"So Indra cannot curse this land by overmuch rain or dearth of it. "But, O my father, tell the Gopas and Gopis to cease the preparations and worship not one who would destroy that which he should forever bless. "But come to the hillside that entwines our land, the hills and plains that furnish us with sustenance for our cattle, and to the forests, too, where fruits grow in plenty and give of their abundance to all who but take it. "Come there and give to the hill and the trees our sacrifices of joy and love, and feed the cows with offerings of fresh grasses, and walk with me around the hill in ceremonial procession and we shall see their worth and their kindness." They did so, and Krishna said unto them: "I am the Hill and the good that therefrom doth come." And his body became of a height and length that the eye of man scarce could measure, and said: "Do ye salute it and partake of its good!" At that the rain poured down from the skies in fearful abundance and the people in fear fled to their houses, afraid of the wrath of Indra. Seven days it poured and threatened to flood all the land. But Krishna smiled at the wrath of Indra, as he poured down his mighty rains and rolled his thunder in threatening claps above the heads of the affrighted people, who had dared to neglect the sacrifices to him who through all ages had been honored by them. In their calamity the people sought out Krishna, whom they found at the foot of the hill Gobardhana. The light of His body lit the darkness of night far more than the flashes of Indra's wrath that in lightning burst forth. "O Krishna!" they cried, "Thou who by Thy Yoga power can assume the form of a mountain at will, Thou who dost drive from the path of Thy feet all that unlike Thy sweet will is, save us from the wrath of him who even now doth seek to drive us from out of life." And Krishna lifted His hand and eye, and lo, all their fear was allayed. Then all the world grew light as day from the glory that radiated from His body, and by His Yoga power He lifted the hill itself from off its base and held it on high, on the tip of his fifth finger, even as the beetle doth hold on his horns the leaf that covereth him completely. The people gathered beneath the hill with their children and cattle. Seven days they were there, and seven days Krishna held the hill above their heads, while the light that came from His smile illuminated all the space between the hill and its foundation. Then Indra, amazed, looked down from his clouds and knew that the Lord of All was there, and had baffled his attempt to destroy what He, the Lord of all Love, had created. And the rain ceased its downpouring and the rivers became calm and the sun in its glory burst forth again. And flowers uplifted their water-drenched heads and the trees sprang back storm-tossed no more. And Krishna said to those whom he had sheltered: