l|Happy Janmashtami|l

Krishna took birth at midnight on the ashtamior the 8th day of the Krishnapaksha or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan (August-September) eight days after Raksha Bandhan. This auspicious day is calledJanmashtami. It was the rainy season in India and Krishna was born at midnight, in the prison of Kansa, during the middle of a perilous rain and storm. Thus goes the story of Krishna's birth.

Kansa, a despot, was then the king of Mathura. He had imprisoned his father in order to become the king. Devaki was Kansa's sister and was married to a noble man Vasudeva. Kansa one day heard a heavenly voice, saying, " Kansa, your days of tyranny will soon be over, you will be killed by the eighth child of Devaki." Kansa got frightened. He immediately imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. He did not want to take any chance and killed at birth each and every child of Devaki, until the time came for the delivery of the eighth child. To feel more secured, Kansa increased the number of prison guards, kept strict vigilance and put Vasudeva in chains. But God planned otherwise.

At midnight when the eighth child was born, the guards fell fast asleep and Vasudeva's chain fell off his hands and feet. Wasting no time, Vasudeva picked up the newborn baby, and carrying it in a basket, he started towards Gokul. Gokul was a village of cowherds, located across the Yamuna river, where his friend Nanda lived. It was a dark stormy night with blinding rain continuously pouring from the sky. When Vasudeva reached the bank of river Yamuna, the river was in spate. The wind and storm were blowing wild, and Vasudeva was in a fix.

" Lord, what should I do," said Vasudeva in a hopeless voice. Suddenly a miracle happened, the river parted and Vasudeva walked over the river bed. Throughout the way Vasudeva and the baby were protected from rain by the hood of the great eternal snake, Vasuki. Finally, Vasudeva reached Nanda's house.

A Tour of Janmashtami Customs Across India
- Researched and compiled by member LOLAnisha (Thanks Anisha!)

Maharashtra

Janmaashtami, popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi, is celebrated with enormous zeal and enthusiasm. The handi is a clay pot filled with buttermilk that is positioned at a convenient height prior to the event. The topmost person on the human pyramid tries to break the handi by hitting it with a blunt object. Mostly nariyal (coconut) is preferred being a sign of purity, truth etc. in Hinduism. When that happens the buttermilk is spilled over the entire group, symbolizing their achievement through unity. Handis are set up around the city, and groups of youngsters, called Govinda Pathaks, travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day.

Many such Govinda Pathaks compete with each other, especially for the handis that dole out hefty rewards. The event, in recent times, has gathered a political flavor, and it is common for political parties and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees.

Some of the most famous handis are at Dadar, Lower Parel, Worli, Mazgaon, Lalbaug, Thaneand Babu Genu, Mandai in Pune.[3]

Cash and gifts are offered for Govinda troops to participate; for over 4,000 handis in Mumbai, 2,000 Govinda troops compete for the prizes.

Manipur

Janmaashtami, popularly known in Manipur as Krishna Janma, is a significant festival celebrated at two temples in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. The first festival is at the Govindaji temple and the second is at the International Society for Krishna Consciousnesstemple. Devotees of Lord Krishna gather mostly at the ISKCON temple.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

In Karnataka, Madhwas , Iyengars and Srivaishnavas, and Smarthas make elaborate preparations for the festival. The idol of Lord Krishna is placed in a decorated mantapa.Bhakshanam , that are specially prepared for the festival, are offered to Lord Krishna along with fruits and are considered to be his favourites. In some parts of Karnataka, chakli,avalakki and bellada panaka are prepared especially for the festival. Hand made avalakki is prepared in memory of Krishna's friend Sudhama. Legend has it that Sudhama had once offered avalakki to Krishna, as it was considered to be one of his favourite snacks. Gamaka vachana and other devotional activities are held in the evening.

=== Among Vadakalai Iyengars ' The Pancaratra tradition is followed by Shri Ahobila Mutt,Munitraya tradition by Srirangam Srimadh Andavan Ashramam along with some other acharya purusha families, and the Mannar tradition is followed by Sri Parakala Mutt. It is named after one mannAr svAmi of unknown date who is the first extant authority arguing for this calculation. The tozhappar tradition is named after Sri Vaidika Sarvabhauma Swami, also known as Kidambi Thozhappar, who wrote a detailed text establishing the reasoning behind his tradition.[4]
The Thenkalai iyengars adhere to the Vaikhanasa tradition.

