۞**Happy Janmashtami to all۞--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of one of the most famous Gods of Hindu religion, Bhagwan Krishna, on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana or Savana. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star). It is generally celebrated in the month of August-September according to the Christian Calendar. Legend has it that Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa.
Celebrated for over Two Days
Janmashtami is celebrated for over two days as “Rohini” nakshatra and Ashtami may not fall on the same day. The first day known as Krishnashtami, as the birth of Bhagwan Krishna falls on the eighth day after Raksha Bandhan, which generally falls in the month of August. The second day is known as Kalashtami
Welcome the Lord at Midnight
It is only at midnight between the first and the second day that birth of Sri Krishna took place. The actual festivities begin during midnight in this 48 hour period. The celebration reaches its peak at midnight, with the birth of Lord Krishna, with lot of hymns, arti taking place and blowing of the Conch (shankh), rocking the cradle of Lord. The idol of lord is bathed with Panchamrit (A mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Gangajal). The Panchamrit is later distributed as Prasad to the devotees along with other sweets. While some Fast on the first day and break it at midnight for others the fasting continues for both days. The period coincides with rainy season.
Gita Saar
The teachings of Lord Krishna have been written down in a book famously known as 'Bhagwad Gita'. It is the holy book of Hindus. It is to Hindus, what Bible is to Christians or what the holy Quran is to Muslims. Since the book is quite big and extensive, sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to read at a stretch. Geeta Saar is the gist of the main teachings of Lord Krishna. It contains the crux of the Holy Gita.
Lord questions everyone over various issues and asks them to give up the illusionary world. Bhagwan Krishna says, the only way to achieve life long happiness is to surrender to him.
Why do you worry unnecessarily? What are you afraid of? Who can kill destroy you? A soul is never born, so it never dies.
Whatever happened in the past, happened for the best; whatever is happening, is happening for the best; whatever will happen in future, will happen for the best. Do not repent the past, do not worry for future, concentrate on your present.
What did you own, that makes you cry on losing? What did you bring, that you fear losing? What did you give birth to, that you fear its destruction? You didn't bring anything. Whatever one takes, one must return it to God. Everyone came empty handed and will therefore die, empty handed.
Whatever belongs to you today, belonged to someone else yesterday and it will belong to some one else tomorrow. Don't be illusioned by maya. Maya is the root cause of all pain and misery.
Change is the rule of nature. What one understands, as death is actually life itself. One moment you are the owner of crores and in the very next moment you become a pauper.
Your body doesn't belong to you and vice versa. Body is composed of five elements- Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Sky; one day it will perish in these elements.
Offer yourself to the Almighty Lord. This is the best support. One who knows this unconditional support gains freedom from fear, worry and despair.
An Ode to Krishna on Janmashtmi
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O Krishna with a fresh cloud-like body, O heart-enticer, O abode of river of happiness, O house of happiness, mercy, and tranquility.
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O benevolent to people and cows, O beautiful tresses one, O dearest of the city Mathura with beautiful clad, O temple of qualities and happiness, and house of wealth and treasure
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O lotus-eyed, O lotus inside our lake-like heart, O red-lipped, O beautiful baby Krishna, O pleaser of eyes, O one with ear-pleasing name.
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O slayer of the fear of this world and ornation of the earth, O malice-destructor and pleasure of (my) eyes, O support to cross the cycle of life and death and bestower of every wealth.
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O fascinating boy (Krishna), O care-taker of the entire universe, O absolver of the sinners in Kaliyuga, O supporter of earth (during the boar-incarnation), O cow-herd rearer, O leader of this universe, O Raam
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O Krishna reverred by world and dearest of Gokul, O protector of Mathura with sandalwood like soil of foot, O serene, pristine and soft, O Shyaam.
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O Krishna with a forehead resplendent like hundred moons, with a lotus-garland and a flamboyant walking gait, O decorative actor with a garland of Kaustubh-Jewel.
