Shri Krishana Janamashtmi

Capt Purushottam Sharma
Lord Krishna says in Srimad Bhagwat Geeta-
‘‘Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya Glanir- bhavati Bharata
Abhuthanam Dharamasya Tadatmanam Srijamyaham’’
‘‘Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinasayaca  Duskritam’’
Dharma-Samsthapanarthaya Sambavami Yuge Yuge’’
‘O Bharata ! Whenever righteousness is on the decline, the unrighteousness is in the ascendance, then I come to birth’.
‘To protect the virtuous, for the extirpation of the wicked, and for re-establishing Dharma (Righteousness). I am born from age to age.’
(7.8/IV)
It was more than five thousand years ago that the righteousness was pushed back to the background by the wicked and cruel king Kansa of Mathura. The earth could no more bear the distress and tyranny. Lord Vishnu, therefore, incarnated as Krishna, the 8th child of Devki and Vasudeva.
Krishna was born on the 8th day of dark fortnight of auspicious month of Shravana under Rohini Nakeshtra. At the time of His birth, His parents were held in a heavily guarded confinement of Kansa who was demon Kalnemi in his previous birth during Rama Avtaar, Kansa  had dethroned his father Uggarsen.
Newly weds, Vasudeva and Devki were traveling in a chariot driven by Kansa.  A roaring voice from the skies addressed Kansa saying that the eighth child born to the young lady boarding the chariot will be his killer. Frightened Kansa immediately drew his sword to slay Devki but spared her on an assurance of Vasudeva sitting next to her that he will deliver to him (Kansa) every infant that was born to her. Inspite of that, Kansa put a round the clock guard over the premises where the couple was kept in confinement. Every newly born infant to Devki was handed over to Kansa and slain. The eighth child born to Devki was Lord Vishnu Himself. All arrangements were pre-planned for the safety and security of it. At that  very moment, the guards fell asleep, the locked apartment flung open. Vasudeva wrapped the baby in a piece of cloth and carried it in a basket. The large and deep River Yamuna which was in spate then in the Monsoon month of Shravana receded to knee-deep waters on the sheer touch of the Divine child’s foot and afforded all assistance to cross it. Nanda was a herdsman of Gokula. His wife Yashoda, too had given birth to a female child. Vasudeva left Devki’s child with Yashoda and rushed back with her child to prison-cell. No sooner Vasudeva re-entered the prison-home, the doors closed and were locked automatically as if nothing had happened. Immediately, the cry of a child was heard by the guards and news of birth of much awaited 8th child was conveyed to King. The king Kansa rushed into the room, held the child in his hand and dashed it against a stone. Instantaneously, the baby rose into the sky like flash, turned into a mighty figure of eight arms with formidable weapons in its hands. Laughingly, it addressed Kansa saying that it was of no avail to kill her for his (Kans’s) killer had already been born. The voice  also revealed that the same God had killed him in the previous birth too.
This episode frustrated Kansa further who let lose the reign of terror over his subjects and put to death those who did not follow the belief he carried and to those who made offerings to the Brahmins He got killed all such young children as displayed unique signs  of excellence and strength.
Vasudeva and Devki were released from the prison after the delivery of 8th child of Devki. Balarama, who was born to Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, was also put in the care of Yashoda and Nanda so that Rama and Lachhmana were again together as Krishna and Balarama as per the Divine wish.
Pootna, a demoness, was deputed to kill Krishna, the infant, by offering  her poisonous breast to it. The infant sucked the breast so severely that it took her life breath and she fell dead. Thereafter, several attempts were made by Kansa to kill the child but all fell in vain. In turn Kansa was himself killed at the hands of Krishna whom the King had invited to witness a wrestling game. To kill malignant Kansa, Krishan pulled him down from the dais and tore into pieces thus emancipated the subjects from the cruelties of their wicked king.
Sri Krishna is the Lord of the Universe, the Creator, the Sustainer and the Destroyer. Darling of Radha, Gopikas, Meera, Chaitanya, Soordasa, Haridassa and His millions of Devotees, He was ‘Poorna Avtara’, ‘Leela Purushottama’. In one yawn, he had shown the glimpse of the Universe (14 worlds) to Yashoda, Viratswaroopa to Arjuna, raised Govardhana on His little finger to protect Gokula from heavy downpours caused by annoyance of Indra, provided inexhaustible cloth to Droupadi when being humiliated in the court of Duryodhana. He was exemplary in humbleness and was a devoted disciple of preceptor Sandeepini. He gathered wood for the Guru Ashram and was well-disciplined. The sweet sound of His flute was heart-stirring and allured men, women, children, animals, birds and even inanimate objects. He was great musician who imparted lessons in playing Veena to Narada. As a Gopala (care-taker of cows), he performed many miracles and brought joys and happiness to his companion cow herd boys and the animals. He often loosened the tethered calves to have their mother’s milk to their full which caused  anger to Yashoda and the Gopikas. He was a ”Navneet Chor” (butter-stealer) and pot breaker. Narration of Krishan-Leela (His plays) is like counting drops of ocean and cannot be recorded even in sumptuous volumes.
Vishnu, Brahma, Agni, Padma, Brahm-Vaivarat and Bhagwat Puranas are full of Shri Krishna’s life, activities and of worship to Him. Of all works of Sage Vyasa, Srimad Bhagwata is the most magnificent that had brought equanimity and solace to the stirring mind of the sage. An Eternal guide of Righteousness, this sacred book is the most esteemed for that sings the glories of the Beloved Lord of the Universe, enlightens and inspires Devotion (Bhakti), Discrimination (Viveka), Dispassion (Vairagya) and Discipline for the fulfillment  of ultimate  aim of God-Realization. Krishna was an un-matching warrior teacher, statesman and Lord of Yogies. He was an Adarsha Purusha  (an ideal person) and an ideal house-holder too. Saint Soordasa called Krishna ‘mischievous child’ who is seated in his heart and is his sole care-taker.
Glories to Sri Krishna, the Darling of Devotees and Dispeller of Darkness. He is contemplated on in many forms by the Yogies. Deeply in Divine Love to derive ecstasy and bliss, His devotees call their all permeating Lord by numerous names.

Follow our WhatsApp channel