SHYAMDAS 1953-2013 IN MEMORIAM

universal destruction, “Go and sink
the lands of Braja! While sitting on my
elephant Airávata, I will destroy these
arrogant people, who have foolishly
taken the shelter of that cowlad Käüóa.
They have all offended me!”
As jealous Indra’s torrential rains and
winds began to overwhelm the people
of Braja, they all sought úrà Käüóa’s
shelter. The blessed one consoled them:
“Don’t worry. With my divine powers,
I will protect Braja and all of her
residents. You are my true family.” úrà
Käüóa then raised the Govardhan Hill
with one hand, like a child would hold
a small umbrella, and told His people,
“Everyone, come with your cows and
take shelter beneath the mountain! Have
no fear, it will not fall from my hand.
Your protection from Indra’s torrents is
now ensured.”
For seven days, úrà Käüóa stood
holding the mountain, like a flower,
with one finger of His left hand, while
the residents of Braja all looked on with
amazement. They felt neither thirst nor
hunger during that time. Indra then
realized that his destructive program
was futile, and he withdrew his clouds.
As the skies cleared, úrà Käüóa gently
returned the mountain to its original
position and told everyone, “Now,
fearlessly return home.”
The people of Braja were transported
by the play and embraced their lovely
Lord. The Gopàs honored their beloved
by showering Him with rice, curds and
their blessings, while the heavenly gods
showered flowers on them. Then úrà
Käüóa returned home, surrounded by
His cowlads, while the Gopàs continued
to sing and remember His glories.
The raising of the Govardhan Hill
had a two-fold purpose. Primarily, úrà
Käüóa wanted to enhance the devotion of
His blessed followers. For their devotion
to blossom, they needed to abandon
all inferior shelters. úrà Käüóa therefore
manifested His eminence, by appearing
as the Govardhan Hill and accepting the
food offerings of the bhaktas.
By offering the fruits of their actions
to the Govardhan Hill, úrà Käüóa’s
very form, the bhaktas’ connections
to hypocritical practices were all
eliminated, and their soulful surrender
was assured. Through their devotional
sacrifice, His devotees wholeheartedly
took the blessed shelter. They became
Käüóa-focused, and the blessed path of
devotion became an effortless affair for
them. Know that the cowherds attained
úrà Käüóa’s refuge only after they
relinquished contrary understandings
and supports.
In this làlá, Hari fulfilled his
Upaniüadic pledge, “Those who choose
me, attain.” As He defended Braja from
all forms of obstructions, similarly, Hari
pledges to protect those who take His
shelter. Whomever úrà Käüóa holds will
never fall. He assures His followers,
“I protect my bhaktas and will never
abandon them. My followers will never
be destroyed. I make them fearless.”
A practitioner becomes free from
conflict when the internal winds, the
práóas, are brought under control.
In this episode, úrà Käüóa controlled
Indra’s powerful winds and then freed
His devotees from adversity. In this way,
He established His blessed self firmly in
their souls. But before He entered their
inner beings, úrà Käüóa enjoyed their
offerings here in this world.
Although úrà Käüóa had removed
the cowlads’ ignorance and brought
them further into the blessed state of
nirodha by lifting up the Govardhan
Hill, they still wondered how the young
lad performed so many amazing deeds.
They asked, “How did úrà Käüóa knock
over that huge cart when He was just
three months old? Then, as a mere
infant, He killed the demon Täóávarta
and brought down two huge Arjuna
trees! When úrà Käüóa began herding
cows, He killed several other demons
January 2013
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