Why Janmashtami is Celebrated ?

Shri Krishna is an integral part of India’s spiritual fabric, transcending barriers of caste, creed, religion, and region. His captivating stories, the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, His love and devotion, and His guiding light have touched the souls of countless individuals throughout history.

Janmashtami, the sacred celebration of Shri Krishna’s birth, calls us to embark on a spiritual journey. It prompts us to explore the depths of spirituality, to embrace the power of love and devotion, and to delve into the mysteries of life. Janmashtami is more than just joyful festivities; it carries a profound spiritual message that echoes through time.

In the blog below, let us unravel the true meaning of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. Let us uncover its spiritual significance and discover how we can celebrate it in a way that nourishes our souls. Together, let us embark on this divine exploration and connect with the eternal wisdom and love of Shri Krishna.

What is Janmashtami?

The term “janma” signifies the divine arrival into the world, while “ashtami” represents the number eight. Hence, Krishna Janmashtami commemorates the auspicious birth of Lord Krishna on the eighth day of the lunar fortnight, during the sacred month of Bhadrapada (August-September).

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥

Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata |Abhyuthanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham||

Paritranaya sadhunang vinashay cha dushkritam| Dharma Sansthapanarthay sambhavami yuge yuge||

Meaning: Whenever righteousness declines, and unrighteousness prevails, I manifest myself. To safeguard the virtuous, to annihilate the wicked, And to establish righteousness firmly, I am born from era to era.

Within the sacred scripture Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna imparts this wisdom to Arjuna. He reveals that whenever wrongdoing and injustice reach an overwhelming extent on Earth, the Divine takes manifestation among us. Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, incarnates for various divine purposes. Shri Krishna was a divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and we commemorate His birth on Janmashtami, a joyous occasion of celebration.

Fascinating Story of Janmashtami

Once upon a time, in the mystical land of Mathura, there lived a wicked king named Kansa. He ruled with an iron fist, spreading fear and darkness everywhere. But far away, in a prison cell, Kansa’s virtuous sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva were imprisoned.

A divine prophecy had foretold that Devaki’s eighth child would be the one to bring an end to Kansa’s reign of terror. Filled with fear, Kansa vowed to kill every child born to Devaki. As the days passed, Devaki and Vasudeva awaited the birth of their eighth child, hoping for a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

Then, on a stormy night, the eighth child was born to Devaki. It was no ordinary child—it was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself. As the child’s divine light filled the prison cell, both Devaki and Vasudeva felt an overwhelming sense of awe and reverence.

Knowing the danger that awaited the newborn, divine energy guided Vasudeva. The prison gates mysteriously opened, and Vasudeva cradled the newborn baby in His arms. With each step, the guards slumbered, and the prison walls vanished, allowing Vasudeva to safely carry the child through the stormy night.

As Vasudeva reached the banks of the river Yamuna, it was overflowing with tumultuous waves. Yet, with unwavering faith, He placed the child in a basket and entrusted Him to the river. Miraculously, the river parted, and Vasudeva crossed to the other side.

Meanwhile, in the village of Gokul, Nanda and Yashoda, a simple and loving couple, had just welcomed a baby girl. Yashoda’s heart was filled with joy as she held her newborn daughter. Little did they know that a divine exchange was about to take place.

The baby girl was none other than Yogamaya, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Lord Vishnu orchestrated a mystical swap, and the divine baby girl was placed in Devaki’s arms while the newborn boy was brought to Gokul.

As the storm subsided, Vasudeva returned to the prison, and the guards were none the wiser. When Kansa learned about the birth of Devaki’s eighth child, He stormed into the prison, ready to take the baby’s life. But to His astonishment, He discovered the baby girl in Devaki’s arms, not the prophesied boy. Nevertheless, when he was about to slaughter that innocent girl, She escaped from his arms, turned into the Divine Goddess Yogamaya, and declared that the child you want to kill has already been born somewhere else.

Years passed, and the divine child, named Krishna, grew up in the loving care of Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul. Krishna displayed remarkable qualities, charming everyone with His playful nature and captivating smile, killing the scary demons King Kansa sent to kill him. Ultimately, at the age of nine, He killed the demonic King Kansa, freeing the Kingdom of Mathura from the clutches of tyranny. Later on, Lord Krishna became the epitome of righteousness, and showed the path of Dharma to the world in the form of Bhagwat Geeta.

