Why Did Krishna Hold Up Govardhan for 7 Days?

I will tell you a few points regarding this.

How many days did Krishna hold up the Giriraj Govardhan? Seven days. What is the reason for this When Krishna, by convincing Nanda Baba, stopped the Indra Puja (worship of Indra), Indra became angry. Indra said, “I will rain such water that I will omit Vraja from the world map.” That is why he called upon the Sāṁvartaka megha (clouds of devastation) to rain. He called them and caused continuous rain for seven days. When the clouds gathered, everyone got scared. They came to Nanda Baba, “Maharaj Nanda! Look! What trouble has this caused! You did this by listening to your child, now look!” These clouds look like the devastation clouds. Krishna said, “Don’t worry,” “We worshiped Giriraj Ji, Giriraj will protect us! Don’t worry.” He brought everyone near Giriraj, and lifted Giriraj. How many days did He hold it up? Seven days. To protect the Vraj Vasis for seven days, that is why Krishna had to hold up Giriraj for seven days. This is the first point.

That is why he called upon the Sāṁvartaka megha (clouds of devastation) to rain. He called them and caused continuous rain for seven days. When the clouds gathered, everyone got scared. They came to Nanda Baba, “Maharaj Nanda! Look! What trouble has this caused! You did this by listening to your child, now look!”

These clouds look like the devastation clouds.

Krishna said, “Don’t worry,” “We worshiped Giriraj Ji, Giriraj will protect us! Don’t worry.”

He brought everyone near Giriraj, and lifted Giriraj. How many days did He hold it up? Seven days. To protect the Vraj Vasis for seven days, that is why Krishna had to hold up Giriraj for seven days. This is the first point.

The second point: What name did Garga Acharya give to the Lord? The name given was Krishna. K-R-I-S-H-N-A. It has seven syllables. So, Krishna lifted Govardhan for seven days. What name did Indra give Krishna after the Govardhan Dharna lila (pastime)? Govinda. G-O-V-I-N-D-A. These are also seven syllables.

Through this lila, whom did Krishna protect? Gopas, Gopis, Govatsas (calves), Rishis (sages), Dhobis (washermen), Naais (barbers), and Swarnakars (goldsmiths). All of them reside in Vraja. To protect all of them, he held up Govardhan for seven days.

When Krishna held up Giriraj, what was Krishna’s age? He was seven years old, that is why He held it up for seven days.

Srila Rupa Goswami Pada mentioned, our Guru-varga (lineage of gurus) mentioned:

*smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur vismartavyo na jātucit

sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ*

(CC Madhya 22.113)

*smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur*—Vishnu should be remembered at all times. Which Vishnu? Matsya Vishnu? Or Kurma Vishnu? Or Parashuram Vishnu? Whom should we remember?

It is said: *vikrīḍitaṁ vraja-vadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ* (ŚB 10.33.39)—The one who dances in a special way with the Vraja Gopis (cowherd women). Only Shyam Sundar (Krishna) can perform this lila with the Vraja Gopis, and no other Vishnu Tattva (form of Vishnu).

That is why, *smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur* (Vishnu should always be remembered). Is it possible to always remember Krishna or God? No. In a sadhaka’s (practitioner’s) body, this is not possible. This is not my opinion. Srila Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur has said this. He is not an ordinary person, he is Kandarba Manjari. *Satataṁ* meaning—One must remember Krishna everyday.

While residing in a *sadhaka sarira* (practitioner’s body), no one can remember God 24 hours out of 24 hours. Seven days is one week. That is why we all must remember Krishna for seven days. That is why Krishna showed by holding it up for seven days— “Look, I held it up for seven days, therefore, you all must remember me for seven days.”

Srila Raghunath Das Goswami Pada has explained how we can progress in Bhajan (devotional practice):

*gurau goṣṭhe goṣṭhālayiṣu sujane bhūsura-gaṇe

sva-mantre śrī-nāmni vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva-śaraṇe

sadā dambham- hitvā kuru ratim apūrvām atitarāḿ aye

svāntardhātas caṭubhir abhiyāce dhṛta-padaḥ*

In this kirtan (devotional song), eight subjects are mentioned—*gurau goṣṭhe goṣṭhālayiṣu*… But there is no difference between the Holy Name and the Possessor of the Holy Name. There is no difference between the Naam (Name) and the Nami (Possessor of the Name). That is why *vraja-nava-yuva-dvandva* (the young couple of Vraja, Radha and Krishna) and the Nama (Name) must be considered one. Only by expanding our love for these seven subjects can we progress in our Bhajan. To show this, Krishna held up Giriraj for seven days.

