Some 5000 years ago, Krishna appeared on midnight the eighth day of the waning moon (Ashtami tithi under Rohini Nakshatra) as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudev in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
On this day devotees fast till midnight observe Janmashtami vrata and seek His blessings.
Bhagavad-gita mentions,
janma karma ca me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah
The Lord's appearance is not like that of an ordinary man, who is forced to accept a material body. He appears out of His own sweet will.
At the time of Krishna's appearance, the planetary systems were automatically adjusted so that everything became auspicious. Everywhere, there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. Auspicious stars were visible in the sky.
Lord Krishna is all-attractive, all-auspicious, and all-blissful, and so are His pastimes, which are completely beyond the imperfections and contaminations of the material world and activities.
When one hears such transcendental pastimes of the Lord with full faith and devotion, from a devotee then one is directly associating with the Lord Krishna Himself.
One can celebrate the appearance of
Lord Krishna in the following ways :
- Visit a Lord Krishna temple near one's house to offer prayers and gifts
- Offer flowers, Tulasi leaves, or foodstuff to a picture of Krishna in one's home
-If one has Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishna at home, one can perform Abhishek with water or pancamrita, followed by offering foodstuffs and arati.
- Krishna and His name are nondifferent. Thus, chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This is a mantra recommended for this age of Iron and anxiety (Kali-yuga). Krishna is easily attracted in one's heart when one chants His name.
Prayer:
On Janmashtami, one can pray to Krishna kindly requesting Him to appear in our hearts and always attract our minds towards Him. May He free us from the material illusions of this world and bless us to purify ourselves so that we can get entrance into His spiritual home, Goloka Vrindavan, in the spiritual world and live with Him eternally.
