Jap and Aarti

Shri Krishna Jayanti

Content

Introduction

Synonyms: Janmashtami, Janmashtam, Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, Kalashtami

The birth of Shri Krishna is celebrated at midnight on Shri Krishna Jayanti. This year it falls on August 28, 2013.

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Shri Krishna was born on the eighth day (ashtami) of the second (dark) fortnight of the month of Shravana. Five thousand years ago, He incarnated, at the end of the third cosmic era, 'Dwapar Yuga' and the beginning of the present era, 'Kali Yuga'. The divine principle (tattva) of Shri Krishna is most active on this day of the year.

At midnight, the ritual of waving lit lamps (aarti) is performed. Krishna Jayanti is especially significant from the viewpoint of establishing Righteousness (Dharma), and surrendering unto The Lord.

Video (Marathi)

This video gives practical and scientific information about Sree Krishna Janmasthami. Video includes how to prepare prasadam i.e. Dahi-kala, spitiual significance of Krishna Janmashtami. Currently video is available only in Marathi language.

Sattvik Image of Shri Krishna

This image is made by seekers of Sanatan Sanstha.

Jap and Aarti

Significance and Celebration

Following points provide information about Janmashtami. For details about Shri Krishna, please refer the series of articles.

According to Numerology

The number eight is a reducing number (kshayaank). According to numerology the number eight is responsible for generating revolutionary thoughts. It would not be wrong to say that Shri Krishna's entire life was an era of revolution.

Celebration

1. The birth of Shri Krishna is celebrated at midnight on Krishna Jayanti. At midnight, the ritual of waving lit lamps (aarti) is performed. (Click here for the listening aarti.)

2. His statue is placed in a swing and devotionally offered many sumptuous food dishes, in particular kheer (a sweet dish made from milk, sugar and rice/vermicelli) or halva/sheera (a sweet dish made from semolina,ghee and sugar).

3. People incorrectly think that Shri Krishna loved butter and so offer butter to Him. In fact, He ate butter because the evil king Kansa taxed the people, and in order to pay their taxes, they were forced to sell butter. To prevent these civilians from suffering and caving into the unrighteous demands of the king, Shri Krishna would eat or spill their butter. In doing so, He taught the people to develop a fighting spirit (kshatravrutti) and not to tolerate injustice in any capacity.

4. One should fast the whole day before the celebration at midnight. The fast is ended either at midnight by eating the Holy sacrament (prasad) or the next morning by eating an offering of a mixture (dahikala) of curd (yogurt with enzymes retained) with various eatables, milk and butter. When grazing the cattle along with the cowherds at Vraj (a city in ancient India - in modern day North India), Shri Krishna mixed the lunches of His companions with that of His own and ate it along with them. In keeping with this story, later it became customary to prepare dahikala and break a hanging pot containing curd on the day after Gokulashtami.

5. Temples are decorated for the occasion. Kirtans are sung, bells are rung, the conch is blown, and Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Shri Krishna. At Mathura (a city in North India, near the birthplace of Shri Krishna), special spiritual gatherings are organized at this time. Pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings.

Fasting on this day as well as observing Rushipanchami, a vowed religious observance (vrat), reduces the effects of menses, impurity and touch on women. [The effects on men are reduced by performing acts of repentance (prayashchitta karma), such as shaving the head, etc. Performing the ritual of Udakshanti reduces the effects on the premise.]

Significance behind the celebration

Krishna Jayanti is especially significant from the viewpoint of establishing Righteousness (Dharma), and surrendering unto The Lord.

Establishing Righteousness

"Where there is Krishna, there is Dharma, where there is Dharma, there is victory. Since Duryodhana, leader of the Kauravas, did not observe dharma, he did not have Krishna. No Krishna, no victory."- Sage Ved Vyas

His teachings in essence

During the Mahabharat war Shri Krishna uttered 700 shlokas (holy verses) in the form of the 'Bhagavat Gita' to convince the reluctant Arjuna to fight his own kith and kin to reinstate Righteousness (Dharma). The Lord finally uttered the essence of His teachings in the following verse (18/66) : "O Arjun! Forsake all your personal beliefs and surrender to me. Do not lament, for I shall deliver you from all sins."

