Obeying the command of the lord of the gods, the clouds unleashed a terrible storm of wind and rain, intent on destroying the cows, O twice-born. In an instant, the whole earth, the directions, and the sky became overwhelmed by a single, massive torrent. The cows, struck by the fierce storm, lost their lives, falling with their heads turned sideways. Some cows, in their distress, pressed their calves closely to their sides, while others, separated by the floodwaters, became parted from their young. The calves, their faces pitiful and their necks trembling from the wind, cried out in soft voices, “Save us, save us!” as if calling to Krishna himself in their fear. Witnessing all of Gokula—filled with cows, cowherd women, and cowherds—in such dire distress, Hari considered how to protect them all. He understood that this disaster had been brought about by the mighty Indra, who opposed the great disruption. Krishna resolved, “I must now protect this entire pasture.” With unwavering strength, Krishna decided, “I will uproot this mountain with its vast rocky surface and hold it above the pasture, like a broad umbrella.” Having made this resolve, Krishna playfully uprooted Govardhana, the great mountain, and held it aloft with a single hand. The lord of the world, holding the mountain high, addressed the cowherds: “All of you, come here together; the rain has been checked. Settle wherever the wind is gentle, as you find suitable. Enter without fear, for there is no danger of the mountain falling.” Thus reassured by Krishna, the cowherds entered beneath the mountain with their cattle, bringing their goods loaded on carts, and the cowherd women, soaked and afflicted by the downpour, followed. Krishna held the mountain perfectly steady, watched by the people of Vraja, their eyes wide with joy and wonder. The cowherds and cowherd women, their hearts overflowing with love, praised Krishna’s marvelous deed as he stood holding up Govardhana. For seven nights, the great clouds, driven on by Indra, poured relentless rain upon Nanda’s Gokula, bringing ruin to the cowherds. Yet, with the mountain upheld and Gokula protected, the breaker of Bala—whose promise had proved false—restrained those clouds at last. When the sky cleared and Indra’s efforts had come to nothing, the god, having recited his mantras, departed joyfully from Gokula and returned to his own abode. Then Krishna gently set Govardhana mountain back in its place, as all the residents of Vraja watched, their faces filled with astonishment. With Govardhana restored and Gokula saved, the lord of sacrifice, Indra, wished to see Krishna. Mounting the great elephant Airavata, Indra, the conqueror of enemies, arrived and beheld Krishna upon Govardhana hill. He saw the mighty Krishna, in the form of a cowherd boy, tending the cows—protector of the whole world—surrounded by the cowherd children. The twice-born also saw Garuda, king of birds, high above, hidden from view, shading Hari’s head with his wings. Descending from Airavata, Indra approached Madhusudana in private, his eyes wide with joy, and spoke with a smile: “Krishna, Krishna, listen to why I have come to you, mighty-armed one; do not think otherwise. You alone, supreme lord, have descended to earth to relieve her burden; you are the support of all. It was I, in opposition to the great disruption, who sent the mighty clouds to destroy Gokula, and by them this devastation was wrought. Yet you saved the cows from distress by lifting the great mountain; for this wondrous deed, O hero, I am satisfied. “Today, Krishna, I see the gods’ purpose fulfilled by you, as you raised this best of mountains with a single hand. Not at the urging of the cows have I come here, Krishna, but because you have greatly protected them, for your sake and theirs. Therefore, prompted by the words of the cows, I shall anoint you. In the office of Upendra, you will become Govinda, the Indra of the cows.” Then, taking a bell from the ceremonial elephant Airavata, Indra performed an anointing with pure water. At that very moment, as the anointing was performed, the cows made the earth moist with streams of milk that flowed forth. When the anointing was complete, Indra, at the word of the cows, addressed Janardana with affection and humility, again speaking to Krishna. “By the word of the cows this has been done; now hear from me as well, O greatly fortunate one, what I say out of desire to relieve the earth’s burden. A portion of myself, the tiger among men, has descended to earth as Arjuna, the bearer of the earth; he must always be protected by you. In the task of relieving the earth’s burden, that hero will be your companion; protect him, O Madhusudana, as you would protect yourself. “I know that Partha, born in the Bharata lineage, is a portion of yourself; I will protect him as long as I remain upon the earth. As long as I, O destroyer of foes, am here, no one will defeat Arjuna in battle, O Indra of the gods. Kamsa, the mighty-armed demon, and likewise Arishta, Keshi, Kuvalayapida, Naraka, and others—when these are slain, O Indra, there will be a great battle. Know then, O thousand-eyed one, that the burden of the earth will have been lifted.” Thus, with humility and joy, Indra honored Krishna, acknowledging his supreme protection and the wondrous deeds that saved the world.