Govardhana Dharanam
Govardhana Dharanam
Govardhana Dharanam
Lord Krishna decided to subdue Indra who had become arrogant on account of sacrifices offered to him. At that time, Nandagopa and others were getting ready for a grand sacrifice as an offering to Indra. Krishna persuaded them worship Brahmins and cows and offer the sacrifice to Mount Govardhana who gave them the water and grass which sustained them and the cows.
On hearing Krishna’s suggestion, Nandagopa agreed. Nandagopa and others went to Mount Govardhana and started worshipping Brahmins and cows. They circumambulated the mountain in a ritual manner.
At that time, As Krishna - Krishna called on all his friends to go to Mount Govardhana to watch the sacrifice. He reached Govardhana along with Balabhadra and other Gopa boys and stood there watching the sacrifice. Let us go round this mountain and take a better look. Brother! This mountain is not ordinary.
Here the actor describes a mountain in great detail. She first uses her eyes and then elaborates the details using mudras. She describes, the height and width of the mountain, rivers, streams, caves, forests, huge trees and animals etc… There is ample opportunity for skilled actor to showcase her ‘netrabhinaya’ (acting with eyes).
Arriving at the sacrificial-hall Krishna thought of a ploy. He took the form of Mount Govadhana personified and started consuming the sacred rice cakes that were offered in the sacrifice. In his usual physical form standing amidst the cowherds, he said - Gopas witness this! Mount Govardhana, personified has come to the sacrifice to accept the offerings. This mountain which is our guardian deity has been pleased and will surely protect us.
As Indra - (seated) Krishna has stopped the Gopas who were beginning to make an offering to me and has instead offered it to a mountain. He summoned the rain clouds that shower during the great flood and instructed them to go over Gokulam and shower heavily causing destruction to the Gopas.
As rain clouds - Hearing Indra’s command, the clouds proceeded to the oceans and drank the waters. Bloated with water they all gathered in the skies over Gokulam. The people in Gokulam were unnerved by the humongous dark clouds that resembled mountains. As the clouds started showering, there was huge lightning and the thunder strikes resounded in the skies. There were hail storms and the waters flooded the rivers and streams.
As Gopas - Lamenting, Krishna! Indra has been angered and has started this storm. What do we do ?
As Krishna - Father! Gopas! Do not fear. I shall do something about it. He then went near Mount Govardhana. Preparing himself, he uprooted the entire mountain and lifted it up and kept it aloft with one hand.
Lifting of the mountain is an elaborate set-piece of the this acting tradition. The actor showcases her talent by physical movements that imitate lifting something heavy and the audience may feel that the actor is really holding on to something.
He called on the Gopas, the women folk and the cows to come near and stood there protecting them. Held overhead in the hands of the Lord like an umbrella, Govardhana shone brightly. Krishna stood there holding Govardhana for seven days and then putting it back in its place returned to Gokulam.
As Indra - (seated) Krishna has stopped the Gopas who were beginning to make an offering to me and has instead offered it to a mountain. He summoned the rain clouds that shower during the great flood and instructed them to go over Gokulam and shower heavily causing destruction to the Gopas.
As rain clouds - Hearing Indra’s command, the clouds proceeded to the oceans and drank the waters. Bloated with water they all gathered in the skies over Gokulam. The people in Gokulam were unnerved by the humongous dark clouds that resembled mountains. As the clouds started showering, there was huge lightning and the thunder strikes resounded in the skies. There were hail storms and the waters flooded the rivers and streams.
As Gopas - Lamenting, Krishna! Indra has been angered and has started this storm. What do we do ?
As Krishna - Father! Gopas! Do not fear. I shall do something about it. He then went near Mount Govardhana. Preparing himself, he uprooted the entire mountain and lifted it up and kept it aloft with one hand.
Lifting of the mountain is an elaborate set-piece of the this acting tradition. The actor showcases her talent by physical movements that imitate lifting something heavy and the audience may feel that the actor is really holding on to something.
He called on the Gopas, the women folk and the cows to come near and stood there protecting them. Held overhead in the hands of the Lord like an umbrella, Govardhana shone brightly. Krishna stood there holding Govardhana for seven days and then putting it back in its place returned to Gokulam.
As Indra - Realising the greatness of Lord Krishna, Indra overcome by remorse, the next morning, climbed on top of Airavata (his elephant) and accompanied by Surabhi approached Krishna. Surabhi performed a ritual shower over Krishna with her tail. Airavata filled its trunk with water from ‘Aakasha Ganga’ and performed a ritual shower over Krishna.
Lord! please pardon my misdeeds committed knowingly or in ignorance and grant me refuge. You are my master. Please do not be angry with me. I have attained this position of Indra by your grace.
Lord! I have a son named Arjuna here on Earth. Please protect him at all times. Lord! there are the Kauravas and the Pandavas who are constantly warring with each other and there shall be a big war between them. Please grace Arjuna by being his charioteer and protect him from Karna’s arrows. Please accept my prayer.
As Krishna - Indra I know your son Arjuna(of the Bharata clan). I shall protect him at all times as long as he lives. There shall be none who stands before me as Arjuna’s enemy. Through Arjuna I shall also protect the other Pandavas. I have quelled your arrogance by this deed of mine and you have been cleansed. Please continue to enjoy your exalted position as Indra.
Thus the Lord subdued Indra’s arrogance and blessed him.