North India

In Uttar Pradesh where the lord was born in Mathura, his play ground Gokul and Vrindavanbecome more crowded and celebrations go up to a week. In Gujarat where the city Dwarkahas Dwarkadhish temple celebrates it with pomp and joy.In Jammu,kite flying is an important part of the celebration on his day.[5]

In the eastern state of Orissa, around Puri and West Bengal in Nabadwip, people celebrate it with fasting and doing puja at midnight. Purana Pravachana from Bhagavata Purana are done from the 10th Skandha which deals with pastimes of Lord Krishna. The next day is called Nanda Utsav or the joyous celebration of Nanda Maharaj and Yashoda Maharaani. On that day people break their fast and offer various cooked sweets during the early hour.

HAPPY JANMASHTAMI TO ONE AND ALL!

The Krishna Aarti

Aaratii Yugala Kishora Kii Kiijai |
Tana Mana Dhana Sab Arpana Kiijai ||

Let us chorus this prayer and wave lights to the two adolescents, Radha and Krishna and offer our body mind and all our riches (to win their gracious favour).

Ravi Shashi Koti Vadana Kii Shobhaa |
Taahi Nirakha Meraa Mana Lobhaa ||

When I look at them, my mind is enamoured of the beauty of their faces which matches that of a myriad of suns and Moons.

Gaura Shyaama Mukha Nikhrata Riijhai l
Prabhu Ko Ruupa Nayana Bhara Pijai ||

When one beholds the two faces, one fair and the other dark, one is instantly fascinated. The poet calls upon all to satiate their eyes with the beauty of the Lord's countenance.

Kanchanna Thaala Kapuura Kii Baatii |
Hari Aaye Nirmala Bahii Chaatii ||.

Wave the golden platter with camphor burning in it before the Lord who, manifesting himself, cleanses the heart of all its impurities.

Phuulana Kii Seja Phuulana Kii Maalaa |
Ratna Sinhaasana Baithe Nandalaalaa ||

The Lord, the beloved son of Nanda, sleeps on a couch of flowers and wears a wreath of blossoms. He has ensconced himself on a throne made of gems.

Mora Mukuta Kara Muralii Sohai |
Natavara Vesha Dekha Mana Mohai ||

A crown of peacock feathers on his head and a flute in his hand are the adornments of this showman whose appearance fascinates the mind.

Anga Niila Piita Pata Saarii |
Kunja Bihaarii Giravaradhaarii ||

The body of the Lord, a dawdler in bowers and groves and upholder of a great mountain, is all blue and yellow silken are his clothes.

Shri Purushottama Girivara Dhaarii |
Aaratii Karata Sakala Nar Naarii ||

Every woman of Vraja, who adores him with festal lights, sings of Lord Krishna, the upholder of the best of mountains and supreme amongst men.

Nanda Nandana Vrushahaanu Kishorii |
Paramaananda Svaamii Avichala Jodii ||

Inseparable says Swami Paramananda, is the company of Krishna, delight of Nanda and Radha, the youthful daughter of Vrushabhanu.

Though known by many different names in many traditions,But there is only one God. Krishna is the original person. The word "Krishna" means the person who is attractive to everyone.

Sri Krishna appeared over five thousand years ago in Mathura,dist of state UP (India) to Devaki and Vasudeva in the jail of Kansa. Kansa was the king of Mathura and mama of the Lord Krishna .The place of His birth is known as Sri Krishna JanmBhumi.

The Supreme Lord descends from time to time in this material world to re-establish the teachings of the Vedas. In His Bhagavad-Gita, Sri Krishna promises: "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re-establish the principles of religion, I Myself appear millenium after millenium."

Although eternal the Lord appears in specific circumstances out of mercy for His devotees. In fact, His principal biography, the Srimad Bhagavatam states, "the learned men describe the births and activities of the Unborn and Inactive." Therefore, although He appears within the material dimensions of time and space, He is most definitely not of it.

