In the previous episode, we had commenced to witness one of Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s most important “Leelas”, wherein He’s going to take on Indra and show him his place. As discussed yesterday. Indra, who is the leader of the “Devas” (Celestial Beings) is a bit arrogant by nature. He has a lot of self-pride about his position of being the leader and has a lot of desire to sustain in that position forever. If anyone tries to challenge his position through any means, he starts becoming jittery and insecure about himself. Even if Bhagawan wants him to do something out of his way and if that is going to threaten his position as a leader, Indra wouldn’t come forward. Such is his attitude, and every now and then Bhagawan gives him some “dosage” to keep him in check. In similar lines, here too, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna gives him a “reality check”.
As part of the annual “Anna-Koota-Utsava” at Gokula village, people used to have a practice of cooking tonnes of various food items and offer all of it to Indra as a token of gratitude for the various seasons that happen throughout the year. In other words, it is like a thanksgiving for the bountiful rains, bountiful agricultural output, adequate sunlight, etc. and this is directed towards Indra as a customary practice. Bhagawan Bala-Krishna came to know of it from His parents and other elders at Gokula, and at the same time, Indra was also jealous about Bhagawan Bala-Krishna’s growing popularity in the world. He started to have his fear (quite as usual) that one fine day Bhagawan Bala-Krishna would come to him and stake claim of the “Deva-Lokha” too. With this feeling of jealousy and fear, Indra was eagerly waiting for all the offerings from the Gokula people.
As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna hears about the customary practice, He replies to the people of Gokula thus, “Oh people! Just think for a moment – Bountiful rains, adequate sunlight, etc. are all acts of nature and those of Bhagawan. What is the role of this Indra here? Do you really think Indra is the one who is giving you all of these? Never! All that Indra is doing is to obtain all the offerings from you, eat nicely and leave all of you in the lurch! So instead of offering such nice food items to such crooks, why don’t you offer the same to this Govardhana mountain that is in front of all of us here? Isn’t this mountain responsible for the rains that we receive? Isn’t this mountain responsible for all the plants and animals that thrive here? So let us offer all these food items to Mother Nature from today onwards, and let us ditch this useless Indra!”
As the people of Gokula hear this “seemingly amusing” explanation from Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, they start laughing aloud. How can a customary practice be changed all of a sudden? How do you offer food to a mountain? Won’t Indra get angry if such a drastic change happens? These were the intriguing questions that the Gokula people were having in their minds as Bhagawan Bala-Krishna lets out His proposal. In order to reassure the people of Gokula and to wipe off their fear that they were having, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna explains once more thus, “Oh people! Please understand! Indra is of no use to anyone. He is not the one who is granting us the bountiful rains and seasons. It is a natural phenomenon that takes place on its own, irrespective of what Indra does and not does. Hence, let us not worry about what Indra would do if we deny him his offering. In fact, this would be a good opportunity to show Indra his place and to check his arrogance!”
As Bhagawan Bala-Krishna assertively says thus, the people of Gokula are slowly now getting convinced and the entire offering is now directed towards the Govardhana Mountain. As the prayers and the customary spiritual practices were on the move, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna sees this as an opportunity to relish all the food items that were kept there! Without anyone noticing, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna eats all the butter, sweets, curd, etc. and empties the carts upon which all the food was kept! As the spiritual offerings come to an end, the people open their eyes and to their dismay, the entire cart was empty! Upon this, Bhagawan Bala-Krishna explains thus, “Look! This Govardhana mountain has proved to all of us that it is the savior of Gokula and the entire world! It has accepted all our offerings by consuming all what we’ve offered! Hence from now on, this Govardhana Mountain should be our deity to be worshipped, and not this stupid Indra!”
As this was happening, Indra was seeing all of this from his “Deva-Lokha” and was furious! What he was thinking that shouldn’t happen, is happening right in front of his two eyes! He is now getting even more frustrated because Bhagawan Bala-Krishna is snubbing him left, right and center! What is Indra’s reaction going to be? Is he going to stab Bhagawan Bala-Krishna and Gokula? Let’s wait for an absorbing episode on this tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 