On the sacred day of Janmashtami, the world celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna—the embodiment of love, wisdom, and divine grace. Devotees fast, chant prayers, and sing devotional songs to honor Krishna’s presence on Earth.

Why is Janmashtami Celebrated across the world?

Janmashtami, the sacred festival celebrated across the world, holds great significance and spiritual depth. It is a joyous occasion that commemorates the divine birth of Lord Krishna, who is revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Victory of Righteousness

Janmashtami is celebrated for various reasons that touch our hearts and souls. Firstly, it symbolizes the victory of righteousness over wickedness. Lord Krishna took birth on Earth to vanquish evil forces and establish a reign of love, truth, and harmony. His divine presence brought hope and inspiration to all those who were oppressed and suffering.

The bond between the Soul and the Divine

Secondly, Janmashtami serves as a reminder of the eternal bond between the devotee and the Divine. Lord Krishna’s enchanting form and divine Leelas (miraculous acts) captivate our hearts and draw us closer to the path of devotion. By celebrating Janmashtami, we express our love and devotion to Krishna and seek His blessings to lead a righteous and fulfilling life.

A reminder of His Leela’s

Moreover, Janmashtami teaches us valuable life lessons through the enchanting stories of Lord Krishna’s childhood. His Leelas and teachings encourage us to live a life of compassion, humility, and selflessness. Lord Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita inspire us to fulfill our Dharma (righteous duties) with dedication and to surrender the fruits of our actions to the Divine.

Self-discovery

Beyond the festivities and merriment, Janmashtami carries a profound spiritual message that resonates through time. It invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to explore the depths of our spirituality, and to connect with the divine essence within ourselves.

Divine light within us

On this special day, we contemplate the mysteries of life, the purpose of our existence, and the divine spark that resides in each and every one of us. It is a time to reflect on the teachings of Lord Krishna, to learn from His wisdom, and to seek spiritual enlightenment.

Janmashtami is a reminder of the power of love and devotion, showing us that through devotion to the divine, we can find inner peace and fulfillment. It reminds us of the eternal bond between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul, urging us to nurture our connection with the divine and cultivate a deep sense of reverence.

Celebrating Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, Satam Ashtam, Sri Krishnashtami, Sri Krishna Jayanti, or Ashtami Rohini, is a cherished and eagerly anticipated festival celebrated throughout India. It is a time when people come together, and temples are adorned with divine splendor.

During this auspicious occasion, melodious Kirtans (devotional songs) fill the air, resonating with heartfelt devotion to Lord Krishna. Bells chime joyfully, conch shells reverberate, and Sanskrit hymns are sung, offering praises to the divine presence of Lord Krishna.

Rangoli (an art form in which patterns are drawn on the floor) holds a sacred significance, symbolizing the divine presence and adding to the festive ambiance. To honor Lord Krishna, draw a Rangoli in front of His temple and at the main entrance of your home. Incorporate elements such as peacock feathers and a flute in your Rangoli design, as they represent the divine attributes of Lord Krishna.

If there are young children in your household, you can dress them up as Radha and Krishna. This allows them to participate in the worship ceremony and experience the joy of devotion.

If you have a small idol of Bal Gopal (baby Krishna) at home, create a lovely swing for him. Decorate the swing with colorful flowers or twinkling lights to make it look beautiful.

If you have idols of Radha and Krishna, transform your prayer room into a festive space. Decorate it with vibrant flowers, glowing lights, and colorful paper decorations.

Remember, just like we dress up for special occasions, dress up Lord Krishna and Radha in new clothes. Adorn them with lovely ornaments to make them look even more divine.

During Janmashtami, temples offer 56 different types of foods as offerings, but if it’s not possible to make all those at home, don’t worry. You can still make a few sweets as an offering, as it is a symbol of your love and devotion to Shri Krishna.

The teachings of Krishna remind us of important truths that guide us towards love, kindness, and wisdom. As we join in the festivities, let’s embrace the lessons from Krishna’s life, such as the power of devotion, the beauty of selfless love, and the journey of the soul. May this celebration inspire us to deepen our spiritual connection, find inner peace, and spread love and goodness to those around us. May the blessings of Lord Krishna bring happiness and light our path towards spiritual growth and understanding.