification and liberation. What more do you wish to hear?


CHAPTER SEVEN

SRI GIRIRAJA-TIRTHA
THE HOLY PLACES OF SRI GIRIRAJA

TEXT 1

Sri Bahulasva said : How many holy places are on noble-hearted Govardhana Hill?  O great yogi, you have transcendental vision. Please tell me this.

TEXT 2

Sri Narada said : O king, Vrndavana forest and Govardhana Hill, which is the crown of Goloka, are both worshiped as the best of holy places.

TEXT 3

Noble Govardhana Hill is dear to Lord Krsna. It is the Supreme Personality of Godhead's parasol. It protects the cows, gopas and gopis. What holy place is better than Govardhana Hill?

TEXT 4

Lord Krsna, the master of all the worlds, mocked the indra-yajna.

TEXT 5

Sri Krsna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, greater than the greatest, the master of Goloka, the ruler of countless universes.

TEXT 6

O king of Mithila, even the demigod Brahma cannot properly glorify Govardhana Hill, where Lord Krsna eternally plays with the gopa boys,...

TEXT 7

... where are the Manasa-ganga, which destroys a flood of the greatest sins, pure Govinda-kunda, beautiful Candra-sarovara,...

TEXT 8

.... Radha-kunda, Syama-kunda, Lalita-kunda, Gopala-kunda and Kusuma-sarovara.

TEXT 9

By the touch of Sri Krsna's crown a certain stone was marked with the sign of a crown. Anyone who sees that stone becomes the crown of the Supreme Lord.

TEXT 10

Even today on Govardhana Hill is a sacred stone marked with pictures originally drawn by Lord Krsna and now named Citra-sila (the picture stone).

TEXT 11

When Krsna was intently playing with the boys, He played musical rhythms on a certain stone. That stone, named vadani-sila (the musical stone), destroys the greatest sins.

TEXT 12

The place where Krsnacandra played ball-games with the boys is called kanduka-ksetra (the ballgame-field).

TEXT 13

A person who sees the place Indra-pada on Govardhana Hill, bows down at the place Brahma-pada or rolls about in the dust of these places, attains the abode of Lord Visnu.

TEXT 14

The place on Govardhana Hill where Lord Krsna stole the gopas turbans is called Ausnisa-tirtha. It removes the greatest sins.

TEXT 15

One day, hearing tinkling anklets as the gopis walked nearby on their way to sell yogurt, Krsna, who is more charming than Kamadeva, stopped them on the path.

TEXT 16

Holding a flute and a stick and going ahead of the gopas, Krsna confronted the gopis on the path and demanded, "You must pay a toll to Me ."

TEXT 17

The gopis said : You are crooked. You and Your gopa boys now block our path. You are greedy after yogurt. We will see to it that You, Your mother and Your father are all locked up in Kamsa's prison.

TEXT 18

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : I will kill ferocious Kamsa and all his friends. That wis My solemn vow.
Every day I will take the cows from Mathura to Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 19

Sri Narada said : After speaking these words, Krsna and the boys took the jars of yogurt and joyfully placed them on the ground.

TEXT 20 and 21

Saying " Krsna is a bold, fearless, ferocious and talkative hero here in the secluded forest, but in the city, surrounded by many men, He is only a weakling.  We will certainly tell Nanda and Yasoda what He has done,"  the smiling gopis went to their homes.

TEXT 22

Then, making cups of nipa and palasa leaves, Krsna and the boys ate the yogurt and picchala.

TEXT 23

O king of kings, that very sacred place, where the trees leaves became cups, is called Drona-tirtha.

TEXT 24

A person who at this place gives yogurt in charity, drinks yogurt from a leaf-cup and then bows down to offer his respectful obeisances, never falls from Goloka.

TEXT 25

A place where Krsna and the boys played games of closing their eyes and hiding is called laukika-tirtha.  It destroys all sins.

TEXT 26

Simply by seeing Kadamba-khanda-tirtha, where Krsna enjoyed many pastimes, a person attains a form like that of Lord Narayana Himself.

TEXT 27

O king of Mithila, the place on Govardhana Hill where Radha was decorated during the rasa dance is called Srngara-mandala (the decoration place).

TEXT 28

O king, the form Lord Krsna showed as He lifted Govardhana Hill is still present at Srngara-mandala.

