Wednesday, Dec 25 2024  

Janmashtami - 25 Aug 2014

Janmashtami (also known as Krishnastami or Gokulastami) is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu . According to the Hindu calendar this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Shraavana

Sri Krishna is considered as the one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna's birth was to re-establish DHARMA He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated bhakti and good karma which are narrated deeply in the Bhagwat Geeta.

Krishna says in the Bhagavad geeta "Whenever there is decay of righteousness and a rise of unrighteousness then I manifest Myself for the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age."

Janmashtami or the birthday of Lord Krishna has a huge spiritual significance in Hinduism. As the legend goes, Lord Krishna was born in the darkness of night, inside a cell of a jail where His parents Vasudeva & Devaki, were locked up by his cruel uncle Kamsa. It is said that at the moment of his birth, all the guards slept off, the chains broke and the barred doors gently flew open.

Janmashtami's meaning is deep rooted and it conveys a message that all human beings spend their life engulfed with the darkness of their own vices. We are bound with so many shackles of anger, greed, temptations, attachments and pain. But as the Lord takes birth, every bit of the darkness fades away and we are released from all the chains of the worldly pleasures.

Krishna's primary role was that of a teacher. He taught the Gita to Arjuna. He told Arjuna: "Be only My instrument!" Krishna thereby declared: "Using you as an instrument I am reforming the whole world." Through Bhagavad Geeta Krishna taught the world Bhakti Yoga- The path of devotion, Karma Yoga – Selfless action and Jnana yoga - Self Transcending Knowledge.

The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during the midnight as Sri Krishna is believed to be born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kamsa. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with devotional songs and dances, pujas, arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Sri Krishna.

The Lord declares in the Gita, " Put your trust in Me, carry on your duties, be helpful to everyone, and sanctify your lives. Dedicate all actions to God. That is the way to experience oneness with God. God is in you. You are in God. This oneness is the basic truth. Chant the name of the Lord and render social service in a spirit of selflessness and devotion to God".

Thank You and Jai Sai Ram

Bro Jishnu
Group 3