Bhagavata and other Puranas deal with the story of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill or Govardhana Parvat. Once, near Vrindavan, Srikrishna found many people moving with their children towards some place. He enquired with his father Nandagopa “Where are these people going to?” Nanda replied, “A sacrifice is being performed in worship of Indra, for his grace on us and the rain he gives us every year. People are going to that Yajnabhumi (field of sacrifice) to perform the rituals”. Sree Krishna sat thinking for a while and said “We get the rain every year, because of our mountain Govardhana. He helps in gathering clouds and make them pour as rain into our land. Therefore, Govardhan Giri should be worshipped and not Indra.
Nanda was taken aback by the words of Krishna. He told Krishna “No my boy, it is not so. If we do not worship Indra, he will become angry and destroy us”. Krishna added, "Why should he? Do you agree to what I said?" "Yes", replied Nanda. Krishna continued, "Then, let us do Govardhana Puja this time and see what happens. It is not proper to worship someone, out of fear!" Nanda was not quite satisfied with the stand of Krishna.
News of the discussion between Nanda and Krishna spread everywhere. Some people agreed with the view of Krishna and supported him. Nanda was pacified by Krishna and they all decided to perform a ritual to thank Govardhana for his grace on giving rain. The ritual was begun and Indra came to know about it. He was angry and wanted to teach the people of Vrindavan a lesson. Using his thunderbolt, Indra caused strong wind and heavy rain in Vrindavan. Soon Vrindavan was filled with water and people ran out of their houses. They guessed that the calamity was created by Indra, who was angry because of the worship given to Govardhana. They regretted that it was a folly to follow Krishna’s words, which resulted in the disaster.
Krishna also understood the trick played by Lord Indra. He wanted to teach Indra a lesson. He consoled the people saying that he would save them from the heavy rain. He went near the mountain Govardhana, bowed to him and prayed to save them from Indra's envious act. He then lifted the huge Govardhana mountain with his little finger and held it as an umbrella. The people were astonished to see Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill and rushed to seek shelter under the mountain umbrella. All of them were happy that Krishna saved them from the heavy rain.
On realizing all this, Indra understood his folly and felt bad about himself. He appeared before Lord Krishna, bowed to him and begged pardon for his mistake.
Nanda was taken aback by the words of Krishna. He told Krishna “No my boy, it is not so. If we do not worship Indra, he will become angry and destroy us”. Krishna added, "Why should he? Do you agree to what I said?" "Yes", replied Nanda. Krishna continued, "Then, let us do Govardhana Puja this time and see what happens. It is not proper to worship someone, out of fear!" Nanda was not quite satisfied with the stand of Krishna.
News of the discussion between Nanda and Krishna spread everywhere. Some people agreed with the view of Krishna and supported him. Nanda was pacified by Krishna and they all decided to perform a ritual to thank Govardhana for his grace on giving rain. The ritual was begun and Indra came to know about it. He was angry and wanted to teach the people of Vrindavan a lesson. Using his thunderbolt, Indra caused strong wind and heavy rain in Vrindavan. Soon Vrindavan was filled with water and people ran out of their houses. They guessed that the calamity was created by Indra, who was angry because of the worship given to Govardhana. They regretted that it was a folly to follow Krishna’s words, which resulted in the disaster.
Krishna also understood the trick played by Lord Indra. He wanted to teach Indra a lesson. He consoled the people saying that he would save them from the heavy rain. He went near the mountain Govardhana, bowed to him and prayed to save them from Indra's envious act. He then lifted the huge Govardhana mountain with his little finger and held it as an umbrella. The people were astonished to see Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill and rushed to seek shelter under the mountain umbrella. All of them were happy that Krishna saved them from the heavy rain.
On realizing all this, Indra understood his folly and felt bad about himself. He appeared before Lord Krishna, bowed to him and begged pardon for his mistake.
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