Happy Jamashtami: The Beginning of an Eternity!

Posted: 6 years ago

Krishna Janmashtami, better known as Janmashtami, is the day when, Krishna, the naughtiest of the Hindu Gods, finally set his feet on this earth.

The story, well-known though, goes...

Once upon a time...just joking, it was in the Dwapara yuga that there lived a just and kind King named Ugrasena who had his capital in Mathura. The only walk of life he'd failed in was the upbringing of his eight sons- the oldest and the wickedest of who was Kamsa.

Now, this Kamsa was a chronic case of a Multiple Personality Disorder. While he was foolish enough to believe that he should be worshiped as a Lord, he also was one of the cleverest persons when it came to devising new and innovative punishments for his prisoners. The cherry on the cake was that he genuinely loved his one and only sister, princess Devaki, a naive but good-natured lady.

When the time came, he duly sought a groom for his darling, who he found in the honest and upright prince, Vasudeva. A much-in-love couple was made amidst great joy and pomp.

Unwilling to let go of his sister so soon, Kamsa insisted that he would drive her to her sasuraal in the neighbouring city.


Now, as fate would have it, just as they crossed the threshold of Mathura, it seemed as though the sky tore apart! A booming voice informed Kamsa that the woman he was so lovingly escorting to her home, would become the mother of his Death. Na jaan na pehchaan, Kamsa decided they must be speaking the truth. Love evaporated and he drew his sword and caught hold of the voluminous locks of the trembling Devaki.

Vasudeva, true to his duties and marital promises, begged for mercy on her behalf. When that didn't work, he offered to surrender all his babies to Kamsa who could then finish them off at his leisure.
Bas, Mogambo khush hua!

BUT.
Devaki and Vasudeva were kept under house arrest for next few years when Kamsa spent his days literally waiting for their eight child- the one which was to be his Death.


Eight years passed, and after a lot of bloodshed and tears, it was finally the night for the good little Devaki to really become the Mother of the God.

It is said the God lives in every atom of this universe. Keeping up with that, all aspects of nature and life were silent that night; as though with glistening eyes and a watery smile they stood, to welcome the physical manifestation of their very essence.

When the little Lord finally let out his first gurgle with that little smile, the world seemed unable to hold on any longer to its emotions...and down came the raindrops, the happy tears and the sighs of relief!

Bolo Jai Kanhaiya Laal Ki!

Edited by Radhikerani - 6 years ago
Posted: 6 years ago

| Patram Puspam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktya Prayacchati |
|| Tad Aham Bhaktyupahrtamashraami Prayataatmanah ||

The shloka above means, "a leaf or a flower or even just water will be accepted lovingly by our lovely Krishna if you've got enough love".

But admit it or not, we all wanna pamper that chubby kid with the innocent face and the naughtiest smile, to the power of infinity!



Throughout the ages Janmashtami has been an extremely popular festival full of fun and frolic. And why not? After all, it's the birthday of the most mischievous Lord of all times, the one who was nearly always up to something!

So, here we go, first with a brief compilation of the more common traditions of the festivals, and then with your very own checklist for the celebrations.



The Dahi Handi extravaganza in Maharashtra and Gujarat is but one of many such exciting games held on this day. In this one, a pot containing a prize of some sorts in hung at a height and participants have to make a human pyramid to reach and break it to reveal the prize!

Put in the Twist: What about a treasure hunt instead?

In the more homelier of the celebrations, mothers, sisters and wannabe gopikas make a mouthwatering array of delicacies including Maakhan, Kheer, Seedai and Verkadalai Urundai. Also, temples offer the deities a treat of the chappan bhog, or the 56 types of dishes that are said to be liked by our Kanha.

Put in the Twist: Fusion desserts, maybe?

Temples organize  recitals of the Bhagavat Geeta, Srimad Bhagavatham and other texts that sing the glories of Lord Krishna. People have their kids dress up either as Krishna or his gopikas, and together they perform the eternally beautiful Raas-Leela, celebrating the lively dance of Krishna and his lover-gopikas. Devotees also take pleasure in enacting different stories from His life, and dancing on the popular bhajans.

