Krishna Janmashtami

Aug. 30, 2021, 11:30 a.m. by Karuwaki Speaks ( 1268 views)

Share on WhatsApp Share on Facebook

THE SIXTEEN KALAS

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

Five Kalas like 1) Anna Maya (with cereals), 2) Pranamaya (with breath), 3) Mano Maya (with mind), 4) Vigyanamaya (with knowledge) and 5) Anandamaya (with joy) are present in every human being. With little effort, humans can perfect in three more kalas - 6) Atishayini, (With Peace) 7) Viparinabhimi (With Love) and 8) Sankramini. (With Creator) The other remaining eight Kalas are 9) Prabhvi. 10) Kunthini, 11) Vikasini, 12) Maryadini, 16) Sanhaladini, 14) Ahladini,1 5) Paripurna and 16) Swarupavasthit .

Lord Krishna holds nothing but a flute. The flute of Lord Krishna is full of all the Kalas and is a symbol of love.The magic flute with the enchanting music hypnotized the world.

Hypnotism is known as Sammohana in Hindi, hence, Lord Krishna is also known as Mohana - one that hypnotizes or enchants.If one has true, unconditional love for everyone, the world will one day bow before him, very much like when Lord Krishna played enchanting tunes on his flute in Vrindavana, and everyone swayed to Kanha's love which was all encompassing!

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

The Gita Govinda is a work composed by the 12th-century Hindu poet, Jayadeva. It describes the immortal relationship between Krishna, Radhika and the gopikas of Vrindavana. The Gita Govinda is organized into twelve chapters. This particular invocation by Jayadevs focuses on Krishna and his pastimes!

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

śrita-kamalā-kuca-maṇḍala dhṛta-kuṇḍala e
kalita-lalita-vana-māla
jaya jaya deva hare |

Krishna, who is also lovingly called Govinda, Balgopal, Jagadguru, Manmohan, Murlimanohar,Maakhan Chor 's Janmashtami takes place on ashtami tithi of krishna paksha of the month of Shravan or Bhadrapad (August or September). The next day is celebrated as Nanda Utsav, when Krishna’s parents Nanda and Yasoda had celebrated by distributing sweets to people. After fasting until midnight, people break their fast and distribute sweets as part of the Nanda Utsav.

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

A list of 56 food items which is referred to as the Chappan Bhog, is distributed among the people after the fast. As legend goes, it constitutes Krishna's favourite dishes and usually includes cereals, fruits, dry fruits, sweets, drinks, namkeen and pickles in quantities of seven under each category.There are also variations to this with some people offering 16 kinds of namkeen, 20 kinds of sweets and 20 kinds of dry fruits. Some of the common items which are found in the bhog are makhan mishri, kheer, rasgulla, jalebi, rabri, mathri, malpua, mohanbhog, chutney, murabba, saag, dahi, rice, dal, kadi, ghewar, chila, papad, moong dal ka halwa, pakoda, khichadi, brinjal ka sabji, lauki ka sabji, poori, badam milk, tikkis, cashews, almonds, pistachios, and elachi among others. The bhog also needs to be arranged in a particular sequence, starting with milk items, moving on the besan-based treats and salty food, and ending with dry fruits and elachi (cardamom).

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

To protect his people from the wrath of Lord Indra, Lord Krishna had lifted the Govardhan Parvat by placing it at the tip of his little finger for seven days. The people were saved by standing under it. It is said that Lord Krishna used to have eight food items every day. But during this time, he didn't consume any food. So at the end of seven days, out of their gratitude for the Lord, the people made him a total of 56 dishes (eight dishes multiplied by 7) including his favourite dishes which came to be known as " chappan bhog".

Celebrations:

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.Janmashtami, is celebrated with pomp and fervour throughout India.

Mathura

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

Mathura is the actual birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura’s Janmashtami has a lot of significance because there are a lot of customs that people follow on this day to celebrate the birth of ‘Makhanchor’.

One of the most important customs includes reading of Bhagavad Gita while rocking the cradle with an idol of baby Krishna inside. Along with this, people also perform Raas Leela that is a dance ritual which was performed by Krishna with his Gopis and Radha. There are about 400 temples in Mathura that come to life on this day and that is why Mathura ki Janmashtami is known to be one of the best in the world.

Vrindavan

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

Vrindavan where Lord Krishna spent his younger days. Janmashtami in Vrindavan is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in Prem Mandir, ISKCON Temple, and 5000 other smaller temples that are present in the city.

Gokul

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

Gokul is the place where Krishna was brought right after birth. People here celebrate the festival a day later than the actual Janmashtami and the reason behind this is that they believe Lord Krishna was brought to Gokul a day after his birth.

Odisha

Krishna Janmashtami|Karuwakispeaks

In the eastern state of Odisha, specifically the region around Puri and in Nabadwip, West Bengal, the festival is also referred to as Sri Krishna Jayanti . People celebrate Janmashtami by fasting and worship until midnight.

Dahi Handi is another important aspect of this festival that is observed in the second day of Janmashtami. He used to steal butter from every household of Gokul. Dahi Handi is an event where the same butter stealing activity of Lord Krishna is narrated. An earthen pot or handi is filled with butter, clarified butter or ghee, dry fruits, and milk is suspended at a considerable height with help of ropes. All the local young guys gather to make a human pyramid and climb on each other to reach the handi and break it. This is an activity that teaches teamwork principles.

Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chaanoora Mardhanam |
Devaki Paramaanandham Krishnam Vande’ Jagathgurum ||


Comments (3)

user
Mini 2 years, 6 months ago
The Purina avatar & 16 kalas of SriKrishna was an interesting read.
user
Rumi 2 years, 6 months ago
Thanks for letting us know about Krishna Avatar!
user
AnonymousUser 1 year, 7 months ago
Very nice!