Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the day after Diwali. It is the day upon which Lord Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. As per the story, Krishna saw huge preparations for the annual offering to Indra and questions his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their ‘dharma’ truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He continued to say that all human beings should merely do their ‘dharma’, to the best of their ability and not pray or conduct sacrifices for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna then lifted Mt Govardhan and held it up as protection to his people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. This aspect of Krishna’s life is mostly glossed over – but it actually set up on the basis of the ‘karma’ philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavad Gita.

According to ancient Vaishnava legends the Vedic Deva (demigod akin to guardian angel), Indra (god of rain & lightning) was feared by human beings because he would either give the people no rain or flood them if he was not satisfied with their worship. When Krishna found out, he opposed the performance of sacrificial worship for Indra. He emphasized the importance of karma and doing ones duty. This made Indra angry at the boy Krishna (one of the incarnations of the Supreme God).

Indra thus invoked many clouds to appear in the sky and schemed to flood the region with rains lasting for seven days and seven nights. Krishna in reply then lifted Govardhan Hill, under which all the animals and people of the region took shelter, safe from the rains of Indra’s fury. Ultimately, Indra accepted defeat. He offered his prayers and left to his heavenly kingdom.

(Source: Wikipedia)

And now if to analyze the metaphysics behind such legends
of
Krishna’s lifting the hill on little finger
to save from a flood and Raasleela with Gopis,
a very important message comes out.

The hill was lifted on little finger of one hand only.
Why only little finger was chosen by boy Krishna instead of other fingers?

It has a deep metaphysical interpretation. In Sanskrit, “go” means senses.
Hill Goverdhan represents for total burden of senses
with its auspicious and inauspicious activities which one carries from one birth to another
till mind and senses do not get totally restrained
which comes through very tough spiritual austerities.

Now there is condition and till that condition is not fulfilled,
this burden can never be tolerated or carried out.
And that is to downsize the own ego form to maximum little extent
instead of living with highest level of arrogance
by showing power of fake knowledge and personality
which has no meaning and of zero value
while leading a spiritual life for attainment of ultimate bliss.
So to be down to earth should be the basic attribute of a true seeker.

Raasleela of Krishna with Gopis is also misinterpreted
and
normally people understand this act as a casual romantic game.
In fact our restrained mind and senses are like Gopis
and
once when these are tuned perfectly with Godly attributes
while traversing upon real path,
there happens a cosmic divine game round the clock.
This infact is Rassleela in metaphysics.

We must take into consideration all these metaphysical interpretations
which help a lot in gradual promotion of spiritual steps.

Humble Wishes.
~mrityunjayanand~