Accept my salutes, O dearest one of Kamalaa (Laxmi), O Krishna, the dear one of ruler of Vraja (Nanda) who cannot be described by voice, O hard to please even by Radha and consort of Lakshmi, O abode of Veda (knowledge) and Universe, O Krishna.
The celebration of Janmashtami is at its peak in the city of Mathura-birth place of Lord Krishna.
The city is about 145 kms from Delhi. Lord is said to have been born around 5000 years back to put an end to the evils of demons.
The city of Mathura adorns a complete festive look and the devotional mood reaches its pinnacle.
The main celebration takes place at the actual place of birth, now converted into a big temple known as Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir.
Lord's idol is kept in a room also known as the ‘Garbha Griha’.
Devotees keep a day-long fast and break it at midnight after the birth time of Bhagwan Krishna.
All through the day devotees remain immersed in the chanting of Shlokas and name of the Lord. Songs and hymns are also sung in the glory of Sri Krishna.
Midnight Celebrations
The Birth of Lord Krishna at midnight is followed by performance of pooja and other ceremonies.
The idol of Lord Krishna is bathed with milk and curd and then rocked in the cradle.
A popular belief of the inhabitants is that any wish made while rocking the cradle is fulfilled on this day.
The entire Mathura echoes with the sound of the conch (shankh) and ringing of bells.
Devotees pray and welcome the lord with slogans of 'Jai Shri Krishna'.
After the prayers have been performed, Panchamrit, a mixture of honey, gangajal, curd, ghee is distributed.
Lord is fed with the customary prasad of ‘Chhapan Bhog’ (Fifty six dishes).
Devotees break their fast with 'Prasad' of the Lord.
Lot of eatables made of milk and milk products are relished by the devotees.
Kheer, Laddoo, Butter, Shrikhand and Singhare ki Poori are few of the main dishes prepared on the day.
Performance of Rasleelas
Rasleelas, a kind of dance drama are performed at various places in Mathura city both by professionals as well as amateurs. Rasleela is performed by young boys between the age of 10-13 years. The artist acting as Krishna takes the divine form for devotees who touch his feet in reverence.
Jhanki (Tableau)
Jhankis, cribs or scenes depicting the various stages of Life of Lord Krishna are a common sight during Janmashtami all over Mathura city. Jhankis depict various important activities of Lord Krishna right from the childhood like - Janmlila, Shankarlila, Putanalila and Naglila.
Jhulanotsav and Ghatas
Another important feature of celebrations in Mathura city are Jhulanotsav and Ghatas. These are specially held only in Mathura City. During Jhulanotsav, Swings are put in courtyard of temples and houses to welcome Lord Krishna's birth. It symbolizes cradling of Lord Krishna. Ropes of swings are decorated with flowers to give a festive look.
The celebration of Sri Krishna's birth will be incomplete without Ghatas, another month-long unique feature, wherein all the temples of Mathura City are decorated with the same colour according to the theme selected. Even The idol of Lord Krishna is adorned with the Clothes of same colour. Devotees put their and heart and soul in decorating the temples and their house to welcome the birth of Lord Krishna.
Number of Visitors During Janmashtami
An estimated 8 lakh devotees visit the birth city Mathura during Janmashtami. The number, however, keeps growing every year. One finds it difficult to find an accommodation during festival days, so devotees get prior reservations made.
Auspicious Nakshatra (Constellation)
Around the time of Bhagwan Krishna's birth, Rohini Nakshatra was predominant as it is considered to be quite auspicious. This is so because it is under the supervision of Brahma, the creator of Universe. Sri Krishna was born in the month Of Sravana more than 5000 years ago.
Born in Dwapur Yug (Iron Age)
According to some scholars, Krishna was born on Wednesday,the eighth day of second fortnight in Sravana month in the year of Visvavasu around 3227 BC, also known as Dwapur Yug. July 19th 3228 BC to be more accurate. He lived for 125 years and disappeared on February 18th 3102 BC on the new moon night of Phalguna. His death was the onset of the current corrupt age known as Kaliyug.
