Shree Shookdeo Jee said,--Raja! I will now inform you, how Shree
Krishnù Chund raised the hill Goberdhun, and destroyed the pride of
Indrù: listen with attention. All the inhabitants of Bruj, on the
anniversary of the fourteenth of the dark part of the month of Kartik,
having bathed, and filled a square place with saffron and sandal,
bringing different kinds of sweetmeats and confectionary, and perfumes
and lamps, were in the habit of worshipping Indrù. This was a
traditional custom with them. On one of the returns of that
anniversary, Nund Jee made great preparations for a feast, and there
were also great preparations in the houses of all the inhabitants of
Bruj. Shree Krishnù Chund came and asked his mother, “What is the
reason of there being so many sweetmeats, and so much confectionary in
each house to-day? Explain the secret to me, that the doubts of my
mind may be removed?” Jusodha replied, “Son! I have no leisure now to
talk: Go and ask your father, and he will explain to you?”
On hearing this, Shree Krishnù came to Nund and Oopnund, and said,
“Father! for what god’s worship are such splendid preparations being
made to-day, that there are sweetmeats and confectionary in each
house? What power has he of accomplishing men’s desires, of granting
absolution from sin and conferring boons? Explain to me his name, and
his virtues, that the doubts of my mind may disappear?”
Nund said, “Son! have you not yet found out the secret, that it is the
worship (poojah) of the lord of the clouds, who is the ruler of the
gods, through whose benignant liberality, prosperity and increase are
obtained in the world, and also grass, water and grain. The forests
and groves produce flowers and fruits: and through him all living
things, animals, four-footed beasts and birds have a joyful existence.
This custom of performing poojah to Indrù has obtained from the times
of our ancestors’ ancestors, and is not one, which has been lately
introduced.”
On hearing these words from Nund Jee, Shree Krishnù replied, “Father!
our ancestors may with knowledge or without knowledge have worshipped
Indrù; but why do you intentionally leave a straight road and follow
a steep one? By obeying Indrù nothing is gained; because he has not
the power of granting men’s desires, or absolution from sin; and who
has obtained prosperity and the accomplishment of his objects from
him: mention to me on whom has he ever conferred a boon?
“It is indeed true, that in consequence of his penances and
sacrifices, the gods made him their Raja, and seated him on a throne,
but he has no divine power; often (when he is worsted by evil
spirits,) he runs away, and passes his time in some hiding place. Why
serve such a coward, and why not have proper regard for your own
dignity of character? Indrù has not power to do any thing. What is
written in fate, happens. Men obtain enjoyment, wealth, benefactors,
brothers and relations, as the result of their virtues, or their
fates. And the sun, which dries up the water for eight months of the
year, causes it to fall down in rain for the remaining four. In
consequence of this, grass, water and grain are produced on the earth.
And Bruhmù, who has formed the four castes, Brahmins, Chutrees, Bys,
Soodrús, has attached particular occupations to each; viz., that
Brahmins should read the scriptures (Vedas); Chutrees should protect
all the others; Bys should carry on agriculture, and trade; and
Soodrús should be servants to the three other divisions of caste.
Father! we belong to the Bys caste; in consequence of the number of
cows we possess, we obtained the town of Gokool, and thence is derived
our name of cowherds. Our business is to carry on agriculture and
trade, and to attend upon cows and Brahmins. The Vedas command us not
to abandon our family customs. They, who abandon their own religious
customs and conform to others, are like a virtuous woman of a good
family, who should form an attachment to a stranger of another family.
Be pleased, therefore, to abandon the worship of Indrù, and perform
poojah to the forests and hills; because we are inhabitants of the
forest, and they are our kings. It is not right for us to abandon
those, under whose government we live happily, and worship others.
Wherefore take all the sweetmeats, confectionary and grain, and
perform poojah to the mountain Goberdhun.”
Having heard these remarks, Nund and Oopnund arose, and went to a
place of assembly, where all the grown-up cowherds were seated.
On hearing what Krishnù had said, they remarked, “Krishnù speaks
truly, do not consider his words as those of a child, and set them
aside. If you yourselves consider well, who is Indrù? And why do we
treat him with deference? It is proper we should worship those who
give us sustenance.
“What have we to do with the ruler of the gods; let us worship
forests, rivers and the hill Goberdhun.” The cowherds again said,
“Krishnù has given good counsel, let us abandon all the gods;
Goberdhun is a great mountain, let us worship it.”
On hearing this Nund Jee was delighted, and caused proclamation to be
made throughout the village, that on the next day, he and all the
inhabitants of Bruj would go and perform poojah to Goberdhun. Having
heard this proclamation, all the inhabitants of Bruj rose very early
next morning; and having bathed, and performed their religious
meditations, placed all articles necessary for the poojah in baskets,
plates, dishes and pots of various kinds, and brought them on carts
and bhangies to Goberdhun. Nund and Oopnund also with their relatives
took a stock of things necessary, and accompanied the rest; and
advancing in musical procession, they arrived at Goberdhun. On arrival
there, having swept and cleared the ground all round the hill, and
sprinkled water, they selected and deposited all kinds of sweetmeats,
food, condiments and pickles: so much indeed, that the mountain was
concealed by them; and they spread garlands above, and silks of all
colours.
The beauty of the scene at this time is not to be described: the
mountain appeared as splendid as a person in a jewelled dress,
ornamented from head to foot. And Nund Jee having summoned a family
priest, and accompanied by all the cowherds’ children, placed on the
ground the mixture roolee, unbroken rice, flowers, perfumes, lamps,
consecrated food, pawn, betelnut and sacrificial presents, and
performed poojah according to the injunctions of the Vedas. Upon this
Shree Krishnù said, “Meditate now with pure minds upon the mountain
Goberdhun, and he will appear and eat with you.”
Hearing this all the cowherds, together with Nund and Jusodha, stood
with their hands joined, their eyes shut, and in deep meditation. Nund
Lal on the other hand, having then assumed a huge, monstrous form,
with large hands and feet, came forth silently from the middle of the
hill, having lotus eyes, a face like the moon, a crown and a garland
of flowers reaching to his feet, dressed in yellow, and wearing jewels
and ornamented gems, and with his mouth open. And at the same time, in
his own proper form, looking at his assumed form, Krishnù calling out
to all his companions said, “Behold! the mountain Goberdhun, whose
poojah you performed with such sincerity, has manifested itself.”
Having said this, Shree Krishnù Chund Jee made a salutation to
Goberdhun. The cowherdesses and cowherds, seeing this, did the same,
and began to say to each other, “When did Indrù show himself in this
manner? We have worshipped him to no purpose: and there is no knowing
why our ancestors abandoned so perceptible a deity as Goberdhun, and
obeyed Indrù;--there is no understanding this.” Whilst they were thus
talking, Shree Krishnù said, “What are you looking at? give him the
food, which you have brought.”
On hearing this the cowherdesses and cowherds filled plates and dishes
with food of all kinds, (literally of six flavours,) and began to
offer it to Goberdhun, who stretched out his hands to receive it, and
began eating. At length all that the inhabitants of Bruj, and Nund and
Jusodha had brought with them was eaten up. The form of Goberdhun then
went back to the hill.
Having finished these wonderful sports, Shree Krishnù Chund, taking
all his companions with him, went round the hill to the right by way
of adoration; and next day leaving Goberdhun they arrived at
Brindabun, laughing and playing on the road. Then there were
rejoicings and festivities in every house; and the cowherds’ children,
having painted all the cows and calves, and fastened rings, small
bells and other tinkling ornaments on their necks, engaged in games
and sports separately.