Hear now a wondrous tale, as it was sung and cherished for the highest good. Whoever desires anything, let them turn to this song, for through it, all wishes are swiftly fulfilled. Early each morning, if one rises with faith, joins their palms, and listens to or recites this praise, the bonds of karma fall away. O noble souls, this is the song I have sung in praise of the Supreme Person, the Paramātmā. Recite it with a focused mind as a great austerity, practice it sincerely, and in the end, your deepest desire will be attained. Now, listen to the story of Govardhana’s lifting and the humbling of Indra. In his anger, Indra, king of the gods, unleashed a terrible storm upon the land of Vraja, seeking to punish its people. He summoned the fierce, destructive clouds known as Sāṃvartaka and commanded them with harsh words. Indra’s pride was wounded, for the cowherds of the forest, relying on Krishna—a mere mortal in his eyes—had neglected the worship of the gods. Indra fumed: “See how these cowherds, intoxicated by their own wealth and puffed up by Krishna, have shown disrespect! They have abandoned the proper rites, much as some abandon true knowledge and try to cross the ocean of suffering with empty rituals. They trust in Krishna, a childish, boastful, ignorant one who fancies himself wise, and thus they have wronged me. Blinded by prosperity and emboldened by Krishna, they will soon see their pride and their cattle destroyed.” Determined, Indra mounted his mighty elephant Airāvata, gathered the wind-gods, and set out with the intent to destroy Nanda’s cowherd village. At Indra’s command, the Sāṃvartaka clouds, now unrestrained, poured down upon Vraja. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and fierce winds lashed the land. Torrents of rain and hail fell without end, filling every hollow and chasm, until the earth itself was lost beneath the flood. The animals trembled in terror, and the cowherds and their wives, chilled to the bone, sought refuge in Krishna, whom they called Govinda. Covering their children with their bodies, shivering and distressed, they hurried to the Blessed Lord’s feet and cried out: “Krishna, Krishna, O most fortunate one! Gokula is under your protection. Save us, O lover of your devotees, from the wrath of the gods!” Seeing the people and creatures of Vraja struck down by hail and rain, Lord Hari understood that Indra’s anger was the cause. He said, “Because we interrupted our sacrifice, Indra now seeks our ruin with this extraordinary, fierce, stone-filled storm. But I shall counter this with my own power of yoga. The arrogance of those who consider themselves lords of the world will be destroyed. For the truly virtuous gods, the Lord is never a wonder, but the unworthy are pacified only when their pride is broken.” Krishna continued, “I will protect this cowherd community, who have taken refuge in me and accepted me as their Lord, by my own power of yoga. This is my vow.” So saying, Krishna effortlessly lifted Govardhana Mountain with one hand, as easily as a child holds up an umbrella. He called to the cowherds: “O mother, O father, O people of Vraja, bring your cattle and enter the hollow of the mountain as you see fit. Do not fear—the mountain will not fall from my hand, nor will the wind or rain harm you. I have arranged your protection.” Reassured by Krishna’s words, the people of Vraja, with all their families, cattle, and possessions, entered the shelter of the mountain. For seven days and nights, abandoning hunger, thirst, and discomfort, they watched in awe as Krishna stood unmoving, holding up the mountain, his feet fixed in place. Meanwhile, news of Krishna’s wondrous feat reached Indra. Astonished and humbled, his pride shattered, Indra called back his clouds. When the sky cleared, the sun shone once more, and the terrible storm ceased, Krishna addressed the cowherds: “Go forth without fear, O cowherds with your wives, children, and wealth. The wind and rain have stopped, and the rivers have receded.” With relief and joy, the people of Vraja left their shelter, gathering their cattle, carts, and belongings, moving slowly with women, children, and elders. Krishna, the Blessed Lord, gently placed Govardhana Mountain back in its original place before all eyes, doing so playfully. Overcome with love, the people of Vraja quietly approached Krishna, embracing him and expressing their gratitude. The cowherd women, their hearts brimming with affection, worshipped him with curds and unbroken rice, showering him with constant blessings. Yaśodā, Rohiṇī, Nanda, and Balarāma—the strongest of the strong—embraced Krishna and blessed him with all their hearts. In the heavens, the gods, Siddhas, Sādhyas, Gandharvas, and Cāraṇas rejoiced. They praised Krishna and showered flowers upon the earth. Conches and kettledrums sounded in the sky, played by the gods, while the Gandharvas, led by Tumburu, sang in celebration. Surrounded by his loving friends, Krishna, with Balarāma by his side, returned to the cowherd settlement. The Gopīs, singing of his wondrous deeds, followed joyfully, their hearts overflowing with devotion. Thus concludes the twenty-fifth chapter of the first half of the tenth book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Mahāpurāṇa, the scripture for supreme renunciates. Finally, the Lord declares: Let the wise, having shaken off attachment to the qualities of nature, worship me. The learned, free from attachment, self-controlled and vigilant, should worship me. By cultivating goodness, a sage overcomes passion and darkness; by steadfastness, he transcends even goodness itself, and with a calm mind, becomes free of all qualities, attaining me and leaving behind individual existence. The soul, liberated from all others and from desires born of nature’s qualities, finds its completeness in me, the Absolute, moving neither outward nor inward. Therefore, those who know my power as the Lord of Māyā, endowed with eightfold sovereignty, do not covet even the fortune of the goddess of prosperity. In this world, they attain my supreme state.