Govind Kund

Govind KundGovind Kund is located on the edge of Aniyora Village, about 400m after the village of Aniyora. It is a 1.85 acre rectangular tank at the foot of Giriraj Govardhan.

This is where Lord Indra bathed Lord Krishna and offered prayers to him, after Lord Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill. This kunda was made by the bathing ceremony. Krishna’s feet were bathed with Ganges water, milk, tulasi manjaris and lotus flowers. This kunda was originally filled with these ingredients of the abhiseka (bathing ceremony.)

Radhanath Swami narrates this story during Vrindavan Yatras:

Krishna as a 7 year old boy persuaded His father Nanda maharaj and other cowherd men to stop worshipping Indra, the demigod of rains, and instead worship the supremely compassionate Govardhan Hill for providing all the things necessary for the cows.

When Indra saw that the Vrajavasis had stopped worshipping him and were worshipping Govardhana instead, he became angry. Consequently, with the intention of destroying them, he poured forth torrential rains and hurled thunderbolts upon them for seven days, but he was not successful. Finally, Lord Brahma advised him to ask for forgiveness for his offence, and so Indra performed abhisheka of Sri Krishna with the milk of Surabhi, the celestial cow, at this place. Sri Krishna was named “Govinda” because He nourishes and gives pleasure to all—the cows, the gopas, the gopis and to the land of Vraja. This place is known as Govinda Kunda because the name-giving ceremony and abhisheka of Sri Govinda were performed here. Sri Vajranabha, the great grandson of Krishna, established this kunda in memory of this pastime.

Various scriptures state the significance of Govinda Kund.

In the purport to Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 18.37 it is stated: “Govinda Kunda is exalted for its many spiritual activities. It was here that Indra was defeated by Lord Krishna, and Indra offered his prayers and bathed Lord Govinda.

In the Mathura-khanda it is also stated: “Simply by bathing in Govinda Kunda, one is awarded liberation. This lake was produced when Sri Krishna was bathed by Lord Indra.”

“In this way, Krishna was bathed by the milk of the surabhi cows, and Indra was bathed by the water of the celestial Ganges through the trunk of his elephant carrier. After this, the heavenly King Indra, along with the surabhi cows and all the other demigods and their mothers, worshiped Lord Krishna by bathing Him with Ganges water and the milk of the surabhis.” (Krishna Book, Chap. 27)

“With humility caused by great fear, Indra took hold of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna and, in the company of a Surabhi cow, performed His coronation festival by bathing Him with the waters of the heavenly Ganga. Thus Lord Krishna’s kingship over the cows became splendidly manifest. I pray that Govinda-kunda, the lake created by that ceremonial bath, may eternally appear before my eyes.” (Stavavali, Vraja-vilasa-stava 74)

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