TEXT 29 and 30

O king, 4,108 years after the beginning of Kali-yuga, as everyone watches, Lord Krsna will emerge from a cave on Govardhana Hill and reveal His transcendental form at Srngara-mandala.

TEXT 31

O king, the saintly devotees will call this form of the Lord Srinatha.  He will always enjoy pastimes on Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 32

O king of Mithila, the people in Kali-yuga who with their eyes see this form of the Lord will attain all spiritual success.

TEXT 33

On the four corners of Govardhana Hill are the forms of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Ranganatha, Lord Dvarakanatha and Lord Badrinatha.

TEXT 34

Srinatha is in the middle of Govardhana Hill.  O king, these five forms of the lord are manifested in sacred Bharata-varsa.

TEXT 35

These four Deities are four pillars in the temple of eternal religion.  They are determined to protect Their devotees from all troubles.  A person who sees Them attains a transcendental form like that of Lord Narayana Himself.

TEXT 36

An intelligent person who visits the places of these Deities but does not see the Lord there does not attain the real result of his visit.

TEXT 37

A person who sees Lord Srinatha attains the result of seeing all four Deities on Govardhana Hill. 

TEXT 38

O king of Mithila, a sinner who bows down before the footprints of Airavata and Surabhi on Govardhana Hill goes to Vaikuntha.

TEXT 39

A person who sees the handprint and footprint of Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and bows down to offer respects to them, goes to Lord Krsna's transcendental abode.

TEXT 40

O king, these are the lakes and other holy places that are the limbs of Govardhana Hill.  What more do you wish to hear ?



CHAPTER EIGHT

SRI GIRIRAJA-VIBHUTI
THE OPULENCES OF SRI GIRIRAJA


TEXT 1

Sri Bahulasva said : What holy places are situated on what limbs ?  O great master, O best of the wise, please tell.

TEXT 2

O king of Mithila, the sages know only the most famous limbs of Govardhana Hill.  They do not know them all, one by one.

TEXT 3

As Brahman is present everywhere, so the opulences of the Lord are always present on all the limbs of Govardhana Hill.  O noble one, I will now describe them to you.

TEXT 4

Below Srngara-mandala is Govardhana Hill's mouth, where the Lord and the people of Vraja made a hill of food.

TEXT 5

Manasa-ganga is Govardhana Hill's eyes, Candra-sarovara its nose, Govinda-kunda its lips, Syama-kunda its chin,...

TEXT 6

... Radha-kunda its tongue, Lalita-kunda its cheeks, Gopala-kunda its ears, Kusuma-sarovara its inner ear,...

TEXT 7

O king of Mithila, please know that the stone marked with Lord Krnsa's crown (mauli-sila) is Govardhana Hill's forehead, the stone decorated with pictures (citra-sila) is its head and the musical stone (vadani sila) is its throat.

TEXT 8

Kanduka-tirtha is said to be its two sides.  Ausisa-tirtha its waist, Drona-tirtha its back and Laukita-tirtha its belly.

TEXT 9

Kadamba-khanda is its chest and Srngara-mandala is its life. Sri Krsna's footprint is the heart of noble-hearted Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 10

Lord Krsna's handprint is its intelligence and Airavata's footprint is its feet.  Surabhi's  hoofprints are the wings of noble-hearted Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 11

Puccha-kunda is its tail, Vatsa-kunda its strength, Rudra-kunda its anger and Sakra-sarovara its desire.

TEXT 12

The wise say that Kuvera-tirtha is Govardhana Hill's determination, Brahma-tirtha its cheerfulness and Yama-tirtha its ego.

TEXT 13

O king of Mithila, in this way I have described to you Govardhana Hill's limbs, which remove all sins.

TEXT 14

One who hears about the glories and opulences of Govardhana Hill becomes the best of persons and goes to Goloka, the supreme abode, which even the greatest yogis cannot attain.

TEXT 15

By seeing Govardhana Hill, which was born from Lord Hari's chest, which is the king of the kings of the kings of mountains and which was brought to the earth by Pulastya Muni's power, one becomes free from taking birth again in this world.