Srila Vishvanath Chakravarti Thakur showed that when Indra sent the Sāṁvartaka megha (clouds of devastation) to drown Vraja, he also sent seven types of Vayu (wind) along with them, which Srila Chakravarti Thakur wrote in his commentary. That is why, to destroy the Sāṁvartaka megha (devastation clouds) along with the seven Vayus (winds), Krishna had to hold up Govardhan for seven days.

What is our goal? The goal of Bhajan? Krishna Prema (love for Krishna). Normally, the Gaudiya goal is Radha Dasyam (servitude to Srimati Radhika). Radha Dasyam is included under Krishna Prema. According to our own *adhikara* (qualification), we will gain that benefit. To achieve Radha Dasyam, a sadhaka must cross seven stages.

What are all those? *Shraddha* (faith), *Sadhu Sanga* (association with devotees), *Bhajan Kriya* (devotional activities), *Anartha Nivritti* (cessation of unwanted things), *Nishta* (steadiness), *Ruchi* (taste), *Asakti* (attachment). There is no sadhana (practice) for *Bhava* (ecstatic love), Bhava is dependent on *Kripa* (mercy). After crossing these seven stages, we can achieve Krishna Prema or Radha Dasyam. To show this, Krishna held up Govardhan for seven days. “O sadhakas! If you want My Prema,” “Then you must cross these seven stages.” That is why Krishna held up Govardhan for seven days.

There is one more point, why did Krishna hold it up for seven days? Krishna desired, “The Vraja Gopis should be captivated by Me, become My fans.” To show His bravery to the Gopis. He didn’t have to show bravery to anyone else. *Dasya* and *Shanta* are in a latent position. Not *Dasya rasa*, not *Sakhya rasa*, not *Vatsalya rasa*. He didn’t need to show anyone. To whom did he have to show his bravery? To the Vraja Gopis, to Radha and Her Sakhis (friends).

Krishna showed bravery through two lilas: One, the Govardhan Dharan lila, and the other, the Kaliya Naag (serpent). People fix poles on two sides and then show dance on a rope. Some show dance on pieces of glass. Everyone thinks, “Oh my God! He is dancing on broken glass?” The serpent which has many fangs. Krishna is dancing on it. *Ta ta thaiye, ta ta thaiye*. The Gopis are thinking, “Oh my God!” “This is Kaliya! Any bird flying over it falls down and dies.” “The grass, trees, and plants around it had all dried up.” “Krishna is dancing on it?” Seeing this, the Gopis became captivated by Krishna.

To show His bravery to the Gopis, what did Krishna do? Krishna held up Govardhan for seven days. Because there were Gopis with seven different *bhavas* (moods) there. To show this, to show the Gopis with different bhavas, Krishna lifted Govardhan.

So, who are the seven different Nayikas (heroines)? From Abhisarika onwards, there are eight types of sakhis. Among them, Vishakha and Shrimati Radhika have the same bhava. Considering these two as one, and the seven types of Nayikas out of the eight Nayikas, to impress all of them, Krishna held up Govardhan for seven days.

The water we drink, what is the source of that water? The Ocean. Surya Deva (Sun God) extracts water from the ocean. Then purifies it and rains it down. This purification system did not come from a Western brain. Surya Deva shows this. There are seven types of oceans. One is the Milk Ocean, Curd Ocean, Ghee Ocean, Sugarcane Ocean, Wine Ocean, Salt Water Ocean, and Sweet Water Ocean. Till today, scientists have only discovered the Salt Water Ocean. A few months ago, scientists made a discovery. Going very deep into the Earth, 100km (62 miles), a Sweet Water Ocean is found, which is many times larger than the Salt Water Ocean. But it is not easy to extract it. The Sweet Water Ocean has also been discovered, but they cannot reach it.

There are seven oceans. Taking water from these seven oceans, Surya (Sun) rains the purified water down upon us. These are seven oceans. These seven oceans are under Krishna’s control. To show this, He held it up for seven days.

And what else? If there were no sun, life would not exist. Where there is six months of day and six months of night, like in Russia, more people commit suicide there due to the absence of the sun. This Surya Deva (Sun God), how many horses are in his chariot? There are seven horses. That is why He held Giriraj Govardhan up for seven days. Why? What is the relation to this?

