The Glories of Giriraj Govardhana

hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo

yad rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah

manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat

paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kanda-mulaih

hanta-oh; ayam-this; adrir-hill; abalah-O friends; hari-dasa-varya-the best among the servants of the Lord; yat-because; rama-krsna-carana-the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and Balarama; sparasa-by the touch; pramodah-jubilant; manam-respect; tanoti-offers; saha-with; go-ganayoh-the cows, calves and cowherd boys; tayoh- to Them (Sri Krsna and Balarama); yat-because; paniya-with drinking water; suyavasa-very soft grass; kandara-caves; kanda-mulaih-and edible roots.

Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krsna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities--water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krsna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant. (SB 10.21.18)

Sukadeva G. in SB describes Krsna's & Balarama's pastimes throughout summer, rainy & autumn seasons. When Krsna & Balarama entered forest, gopis would think of Krsna pastimes & glorify them. Gopis at home were discussing amongst themselves; because of deep attachment for Krsna & trans. vision, they would speak as if they were with Krsna in forest or Govardhana.

Gopis exclaim: hanta, expressing great joy, and ayam adrir, "this hill." If someone is very near, we say "this." "This boy." Gopis were actually far away from Govardhan but felt near. So they said, ayam adrir, "this hill", hari-dasa-varyo, is "the best amongst the servants of Hari."

We can learn from Govardhana how to serve Lord Hari nicely. In SB tenth canto, three devotees are called hari-dasa. Yudhisthira Maharaja is described as hari-dasa because he performed the rajasuya sacrifice to glorify Krsna. Sages, saints, kings & world leaders came, not just to see Krsna, but to see him and Pandavas as well. Pandavas' love attracted Krsna to act as their friend, master, servant, and advisor. Wife, mother and all citizens were also fully engaged in Lord's service. (Story of Yudhisthira M. asking Krsna for most beautiful wife and most opulent kingdom in whole world.) In the ecstasy of appreciation for the Pandavas, Sukadeva G. says, hari-dasa.

Uddhava is still higher. Cousin of Lord Krsna & near & dear to Him. Constant companion of Krsna in Dvaraka, discussing with Him, even advising Him and serving Him always. So close to Krsna & qualified that Krsna sent him to deliver a message to Gopis in Vrindavana. Uddhava stayed several months and reminded residents of Krsna and His pastimes. Therefore he is also called, hari-dasa.

Still, Giriraj Govardhana called hari-dasa-varyo, the best of the servants of the Lord. Why? Rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah. Pramodah means jubilant, exceedingly joyful. When the servant engages in the service of the master, he should feel joy. And by his service also, the master should feel joy. Both should feel joy. And when the servant sees that the master feels joy, his joy increases. And when the master sees that the servant feels joy, his joy also increases. So there is competition between the master and the servant, who can give more pleasure to the other. And by giving pleasure to the other, each feels more pleasure himself.

If some servant does not feel joy, but rather complains that, "Oh I have been serving my master, but I had no time to take prasadam, I feel so hungry, and I had no time to take sufficient rest, I feel so tired", then he is not the best servant of his master. The best servant of any master will feel joy in any condition--like Govardhana Hill.