CHAPTER NINE

SRI GIRIRAJOTPATTI
THE BIRTH OF SRI GIRIRAJA


TEXT 1

Sri Bahulasva said : Govardhana Hill is dear to Lord Hari.  It is the king of mountains.  No holy place in the earthly or heavenly planets is equal to it.

TEXT 2

When was Govardhana Hill born from Lord Krsna's chest ? O wise and intelligent one, please tell me that.  You know what is in Lord krsna's heart.

TEXT 3

Sri Narada said : O noble-hearted king, please hear the story of Goloka's birth, a story that brings to human beings the four goals of life, a story filled with transcendental pastimes.

TEXT 4

Sri Krsna is the Supreme Lord.  He is a person.  He has no beginning.  He is perfect and complete.  He is the master of all opulences.  He is beyond the modes of nature.  He is above the realm of matter.

TEXT 5

Time has no existence in the transcendental abode where the self-effulgent Supreme Personality of Godhead enjoys pastimes eternally.

TEXT 6

O king, illusion has no power in that realm. Neither do the mahat-tattva, nor the material modes of nature have any power there.  How can they ? O king, the material heart, mind, intelligence and false-ego cannot enter there.

TEXT 7

In His own abode the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose form is spiritual, desired to expand and so He manifested the form of Lord Sesa, who has gigantic white coils.

TEXT 8

The Lord's realm, Goloka, is worshiped by all the worlds.  A devotee who goes there never returns to the world of birth and death.

TEXT 9

The Ganga, which travels through the three material worlds, was born from the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who is the master of countless material universes and the ruler of the spiritual realm of Goloka.

TEXT 10

O king, the Yamuna, the best of rivers, who wore a turban and many flower ornaments, was manifested from Lord Krsna's left shoulder.

TEXT 11

The splendid rasa-dance circl, made of gold and jewels and decorated with many ornaments, was manifested from Lord Krsna's ankles.

TEXT 12 AND 13

Filled with assembly-houses, courtyards, pathways, pavilions, peacocks, bees and cooing cuckoos, flooded with the sweetness of spring and decorated with many lakes, a forest grove was manifested from Lord Krsna's legs.

TEXT 14

O king, Vrndavana, the best of all forests, was manifested from Lord Krsna's knees and Lila-sarovara lake was manifested from His thighs.

TEXT 15

A golden place splendid with gold and jewels was manifested from His hips.  Many flowering madhavi vines were manifested from the line of hairs on His abdomen.

TEXT 16

These vines were filled with many different birds and decorated with buzzing bees.  Burdened with many flowers and fruits, they bowed down as if they were many saintly girls.

TEXT 17

From the Lord's lotus navel many thousands of lotus flowers were manifested.  They shone very splendidly in the many lakes of Lord Krsna's transcendental abode.

TEXT 18

From the three folds of skin at the Lord's waist was manifested a gentle and cooling breeze.  From His collar were manifested the cities of Mathura and Dvaraka.

TEXT 19

From Lord Krsna's arms were manifested His eight friends headed by Sridama.  From the Lord's wrists Nanda was manifested and from the Lord's hands Upananda was manifested.

TEXT 20

O king, from Sri Krsna's shoulder-blades all the Vrsabhanus were manifested.  From the hairs of Sri Krsna's body all the gopas were manifested.

TEXT 21

O king of Mithila, from Sri Krsna's mind were manifested the cows and bulls, the upholders of religion.  From Sri Krsna's intelligence were manifested the grass, plants and shrubs.

TEXT 22

From the Lord's left shoulder was manifested a golden splendor that was His beloveds : Lila, Sri, Bhu and Viraja.

TEXT 23

One of His beloveds is Lilavati.  The wise know His dearest beloved is Radha.  From Radh's arms are manifested Her friends Lalita and Visakha.

TEXT 24

O king, Her gopi-assistants were manifested from the hairs of Radha's body.  In this way Lord Krsna manifested the world of Goloka.

TEXT 25

After thus manifesting His own abode, Lord Krsna, the perfect and complete Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of countless universes, shone with great glory in Sri Radha's company there.

TEXT 26 - 28

One day, in the beautiful rasa-dance circle, which was filled with the tinkling of anklets and with courtyards splendid with pearls and parasols, awnings of flowering malati vines fragrant with nectar honey, sounds of flute and mrdanga and beautiful singing from beautiful throats and which was beautiful with many beautiful girls, Radha cast a sidelong glance at Lord Krsna, who is more charming that many millions of Kamadevas and who generously gives the sweetest nectar. She spoke to Him the following words.

