JKP

The Story Behind the Worship of Giriraj Govardhan

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
22 October 2025
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Speech by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

Sarvapujya Brajraj Govind Radhe

(Shri Krishna, the king of Braj)

 Brajraj Puja Giriraj Betade

(Even Shri Krishna worships Giriraj Govardhan, the king of the mountains)

There is no entity beyond Shri Krishna. From the Vedas to the Ramayan, all the scriptures proclaim this irrefutable truth. The Vedas declare it (Śhvetāśvatara Upanishad 3.9), as does the Bhagavad Gita (7.7) and the Nrisimha Tapani Upanishad (2.4). 

There exists a Devi Dham, the material realm that encompasses countless Brahmands or cosmic worlds. Beyond this is the Divine Realm, Paravyom, where resides the abodes of all the descensions of God, who are beyond the influence of Maya. In that divine region, both His vibhinnānsh (separated parts) and swānsh (personal expansions) worship Shri Krishna. However, Giriraj Govardhan had even Shri Krishna worship Him!

Why was this so? Because people lacked spiritual understanding. This was true even 5000 years ago, and it remains true today. In fact, it will only worsen in the future. Naive and materially-minded people perform devotion to mayic (material) gods – the celestial deities who themselves are bound by Maya and reside in heavenly abodes. 

Worse still, people have even begun worshipping dead bodies. They say, “A holy man is buried here – if you visit his grave, your desires will be fulfilled.” So thousands flock to such places. Even though centuries have passed since his death and even his bones have decomposed, people still believe he can remove their misfortunes and fulfill their worldly desires. But God cannot erase anyone’s destiny; not even a God-realised Saint can do so. And yet, people believe that the bones of a buried corpse can!

There is, for instance, a grave in Bahraich where millions gather each year to pray for sons, wealth, or jobs. Tulsidas Ji said, “Show me one blind man who received sight! Show me even one whose desires were truly fulfilled there.” If someone happens to get a job they were destined to get anyway, they claim, “I went there, and immediately after returning, I got the job! He is very powerful – you should go too.” 

Thus, mayic souls surrender to everyone – tamasic, rajasic, and even sattvic personalities; but not to God. We have faith in decomposed bones, but not in the Supreme Lord. Even highly educated people in our country fall into this trap. Therefore, lectures alone cannot make such people understand – no matter who delivers them, even if it is a Jagadguru or God Himself.

God has already spoken through the Vedas and revealed His truth in thousands of places in the Gita, Bhagavatam, and Ramayan. In the Gita, He says that those who worship celestial gods go to the celestial abodes, but must return again to earth. The celestial gods who grant temporary boons are themselves mortal. Utter fools worship celestial gods. 

To make people truly understand, God made a practical demonstration. In Braj, people traditionally worshipped Indra every year. When the preparations began as usual, Shri Krishna asked, “What is going on?” The elders replied, “Son, we worship Indra, the god of rain. If we do not please him, there will be drought. That is why we perform this worship every year.” Shri Krishna said, “This is wrong!” They were astonished. “What are you saying, child? Our ancestors have been doing this for generations. Were they fools?” 

No one knew that Shri Krishna was God Himself. They warned, “If Indra becomes angry, he will destroy us.” But Shri Krishna, with the support of His cowherd friends and divine power, began a revolt. He convinced even some of the elders, saying, “If Indra causes trouble, I will protect everyone.” The residents of Braj had already witnessed His many divine acts – from Putna’s slaying to the defeat of Aghasur and Bakasur. They sensed this child was no ordinary boy. Thus, they stopped worshipping Indra. 

When Narad Ji saw this, he seized the opportunity and went to the celestial abode. He told Indra, “Your worship has been stopped!” Indra asked, “Who dared to stop it?” Narad Ji replied, “Nand’s son.” Furious, Indra summoned the special clouds that pour torrential rain at the time of cosmic dissolution. These clouds produce streams of water as thick as a musal (pestle) – hence the term musaladhar varsha. Indra ordered such devastating rain upon Braj, and the villages began to flood.

At that moment, Shri Krishna manifested His divine power. Could anyone lift a mountain? A mountain is not something separate from the earth; it is part of it. Even the strongest man cannot lift it. Yet, Shri Krishna simply touched it with one little finger, and the mountain rose from the ground! He said, “Everyone, come under it! Bring the cows, calves, and everything else.” His friends cried out, “Kanhaiya is holding it with one finger! His finger might break. Come, let’s help Him with our sticks!” All the cowherd boys held up their sticks in devotion. One, two, three days passed and still the rain did not stop. The friends said, “Oh Kanhaiya, at least switch hands! You must be tired.” Shri Krishna smiled and said, “Keep quiet!” For seven days, He held up the mountain.

Finally, Indra accepted his defeat and came before Shri Krishna, filled with deep repentance and tears of remorse. Seeing his sincerity, Shri Krishna forgave him. Through this divine play, the Lord taught the people of Braj – not merely through words but by living example that one should worship only the Supreme God, and not any celestial beings.

Thus, to end the worship of material deities and to establish the path of exclusive devotion to Radha-Krishna, the Lord performed the worship of Giriraj Govardhan.

Boliye Giriraj Maharaj ki Jai!

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.