In Vraj, the cowherd families were getting ready for their yearly offering to Indra, king of the heavens, who sends the rain.
Young Krishna asked his father, Nanda, a question. “Our cows graze on Govardhan hill. Its grass feeds them and its streams give us water. Why not honour the hill and the cows that look after us every day?”
The families agreed. They cooked a great feast, offered it to Govardhan, fed the cows and shared the food with everyone, and walked around the hill together.
Indra was angry that his offering had been forgotten. He sent dark clouds, and rain poured down day and night. The people and their cows ran to Krishna, frightened and soaked.
Krishna lifted Govardhan hill with one hand, as easily as a child picks up a mushroom, and held it up like a great umbrella. Everyone, people and animals alike, gathered beneath it, dry and safe.
For seven days the storm raged, and for seven days the hill stayed up. At last Indra understood that pride had led him astray. The rain stopped, the sun came out, and the families went home together.