Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami (Devanagari कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी) , also known as"Krishnashtami","Saatam Aatham" ,"Gokulashtami", "Ashtami Rohini", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of god Vishnu.
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day, Ashtami tithi, of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhaadra in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra (called Aldebaran in the West) is ascendant. Rasa lila or dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna are a special feature in regions of Mathura and Vrindavan, and regions following Vaishnavism in Manipur.
About Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna is one of the most loved and revered Gods in the Hindu religion. He is regarded as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu born as human in ‘Dwapur Yug’ (Iron Age). He was a “Yaduvanshi” and is said to have been born between 3200 and 3100 BC according to Indian and Western researchers. Lord Krishna was born as the eighth child of Devki and Vasudev but was brought up by Mata Yashoda and Baba Nand.
The word, “Krishna” means, “one who is always in the transport of joy”. It also means “Black”. Lord Krishna was named so because of his dark complexion.
Krishna is known by many other names according to the characteristics he had and the feats he accomplished. He is known as “Makhan Chor” as he was fond of makhan (butter) and used to steal it with his friends. The incident of lifting Govardhan Mountain to save the people from rain made him famous as Girdhari. Also known as Banwari - the one staying in the groves of Vrindavan.
Bal Leelas
Krishna also known as Bal Gopal, was a very famous and fearless child. His childhood has a number of stories that prove him to be very brave and also reveal his spiritual and divine powers. Most important among them are killing of the demoness Putana, sent by Kansa to kill infant Krishna by feeding him poisoned milk;Slaying of Kaliya Nag, the dreaded serpent etc.
Poorna Purushottam
Blessed with a number of skills, Lord Krishna is regarded as "Solah Kala Sampoorna” and “Poorna Purushottam”. He acted as a teacher, protector, friend, guide and philosopher of Arjuna. He was an accomplished charioteer, a master flute player, giver of pleasure to cows, a romantic lover for Gopis besides possessing several other qualities.
Source of Inspiration for Artists, Painters and Philosophers
For centuries now, Lord Krishna has been the source of knowledge for humanity. His achievements are not restricted to followers of Hindu religion only. He has acted as an inspiration for all man-kind and the same is evident from the paintings of him that we see till date, spiritual talks taking place not only in India but all around the world. The Sri Krishna movement was started in the late 60s by ISKCON in the western countries. His reference can be found in literature, dance and music, sculptures, plays.
God of Romance
One of the most striking thing that differentiates Lord Krishna from other incarnations of Vishnu and make him seem more human is the fact that Krishna was a great lover. His love for Radha is immortal and very pious. Even though he married Rukmini but till date his name is always taken with his childhood love Radha. Also the love for his Gopis is the basis for ‘Raslilas’ that take place till date. His flute playing ability made all the cows that had wandered off gather at one place.
A Saviour
Lord Krishna is said to have resided in the city of Dwarka made by Vishkarma with as many as 16,000 wives. Legend has it when Bhagwan Krishna killed Demon Narada, he married the single girls of the entire village to save their honour. The mistress of the house was however Rukmini. He had 1,61,080 sons.
Role in Bhagawad Gita and Mahabharata
Lord Krishna played a very important role in Mahabharata (The epic battles fought in Kurukshetra between Pandavas and Kauravas) and Gita (Literally meaning 'Song of God', it contains teachings of Sri Krishna to his disciple Arjuna during Mahabharata). Lord Krishna's famous words “karm kar phal ki chinta mat kar” have been the basis of modern society.
Teachings of Lord Krishna
Krishna was the divine messenger who stressed on the importance of love and peace. Following the path of Dharma (Righteousness) and good Karma (Deeds) as a way to attain Moksha (salvation). He emphasised on the glory of satsanga (Being in the company of sadhus), He also taught the path of “Bhakti Yoga” which means attachment to God instead of attaching one's self to materialistic things. Bhagwan Krishna taught the nature and method of meditation. Feelings of joy, sorrow, grief, happiness are all maya (illusion); Only the love between God and the devotee is real.
The word, “Krishna” means, “one who is always in the transport of joy”. It also means “Black”. Lord Krishna was named so because of his dark complexion.
Krishna is known by many other names according to the characteristics he had and the feats he accomplished. He is known as “Makhan Chor” as he was fond of makhan (butter) and used to steal it with his friends. The incident of lifting Govardhan Mountain to save the people from rain made him famous as Girdhari. Also known as Banwari - the one staying in the groves of Vrindavan.
Bal Leelas
Krishna also known as Bal Gopal, was a very famous and fearless child. His childhood has a number of stories that prove him to be very brave and also reveal his spiritual and divine powers. Most important among them are killing of the demoness Putana, sent by Kansa to kill infant Krishna by feeding him poisoned milk;Slaying of Kaliya Nag, the dreaded serpent etc.
Poorna Purushottam
Blessed with a number of skills, Lord Krishna is regarded as "Solah Kala Sampoorna” and “Poorna Purushottam”. He acted as a teacher, protector, friend, guide and philosopher of Arjuna. He was an accomplished charioteer, a master flute player, giver of pleasure to cows, a romantic lover for Gopis besides possessing several other qualities.
Source of Inspiration for Artists, Painters and Philosophers
For centuries now, Lord Krishna has been the source of knowledge for humanity. His achievements are not restricted to followers of Hindu religion only. He has acted as an inspiration for all man-kind and the same is evident from the paintings of him that we see till date, spiritual talks taking place not only in India but all around the world. The Sri Krishna movement was started in the late 60s by ISKCON in the western countries. His reference can be found in literature, dance and music, sculptures, plays.
God of Romance
One of the most striking thing that differentiates Lord Krishna from other incarnations of Vishnu and make him seem more human is the fact that Krishna was a great lover. His love for Radha is immortal and very pious. Even though he married Rukmini but till date his name is always taken with his childhood love Radha. Also the love for his Gopis is the basis for ‘Raslilas’ that take place till date. His flute playing ability made all the cows that had wandered off gather at one place.
A Saviour
Lord Krishna is said to have resided in the city of Dwarka made by Vishkarma with as many as 16,000 wives. Legend has it when Bhagwan Krishna killed Demon Narada, he married the single girls of the entire village to save their honour. The mistress of the house was however Rukmini. He had 1,61,080 sons.
Role in Bhagawad Gita and Mahabharata
Lord Krishna played a very important role in Mahabharata (The epic battles fought in Kurukshetra between Pandavas and Kauravas) and Gita (Literally meaning 'Song of God', it contains teachings of Sri Krishna to his disciple Arjuna during Mahabharata). Lord Krishna's famous words “karm kar phal ki chinta mat kar” have been the basis of modern society.
Teachings of Lord Krishna
Krishna was the divine messenger who stressed on the importance of love and peace. Following the path of Dharma (Righteousness) and good Karma (Deeds) as a way to attain Moksha (salvation). He emphasised on the glory of satsanga (Being in the company of sadhus), He also taught the path of “Bhakti Yoga” which means attachment to God instead of attaching one's self to materialistic things. Bhagwan Krishna taught the nature and method of meditation. Feelings of joy, sorrow, grief, happiness are all maya (illusion); Only the love between God and the devotee is real.
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