Govardhan Puja: A Story of Faith and Surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana)

Govardhan Puja holds a significant place in India due to its wide popularity and its proximity to the Diwali festival. This Hindi term translates to “worship of Govardhan Mountain,” referring to a hill associated with a remarkable event during Shri Krishna’s life in Dwaparyug. The story behind this festival perfectly illustrates Ishvara Pranidhana, the last of the five Niyamas given by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.

Ishavara Pranidhana- Surrender and Not Please!

Pleasing God in times of distress is not bad, but it’s not the ultimate goal. Pleasing God to attain material wealth or success is also acceptable, but it falls short of our true purpose. Instead, why not please God without expecting anything in return?

The key lies in surrendering to Him, both in times of sadness and happiness. By doing so, we align ourselves with our greater purpose and find fulfillment that surpasses any temporary desires.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna says (Bg 18.66)

sarva-dharm?n parityajya

m?m ekaà ?ara?aà vraja

ahaà tv?à sarva-p?pebhyo

mok?ayi?y?mi m? ?ucaù

Translation

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

True surrender occurs when we place complete trust in God, just like the unwavering faith of the people of Gokul in Lord Krishna, we’ll discuss the story below. By embracing this surrender, we allow Him to shoulder our burdens and challenges, just as Krishna did for them when He saved them from Indra’s wrath.

Surrendering does not equate to giving up our faith in God or ourselves; it signifies placing our trust in Him even amidst confusion, acknowledging our insignificance in the vast universe, and embracing humility.

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, this surrendering is called Ishvara Pranidhana, where one commits their entire life and yoga practice to the Lord or their chosen spiritual focus. Derived from Sanskrit, Ishvara translates to “Supreme God” or “Lord,” while Pranidhana means “surrender” or “devotion.” By fully surrendering oneself to God, a personal deity, or the Life Force, practitioners aim to attain the divine character through humility and the letting go of ego. This practice holds the potential to deeply connect individuals with the divine and bring profound spiritual growth.

In the tale of Govardhan, the people of Gokul, driven by a deep-seated fear of their fields perishing without rain, resorted to appeasing Lord Indra. However, the wise Shri Krishna encouraged them to shift their devotion towards Govardhan Hill.

His divine wisdom implored the villagers to express their gratitude and surrender solely to the Supreme Lord. The resounding message remains clear: embrace the courage to defy conformity and worship the true embodiment of divinity.

[Bhagavad Gita 4.11]

ye yath? m?à prapadyante

t?às tathaiva bhaj?my aham

Translation

All of them—as they surrender unto Me—I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of P?th?.

Vishnu, the preserver and guardian of the universe, plays a vital role in troubling times as he aims to restore the delicate equilibrium between good and evil. Throughout his existence, he has chosen to descend upon the earth nine times, with Krishna being his eighth incarnation.

Highlighting his innate qualities of preservation, sustenance, and restoring balance, the Govardhan story beautifully encapsulates Vishnu’s unwavering commitment to upholding righteousness and nurturing faith in the supreme power. His benevolent nature serves as an inspiration for all, reminding us of the enduring power that exists to protect and sustain.

The Story Behind Govardhan Puja

On the fourth day of Diwali, Annakut is celebrated to express gratitude towards God for his kindness. An important ritual, Govardhan Puja, takes place on this day. The festival’s legend revolves around a hill called Govardhan, which Lord Krishna lifted to protect the residents from heavy rainfall. Below is the beautiful tale of Sri Krishna Leela.

In the village of Vrindavana, young Sri Krishna observed his father and other cowherd men preparing for a significant sacrifice. Curious, Krishna asked his father about the purpose of the event. Although Krishna already knew it was for Indra, the Lord of Heaven, he acted like an inquisitive young boy.

Krishna persistently asks his father who the sacrifice is for. His father explains that it is for Lord Indra, who controls the clouds and brings rain. Krishna questions the need for this sacrifice, stating that it is Indra’s duty to provide water for the fields. Instead, he suggests honoring Govardhana Hill. Although Nanda agrees to hold another sacrifice for Govardhana Hill, he asks Krishna to let them finish the current sacrifice for Indra.

Krishna ordered the cowherd men to worship Govardhana Hill annually. When King Indra learned about this and that Krishna had stopped a sacrifice meant for him, he became angry. Indra called his powerful clouds and ordered them to destroy Vrindavana and drown the village along with the cows and cowherd men. Indra planned to attack with storms and punish the Vraj inhabitants.

Dark clouds appear over Vrindavana, bringing heavy rain, thunder, and strong winds. Floods cover the fields and pastures, causing fear and trembling among the people and animals. Seeking refuge, the residents turn to Krishna and pray for his protection from Indra’s anger.

Sri Krishna decides to humble Indra, who is arrogant and power-hungry. He lifts Govardhan Hill with his finger and invites all of Vrindavan’s residents to seek shelter beneath it. Everyone, including humans and animals, finds refuge under the protective hill.

How To Surrender In Every Day Lives?

As humans, we often have the urge to control every aspect of our lives. Unfortunately, this can lead to wasted energy and stress as we try to plan for things that are beyond our control. For example, new mothers may worry about their baby’s nap time during travels and how it may affect their mood. They may analyze their baby’s sleep patterns and plan accordingly as if they have complete control over their baby’s rest.

In our everyday lives, Ishvara Pranidhana is not just about devotion or surrendering. It’s about embracing the present moment and accepting life’s ups and downs. Instead of resisting life’s challenges or controlling them, we should strive to stay open and receptive to the experiences that come our way. By doing so, we can fully immerse ourselves in the unfolding journey of life.

Remaining fixed in our ingrained patterns and limitations limits our potential in life. Surrendering, though difficult, requires transcending the ego and letting go of control. The ego fights to hold on because it relies on our conditioned thoughts, worries, perceptions, and judgments. By quieting the ego, we release its grip and open ourselves to a more expansive existence.