TEXT 29

Sri Radha said : O Lord of the worlds, if You are pleased with My love in this rasa-dance, then there is a desire in My heart I would like to place before You.

TEXT 30

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : O girl with the beautiful thighs, You may ask for whatever Your heart desires. O beloved, if I have not already given it, I will lovingly give whatever You wish.

TEXT 31

Sri Radha said : In splendid Vrndavana forest, in a beautiful and secluded place by the Yamuna's shore, please make an arena for a nectar rasa-dance.  O Lord of lords, this is My desire.

TEXT 32

Sri Narada said : Saying, " So be it ", the Lord meditated. With His lotus eyes he looked inside His heart.

TEXT 33

As the gopis watched, Krsna's love, in a form of fire and water, came from His heart as a sprout comes up from the ground.

TEXT 34

Falling onto the ground of the rasa-dance circle, that love grew into a great mountain filled with many caves and swiftly-moving streams,...

TEXT 35

... beautiful with kadamba, bakula and asoka trees and a great network of flowering vines, opulent with mandara and kunda flowers and filled with graceful birds.

TEXT 36

O king of Videha, in a single moment that mountain became eight hundred thousand miles wide and eight billion miles long.  It was like another Ananta Sesa.

TEXT 37

It was four billion miles tall.  It is four billion miles tall eternally.  It was like a gigantic elephant.

TEXT 38

It had a hundred eighty-million-mile-tall peaks.  O king of Mithila, it was like a great palace with many golden domes.

TEXT 39

Some called this mountain Govardhana and others called it Satasrnga (a hundred peaks). The mountain expanded as much as its heart wished.

TEXT 40

As the mountain expanded, Goloka became filled with fear and there was a great uproar.  Lord Krsna at once stood up and slapped the mountains with His hand.

TEXT 41

He said, " Why do You expand so much ? You have covered the entire realm ! Why do you not stop at once ?" In this way Krsna stopped the mountain from growing any further.

TEXT 42

Gazing at this best of mountains, Lord Krsna's beloved Radha was very pleased. O king, She enjoyed pastimes with Krsna in a secluded place on that mountain.

TEXT 43

In this way Govardhana Hill, which is the best of mountains, which is dear to the Lord, which is dark as a monsoon cloud and which contains within itself all holy places, was manifested by Lord Krsna.

TEXT 44

In Salmali-dvipa, to the west of Bharata-varsa, Govardhana Hill was born from the wife of Mount Drona.

TEXT 45

Pulastya Muni brought Govardhana to Bharata-varsa.  O king of Videha, I have already described this to you.

TEXT 46

Because Govardhana Hill had been so eager to expand unlimitedly, Lord Krsna arranged that the sage Pulastya curse it to decrease day by day.



CHAPTER TEN

SRI GIRIRAJA-MAHATMYA
THE GLORY OF SRI GIRIRAJA


TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : This is the most ancient history of Goloka. When one hears it, all his sins are destroyed.

TEXT 2

One day, in order to repay the debt he owed the sages and ancestors, a certain brahmana named Vijaya went to Mathura, the holy place that removes all sins.

TEXT 3

O king of Mithila, after performing his religious duties, he went to Govardhana Hill and took one of the stones there.

TEXT 4

Going in a leisurely way from forest to forest, he finally left the cirlce of Vraja. At that moment he saw a horrible raksasa monster approaching.

TEXT 5

The monster had three heads, three chest, six arms, six legs, three hands, huge lips and a huge nose. His hands were raised in the air.

TEXT 6

His seven-hands-long tongue moved to and fro, the hairs of his body were like a tangle of thorns, his eyes were red and he had long, curved, frightening fangs.

TEXT 7

O king, wishing to eat him, the snorting monster approached the brahmana.

TEXT 8

With his Govardhana-stone the brahmana struck the monster. Hit by the Govardhana-stone, the monster gave up his body.

