Garga Bhagavatham : Vrindavan Khanda - Chapter 2
<< Prev Vrindavan-khanda Next >>
Appearance of Giriraj Govardhan and His arrival in Vraja Mandala
Sri Nand asked:- Great learned Sannand! you know everything and you are an
erudite scholar, I learned the greatness of Vrajmandal from you. Now please
tell me how the famous Govardhan mountain was formed and also tell me why
people refer to the best of all mountains, Govardhan as 'Giriraj'. From which
world has this Yamuna river came from? Tell me about its greatness also, as you
are the head man of all learned men.
Sri Sannand said:- Once upon a time, king Pandu asked the noblest of the
noblemen, Sri Bhishma, the same question. Many people were listening to the
question and the answer given by Sri Bhishma. Now I am telling you the same
answer that Sri Bhishma gave. The complete Lord Sri Krishna Himself, who is the
Lord of innumerable universes, God of Golok who is capable of doing anything
and for relieving the burden on Mother Earth decided to descend to the earth,
then that Janardan Lord told His beloved Radha 'Dear, you are always scared by
my separation, hence you also come with me to the earth'
Sri Radha said:- My life! I cannot be happy where there is no Vrindavan, no
Yamuna river and there is no Govardhan mountain.
Sri Sannand says:- King Nand! Listening to SriRadha's words, Sri Hari sent from His
own place, eighty-four kos(area of land measure) land, Govardhan mountain, and
Yamuna river to the earth. At that time, the land which is spread over an area
of twenty-four kos, which is revered by all the universes, along with
twenty-four forests came here. Govardhan mountain took birth from the womb of
Dronachal's wife, who was living in 'Shaalmali' island, which was situated to
the west of Bharathvarsh. On that occassion, Devas rained flowers on Govardhan.
Himalaya, Sumeru, and other mountains came there, paid obeisance, and went
around (parikrama) and worshipped Govardhan. After worship, the great mountains
started praising him.
Mountains said:- In Golokdham, the abode of The Complete Lord Sri Krishna,
where herds of divine cows live, where Gopas and beautiful Gopis add to the
beauty, You, Govardhan is shining brightly. You are there with the name
'Govardhan'. You are the king, 'Giriraj' of all of us, mountains. Also, You,
residing in the lap of Vrindavan are the pearl in the crown of Golok and also
you shine like an umbrella in the hands of the Complete Lord Sri Krishna. Our
salutations to you, Govardhan.
Sri Sannand says:- King Nand! Since the time all the mountains praised him
thus, this greatest of mountains is being hailed as 'Giriraj' Once the great
sage, Sri Pulastya started pilgrimage on the earth. He saw the dark-colored,
Dronachal's son, the supreme mountain Govardhan, upon whom the clustered
creepers were looking grand. The trees there were bent with the weight of
fruits. The sounds of the waterfalls were pleasant. The mountain was very
peaceful. Because of its valleys, it was looking like a very auspicious place.
Beautified with millions of peaks, that beautiful place was fit for doing
penance. Different types of precious metals, which were shining in parts of the
mountain were transfusing their beauty. Its grounds were wavy with ups and
downs and there were many kinds of birds flying around.
Different kinds of animals
and monkeys were moving around in all four directions. The Govardhan mountain
with the sounds of peacocks seemed like a place that could give salvation
(moksh) to those who sought moksha.
Sage
Pulasthya was tempted to have that mountain. Hence he went to Dronachal.
Dronagiri welcomed him and worshipped him. After that SriPulasthya told
Dronachal thus.
Pulasthya said:- Dron! You are the god of the mountains. All Gods respect
you. You are full of medicinal herbs, you always give life to all humans. I am
a sage who lives in Kashi and I have come to you as a solicitant. Please give
your son Govardhan to me. Nothing else here is useful to me. Bhagawan
Visweshar's abode is famous by the name of Kashi. Even a sinner will obtain
salvation if he dies in that sacred place. Holy river Gang is also there and
Lord Viswanath is seated there. I will establish your son Govardhn there, where
there is no other mountain. Your son, Govardhan is full of vines, creepers, and
trees. I am desirous of residing on him and doing penance.
Sri Sannand says:- Hearing Sri Prutsalya's words, Dronachal's eyes were
filled with tears because of his love for his son. He told Putsalya thus.
Dronachal said:- I am restless because of my love for my son. This son is
very dear to me. Even then, being afraid of your curse I will hand him over to
you.
(He told his son) Son! you
go to the fortunate and holy place of 'Bharatvarsh' with the sage. In that
place, by doing good deeds, humans attain all the three happiness of
Righteousness, Wealth, and Good Deeds( dharma, artha, kama). One can also
attain salvation through good deeds and knowledge.
Govardhan said:- My body is eight yojanas long, two yojanas tall and five
yojanas wide, this being the case how can you carry me?
SriPuthsalya said:- Son! You sit comfortably sit on my palm and come. Until we
reach Kashi, I shall carry you in my hands.
Govardhan said:- Sage! I have a vow. If at all you place me on anywhere the
earth even once, then I will never move from that place.
Sri Puthsalya said:- I promise you that from this Shalmali island, till
Kosaldesh in Bharatvarsh, I will never keep you down on the way.
Sri Sannand says:- King Nand! Thereafter the mountain, after paying obeisance
to his father sat on the palms of the sage. At that time his eyes were filled
with tears. Keeping him on his right palm, sage Pulasthya moved slowly showing
his splendor to the people and reached Vrajmandal. Govardhan mountain knew
about his previous birth. After reaching Vrajmandal he thought within himself,
"Here in Vraj, the Master of innumerablr universes, The complete Lord Sri
Krishna is going to appear and with cowherd boys will do playful acts and other
leelas. Not only these, but He will also do DAANLEELA and MAANLEELA. Hence I
should not go anywhere else from here. This land of Vraj and Yamuna river have
come here from Golok. AlonhavingdarshanRadha, Sri Krishna will be coming here.
I will be satiated by havin good darsan of them". Thinking like this, he
increased his weight in the palms of the sage. At that time, the sage became
very tired. He did not remember the promise he made earlier.
Being unable to bear the
weight he placed the mountain on the earth in Vrajmandal. Being relieved of the
weight, he went away to attend to nature's call and after bathing in the
waters, came back. He told the exquisite mountain, "Get up now" and
tried to lift him with both hands but he could not lift him because of the
excessive weight. Then he tried to lift the mountain with his powers and
strength. The sage, in a friendly and soft voice pleaded with the son of Dron,
Giriraj to accept his request but the mountain did not even move an inch.
Then Sri Pulasthya said:- Greatest mountain! Move, please do not increase your
weight. I know you have become angry. Tell me quickly what are your thoughts?
Govardhan said:- Sage! This is not my fault. You have yourself established
me here. I will not get up from here. I had already told my promise earlier.
Sri Sannand says:- Hearing this answer greatest of sages Pulasthya's senses became
fitful. His pulsations increased. Since all his efforts were wasted he cursed
the son of Dron.
Sri Pulasthya said:- Mountain! You are very stubborn. You have not fulfilled my
wish. Hence you become emaciated, mole by mole every day.
Sri Sannand says:- Nand! Saying so, sage Pulasthya returned to Kashi. From
that day Govardhan mountain is becoming smaller day by day. Until the time Baghirathi
Ganga and Govardhan are on this earth, till then the effect of Kali will not
take place. Whoever listens to this manifested and most sanctified history of
Govardhan will be freed from all sins. I have narrated this event in front of
you, which is very delectable and remarkable. This will give salvation(moksha)
and there is not an iota of doubt about this.
Comments
Post a Comment