Who is the most beloved of Krishna? Radha Ji. In which lineage did Radha Ji appear? Not the Chandra Vansa (Moon Dynasty)! The Surya Vansa (Sun Dynasty)! Vrishabhanu, Ratna Bhanu, Subhanu, what are they all? They are in the Surya Vansa. Bhanu, Bhanu, Bhanu. That is why, to attract Shrimati Radhika, what did He do? He held it up for seven days.

And the light of the sun has seven types of colors: VIBGYOR. VIBGYOR. Through these seven types of colors, what does Krishna do? He enchants everyone. The colors that are together in the peacock feather. That is why Krishna is the master of these seven colors, and no one else. No one else in the world. To show this, Krishna held up Giriraj for seven days.

When Krishna appeared in the world, before Him, seven embryos of Devaki had passed away. The first six embryos were killed after the children were born. And after the child was born, Baladeva Prabhu, by Krishna’s desire, Yogamaya transferred to Rohini Maiya’s womb. That is why, before Krishna’s arrival, seven embryos of Devaki were conceived. That is why it is related to seven days.

And Krishna is controlled more by the primary rasas. Krishna is not controlled much by the secondary rasas. So these secondary rasas support the primary rasas. What are the five primary rasas? Shanta, Dasya, Sakhya, Vatsalya, Madhurya Rasa. The seven secondary rasas? Laughing, *Adbhuta* (Wonder), *Karuna* (Pity), *Vira* (Chivalrous), *Raudra* (Anger), *Bhayanaka* (Ghastliness), and *Bibhatsa* (Devastation). These are the seven secondary rasas. Krishna is teaching that merely having five primary rasas is not enough. To complete the Primary Rasa, secondary rasas are also needed. That is why, since there are seven types of secondary rasas, He held it up for seven days.

The duration of all our lives is seven days. Parikshit Maharaj’s was guaranteed, but ours is not. That is why Parikshit Maharaj did what? He listened to the Bhagavat for seven days. And Srila Sukhdeva Goswami described the Bhagavat for seven days. And among all the scriptures, which one is the top? *srimad-bhagavatam amalam puranam prema pumartho mahan*. Srila Sanatan Goswami Pada showed in the Brihad Bhagavatamritam: Place all other *shastram granthas* (scriptures) on one side of a scale, and the Bhagavatam on the other side of the scale. Still, the Bhagavatum side will drop down. The Bhagavatam is so superior.

And Who is the main subject of the Bhagavatam? The glorification of Whom is in the scripture? Shrimati Radha Ji. The Bhagavatum is not about Krishna’s glories, the scripture is about Radha Ji’s glories. And these two, Srila Sukhdeva Goswami and Parikshit Maharaj, Srila Sanatan Goswami showed in Brihad Bhagavatamritam, and Srila Sukhdeva Goswami also showed this: These two listened to the Bhagavat for seven days, and one described it. That is why Krishna, by holding up Govardhan for seven days, showed: “O Jivas (souls)! If you want the service of My beloved,” “Then every seven days, study and hear the Bhagavatum.” That is why He held up Giriraj Govardhan for seven days.

What is the length of this Parikrama (circumambulation)? Seven *kos* (approx. 14 miles). That is why He held it up for seven days.

And what else did He show? When Krishna went to Gurukul (school), He learned 64 arts in 64 days. Among them, there are seven types of *swara* (musical notes). What are the seven types of swara? Those who know music will be aware. Among the seven swaras, Krishna can only reach up to the fifth. Radha Ji can reach up to the seventh swara. That is why Krishna is showing the world, “My beloved is the master of all these swaras.” And to please Her, Krishna held up Giriraj for seven days.

What are those seven swaras? Sa – Shadja, Re – Rishabh, Ga – Gandhar, Ma – Madhyam, Pa – Pancham, Da – Dhaivat, Ni – Nishad. These are the seven types of swaras. Each one is taken from a bird or an animal. The fifth one belongs to the cuckoo. Krishna can only reach up to this one, not the seventh swara.

Now let’s move to the next point. How should sadhana be performed?

*ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam

sreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam

anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam

sarvatma snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam*

This *param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam*—It has seven tongues (effects). Look at them one by one. When we are able to do this, then what will happen? Our kirtan will become *su-kirtan* (excellent kirtan). And Krishna and Mahaprabhu are the same. “Look, Jiva! If you want to attain Krishna Prema,” “You must perform this kirtan with seven tongues (effects).” Only then will you be able to advance. To show this, Krishna held up Govardhan.

21st October, 2025

Sri Giridhari Goudiya Math, Goverdhan