The Inside Story

Brahmachari Arvind Chaitanya

Giri Govardhan: Krishna Raising mount GovardhanAn Illustration from Gita Govinda(by Poet Jayadev)Painted by artist Manku; Basholi Kalam, Pahari School; 1730 A.D.Collection: N.C. Mehta Gallery, LD Museum, Ahmedabad.© Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum, INDIA

THE SCENE:

Brindavan. Shri Krishna has just lifted the mighty Govardhan mountain and has ushered all the human and bovine folk to seek protection under it from the wrath unleashed by a very grumpy Indra. CLICK!

THE INSIDE STORY:

Nanda (Shri Krishna's Father : Standing Second from right):

I have raised such a wonderful son whom even I cannot fathom. He seems to surprise us everyday! By raising you, I have protected these folk. Hold up...hang in there!

Radha (Shri Krishna's Beloved : Standing First from right):

My Hero! He holds the mighty mountain and I...I am ever holding him in my heart. So who is stronger?

Balarama (Shri Krishna's Brother : Standing Third from right):

Can I also partake in your act?

Young Gopa 01 (Cowherd : Fourth from right):

I must make sure I don’t move or shake, lest my hand slips from Krishna's waist which is already buckling under the weight. Don't worry Krishna, I am here to hold you!

Young Gopa 02 (Cowherd : Fourth from left):

I've got you! No worry. Nothing can shake you now!

Cows of Brindavan:

Thank YOU for protecting us, O Lord!

Young Gopa 03 (Cowherd : Kneeling, Fifth from left):

Krishna! I am holding your leg. Don't worry! You will not slip!

Gopa 01 and 02 (Cowherds : Standing, Second and Third from left):

I should also help him. Here...let me hold up my staff!

Krishna...does it feel lighter now? Hey...bring me the other staff too!

Young Gopa 04 (Cowherd : First from left):

Hey everyone...keep your staffs up...help him. I am coming too!

Shri Krishna (Centre: with a gentle smile as always):

If only they all realised that the mountain that is being held by me is not outside but inside them. Its name? Oh! It's called I.


athavā bahunaitena kiṃ jñātena tavārjuna |viṣṭabhyāhamidaṃ kṛtsnamekāṃśena sthito jagat || Śrīmad BhagavadGītā 10.42
O Arjuna! What more should you know? What more need I tell you about my glories than this? Just know that I stand firmly holding this entire universe by just one minuscule part of me alone!

HariOM Tat Sat



DISCLAIMER: This is meant to be an imaginative interpretation of the IMAGE and not a philosophical interpretation of the EVENT. This was inspired by an online creative writing competition called Citrakatha : Tarka Vitarka organised by the LD Museum, Ahmedabad, India in 2015.