As the relentless rain poured down upon Gokula, Krishna spoke gently to the cowherds, assuring them, “Where the wind is gentle, settle here as you see fit; enter without fear, for there is no danger of the mountain collapsing.” With his comforting words, the cowherds, their cattle, and all their possessions loaded onto carts, entered beneath the mountain’s shelter. The cowherd women, weary and afflicted by the downpour, followed closely behind. Krishna himself held the great mountain perfectly steady, watched by the people of Vraja whose eyes were wide with joy and wonder at the sight. The cowherds and their wives praised Krishna’s marvelous deed, their hearts overflowing with love as they gazed upon him, the mountain raised effortlessly by his hand. For seven nights, the mighty clouds—driven by Indra—poured torrents of rain upon Nanda’s Gokula, threatening destruction for the cowherds. Yet Krishna, the breaker of Bala, kept his promise and restrained those stormy clouds, holding the mountain aloft and keeping Gokula safe. When the sky finally cleared and Indra’s efforts proved fruitless, the god, having recited his mantras, departed from Gokula joyfully, returning to his heavenly abode. With the rain ended, Krishna gently set down the great Govardhana mountain in its rightful place, as the residents of Vraja watched, their faces filled with astonishment. With Govardhana upheld and Gokula saved, Indra, the lord of sacrifice, desired to see Krishna. Mounting his great serpent, Airavata, Indra journeyed to Govardhana hill, where he beheld Krishna—the mighty protector of the world—appearing as a cowherd boy, tending the cows and surrounded by the children of the cowherds. The twice-born saw Garuda, king of birds, soaring high above, hidden from view, shading Hari’s head with his wings. Descending from Airavata, Indra approached Krishna privately, his eyes wide with joy and a smile upon his lips. He spoke: “Krishna, Krishna, listen to me, mighty-armed one; this is the reason I have come. You alone, supreme lord, have descended to earth to relieve her burden, you who are the support of all. It was I who sent the mighty clouds to destroy Gokula, and by them this devastation was wrought. But you saved the cows from distress by lifting the great mountain; for this wondrous deed, 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. I have not come here at the cows’ urging, 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.” Taking a bell from his ceremonial elephant Airavata, Indra performed the anointing, filling it with pure water. As the anointing was performed, the cows made the earth moist with streams of milk that flowed forth. When the ceremony was complete, Indra, at the word of the cows, addressed Krishna affectionately and humbly. He continued, “By the word of the cows this has been done; now hear from me also, 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 your own self. 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 am here, O destroyer of foes, no one will defeat Arjuna in battle, O Indra of the gods. Kamsa, the mighty demon, and likewise Arishta, Keshi, Kuvalayapida, Naraka, and others—when they are slain, O Indra, there will be a great battle. Know then, O thousand-eyed one, that the earth’s burden will have been lifted. So you may go; do not grieve for your son, for no enemy of Arjuna will prevail before me. For Arjuna’s sake, I will return all the wounded, led by Yudhishthira, to Kunti when the Bharata war is over.” Thus addressed, Indra, king of the gods, embraced Krishna, mounted Airavata, and returned to heaven. Krishna, accompanied by the cows and cowherds, returned to Vraja along the path purified by the sight of the gopis. After Shakra had departed, the cowherds approached Krishna, the doer of flawless deeds, speaking to him with affection, having witnessed him hold up Govardhana mountain. They said, “O greatly fortunate one, you have saved us and the cows from great danger by holding up the mountain. This incomparable play of childhood, this cowherd role is astonishing; your deed is divine—what is the meaning of this, father? Please tell us. Kaliya has been subdued in the water, Pralamba has been cast down, and Govardhana has been held up—our minds are filled with wonder. Truly, truly, we take refuge at the feet of Hari, O one of boundless valor. Having witnessed your power, we cannot consider you to be a mere man. Whether you are a god, a demon, a yaksha, or even a gandharva—whatever you may be, what concern is it of ours to inquire? You are our kinsman. Salutations to you.