Devotion Increasing

Not only is His principle (tattva) most active on Krishna Jayanti, but in present times His energy is 100% manifest, and He rushes to the aid of the devotee who surrenders unto Him. His devotee long to feel closer to Shri Krishna every day and not just on Shri Krishna Jayanti. To invoke Shri Krishna's principle the best solution is to repeat Shri Krishna's Name as follows: “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” continuously through every action.

Deriving maximum benefit

Chanting (repetition) of His Name invokes His presence within oneself as The Lord and His Name are one. All of the qualities that reside in The Lord are there in The Name. Thus, repeating His Name will surely herald His presence and blessings in life.

Therefore, to derive maximum benefit from Krishna Jayanti, devotees can daily make conscious efforts through chanting and prayer to surrender at the Lord's lotus-feet. Such spiritual practice would equip one to participate in establishing Righteousness by spreading the importance of Spirituality to others, removing misconceptions about it and helping curb incorrect practices.

Series of Articles on Shri Krishna

Views: 29940 How did Lord Krushna acquire Sudarshan Chakra ? Of all weapons sudarshan chakra is the only one which is constantly in motion. There are various schools of thought regarding its creation.

Views: 12344 What is the real relationship between Radha and Sri Krushna ? Radha is the manifest form of devotion unto Krushna. Devotion of the gopis is an illustration of ultimate devotion. Radha among them was like a jewel in the crown.

Views: 8971 Why is Lord Krushna considered an absolute incarnation ? Krushna was born on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan. Krushna was an absolute incarnation (purnavtar). Actually an absolute incarnation is not an incarnation but The Lord Himself; hence it possesses all the characteristics of The Lord.

Views: 8265 Why is Lord Rama known as Maryadapurushottam and Lord Krushna as Purnapurushottam? Depending on the situation, at times Lord Krushna crossed the limitations of Righteousness; but in reality since He was one beyond the three components, The Supreme Being performing the divine sport (Lilapurushottam) and The Absolute Supreme Being (Purnapurushottam) He was always beyond limitations.

Views: 6552 Sree Krushna Janmashtami Shri Krushna is Absolute Incarnation (Purnavatar). He was born in 3185 B.C. on the midnight of Shravan Krushna Ashtamee, under Rohinee Nakshatra (constellation). As per the Vikram samvat this tithi falls on Bhadrapad Krushna Ashtamee.

Views: 5890 Why did Lord Krushna narrate Gita only to Arjun ? The Mahabharat is the most important part of Krushna's life. Written by Sage Vyas it is a prominent historical text.

Views: 4911 How did Lord Krushna end His Incarnation ? When the Yadavs fought amongst themselves and most died at Prabhas, Balaram renounced His body in the sea, that is He took jalasamadhi.

Views: 4720 Sree Krushna Jayanti The significance of the birth of Lord Krushna which celebrated as Sri Krushna Jayanti. It will be celebrated at midnight on 1th Sept 2010 as it falls on this day according to the tithi.

Views: 3833 Why did Sreekrushna perform Rasleela? The festival of Ras, as described in the Sreemadbhagawat Puran, began on the full moon night in the Sharad season and continued all night until daybreak. Sreekrushna had only one thought that the Rasleela could bring about spiritual progress of the gopees.

Views: 3671 When did the ritualistic worship of Lord Krushna begin? Krushna belonged to the Satvat clan of the Yadav dynasty. After He renounced His body this clan began worshipping Him. This was a kind of beginning of the Path of Devotion (Bhaktimarg).

Defamation of Shri Krishna by M F Husain and others

	M F Husain painted Arjun on Chariot with George Washington instead of Shri Krishna and holding US flag.
	Anti-Hindu DMK leaders Karunanidhi and his son are posed as Krishna and Arjun