Historically, Sri Krishna appeared on the midnight of the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Sravana. This corresponds to July 19th, 3228 BC. He exhibited His pastimes for a little over 125 years and dissappeared on February 18th, 3102 BC on the new moon night of Phalguna.(His departure marks the beginning of the current age of corruption known as Kali.)

The great scholar Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti neatly outlines Sri Krishna's activities in this way: the first three years and four months were spent in Gokula, then equal lengths of time in Vrindavana and Nandagram, eighteen years and four months in Mathura, and finally ninety-six years and eight months in Dvaraka totalling 125 years of manifest pastimes.

In Mathura, both Krishna and Balarama were initiated by Gargamuni in the Gayatri mantra. Later They went to live under the care of Sandipani Muni who instructed Them in all the Vedic arts and sciences in sixty-four days and nights especially in military science, politics and spirituality. As an offering (Guru-Daksina) to Their teacher, They recovered his son from death. Although God does not need instruction from anyone else, Lord Krishna and His brother set the perfect example : one must accept instruction from and serve a bona-fide spiritual master to advance in spiritual life.

For the next eighteen years, They continued to live in Mathura halting the impending threat of many demonic kings. Later in Their pastimes Lord Balarama married a princess named Revati. Lord Krishna married many queens, the foremost among them being the extraordinarily beautiftil Queen Rukmini. Both Krishna and Balarama established Their palaces in Dvaraka off the coast of western India, where They enjoyed married life for many years. Although They were married, Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama exhibited the quality of detachment from material life perfectly. When They were about ninety years old, the great world war of Kuruksetra took place. This climactic battle brought together all the major world leaders. Lord Krsna took the role of a charioteer on the side of the pious Pandavas, while Lord Balarama refusing to participate went on a pilgrimage tour thereby blessing the entire land of India. At the start of the war, Lord Krishna displayed His stupendous Universal Form delivered His famous message known as the Bhagavad-Gita, literally the Song of God. This Song contains the essence of all knowledge having been spoken by the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Himself. This war concluded with the destruction of the demonic kings and the reinstatement of the righteous Pandava princes.

Having completed Their mission, Balarama and Krishna resumed Their life in Dvaraka where They spent some thirty-five more years before ending Their earthly manifest activities The foremost description of Lord Krishna's activities occurs in the Srimad Bhagavatam, literally "the Beautiful Book of God."

Courtesy : http://www.radhekrishn.com/

OM SHRI KRISHNAYA NAMAHA

Salutations to Lord Shri Krishna

OM KAMALA NATHAYA NAMAHA

To Kamala's (Goddess Lakshmi's) spouse

OM VAASUDEVAYA NAMAHA

To Vasudeva (Vasudev's son, Krishna)

OM SANATANAYA NAMAHA

To the Eternal One

OM VASUDEVAYA NAMAHA

To the Son of Vasudeva

OM PUNYAYA NAMAHA

To the Meritorious One

OM LILA-MANUSHA-VIGRAHAYA NAMAHA

To Him who has assumed a human form to perform His pastimes

OM SHRIVATSA KAUSTHUBHA-DHARAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who wears the Shri Vatsa (representing Shri Lakshmi) and the Kaustubha gem

OM YASHODA-VATSALAYA NAMAHA

To Mother Yashoda's darling child

OM HARAYE NAMAHA

To Shri Hari

OM CHATURBHUJATTA-CHAKRASI-GADA-SHANKADHYAYUDHAYA NAMAHA

To the Four-armed One who carries the weapons of disc, conch and club

OM DEVAKI NANDANAYA NAMAHA

To Mother Devaki's son

OM SHRISAYA NAMAHA

To the abode of Shri (Lakshmi)

OM NANDAGOPAL PRIYATMAJAYA NAMAHA

To Nanda Gopa's darling child

OM YAMUNAVEGA SAMHARINE NAMAHA

To the Lord who destroyed the speed of the river Yamuna

OM BALABHADRA PRIYANUJAYA NAMAHA

To Balabhadra's (Balarama's) dear younger brother

OM PUTANA JIVITA HARAYA NAMAHA

To the Destroyer of the demoness Putana

OM SHAKATASURA BHANJANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who destroyed the demon Sakatasura

