Rain in Hinduism
Once upon a time...
In Mathura, as people were preparing a puja for the King of Heaven, Lord Indra. Lord Krishna, who was just a child at the time, questioned as to why they were doing this.
They explained, in Hinduism, rain is revered as a sign of blessing, especially from Lord Indra, as the God of rain and all of its related elements.
When the Gods are happy, we are rewarded with ample rain for farmland and vice versa.
Krishna naively challenged this, saying that the farmers should fulfill their karma by worshiping the land – specifically, Mount Govardhan, in their case – they exist upon. The farmers were convinced and listened, angering Lord Indra.
In his fury, Lord Indra called upon thunderstorms to flood the people of Mathura and their village. To rescue the town, Krishna raised the entire Mount Govardhan to provide shelter for people.
Watching this from heaven above, Lord Indra’s pride was shattered and he removed the storms and restored harmony again to ensure fertile land for their crops.
The Rig Veda states, “The Waters are the foundation of all this universe.”
In Hinduism, the rains, also called varsha, signify life, renewal, devotion, love, sorrow, rebirth, compassion, difficulties in life, and the power of the heavens to mold life upon earth according to the will of God.
When we cry or laugh too hard, we find “rain from our eyes” containing our emotions. The same holds true for Earth.
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Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns.
