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''Yadã yadã
hi dharmasya, glãnirbhavati Bhãratah,
Abhiyutthãnam adharmasya, tadãtmãnam srijãmyaham|
Paritrãnãya sãdhunãm, vinãshaya cha dushkritãm,
Dharmasamsthãpanãrthãya, sambhavãmi yugè
yugè||''
~ Lord
Krishna to Arjuna
(Shrimat Bhagavat Geetã)
~ Whenever and wherever
there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant
rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and
to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of
religion, I, Myself, appear, ages after ages.
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In
the Bhagvat Geeta, this is what the Lord Himself promised. The Lord never
failed to keep His promises down the ages. He incarnated down to the earth
from His heavenly abode at the Vaikuntha, to save his devotees. In different
forms, Lord Vishnu, the sustainer and the Supreme Soul, came down to the earth,
one after another, just like 'the waves in an ocean'. But, His Avatãr
(incarnation) Lord Krishna is said to be God Himself incarnated. It was the
eighth day of the new-moon fortnight (krishnapaksha) of the month
of Shrãvana.
Janmashtami
is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who gave
us the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita. The festival of Janmashtami (pronunciation
: Janmãshtami) is now popularly celebrated
outside of India due largely to the extraordinary efforts of many many Krishna-devotees
and many Hindu organizations. Reach out to all your fellow Indians on this
auspicious occasion and wish them Happy Janmashtami ! ! !
Mathura,
the birthplace of Lord Krishna, where his parents lived in captivity of the
evil Kansa and he as a young boy came and vanquished his maternal uncle Kansa
to ascend the throne and free his parents, celebrates Janmashtami with great
enthusiasm. The main celebrations are performed at the Dwãrakadhish
temple, Mathurã in the form of Jhulanotsava and the
Ghatas during the entire month of Shrãvana.
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The
ghatas are a unique feature of the month long celebrations. During the
ghatas of a particular colour the whole temple is covered with decoration
in the same colour. Even the Lord dresses up in the same colour. The
twin cities of Mathura-Vrindavan takes on a festive look and spirit
of devotion runs high among the people. It was on the banks of the Yamuna
river where Lord Krishna played during his childhood and indulged in
pranks and tricks with his friends and the gopies. There are about 400
temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in this sacred city and the major
festivities are held at the Bãnke Bihãri,
Rangaji, Shri Krishna Balarãm temple and Gopinãth
temple. The Raslila of Braj is thematically the basis of many performing
arts.
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Indian
mythical heritage overflows with a pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. The
celestial powers figure in the beliefs of the people and the divine
influence plays an important part in their lives. Yet, among these deities,
the most beloved is Lord Krishna, the eighth avatãr
(incarnation) of Vishnu. Janmasthami is a celebration of the birth of
Lord Krishna and every ritual in the celebration of this auspicious
occasion is associated with various phases of his life, which have been
immortalised in both the religious and the folk literature. |
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Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu calendar being lunar, these two events [the day being the eighth of the waning moon (Krishna-paksha Ashtami) and the Rohini Nakshatram being ascendent] may overlap for only a few hours. In such an event, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, depending on their local or family traditions. Lord
Krishna was born in the Dwãpar Yuga (age called Dwapar,
according to the Hindu religion), which came just before the Kal Yug. Janamasthami,
His birthday falls on the Ashtami Tithi or the 8th day of the new moon fortnight
in the month of Bhãdra some time in July or August.
The Jhankis (tableaux) depicting many significant scenes from Lord Krishna's
life are the intrinsic part of Janmasthami. Devotees also make beautiful Jhulans
(Cradles) for the baby Krishna. In some parts of India, young men break the
Matkãs (Earthen Pots) filled with butter and curds.
The most important tableux is that of baby Krishna. A idol of baby Krishna
is placed on a cradle, which is rocked to recreate scenes from Krishna's infancy.
The devotees believe that anyone who makes a wish and while rocking the cradle
in which the Lord is, his or her wish will be granted on this day. Other popular
Jhankis are Kãliya Mardan(vanquishing the black snake
Kãliya Nãga or serpent), Kansha
Vadha ( Killing Kansha) and lifting the Govardhan Parvat (Mount Govardhan).
In
Brindãvan, every year the Rãsleelãs
or the folk theatre acting out stories from Lord Krishna's life. This begins
much before the Janmasthami day. These Rãsleelãs
are staged by professional drama troupes or even young children. These dramas
characterised by colourful costumes and equally colourful backgrounds. Rãsleelas
are usually accompanied by musicians and are very popular among the people.
The language spoken by the actors and the actresses is the Brajbhãsha,
but sometimes, Hindi is also used.
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Harè
Krishna, Harè Krishna,
Krishna
Krishna Harè Harè|
Harè
Rãma, Harè Rãma,
Rãma
Rãma Harè Harè|| |
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