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Janmashtami

Janmashtami marks the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It falls on the eighth day of the dark half of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August/September). Krishna, the divine son of Devaki and Vasudeva was born on a stormy night in a prison where his parents had been kept by Kansa, the wicked king of Mathura. As the legend goes, Kansa who was the brother of Devaki killed all her children at birth because he had been warned that her eighth child would kill him. But on the rainy night when Krishna was born, the doors of the prison opened automatically and Vasudeva, putting the newborn into a basket under blankets, carried him across the Yamuna River, then in spate. Krishna was given to Nand and Yashoda, his foster parents in Gokul, and the new born daughter if Yashoda, an incarnation of Parvati, was taken to replace Krishna.

Krishna’s birth is celebrated all over the country with great devotion and enthusiasm. Temples are decorated and illuminated for the occasion. The image of infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in a cradle, amidst the blowing of conch shells and the ringing of bells. Devotional songs and dances mark the celebration of this festive occasion. On this day, devotees fast till midnight and they break their fast only after they have rocked an idol of baby Krishna in a flower-bedecked cradle.

Lord Krishna has played many legendary roles during his appearance in the world. He was Arjuna’s charioteer. He was a master musician. The music of his flute thrilled the hearts of the Gopis and everyone else. He was a cowherd in Brindavan and Gokul. He exhibited miraculous powers even as a child. He killed many Demons. He revealed his cosmic form to his mother Yashoda. He performed Rasa Lila. He taught the supreme Truth of Yoga Bhakti and Vedanta to Arjuna and Uddhava. He had mastered every one of the sixty four fine arts. For all these reasons he is regarded as a complete manifestation of God. To the Hindus, he is the supreme statesman, warrior, hero, philosopher, teacher and God himself.