Jai Shri Krishna!

Today is Lord Krishna’s birthday. Krishna Janmashtami. Like Christmas in the west, this is Christmas of the East! Celebrated with fervor and passion throughout the country.
Its said that these Gods don’t take birth. Its actually the manifestation of their divine entity that takes the form of a human being and transcends down to the Earth to save mankind from all evils and devils alike.
In the story of Krishna, he took form to come down to save Planet earth from demons like Kansa, Shishupal and Duryodhana. It was also part of his divine plan that he had to liberate great devotees like Surdas, Meera, the gopis of Vrindavan and Bhishma. Be a divine friend to Sudama and Arjun, the ideal brother to Balaram, Draupadi and Subhadra. The eternal consort to Radha, Rukmini, Jambavati and his 16000 wives. It was all masterminded that he had to preach the Gita, create Dwarka as a holy city, lay down the age old saga of sibling rivalry over land and wife as depicted in the Mahabharata. Such a lot of work to be done in one lifetime!

The scriptures say that the day Krishna was born was the most heavenly day on this planet. Even while in the womb, his divine radiance shone through his birth mother, Devki and illuminated every corner of the prison cell where he was born. Atmosphere of peace and happiness prevailed all around. People started rejoicing in every village. Forests were green and covered with new leaves and the trees were laden with fully bloomed flowers and fruit. The rivers were swollen and overflowing as if in joy and the peacocks were dancing in sheer anticipation and jubilance. So happy were the seven heavens that they rained all day and night. Even today, it rains everytime on the day of Krishna Janmashtami.

People rejoice and celebrate the birth of this naughty Lord even today. They fast for him in anticipation and decorate their houses depicting scenes of his lifetime with dolls and artifacts – very much like the Nativity scene that is created for Jesus on Christmas.

Lord Krishna has been the most endearing of all Gods in Hindu mythology. While we revere all the Gods that hold place in the Hindu history and mythology, this Cowherd God has always commanded a special place in the devotee’s heart. You have to see him to know what I mean…

A smile that puts a thousand suns shining to shame, eyes that are brimming with mischief and sparkling with love for mankind. A face that has kindness and benevolence written all over it. God says – “I live in the hearts of those devotees, whose hearts are engaged in my thinking”.