Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Krishna Janamashtami: 1st September, 2010

King Kansa Killed Devki's Six Children

The main purpose of the Lord’s incarnation is for the salvation of saints, destruction of evil and installation of righteousness as lucidly explained in the 'Bhagwad Gita.'. Towards the end of the Dwapar Era, in the Hindu month of Bhadra, Mathura had the great fortune of witnessing Lord Krishna’s birth on Krishan Ashtami. Atrocities were on the rise, religion had become a mere farce and the deities were great pained. King Kansa terrified of his own death had imprisoned Vasudev and Devki, having killed six of their earlier children. The seventh child was to be the Lord Himself.


Lord Vishnu

The nakshatra was Rohini, the planets were at peace with the stars twinkling. Precisely at that moment the Lord was born resplendent with a conch, discus, club and a lotus. Vasudev and Devki made obeisance to him. Vasudev instantly shifted him to Nandrai’s house to hide the truth from Kansa. Simultaneously Yashoda gave birth to Yogmaya.


Miraculously the prison guards fell asleep, Vasudev and Devki were unshackled and the doors opened.Mathura, Lord Krishna's birthplace is far superior to the mundane world and beyond earthly attachments, abounding in spiritual bliss. Claiming to enjoy divine protection, cradled in the spectrum of 84 kos it is unaffected by evil forces because Lord Vishnu Incarnate was born here.Mathura is the most fortunate of towns because Lord Krishna took birth in its prison to spread joy and delight.


The clouds drizzled, Lord Sheshnaag protected the infant with his hood and torrential Yamuna or Krishna’s beloved Kalindi embraced his feet, to calm her ardent longing. Soon enough she gave way to them for entering Gokul.

Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated in Gokul with much fanfare

Everyone was deep asleep. The infants were swapped with Krishna safely cradled on Yashoda’s bed and baby Yogmaya taken to Devki’s arms. Ever since Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated in Gokul with much fanfare.

Gopis Welcoming Krishna When He Returns after Grazing Cows

The search of the impassioned soul for union with god is centred within earthly Vrindavan. Its enraptured village girls representing Krishna's hungering devotees are passionately drawn to his lyrical softness, innocent pranks, beautiful adornments and serene sensuality which add to his madhurya or sweet love.


These cowherdesses yearning for a glimpse of Krishna, clumsily deck themselves, abandon their household chores and rush to stand on their balconies waiting for him to return in the evening after grazing the cows. Gazing at the dark-hued Krishna they find that he exists intensely in their hearts when they sing his praise and dwells in their longing for him.


Lord Krishna's Romantic Dalliance with The Cowherdesses

Krishna's playful dalliance is nitya or eternal. One aspect of Lord Krishna’s enigmatic persona which distinguishes him from all other deities is his lila or divine play which makes him both human and divine at the same time, and becomes him most of all.Delighting in play he endears himself and brings joy to all his devotees.

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