In the sacred land of Vraja, Krishna spoke to his kin and elders about the proper way to honor their true benefactors. He explained that just as Brahmins are devoted to the sacrifices of mantras, and farmers to the sacrifices of ploughing, the cowherds of Vraja must dedicate themselves to the worship of the mountain and the cows, for their lives are intertwined with the forest and hills. Therefore, Krishna urged them to worship Govardhana mountain with reverence, offering a variety of gifts and performing the proper rites, including the sacrificial slaughter of animals as prescribed. He advised that the entire community should gather without hesitation and that the Brahmins and all who desired should partake in the offerings. After the worship and fire offerings were made, and the Brahmins had been fed, Krishna asked that the herds of cows be allowed to roam freely, adorned with garlands of autumn flowers. Krishna assured them that if his suggestion was joyfully followed, it would bring satisfaction to the cows, the mountain, and to himself. Hearing these words, Nanda and the other inhabitants of Vraja were filled with delight, their faces blooming as they exclaimed, “Excellent, excellent!” They praised Krishna’s wisdom and promised to carry out his wishes, agreeing to perform the mountain sacrifice. Thus, the people of Vraja began the mountain sacrifice. They offered to Govardhana mountain curd, rice pudding, meat, and other foods. Hundreds and thousands of Brahmins were fed, along with all others who had gathered, just as Krishna had instructed. The cows, having been worshipped, circled the mountain, and the bulls bellowed like rainclouds full of water. Then, Krishna manifested a form atop the mountain’s summit and declared, “I am the mountain.” He ate much of the food brought by the foremost cowherds. In another form, Krishna, together with the cowherds, ascended the mountain’s peak and worshipped it, manifesting a second body of himself. When Krishna vanished from sight, the cowherds, having received boons, made the mountain their enclosure and returned to their own pastures. Meanwhile, Śrī Parāśara tells us that when the traditional sacrifice to Indra was disrupted, Indra was filled with great anger. He summoned the fierce rain-bearing clouds called Samvartaka and commanded them, “O clouds, heed my words and carry out my command without hesitation. Nanda and the cowherds, relying on Krishna and emboldened by his strength, have destroyed the sacrifice. Their livelihood depends on their cows, so let those cows be afflicted by the downpour, as I command. I too will ascend the lofty mountain peak and assist you, releasing wind and water.” Thus commanded, the rain clouds unleashed a violent storm of wind and rain, causing great distress to the cows. In a moment, the earth, the directions, and the sky were overwhelmed by a massive torrent. Thunderous clouds, terrified by flashes of lightning, filled the quarters with sound as the deluge poured in streams. The world was plunged into darkness by the incessant rain, and everything above, below, and all around seemed submerged. The cows, battered by the swift rain and wind, lost their strength and lives, their bodies weakened. Some cows, holding their calves close, stood firm; others, separated from their calves, were swept away by the flood. The calves, with distressed faces and trembling necks, cried out faintly to Krishna, as if pleading for help. Seeing the entire settlement—cowherds, cows, and cowherd women—in great distress, Hari reflected deeply. He realized that this calamity was caused by mighty Indra, angered by the breaking of the sacrifice, and resolved to protect the entire pasture. With courage, Krishna decided to uproot the great mountain with its dense peaks and hold it above the pasture like a vast umbrella. Śrī Parāśara recounts that Krishna, playfully and effortlessly, uprooted Govardhana mountain with a single hand and held it aloft. Smiling, Krishna addressed the cowherds: “Enter here quickly; the rain has been stopped. In these well-protected places, remain as you wish; enter without fear, and do not be afraid of the mountain’s descent.” Obeying him, the cowherds entered together with their herds, their goods loaded on carts, and the cowherd women, though wearied, followed. Krishna stood holding the mountain, utterly unmoving, watched by the residents of Vraja with eyes full of wonder and joy. Praised for his deeds by the delighted cowherds and cowherd women, their eyes wide with love, Krishna bore the mountain. For seven nights, the great clouds, urged on by Indra, rained upon Nanda’s Gokula, intending the destruction of the cowherds. Yet Krishna, holding the mountain aloft and protecting Gokula, blocked the clouds and their false promise. When the sky finally cleared, Indra, seeing his efforts had failed and Gokula joyful, departed and returned to his own place. Then Krishna gently released Govardhana mountain, placing it back in its own place, as the people of Vraja watched with astonished faces. Śrī Parāśara continues: After Govardhana was held aloft and Gokula was saved, Indra, the lord of sacrifice, desired to see Krishna. Mounting Airavata, the great elephant, Indra, the conqueror of foes and lord of the gods, came to Govardhana mountain and beheld Krishna, the protector of Vraja.