TEXT 9 AND 10

Suddenly transformed into a handsome dark person with large lotus-petal eyes, dressed in yellow garments, garlanded with forest flowers, wearing a crown and earrings, holding a flute and stick, glorious as another Kamadeva and his features like those of Lord Krsna, with folded hands he bowed before the brahmana again and again.

TEXT 11

The liberated soul said : O best of brahmanas, you earnestly work for the salvation of others. O noble-hearted one, you have rescued me from a monster's life.

TEXT 12

Good fortune has come to me simply by the touch of this stone. No one but you could have delivered me.

TEXT 13

The brahmana said : I am astonished by your words. I have no power to deliver you. I don't know how, simply by a stone's touch, this has happened. O saintly one, please tell me how this happened.

TEXT 14

The liberated soul said : Glorious Govardhana Hill, the king of mountains, is the person form of Lord Krsna. Simply by seeing it, a person attains the supreme goal of life.

TEXT 15

By seeing Govardhana Hill one attains a pious result many millions of times greater than the result of a pilgrimage of Mount Gandhanmadana.

TEXT 16

O brahmana, the same result one attains by performing austerities for five thousand years on Mount Kedara is attained in a single moment on Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 17

By staying for one month on Govardhana Hill one attains a pious result many millions of times greater than the result of giving in charity a bhara of gold in the Malaya Hills.

TEXT 18

Even though he has committed hundreds of sins, a person who on Mount Mangala gives gold in charity attains a spiritual form like Lord Vishnu's.

TEXT 19

That same result is attained simply by seeing Govardhana Hill. No other holy place is as sacred as Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 20 AND 21

O brahmana, simply by visiting Govardhana Hill one attains piety a hundred thousand times greater than the piety he would attain if on the sacred mountains Rsabha, Kutaka and Kolaka he had worshiped many brahmanas and given in charity ten million cows with golden horns.

TEXT 22 AND 23

By going on pilgrimage to Govardhana Hill one attains piety ten million times greater than the piety  he would attain by going on pilgrimage to Rsyamuka or Devagiri. There never was, nor will there ever be a holy place equal to Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 24 AND 25

By bathing every day for ten years in Vidyadhara-kunda on Sri Saila, one attains the result of a hundred yajnas. By once bathing in Puccha-kunda on Govardhana Hill one attains the result of ten million yajnas. Of this there is no doubt.

TEXT 26 AND 27

A person who performs an asvamedha-yajna on the mountains Venkata, Varidhara, Mahendra, or Vindhya, attains the post of King Indra. A person who performs an asvamedha-yajna on Govardhana Hill and gives proper daksina goes beyond the realm of Indra and attains the abode of Lord Visnu.

TEXT 28 -30

O best of brahmanas, bathing in sacred rivers, giving charity, performing pious deeds, all these performed during Sri Rama-navami on Mount Citrakuta, during the third day of Visakha on Pariyatra, during the full-moon  on Mount Kukura, during Dvadasi on Mount Nila, or during Saptami at Indrakila bring a great pious result. That pious result is multiplied ten million times by visiting Bharata-varsa. It is multiplied unlimited times by visiting Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 31 - 37

By giving charity, performing austerities, bathing in sacred rivers, chanting sacred mantras or worshiping the brahmanas and the Supreme Personality of Godhead at the Godavari, Mount Simha, Mayapuri, Kumbhaga, Puskara, Pusyanaksatra, Kuruksetra, Ravi-graha, Candra-graha, Kasi, Phalguna, Naimisa, Ekadasi, Sukara, Kartiki, Ganamuktida, Janmastami, Madhupuri, khandava, Dvadasi, Kartiki, Purnima, Vatesvara-maha-vata, Makararka, Prayaga, Barhismati, Vaidhrti, Ayodhya-sarayu-tira, Sri Rama-navami-dina, Siva-caturdasi, vaijanatha-subha-vana, Darsa, Soma-vara, Ganga-sagara-sangama, Dasami, Setubandha, Sri Ranga or Saptami-dina, one attains a great pious result. O best of brahmanas, by visiting Govardhana Hill one attains a pious result ten million times greater than all those pious deeds together.

TEXT 38

One who, thinking of Lord Krsna, bathes in sacred Govinda-kunda, attains a transcendental form like Lord Krsna's. O king of Mithila, of this there is no doubt.

