Sunday 25 August 2024

Krishna Avatar (Janmashtami)

Hare Krishna

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् | धर्मसं स्थापनार्थाय संभावनामि युगे युगे || 

Krishna is one of the most revered and popular deities in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as a supreme god in his own right. Krishna’s life and teachings are central to many Hindu texts, including the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Bhagavata Purana.

 Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura. To protect him from the tyrant king Kamsa, he was taken to Gokul and raised by Nanda and Yashoda. The birth story of Lord Krishna is a fascinating and divine tale, celebrated during the festival of Janmashtami. Here’s a brief overview:

Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in the city of Mathura. Devaki’s brother, Kamsa, was a tyrannical ruler who imprisoned his own father to seize the throne. A prophecy foretold that Devaki’s eighth child would be the cause of Kamsa’s downfall. Fearing the prophecy, Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed their first six children. The seventh child, Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of Vasudeva’s other wife, Rohini. When Krishna, the eighth child, was born, the prison was filled with divine light, and the shackles and prison doors miraculously opened.

Following divine instructions, Vasudeva carried the newborn Krishna across the Yamuna River to the village of Gokul. Despite the heavy rains and flooding, the river parted to allow Vasudeva to cross safely. He exchanged Krishna with the newborn daughter of Yashoda and Nanda.

Krishna grew up in Gokul, where he was raised by Yashoda and Nanda. His childhood was filled with miraculous and playful events, showcasing his divine nature. As a child, Krishna performed many miracles and defeated numerous demons. He is also famous for his playful and mischievous nature.

Kanha is often depicted playing the flute and enchanting the gopis (cowherd girls), especially Radha, who is considered his eternal consort.

Krishna played a crucial role in the Mahabharata, serving as the charioteer and guide to Arjuna. His discourse to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is the Bhagavad Gita, a key philosophical text in Hinduism. Homes and temples are decorated with flowers, lights, and rangoli (colorful patterns made on the floor). Devotees also visit temples, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, which are significant places in Krishna’s life.

After defeating Kamsa, Krishna established his kingdom in Dwarka, where he ruled and married several queens, including Rukmini.

Krishna’s teachings emphasize devotion, righteousness, and the importance of performing one’s duty without attachment to the results.

Janmashtami is a time of joy, devotion, and community celebration. Janmashtami, the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth, is observed with great enthusiasm and devotion across India. 

Devotees observe a fast throughout the day, breaking it only at midnight, the time believed to be Krishna’s birth.

Nishita Kaal Puja... Special prayers and rituals are performed at midnight. Devotees sing bhajans and chant Krishna’s name. Jhulan Seva (Ritual of Swing)... Idols of baby Krishna are placed in cradles and swings, which are gently rocked by devotees.

Rasa Leela and Krishna Leela ...These are dramatic reenactments of Krishna’s youthful exploits and divine pastimes, often performed by children and adults alike.

Dahi Handi is Particularly popular in Maharashtra, this involves forming human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd, symbolizing Krishna’s playful and mischievous nature. Special sweets and dishes are prepared and offered to Krishna, which are later distributed among devotees as prasad.

Bhagavad Geeta is a profound guidance and wisdom for Hindu religion followers. It is the source of spiritual energy for the believers. 

The message given by Krishna Bhagwan to warrior Arjun at the battlefield which is nothing but a foundation for mankind to lead happy, successful and satisfying life. 

  • Dharma (Duty): The Gita emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duty without attachment to the results. This concept is known as Nishkama Karma.
  • Self-Realization: It encourages individuals to seek self-realization and understand their true nature beyond the physical body.
  • Paths to Liberation: The Gita outlines various paths to spiritual liberation, including the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga), devotion (Bhakti Yoga), and selfless action (Karma Yoga).
  • Equanimity: It teaches the value of maintaining equanimity in success and failure, pleasure and pain, and other dualities of life.
  • Divine Presence: The Gita highlights the omnipresence of the Divine, stating that God is present in all beings and all things.

The Bhagavad Gita outlines three primary paths to spiritual realization, each catering to different temperaments and inclinations:

  1. Karma Yoga (Path of Action): This path emphasizes performing one’s duties selflessly, without attachment to the results. It teaches that by dedicating all actions to the Divine, one can achieve spiritual liberation.
  2. Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge): This path focuses on the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and wisdom. It involves deep contemplation, self-inquiry, and the realization of the true nature of the self as distinct from the physical body and mind.
  3. Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion): This path is centered on loving devotion to a personal deity. It involves practices such as chanting, prayer, and worship, fostering a deep emotional connection with the Divine.

These paths are not mutually exclusive and can be integrated to suit an individual’s spiritual journey. The Gita encourages a balanced approach, combining action, knowledge, and devotion to achieve holistic spiritual growth.These teachings guide individuals to lead a life of purpose, virtue, and wisdom, offering solace and direction for those seeking a deeper understanding of existence.

Purushartha is a fundamental concept in Hindu philosophy that refers to the four aims or goals of human life. These goals provide a framework for living a balanced and fulfilling life. 

The four Purusharthas are:

  1. Dharma (Righteousness): This refers to living a life of virtue, morality, and ethical conduct. Dharma encompasses duties, rights, laws, and the right way of living. It is considered essential for maintaining social order and harmony.
  2. Artha (Prosperity): This goal focuses on the pursuit of wealth, career, and economic well-being. Artha is about acquiring the means to live comfortably and support oneself and one’s family.
  3. Kama (Pleasure): Kama involves the pursuit of sensory pleasures, love, and emotional fulfillment. It includes enjoyment of life, relationships, and artistic expressions.
  4. Moksha (Liberation): Moksha is the ultimate goal of human life, representing spiritual liberation and self-realization. It involves freeing oneself from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and achieving union with the Divine.

These four goals are interrelated and are meant to be pursued in a balanced manner. While Dharma, Artha, and Kama address the material and social aspects of life, Moksha focuses on spiritual growth and liberation. 

Lord Krishna is known by many names, each reflecting different aspects of his divine persona and deeds. Let us chant some names of the divine incarnation who arrived on this earth to protect the mankind and Dharma. 

Krishna - The dark-complexioned one

Govinda - Finder of the cows

Gopal - Protector of the cows

Madhava - Sweet like honey

Keshava - Slayer of the Keshi demon

Murari - Slayer of the demon Mura

Vasudeva - Son of Vasudeva

Janardana - Liberator of mankind

Damodara - One whose waist was bound with a rope

Madhusudana - Destroyer of the demon Madhu

Parthasarathi - Charioteer of Arjuna

Yadunandana - Son of the Yadu dynasty

Nandalala - Beloved son of Nanda

Giridhari - Lifter of Govardhan Hill

Ranchhod - One who left the battlefield

Dwarakadheesh - Lord of Dwarka

Gokulananda - Joy of Gokul

Navanitachora - Butter thief

Radhakrishna - The divine couple Radha and Krishna

Hari - The remover of sins

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