Janmashtami: Birth of Lord Krishna

Janmashtami is one of the Indian, religious festivals which is celebrated on the eighth day of Sravan month according to the Hindu calendar, which usually falls during the month of August or September. Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna who is a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu which dates back to more than five thousand years ago. During that era, there was a very cruel and unfair ruler name Kans in Mathura, UP. People of Mathura were having a very hard time and were bearing tyranny and oppression of their ruler Kans. He had even overthrown his own father Ugrasena to gain access to the royal throne and became well-known for his vicious ambition that spared no one in the city, not even his loved ones.

Even though Kans was a very ruthless ruler, he loved his cousin sister Devaki very much and wanted to marry her off to a decent man. The day came when Devaki was getting married to King Vasudev of Yadu dynasty. After the ceremony, the great sage Narad came and told Kans that Devaki and Vasudev’s eighth child will be the reason of his death, in other words, he will kill Kans. Hearing this, Kans got worried and became angry which made him to try to kill his most beloved cousin. Vasudev pleaded him and promised him to surrender his every child to Kans as soon as they are born. Due to the fact that he was very fond of his sister and was also pleased with the agreement with Vasudev, Kans did not kill her yet he forced the newly wedded couple to be locked up in his palace prison until their eighth child was born. Devaki and Vasudev were imprisoned and were under constant watch by the royal guards of Kans. Every time a child was born, Kans would go to the cell personally and smash the head of the new born against the wall. Adamant Kans did not care about heartbreaking cries of Devaki and pleas from Vasudev and continued killing new born seven times until the eighth baby was born.

A miracle occurred during the night the eighth child was about to born. All of Kans’ royal guards magically went to sleep, the doors of the prison and the shackles of Devaki and Vasudev opened automatically. Soon Devaki gave birth to a baby boy, Krishna with dark complexion yet very beautiful. As Vasudev was amazed with his new born child, a voice from the sky (akashvani) ordered him to take his child to Gokul kingdom which was ruled by his own friend King Nand and exchange him with King Nand and Queen Yashoda’s daughter who was also born during the same time. He was also told that he needs to take the baby girl and return back to prison immediately before Kans knows about the birth of the child and kills him too. Vasudev was also reminded that this child has been born to conquer all evil and protect innocent people including the release of him and Devaki from Kans’ prison.

The Gokul kingdom was across Yamuna river through which Vasudev had to carry the new born. It was a rainy season and the river had rising tides. Vasudev found a basket in which he placed the baby and took him to the banks of great Yamuna river. When stepped into the river, Vasudev had more than half of his body sunk under the water. He tried his best to save baby from the rising water by holding him high on his head. Yet, he had no way to protect him from the rain. That’s when a huge five mouthed snake called Sheshnag followed him providing shade to the baby from rain. Vasudev finally reached his friend Nand’s house in Gokul where everyone was asleep. Vasudev quietly exchanged his son with Nand and Yashoda’s cute little daughter just like akashvani had advised.

Vasudev headed back to Mathura once again with the help of Sheshnag. He went back to the prison, shackles were back in place, doors closed and guards woke up. Upon seeing the baby, one of the guards rushed to Kans and gave him the news of the new born. Kans rushed to the cell as it was the eighth child. As he picked up the baby to kill her, she flew into the air. With a blinding flash of light, the baby took the form of a very strong goddess who taunted Kans that his destroyer has already been born and is now well and alive in a safe place. She also said no matter how hard he tries his destiny will not change. Along with the sound of laughter, the goddess disappeared leaving behind “dumbstruck” Kans. That goddess is now worshipped as many different names such as Durga, Tara, Ishani and Mandakini.

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated every year as Janmashtami. Due to the fact that Lord Krishna was born at mid night, every devotee goes to temple on the eighth day of sravan month every year and worship Lord Krishna and sing with great joy “Nand Ghera Nand Bhayo Jai Kanahaiya Lal Ki” which means at Nand’s house came the great Kanahaiya (another name of Lord Krishna). Lord Krishna is known to have two mothers, one is Devaki who gave him birth and another is Yashoda who raised him. Years later, Lord Krishna defeated Kans very courageously and got Devaki and Vasudev relief from the prison of Kans.

In addition to his bravery in defeating Kans and other evil spirits on earth, Lord Krishna is also known for his childhood mischief. One of his naughtiness is related to his favorite butter, yogurt and milk. He would break the pots and would steal butter, yogurt and milk very innocently which why he is also known as Maakhan Chor (Butter Robber). As a result, during the day time on Janmashtami, everyone in the neighborhood would get together in a huge crowd, they would hand a pot filled with butter, yogurt and milk, and few guys would create a pyramid and break the pot. It is not as easy as it sounds because the pot is usually hung really high up and it would take few times making and breaking of the pyramid before the pot can be actually broken. Janmashtami is a very religious and at the same time very joyous festival of India.

Happy Janmashtami to everyone!

Jai Shri Krishna!