TEXT 39

Neither a thousand asvamedha-yajnas nor a hundred rajasuya-yajnas are equal to visiting Manasa-ganga on Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 40

O brahmana, you have directly seen and touched Govardhana Hill. You have bathed in its sacred waters. In this world no one is more fortunate than you.

TEXT 41

If you don't believe my words, consider the story of the great sinner who, because he was touched by a Govardhana-stone, attained a transcendental form like Lord Krsna's.


CHAPTER ELEVEN

SRI GIRIRAJA-PRABHAVA
THE POWER OF SRI GIRIRAJA

TEXT 1

Sri Narada said : When he heard the liberated soul's words, the brahmana became struck with wonder. Then he asked another question of the liberated soul, who knew the power and glory of Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 2

The brahmana said : Who were you in your previous birth ? What sin did you commit. O fortunate one, you have spiritual eyes to see all this directly.

TEXT 3

The liberated soul said : In my previous birth I was a wealthy vaisya's son. From childhood I was a compulsive gambler. I became a great rake.

TEXT 4

I became a drunkard addicted to chasing prostitutes. O brahmana, my father, mother and wife rebuked me again and again.

TEXT 5

Then one day with poison I killed my parents and with a sword I killed my wife on a pathway.

TEXT 6

Then I took all their money and went with my prostitute beloved to the south, where I became a merciless thief.

TEXT 7

One day I threw the prostitute into a blind well and left her there to die. Indeed, with ropes I killed many hundreds of people as I robbed them.

TEXT 8

O brahmana, I was so greedy after money that as a highwayman I murdered many hundreds of brahmanas and many thousands of ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras.

TEXT 9

One day, as I was hunting deer in the forest, I stepped on a snake. The snake bit me and I died.

TEXT 10

Fearsome Yamadutas beat me with terrible clubs, tied me up and dragged me, a great sinner, to hell.

TEXT 11

I fell into the terrible hell named Kumbhipaka and I stayed there for a manvantara. For a kalpa I was forced to embrace the red-hot iron statue of a woman. I, a great sinner, suffered greatly.

TEXT 12

By the desire of Yamaraja I was thrown into eight million four-hundred thousand different hells.

TEXT 13

Then my karma took me to Bharata-varsa. For ten births I was a pig and for a hundred births I was a tiger.

TEXT 14

For a hundred births I was a camel. For another hundred births I was a buffalo. For a thousand births I was a snake. Wicked men killed me again and again.

TEXT 15

O brahmana, after ten thousand years of these births I was born in a desert as a grotesque and wicked monster.

TEXT 16

One day I assumed the form of a sudra and I went to Vraja. I came near to Vrndavana and the sacred Yamuna.

TEXT 17

With sticks in their hands, some of Lord Krsna's handsome friends beat me severly and I fled from the land of Vraja.

TEXT 18

Hungry for many days, I came here to eat you. Then you hit me with a stone from Govardhana Hill.

TEXT 19

Then, by Lord Krsna's kindness, I became very fortunate.

TEXT 20

Sri Narada said : As the liberated soul was speaking these words, a chariot, splendid as a thousand suns and drawn by ten thousand horses, came from Goloka.

TEXT 21

The chariot rumbled with a thousand wheels. It was decorated with a hundred thousand associates of the Lord. It had a great network of bells and tinkling ornaments. It was extremely beautiful.

TEXT 22

As the brahmana looked one, the chariot approached. The brahmana and the liberated soul bowed down before the chariot.

TEXT 23

Climbing the chariot and at that moment losing all interest in his heart to stay in the material world, the liberated soul went to Sri Krsna's beautiful abode, graceful with many pastime gardens, the highest of all spiritual realms.

TEXT 24

Then the brahmana returned to Govardhana Hill, the Deity worshiped by the kings of mountains. Circumambulating the hill, bowing down before it and now aware of its great power and glory, the brahmana went to his home.

TEXT 25

Now I have spoken to you the glorious Sri Giriraja-khanda, which brings liberation. Anyone, even if he is very sinful, who hears this khanda, will never see fearsome Yamaraja, even in a dream.

TEXT 26

One who hears the glories of Govardhana Hill, glories that are filled with the secrets of Lord Krsna's ever-new transcendental pastimes, will become as fortunate as King Indra in this life and as fortunate as King Nanda in the next.

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