Food preparations were now going on for days.The whole village was in a festive mood.A mesmerizing aroma was spread in the air, capturing hearts and noses alike.
Imagine the pain!
The pain of little kids.Their mothers are busy in the house cooking all the time. Delicacies are being prepared but they don’t get to eat them.What to say about eating, they are strictly prohibited from even looking at them. Despite being in the vicinity of delicious items and that too being cooked in their own house, all they get to eat is simple food.Their only solace is standing outside the room where the sweets are being stored and taking in as much aroma as possible when the gate is opened and closed.
Their patience is waning.
But what can they do?They are gradually becoming habituated to it. It is an annual process, happening at the same time, for this many days every year.
Maybe this is how they would learn restraint and tolerance.
After all, this is for a higher purpose.
What a contrast it is!This tradition is being organized to please a higher power. And it feels like torture for the kids.
Such is life. Someone’s happiness is someone’s misery
This is an age-old tradition, been performed since time immemorial. If not since the very beginning of time, but for as long as they can remember and are alive.
The Tradition
Every year, huge quantities of foodstuffs were prepared and offered to Indra, the King of the heavens at this time.An elaborate sacrifice was organized in which the whole village participated, with every household participating in the ritual. The sacrifice and offering, led by Nanda Maharaj, the Head of Vrindavan, was done to thank Indra and please him.Indra was the God and the controller of rain.The rains he bestowed nourished the crops which fed their stomachs. The grass that flourished was grazed by the cows who, in turn, produced milk. That milk was converted into milk products like curd, butter, ghee, etc.
These crops, milk, and milk products were the main source of sustenance for the Vrajavasis. And since all of this bounty stemmed from the rains granted by Indra, Indra became a central figure of great significance to them.
Now a lot of it made sense but some important elements felt illogical, albeit forceful.For example, the clouds rained everywhere evenly across the land. While one might say that rains help the parched land and encourage crops to grow, clouds also drench hills and oceans, where there is no specific deficit of water.However, it was the faith of their elders that mattered the most. Elders are mature and intelligent because of their life experiences and age.And kids are often naive, immature, and childish. What and how much can they understand about such important things when the enticing aromas of delicacies are enough to haunt and overpower their minds and noses?Also, we understand many things naturally as we grow up, as our horizons expand and our brains develop. As young ones, we should have faith in our elders and serve them with sincerity, following their guidance with respect.
How can we truly learn if we challenge them? The Bhagavad-Gītā (4.34) also mentions that seeking knowledge comes through respectful inquiry and service to those who are wise.
But one boy dared.He stood up against all notions. Without caring for what the world will think of him.Without fearing chastisement and scolding, he took a bold step to question.
The Question!
Little Krishna approached his father Nanda Maharaj and asked, why are you doing this ritual?Nanda Baba replied, “You are too young to understand this!”
To this, Krishna contested - It is we who will carry forward all these traditions as we grow up. If you don’t explain this logically, how and why will we continue it later?
What unfolded was a wonderful exchange of logic, reasoning, and practical application of philosophy between Krishna and his father.Krishna’s questioning of the existing norms helped Nanda Baba delve deeper into understanding the traditions he had been following since his childhood. This led him to rethink and revise the conceptions and rituals he had been believing in.With Krishna’s aid, Nanda Baba saw another possibility and was convinced by his 7-year-old for a better alternative. Thus, worship of the Govardhan Hill was initiated, a practice that endures to this day.
Our Take-Away!
From the many things we can learn through this pastime, one point that stands out is one need not have blind faith in the name of devotion. Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON said—
Science means “To know things as they are.”
Spirituality is Scientific. It can be and should be questioned (in the right spirit of course). When questioned, it helps us deepen our understanding and uncovers new perspectives from which we were blinded earlier.The Supreme Lord Himself teaches us the importance of understanding things in their essence.
One may know the what part behind things and the how (to do) part, but it is equally (in fact, more) important to know the WHY part
That is how traditions have continued for so long — because they have stood the test of time. They have been questioned and challenged, but have persisted because of the substance they carry.Republished and enjoyed by Annelise Lords.
Reader | Thinker | Explorer | Ramayana Lover. I reflect on experiences and derive lessons from them. I love to gain perspectives to grow and share what I learn
