On August 22nd, 2019, Hindus worldwide will be celebrating the occasion of Shree Krishna Janam Ashtami, marking the appearance of Shree Krishna on earth. Shree Krishna is one of the major avataars (manifestation of God on earth) in Sanaatan Dharma. He is a much beloved embodiment of Divinity who is honoured by people of all races, religions and cultures. There are more scriptures dedicated to the teachings and leelas (Divine plays) of Shree Krishna than any other avataar of the Divine. They include:
- Bhagavad Mahaa Puraan
- Sukh Saagar
- Prem Saagar
- Mahaabhaarat
- Shrimad Bhagavad Gita
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a well-known and respected scripture as it contains the Lord’s words on how to live life. In the legal system, Hindus are made to swear to speak the truth by holding a Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in their hands. The greatest respect is shown to this sacred text.
In Krishna Leela, many values are illustrated based on the words and life of Shree Krishna. He displayed the six auspicious characteristics of avataars, that is, the qualities or powers that distinguish Them from other beings. These powers are aishvarya (supremacy), yashas (splendour), dharma (righteousness), shree (prosperity), vairaagya (detachment) and gyaan (spiritual enlightenment).
Unlike any other avataar, Shree Krishna was born in a prison cell. His parents, Vasudev and Devaki, were imprisoned by the Raakshas king, Kansa, due to the prophecy that these two would bear a son who would destroy the Raakshas. The new born babe, Shree Krishna was then carried to his foster parents, Nand and Yashoda, where he was brought up as a cowherd. Shree Krishna faced many obstacles but eventually achieved recognition in that city of Dwaarak.
We must draw inspiration from the life of the Lord, who walked this earth to show us how we should live. The avataars signify the spiritual evolution of human life as we wend our way through life, discerning the “I” (Aham) as separate from the Divine entity (Brahman). On the spiritual evolutionary road, Krishna is representative of the experience of ecstatic Divine bliss born of perfection. In His own words, He gave this reason for his manifestation on earth:
Yadaa yadaa hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bhaarata
Abhyuthanaam-adharmasya tadaatmaanam srijaamyaham.
Paritraanaaya saadhunaam vinaashaaya cha dushkritaam
Dharmasanthaapanaarthaaya sambhavaami yuge yuge.
“Whenever righteousness is on the decline and unrighteousness is on the ascendant, then I embody myself for the protection of the virtuous, for the extirpation of the evildoers and for establishing Dharma on a firm footing. I am born from age to age.”
Shree Krishna performed His leelas on the world’s stage, protecting His devotees, creating ecstasy and destroying evil. Whether in Mathura, Gokula, Vraj or the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the many relationships He formed, the numerous kathas of revival and reform of the human spirit, all revealed the glory of His manifestation and His re-establishment of dharma in the world. Shree Krishna teaches that whatever our circumstances, devotees must not use them as an excuse for failure and to avoid our duties and responsibilities. We are all placed in different circumstances and environments, which may not be the most ideal. However, devotees of Shree Krishna must find the strength and will to face all these hurdles and transcend them. Life provides opportunities for all of us to be great, but we must be willing to fight for them, even in the face of mountainous challenges.
We must seek the blessings of the Divine as a way of making all tasks easier. Prayer to Shree Krishna on the auspicious occasion of Shree Krishna Janam Ashtami will ensure our success in all endeavours.