OM NANDAVRAJA JANA NANDINE NAMAHA

To the Lord who brought great happiness to Nanda and the people of Vraja

OM SACHIDANANDA VIGRAHAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who is the embodiment of Existence, Awareness and Bliss

OM NAVANITA VILIPTANGAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord whose body is smeared with butter

OM NAVANITA NATAYA NAMAHA

To the One who danced to get butter

OM ANAGHAYA NAMAHA

To the sinless One

OM NAVANITA NAVAHARAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who invented a new form of food-butter

(because He consumed large quantities of it)

OM MUCHUKUNDA PRASADAKAYA NAMAHA

to the Lord who blessed (gave salvation) to King Muchukunda

OM SHODASHA STHRI SAHASRESHAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of sixteen thousand wives

OM TRIBHANGI LALITAKRITAYE NAMAHA

To the Lord who poses bent in three places

OM SUKAVAG AMRITABHDHINDAVE NAMAHA

To the ocean of nectar in the form of Sukadeva's words (spoken as Srimad-Bhagavatam)

OM GOVINDAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of the cows

OM YOGINAM PATAYE NAMAHA

To the Lord of the yogis

OM VATSA VATACHARAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who roamed (in Vrindavana) with the company of calves and friendly cowherd boys

OM ANANTAYA NAMAHA

To the Infinite One

OM DHENUKASURA MARDANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who killed the demon Dhenukasura

OM TRINIKRITA TRINAVARTAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who destroyed the whirlwind demon Trinavarta

OM YAMALARJUNA BHANJANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who broke the two Yamalarjuna trees

OM UTTALA TALABHETTRE NAMAHA

To the Lord who broke the huge trees

OM TAMALA SHYAMALA KRITAYE NAMAHA

To the Lord who is a beautiful as the dark Tamala tree

OM GOPA GOPISHVARAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of Gopas and Gopis

OM YOGINE NAMAHA

To the greatest Yogi

OM KOTI SURYA SAMAPRABHAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who is as lustrous as a million suns

OM ILAPATAYE NAMAHA

To the Lord of the Earth

OM PARASMAI JYOTISHE NAMAHA

To the One who is the Supreme Light

OM YADAVENDRAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of the Yadavas

OM YADUDVAHAYA NAMAHA

To the Leader of the Yadus

OM VANAMALINE NAMAHA

To the Lord who wears a sylvan garland

OM PITA VASASE NAMAHA

To the Lord who wears yellow robes

OM PARIJATAPA HARAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who removed the parijatha flower (from India's garden)

OM GOVARDHANACHALO DHARTRE NAMAHA

To the Lord who lifted Govardhan Hill

OM GOPALAYA NAMAHA

To the protector of cows

OM SARVA PALAKAYA NAMAHA

To the protector of all beings

OM AJAYA NAMAHA

To the all-victorious Lord

OM NIRANJANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who is untainted

OM KAMA JANAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who generates desires in the worldly-minded

OM KANCHA LOCHANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who has beautiful eyes

OM MADHUGHNE NAMAHA

To the Lord who killed the demon Madhu

OM MATHURA NATHAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of the holy place of Mathura

OM DVARAKA NAYAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of Dwaraka

OM BALINE NAMAHA

To the all-powerful Lord

OM BRINDAVANANTA SANCARINE NAMAHA

To the Lord who roamed around Vrindavana

OM TULASIDAMA BHUSHANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who adorns Himself with tulasi leaf garlands

OM SYAMANTAKA MANER HARTRE NAMAHA

To the Lord who stole the Syamantaka gem

OM NARA NARAYANATMAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who has the twin forms of Nara and Narayana

OM KUBJA KRISHTAMBARADHARAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who wore the ointment offered by Kubja, the hunchbacked lady

OM MAYINE NAMAHA

To the Lord of Maya (the illusion)

