Why did bhagavan stop the indra yajna?

You must have heard of the Govardhana leela, right? Why did bhagavan stop the Indra yajna?

This happened when bhagavan was residing in Gokula with his elder brother, balarama, performing various divine leelas. The Govardhana leela had three main purposes:

1. To stop the vrindavan residents from worshipping other deities while paramatma himself was present among them. Instead, they should focus on bhakti in the right way. To teach people to perform yajnas in a way that aligns with devotion. 
2. The brahmanas who take deeksha for yajnas do not leave their land to travel elsewhere. So, how could a yajna take place in Gokula? This issue needed to be resolved.
3. To curb Indra's arrogance.

Through the vastrapaharana leela, bhagavan revealed his divine nature to ordinary people (gopis). Later, through the yajnnapathni leela, he made scholars realize his supreme nature. And through Govardhana leela, bhagavan made even the devas recognize his greatness.

One day, Bhagavan saw the gopas preparing for a grand yajna. He asked Nandagopa and the elder gopas: 'Why are you performing this yajna? What is its purpose? What materials are used in this yajna? Is it mentioned in the vedas or the smritis, or is it just a local tradition?'

A karma performed with jnana is fruitful. But mechanical rituals have no real effect.

Nandagopa replied, 'This yajna is scripturally prescribed. It is Indra who brings rain. Through rain, all living beings receive life and food. Without rain, there is no agriculture, and without agriculture, no food. Since we depend on Indra for food, he must always be worshipped. This yajna for Indra has been part of our clan’s tradition for generations. If it is interrupted, the consequences will be inauspicious.'

Bhagavan then said, 'Is it not true that every being reaps the fruits of their own karma? Can Indra change that? No one—be it devas, asuras, or humans—can act against their own nature. If one's own karma determines the results, should we not worship karma itself? Karma is ishvara. If we live according to our destined dharma, there will be no obstacles. Our duty is rearing of cows, not farming. What use do we have for Indra?

Even if you believe that Indra causes the rains, does he do it by himself? No! It is rajo guna that drives him. Indra does not act out of his own free will. If he really controlled the rain, why does it fall uselessly over the ocean? Why does it not fall where the land is dry? Clearly, clouds shower rain due to the influence of rajo guna, not by Indra's order.

Since we live in forests and mountains, we should worship vishnu, who is the lord of forests and mountains. We should worship Govardhana hill, cows, and brahmanas in our yajna.

Why should we worship cows and brahmanas? Because brahmanas hold the mantras for yajna, and cows provide milk and ghee for yajna. For us, living in the forest and mountains, this kind of yajna is the most suitable.

Indra yajna pleases only Indra, whereas a vaishnava yajna like this pleases all deities. So let us prepare a grand feast immediately!'

Instead of the Indra yajna, a joyous public festival was held.

Bhagavan then said, 'Through homa, brahmanas satisfy agni and all devas. We can satisfy brahmanas by offering them delicious food and gifting them cows. We can feed the cows with tender grass to please them. We can also offer food to others, including birds and animals. Through bali, we can satisfy the spirits of the departed, including fallen and sinful souls.

We should worship Govardhana, offer naivedya, and circumambulate the hill. This kind of puja will satisfy the cows, brahmanas, giriraja Govardhana, and me as well.'

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi