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24 / Worshiping Govardhana Hill

While engaged with the brahmanas who were too involved in the
performance of Vedic sacrifices, Krsna and Balarama also saw that the
cowherd men were preparing a similar sacrifice in order to pacify Indra,
the King of heaven, who is responsible for supplying water. As stated in
the Caitanya-caritamrta, a devotee of Krsna has strong and firm faith in
the understanding that if he is simply engaged in Krsna consciousness and
Krsna’s_ transcendental loving service, then he is freed from all other
obligations. A pure devotee of Lord Krsna doesn’t have to perform any of
the ritualistic functions enjoined in the Vedas; nor is he required to worship
any demigods. Being a devotee of Lord Krsna, one is understood to have
performed all kinds of Vedic rituals and all kinds of worship to the
demigods. Just by performing the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or worship-
ing the demigods, one does not develop devotional service for Krsna.
But one who is engaged fully in the service of the Lord has already
finished all Vedic injunctions.

Krsna ordered a stop to all such activities by His devotees, for He wanted
to firmly establish exclusive devotional service during His presence in
Vrndavana. Krsna knew that the cowherd men were preparing for the
Indra sacrifice because He is the omniscient Personality of Godhead, but
as a matter of etiquette, he began to inquire with great honor and
submission from elder personalities like Maharaja Nanda and others.

Krsna asked His father, ““My dear father, what is this arrangement going
on for a great sacrifice? What is the result of such sacrifice, and for whom
is it meant? How is it performed? Will you kindly let Me know? I am very
anxious to know this procedure, so please explain to Me the purpose of
this sacrifice.” Upon this inquiry, His father, Nanda Maharaja, remained
silent, thinking that his young boy would not be able to understand the
intricacies of performing the yajfia. Krsna, however, persisted: “My dear

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