Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī
कृष्णजन्माष्टमी
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Observed on the eighth day (aṣṭamī) of the dark fortnight (Kṛṣṇa pakṣa) in the month of Bhadrapadā (Aug-Sept), today marks the auspicious celebration of the birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the eighth incarnation in the daśāvatāra of Lord Viṣṇu.
On this sacred day, devotees immerse themselves in Harikathā, narrating the holy names, forms, qualities, and divine pastimes of the Lord. The air is filled with the sounds of bhajan, as hearts are uplifted through devotional songs and dance.
Many devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking their fast at the stroke of midnight with ritualistic offerings and the joyous sharing of prasādam (consecrated food).
Kṛṣṇa’s birth under Rohiṇī nakṣatra, associated with the moon is symbolic in that the narrative of Kṛṣṇa’s birth and life embodies the deeper karakas of the Moon, including its influence over the mind (manas), sense faculties (indriyas), our cause of birth, the continuation of lineage, vows, sensuality, past lives, bhakti, and psychological wisdom. His life story mirrors our journey through the cycles of desire, attachment, and the quest for ultimate liberation.
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Kṛṣṇa’s divine play (līlā) is a timeless dance of cosmic proportions, illustrating the path from karma to dharma, from entanglement in the material world to the liberation of the soul. As Arjuna’s charioteer, in the Bhagavad Gītā, Kṛṣṇa imparts secret wisdom on karma yoga, the yoga of selfless action — guiding us to cultivate inner equilibrium, act with detachment, and remain free from the binding desires for the fruits of our actions.
In the embrace of Kṛṣṇa’s wisdom, we are reminded that true strength lies not in conquering the external world but in mastering the mind and senses (indriyas). By surrendering to the divine will and walking the path of bhakti (devotion), we transcend the dualities of joy and sorrow, success and failure, and discover the eternal bliss (ānanda) residing within the Self.
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