Page 3: Excerpt, 'Lord of The Cows.'

At that time, Krishna pointed out, "You see! You thought that Govarddhan Hill was only a heap of stone. No - it is living, it is the Supreme Personality of Godhead." At that time, Krishna revealed Himself as Govarddhan Hill and showed how it is also His extended self. According to authorities in our line, Radha-kunda is the extended self of Srimati Radharani and Govarddhan is the extended self of Krishna. And so we worship a stone from Govarddhan Hill, a part of Giridhari, as Krishna Himself. We may understand from this that a part of the infinite is infinite. And yet so feeble is our ordinary vision that although Govarddhan-sila is a part of the infinite, and therefore also infinite, to our material vision it is only a piece of stone.

This Pastime shows that a thing may appear to be ordinary stone, but its possibility is infinite. In the general sense, Einstein's theory of relativity has announced that anything we see is that thing plus something more. In his own scientific way he explains that the reality of a thing includes its possibilities, its prospect - reality is not at a standstill.

Reality is not limited to what is seen or conceived by our senses. Our vision or estimation of anything may be limited, but unknown to us, its prospect may be unlimited. Everything has infinite possibility. We do not even know what infinite possibility a particle of sand may have. We do not know what sort of possibility may exist within a leaf of a plant. It may appear ordinary, but it may contain invaluable medicinal properties.

A part of the infinite is also infinite. The Govarddhan-sila represents Krishna as the master and keeper of cows. Within Govarddhan is that mild and soft conception of God the Beautiful. We beg for His mercy, His affection, and His gracious glance upon us.

That may save us from the negative influence of this material environment. When we try to put a stop to our material form of life and take our course towards Godhead, Krishna consciousness, neglecting the imperative duties that are upon us, so many difficulties may come to trouble us, to trap us in our journey towards the ultimate truth. But if we stick to the order of Krishna, He will protect us. Krishna confirms this in Bhagavad-gita:

He says, "Abandon all other conceptions of duty and just surrender unto Me. Have no fear. I shall protect you and free you from all sinful reactions that might arise from neglecting your ordinary duties."

Different material tendencies and mental impulses may attack us - even Indra himself, the king of heaven and the controller of all ordinary activities, may attack us - but if we are attentive towards our goal, if we are careful to read the order of Krishna, He will protect us in the shade of His lotus feet. He will give us shelter under the shade of Govarddhan Hill, where no Indra will be able to touch our heads. And with full faith that Krishna will give us protection, we should try to take shelter under Govarddhan Hill and pray: "O Krishna, give me protection from all the difficulties that may come to attack me because of my leaving behind my ordinary obligations."

Although many anomalies may try to catch us, Krishna will protect us. And in His representation as Govarddhan Hill, that wonderful master of the cows will save us from all sorts of difficulties. How is this possible? God works wonders. His ways are unknown and inconceivable.