Prof (Dr) R.D. Gupta
Janamashtami also known as Krishanashtami or Gopal / Gokulashtami, is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna. This festival is commemorated on Lord Krishna’s birth day. In Dogri dialect, Janamashtami is called Thakrein Da Barat which means fast of deities. This fast was first observed by the deities while they were being teased and killed by Demen king Kans – Maternal uncle of Lord Krishna. They subsequently used to worship the god by keeping the fasts to get rid of the tyranny of the king kanas at the earliest. One day all the deities along with Guru Brahaspati went to Lord Vishnu with the request to save them from cruelty of the kanas. Lord Vishnu listened their request patiently and said, “Need not to worry, I am shortly appearing on the earth by way of taking birth in the house of Devaki and Vasudev for killing all demons including the king kanas”.
Birth of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna, eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu (cosmic preserver and protector of the universe) took his birth in the house of Devaki wife of Vasudev and sister of the king kanas in the jail more than 5 thousand years ago in Mathura during the end of Doapar Yug. He was born on the mid night between first and second days. Since this day fell on eighth day (Ashtami) of lunar fort night so its name Krishna Ashtami came to fore. Krishan Ashtami always comes off during Sharavan or Bhadon month of Bikrami era which coincides with August or September according to Christen era. This is the only festival which is celebrated upto two or seven days. The first day is Krisnashtami or Gopalashtami and second day Kalashtami or Janamashtami
Legends: A number of legends have been narrated with regard to Lord Krishna’s influences on Indian life.
i) Lord Krishna’s Appearance: Appearance of Lord Krishna is not like that of an ordinary man but stands forced to accept a material body according to the past actions. As per the 2nd Chapter of Tenth Canto in Shrimad Mahapuran, he appears out of his own sweetness. At the time of Lord Krishna’s appearance, the constellation became auspicious under astrological influence of Rohin (owner of Brahma).
During Lord Krishna’s birth, the planetary systems were automatically adjusted with an atmosphere of peace and prosperity in all directions. The semigods and sages being happy began to shower flowers. Lord Vishnu appeared before Devaki in darkness night and told her that he is taking birth from her womb as Lord Krishna. Vasudev saw that wonderful child born as bay. He said in his prayers, “My dear Lord, I understood who are you? You are supreme personality of God and purpose of your appearance is to kill kans and his followers. I am sure you will do this job.” After prayers of Vasudev, Devaki made her prayers and said, ” My dear Lord your eternal forms like Narayana, Lord Rama Narsimha, Vamana, emanating from Lord Vishnu have been described in Vedic literature. I request you to save me from the cruel hands of kans”. The Lord replied to Devaki and Vasudev ” I have appeared in this Vishnu form just to convince you, I am the same supreme God head again taking birth in your house. I assure, I will soon make you free from the cruelty of the king Kans.
Killing of King Kans and Running Away of Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna’s policy was to defend the oppressed from the oppressor which showed that he was intensively humane. He killed the king Kans and many others of demonia attributes to free those who were subjected to their cruelity.
After killing Kans, Lord Krishna again made Ugrasan as the king of Mathura. Killing of Kans has a great significance in Lord Krishna’s life as he had to move to Dwarka from Mathura. It is because, the king Jarasind (father in law of Kans) of Magad Desh attacked Mathura 18 times to take revenge of the demise of his son in law. Inspite of so fierce and powerful these attacks, Lord Krishna successfully repulsed them yet he was determined to flee from Mathura. Thus, Lord Krishna shifted his base to far-away at Dwarka with all Yadavs. Hence, he became popular as “Maidan or Run Shore” (Runaway from the battle field). Later on during the Mahabharta fight, Bhimsan Pandav’s brother killed King Jarasind after slicing his body’ into two pieces.
Lord Krishna and Dwarka: Dwarka that became a seat of power for the rest of Lord Krishna’s eventful life, is belived to submerge in the sea about 36 years after Mahabharta’s war. Forewarned Lord Krishna per suaded the Yadavs to move to higher reaches near Somnath temple. But many Yadavas lost their lives themselves. Lord Krishna also expired a few days later struck by a hunter’s arrow.
Excavations near Somnath unearthed the remains of temple of 300 BC in which Lord Krishna and his brother Balram have been identified from their flagstaff. Lord Krishna’s son Praduman, grandson Anirudh have also been identified. A more recent historical records dated 574 AD occurs in what, are called Palitana plates of Somnath Simhaditya. The inscriptions refer to Dwarka as the capital of kingdom of western coast of Saurashtra and state where Lord Krishna lived.
A Legend of True Love
If there exists an eternal symbol of love in India which cuts all barriers of region and language, it is the love of Godess Radha and Lord Krishna. When Lord Krishna attained teenage, his charming personality and a nature won him many friends. He was also an expert in haunting flute and the milk maids of Gokul used to become mad in love with captivating flute voice. One such milk maid was Radha who was so much engrossed in her love for Krishna and Radha spent many happy days in Gokul and Vrindaban. They used to organize Raasleela – an order of songs and dances, play on swings etc. Radha was so enchanted by Lord Krishna’s haunting flute that she used to leave her home and rush to hear his play flute. However, she was grief stricken when Lord Krishna left Gokul and never returned. Lord Krishna knew her feelings but could not return due to his presence in Jarasind’s 18 attacks made on Mathura and finally shifted his base to Dwarka. After a number of years when Lord Krishna’s fame as restore of justice had spread far and wide, the milk maids including Radha visited him. They went to Dwarka and saw Lord Krishna’s audience. This was an occasion to celebrate of Union. But now Radha could not tolerate for her separation. She requested Lord Krishna to accept her as his beloved.
The legend is that Radha disappeared in Lord Krishna’s body like a flame uniting with one another one. The tales of Radha’s love for Lord Krishna become immortal. Janam Ashtami is infact, a festival that celebrates the birth of tiny little infant God who was born at midnight and expected nothing but love and bit of care and tending. People start their worship at midnight with priests devotees giving bath to a little Krishna’s idol with gangajal, ghee, water, honey, milk, curd etc. The idol is then adorned with new clothes, garland, jewellery.
(The author is a Ex Associate Dean Cum Chief Scientist KVK, SKUAST, Jammu )
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