Janmasthami the birthday of the Lord Krishna

By Jo Prakash

“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 reestablish the principles of religion, I, Myself, appear, ages after ages.”

Shree Krishna to Arjuna before the battle of Kurukshetra begins.

Bhagavad Gita

The month of August brings the birthday of Shree Krishna; on the 28th of August 2008 hindus will be celebrating Janmasthami as the birthday of the Lord Krishna, the great avatar of Vishnu.
Krishna appeared on this earth, in India 5000 years ago for a total of 125 years.

Shree Krishna is one of the most commonly worshipped deities by Hindus all around the world.

He is the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu who descended on earth for the sole reason to establish “dharma” back to humankind, he as all avatars are to hindus, seen as saviours to the world of man and principles of religion.

Often depicted as dark skinned, blue or dark blue, in Sanskrit the meaning of the word “krsna” literally means dark or black and is used to describe someone with darker skin tone.

He can be seen in most images to be a youthful man or young boy, wearing a yellow silk dhoti with a peacock feather in his head jewellery and always carrying an old flute.

His personality characteristics are playful, attractive, well famed, well loved, strong, courageous, righteous, powerful, wealthy and wise.

Because of the many stories that surround Lord Krishna, he is called by many names depending on his associations or attributes.

The most common names for him are Govinda “finder of cows” or Gopala “protector of cows”, which are associated with his childhood as a cow herder.

Shree Krishnas love for cows and the Hindus love for Krishna have become an iconic tradition in hindu philosophy with the protection of cows in India.

The stories of Krishna range from his birth and how he became free from the terror of the evil Kansa and demon Putana, who tried to kill him as a baby, to his early childhood as a butter-thief, to later childhood with his soul-mate Radha to killing the poisonous serpent Kaliya in the River Yamuna.

One of the most important stories of Shree Krishna in yogic terms are the the stories of battle with Krishna leading in the Kurukshetra war.

This was a sibling war between two cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, which began about a dispute of a kingdom.

Shree Krishna was a relation of both parties concerned; he gave offerings and advice to both parties involved equally.

The Kauravas and Pandavas were given the choice to have Krishnas soldiers to fight with weapons or Shree Krishna alone with no army and no weapon.

The Kauravas chose the army while the Pandavas chose Shree Krishna alone and no other warriors.

As Lord Krishna had made a promise to never use weapons to kill anyone in this battle, he became the charioteer for the Pandavas.

Ethical rules of war were made which both parties were to adhere to, these rules included

Fighting must begin no earlier than sunrise and end exactly at sunset.
Multiple warriors may not attack a single warrior.
Two warriors may "duel", or engage in prolonged personal combat, only if they carry the same weapons and they are on the same mount (no mount, a horse, an elephant, or a chariot).
No warrior may kill or injure a warrior who has surrendered.
One who surrenders becomes a prisoner of war and a slave.
No warrior may kill or injure an unarmed warrior.
No warrior may kill or injure an unconscious warrior.
No warrior may kill or injure a person or animal not taking part in the war.
No warrior may kill or injure a warrior whose back is turned away.
No warrior may attack a woman.
No warrior may strike an animal not considered a direct threat.
The rules specific to each weapon must be followed. For example, it is prohibited to strike below the waist in mace warfare.
Warriors may not engage in any "unfair" warfare.

The war finally began…..

After 18 days finally the battle was over, the Pandavas defeated their cousins eventually and also heard the narration of the Bhagavad Gita during combat which is the translated as the “Song of Knowledge”, one of the most important transcripts in hindu mythology.

This narration includes knowledge of personality, duties, karma (selfless service) yoga, jyana (knowledge) of yoga and bhakti (devotional) yoga. Just from the war battle alone showed the devotion of the Pandavas to Godhead, leading to victory.

Initially the Pandavas were not prepared to fight or kill with their own relaties and that is how the Gita was born and Lord Krishna clarified the duties of the people.

For centuries Janmashtami has been observed by hindus as a time of prayers, fasting, pujas, dramas and plays, as well as the reflection on Shree Krishnas life and the joy and knowledge he brought to earth and spiritual reflection.

Celebrations will be taking place at the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford on Sunday 24th (1pm-midnight) and Monday 25th August (noon-10pm) and is open to the whole family.

The theme this year will be spiritual food and will include demonstrations and tasting tents of different cuisines, celebrating vegetarianism, environmentalism, organic and vegan foods, and self sufficiency.