Universal Happiness of all Forms of Life
From the time, Devki conceived Sri Krishna, she began to glow and exude divine light. The prison walls glowed with the aura of the new born infant. Atmosphere of peace and happiness prevailed all over, Forests were all green and full of trees with all kinds of beautiful flowers, rivers were all swollen due to joy, peacocks began to dance in sheer joy, people in all villages started being happy.
Events Before The Birth of Sri Krishna
The people of Mathura were extremely unhappy with the wicked king Kansa who put his father, king Ugrasen in prison and declared himself the king of Mathura. It was to put an end to his evil ways and other demons that Lord Vishnu decided to take birth on Earth in human form. According to Akashvani (heavenly voice) at the wedding of his beloved sister Devki, Kansa got to know that the eighth child of his sister will take birth to kill him. So, in turn he rushed to kill his sister. Kansa gave up the idea of killing after being assured by Vasudev that he will handover all his children to him. He put them in Prison. Kansa killed all the six infants as soon as they were born. The seventh child (Balram) was saved due to divine intervention, when he was transferred from Devki's womb to that of Rohini's (other wife of Vasudev).
Events During the Birth of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna was born in a prison cell in the captivity of King Kansa. He took birth in divine form with lotus like eyes,his palms bearing the signs of a lotus and discus. He had a swastika sign on his sole. Wearing a yellow colored silk cloth, adorned with precious diamond earrings and a crown made of emeralds. Soon after the birth, a chain of events astonished Vasudev,when he saw the gates of the cell flow open and all the guards fast asleep. He immediately thought of Nand ,his close friend in Gokul and decided to handover his child to him in order to save him from the clutch of Kansa.
River Yamuna Bows To The Feet of Sri Krishna
The night of birth was witnessed by heavy rains which led to River Yamuna being in floods. As soon as the feet of Lord immersed in the river, the flow became normal and Yamuna made way for the Lord. Sheshnag, the serpent formed an umbrella to save the new born baby from rain.
Exchange of the Babies
Vasudev kept his child next to fast asleep Yashoda and took the baby girl lying with him back to Mathura. The baby girl is believed to be the sister of Lord Vishnu.
Disappearance of The Divine Child
On hearing the news of birth of the eighth child of Devki and Vasudev, Kansa rushed to the prison-cell and lifted the baby girl to kill her despite pleadings from Devki. However, instead of hitting the stone, the child flew up in the air and announced that the annihilator of Kansa was born and in safe hands.
Krishna later grew in Gokul and finally killed his maternal uncle, King Kansa.
Position of Stars at the time of Birth
It was only on the eighth day of the second fortnight, in the month of Sravana when, the moon entered the house of Vrishabha in Rohini Nakshatra (star) that Lord appeared.
According to Barhapatyamana, the month of Sravana corresponds to the month of Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha. Lord was born in the year of Visvavasu, appx. 5,227 years ago.
Aarti for Janmashtami
Jai shri Krishna hare, prabhu jai jai Girdhari,
Danav-dal balihari, Go dwij hitkari.
Jai Govind dayanidhi, Govardhan dhari,
Vanshidhar banvari, braj jan priyakari.
Ganika godh ajamil, gajpati bhayhari,
Arat-arti hari, jai mangalkari.
Gopalak gopeshwar, draupadi dukhdari,
Shabar suta sukhkari, Gautam tiya tari.
Jan prahlad pramodak, narhari tanu dhari,
jan man ranjankari, diti sut sanhari.
Tidwish-sut sanrakshak, rakshak manjhari,
Pandu suvan shubhkari, kaurav madhari.
Manmath-manmath mohan, murli rav kari,
Vrindavipin bihari, yamuna tat chari.
Agh bak baki udharak, trinavarta tari,
bidhi surpati madhari, kansa muktikari.
Shesh mahesh saraswati, gun gavat hari,
Kal kirti vistari, bhakt bheeti hari.
Narayan sharnagat, ati agh aghhari,
Pad-raj pawankari, chahat hitkari.
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