Essays

All kinds of separatism have spread their influence around the globe. But on days like Janmashtami such notions are set aside, and the spirit of goodness pervades even the chronically evil-minded. Kindness spring forth. The spirit of the Gita appears to enter public consciousness, and feeling of righteousness permeate affecting the minds and hearts of all.               

Festive occasions are not limited to national pridre; they include religious celebrations. History indicatcn that humans are on their best behaviour during such I events. A special glow fills the air—even during monsoon. Janamashtami is observed in India in August end. It is also observed in countries where Indians are settled in good number.                                        

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has made this day a festival of enormous scope and reach: particularly in English attitudes towards India's Vedic culture were not always the best and endeavour is needed to build up the spirit.

Vrindavan Das Thakur, who wrote "Chaitanya ' Bhagavat" about 500 years ago, prophesied that file- name of god would resound in every village and city of the world, even in England—so he said.

Consider the big picture: the Lord of creation appears when there is a decline of religious practice, or so Krishna tells Arjuna in the Gita. But his arrival into this world also takes place m the form of the holy name.

The Vedas amplify the biblical truth that the word or name of god and god, are one—"The word was with god and the word was god."                            

One feels this presence more powerfully during Festivals like Janmashtami. Still people ask: "How can God be born if by definition He is the source of all Creation?” In answer one could say: "If He is all-powerful and the source of everything that be, He can do what he pleases.

One of Janmashtami's meanings is that even the tragic loss of Devaki's six infants, before the Lord's birth,  is a transcendental event. 

These children were—in a previous birth—the six sons of Marici, or the six garbhasuras, who Kansa  liberated from a vile curse. In other words this means all who celebrate Krishna's birth are released from six materials. Shackles of lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and enny.

As we are all part of god, when we become servant of His desire, we leave the confinement of selfish  pursuits.

surender to Krishna's love yields the unlimited  liberty  we all so dearly cherish—to be all that we can be.

The main theme of Krishna's life and teachings is karma yoga, the art of striving for both personal protection and social efficiency.

Do You Know?

- Shri Krishna is believed to had taken birth in Village Gokula near Mathura, U.P.

- Mathura was then the seat of his uncle, Kansa.

- Indraprastha was the new capital of Pandavas which is now Delhi, the name goes even today as such.

- Kurukshetra is located in Haryana. It is thought to had been the battlefield for the great war, called Mahabharata.

- All the events and stories are mythological. Never take them as historical ones.