OM PARAMAPURUSHAYA NAMAHA

To the Supreme Person

OM MUSHTIKASURA CHANURA MALLAYUDHA-VISHARADAYA NAMAHA

To the expert wrestler who wrestled with the two demons, Mushtika and Chanura

OM SAMSARA VAIRINE NAMAHA

To the enemy of Samsara (the cycle of births and deaths)

OM KAMSARAYE NAMAHA

To the enemy of King Kamsa (who wanted to kill Krishna)

OM MURARAYE NAMAHA

To the enemy of the demon Mura

OM NARAKANTAKAYA NAMAHA

To the destroyer of the demon Naraka

OM ANADI BRAHMACHARINE NAMAHA

To the beginningless Absolute

OM KRISHNA VYASANA KARSHAKAYA NAMAHA

To the One who removed Draupadi's distress

OM SHISHUPALA SHIRASCETTRE NAMAHA

To the Lord who removed Sisupala's head

OM DURYODHANA KULANTAKAYA NAMAHA

To the destroyer of the dynasty of Durodhana

OM VIDURAKRURA VARADAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who gave boons to Vidura and Akrura

OM VISHVARUPA PRADARSHAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who revealed His Viswarupa (the Universal Form)

OM SATYAVACHE NAMAHA

To the Lord who utters only truth

OM SATYA SANKALPAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of true resolve

OM SATYABHAMA RATAYA NAMAHA

To the Lover of Satyabhama

OM JAYINE NAMAHA

To the Lord who is ever victorious

OM SUBHADRA PURVAJAYA NAMAHA

To the elder brother of Subhadra

OM VISHNAVA NAMAHA

To Lord Vishnu

OM BHISHMA MUKTI PRADAYAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who bestowed salvation on Bhishma

OM JAGADGURAVE NAMAHA

To the Lord who is Guru to the whole world

OM JAGANNATHAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord of the whole world

OM VENUNADA VISHARADAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who is an expert in playing flute music

OM VRISHABHASURA VIDHVAMSINE NAMAHA

To the Lord who destroyed the demon Vrishaba

OM BANASURA KARANTAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who chopped off the hands of the demon Banasura

OM YUDHISTHIRA PRATISHTHATRE NAMAHA

To the Lord who established Yudhisthir (as the king)

OM BARHI BARHAVATAMSAKAYA NAMAHA

To the One who is adorned with effulgent peacock feathers

OM PARTHASARATHAYE NAMAHA

To Partha Sarathi, the chariot driver of Arjuna

OM AVYAKTAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who is difficult to comprehend

OM GITAMRITA MAHODADHAYE NAMAHA

To the Ocean containing the nectar of theBhagavad-gita

OM KALIYAPHANI MANIKYA RANJITA SHRI PADAMBHUJAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord whose lotus feet are adorned with the gems from the hoods of the serpent Kaliya

OM DAMODARAYA NAMAHA

To the One who was tied with a grinding stone around His waist

OM YAJNABHOKTRE NAMAHA

To the Lord who consumes sacrificial offerings

OM DANAVENDRA VINASHAKAYA NAMAHA

To the destroyer of the Lord of Asuras

OM NARAYANAYA NAMAHA

To Lord Narayana

OM PARABRAHMANE NAMAHA

To the Supreme Brahman

OM PANNAGASHANA VAHANAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who has a serpent (Adisesha) as His seat

OM JALAKRIDASAMASHAKTA GOPI VASTRAPAHARAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord who (playfully) hid the clothes (left on the shore) of the Gopis who were engrossed in playing in the waters of the Yamuna river

OM PUNYA-SHLOKAYA NAMAHA

To the Lord whose praises bestow merit

OM TIRTHAPADAYA NAMAHA

To the One whose feet are holy

OM VEDAVEDYAYA NAMAHA

To the source of the Vedas

OM DAYANIDHAYE NAMAHA

To the Treasure of compassion

OM SARVA BHUTATMAKAYA NAMAHA

To the Soul of the elements

OM SARVAGRAHA RUPINE NAMAHA

To the All-formed One

OM PARATPARAYA NAMAHA

To the One who is highest than the highest