Put in the Twist: How about having people describe Krishna in the most quirkiest way possible? ;D


In most areas of India, devotees observe a strict fast till the midnight pooja, at which time when Krishna is said to have been born.

Often in Southern parts, the youngest male member of the family is dressed up as Krishna and rocked on a swing (unjal) and pampered likewise.

Women draw rangoli designs and little footprints around their homes to welcome the little cowherd boy into the same and their hearts!


Your handy Janmashtami checklist though <3,
I'll just say what we usually do, and then you can add or subtract! <3

1. A new outfit for our Krishna?
2. A decorated, fragranced area for Him to chill?
3. Flowers, flowers and more flowers!
4. Jhula working all right?
5. Rangoli!
6. Gorgeous looking and tasting dishes- get SWEETS!!
7. Music system fine?
8. Ras-leela dresses, dandiyas ready?
9. It's not gonna get wet if it rains, right?


Okay check that, help out each other, and with that lets move over to the next section- the most interesting one!
Edited by Radhikerani - 6 years ago
Posted: 6 years ago

Now, we all have passed that point in our lives that some actions of Krishna might have seemed a little off...right? We've all asked questions...sometimes we got the answers, sometimes not.

Today, I'll take the opportunity to explain some of His rather misunderstood actions, to best of my knowledge.

Of course, saying He's God would rid us of the questions themselves, but the fact is that each of his actions can be justified even if we leave the divinity out of it.

However, I wouldn't bore you with ALL of it, but just tackle a select few in this post...


Why did Krishna leave Radha?

Well, the human Krishna had only recently discovered his identity. Not being sure of his own position in the royal family how could he drag his beloved into such a mess?! And after he finally reached the position where he was revered next to a God (some seventeen years later), he found Radha was already married to someone else, so he just shut that part of his heart and moved on...:)

Why, Lord, 16108?

The number of his wives, alarming though, has nothing to do with women's strong affinity to him. The 16100 slaves of the demon Narakasura wanted to end their lives after Krishna rescued them because they presumed, rightly so, that the society will never let them have the dignity of a non-abducted woman. Victim-shaming, duh! In this scenario, was it too wrong for Him to marry them and give them a proper home and a child each?

Why did he not stop the War of Kurukshetra?

First of all, it was a woman's dignity on stake and punishments were overdue. Then, according to the numbers mentioned in the original book of Mahabharata, the total number of soldiers fighting on either sides is in itself greater than the current world population. Since, the ENTIRE army was wiped out in the war that was just a pre-apocalypse tragedy of the Dwapara yuga. Because God or not, you can't deny that Krishna was a prodigy!


Any other questions about him, of course are welcome! We, at IF fortunately have the splendid group of scholars who are always glad to dissipate your doubts!

In the meantime, enjoy all the celebrations and let Him enjoy the maakhan, laddoos and the gifts!

Happy Janmashtami everyone!<3

Edited by Radhikerani - 6 years ago
Posted: 6 years ago

Credits:

Write-up: Myself :3

The Amazing Graphics: Nabiladi aka 18shabbo
(I'm forever grateful to her accomodating this one into her busy schedule. Thanks so much Di! <3)

And last but not the least,

Happy Birthday Nandlaalji! <3
^Thanks for being the best mate ever! <3

Note: Any content of this thread does not intend to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. Thank you! :D

Edited by Radhikerani - 6 years ago
Posted: 6 years ago
Haathi ghoda paalki,
Jai Kanhaiya laal ki! <3
Posted: 6 years ago
Nand ke Anand bhayo Jai kanhaiya lal ki ..
Happy Janmashatmi to everyone !!

Nice thread Proteeti 👍🏼
Posted: 6 years ago


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Posted: 6 years ago
Happy Janmashatmi all

hanti ghoda paal ki.
jai kanhaiyalaal ki.
Posted: 6 years ago
Very informative. Beautiful work done, Proteeti & Nabila! ❤️
Happy janamashtmi everyone!
Suggestion: Get the spellings of the title corrected.
Posted: 6 years ago
Happy Janmashtami everyone
fabulous thread chottu 

awesome tags Nabila dr

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