174
Krṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
they cannot cross over the impediments of the ocean of material misery.” Indra further declared, “These cowherd men in Vṛndāvana have neglected my authority on the advice of this talkative boy who is known as Krṣṇa. He is nothing but a child, and by believing this child, they have enraged me.” Thus he ordered the  sāmvartaka  cloud to go and destroy the prosperity of Vṛndāvana. “The men of Vṛndāvana,” said Indra, “have become too puffed up over their material opulence and their confidence in the presence of their tiny friend, Krṣṇa. He is simply talkative, childish, and unaware of the complete cosmic situation, although He is thinking Himself very advanced in knowledge. Because they have taken Krṣṇa so seriously, they must be punished, and so I have ordered the  sāmvartaka  cloud to go there and inundate the place. They should be destroyed with their cows.”
It is indicated here that in the villages or outside the towns, the inhabitants must depend on the cows for their prosperity. When the cows are destroyed, the people are destitute of all kinds of opulences. When King Indra ordered the  sāmvartaka  and companion clouds to go to Vṛndāvana, the clouds were afraid of the assignment. But King Indra assured them, “You go ahead, and I will also go, riding on my elephant, accompanied by great storms. And I shall apply all my strength to punish the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana.”
Ordered by King Indra, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Vṛndavana and began to pour water incessantly, with all their strength and power. There was constant lightning and thunder, blowing of severe wind and incessant falling of rain. The rainfall seemed to fall like piercing sharp arrows. By pouring water as thick as pillars, without cessation, the clouds gradually filled all the lands in Vṛndāvana with water, and there was no visible distinction between higher and lower land. The situation was very dangerous, especially for the animals. The rainfall was accompanied by great winds, and every living creature in Vṛndāvana began to tremble from the severe cold. Unable to find any other source of deliverance, they all approached Govinda to take shelter at His lotus feet. The cows especially, being much aggrieved from the heavy rain, bowed down their heads, and taking their calves underneath their bodies, they approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead to take shelter of His lotus feet. At that time all the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana began to pray to Lord Krṣṇa. “Dear Krṣṇa,” they prayed, “You are all-powerful, and You are very affectionate to Your devotees. Now please protect us who have been much harrassed by angry Indra.”
Upon hearing their prayer, Krṣṇa could also understand that Indra, being bereft of his sacrificial honor, was pouring down rain that was