When Nanda and the other Gopas heard these words of Krishńa, their faces expanded with delight, and they said that he had spoken well. "You have judged rightly, child," exclaimed they; "we will do exactly as you have proposed, and offer adoration to the mountain." Accordingly the inhabitants of Vraja worshipped the mountain, presenting to it curds and milk and flesh; and they fed hundreds and thousands of Brahmans, and many other guests, who came to the ceremony, even as Krishńa had enjoined: and when they had made their offerings, they circumambulated the cows and the bulls, that bellowed as loud as roaring clouds. Upon the summit of Govarddhana, Krishńa presented himself, saying, "I am the mountain," and partook of much food presented by the Gopas; whilst in his own form as Krishńa he ascended the hill along with the cowherds, and worshipped his other self 5. Having promised them many blessings, the mountain-person of Krishńa vanished; and the ceremony being completed, the cowherds returned to their station.

Footnotes

523:1 A set of very poor quibbles upon the terms of the Práńáyáma: or, Púrańa, drawing in the breath through one nostril; literally, 'filling:' Kumbhaka, closing the nostrils, and suppressing the breath; keeping it stationary or confined, as it were in a Kumbha, or waterpot: and Rechaka, opening the other nostril, and emitting the breath; literally, 'purging' or 'depletion.' The waters of the reservoirs, replenished in the beginning of the autumnal season by the previous rains, remain for a while full, until they are drawn off for irrigation, or reduced by evaporation: thus representing the three operations of Púrańa, Kumbhaka, and Rechaka.

523:2 No public worship is offered to Indra at present; and the only festival in the Hindu kalendar, the Śakradhwajotthána, the erection of a flag in honour of Śakra or Indra, should be held on the twelfth or thirteenth of Bhádra, which is in the very middle of the rainy season; according to the Tithi Tatwa, following the authority of the Káliká and Bhavishyottara Puráńas. The Śakradhwajotthána is also a rite to be performed by kings and princes. It may be doubted, therefore, if the text intends any particular or appointed celebration.

524:3 Or, Ánvíkshikí, the science of inquiring by reasoning, Tarka, or logic: Trayí, the three Vedas collectively, or the doctrines they teach: Várttá, rendered 'practical,' is the knowledge of the means of acquiring subsistence: the fourth is Dańd́aníti, the science of government, both domestic and foreign.