Janmashtami 2024 - Story, Significance, Celebrations

The birth of Lord Krishna is a profound and divine event, distinctly different from a typical human birth. Unlike mortals, God does not need to enter a womb for His avatar to take place. By His divine Yogmaya power, Lord Krishna made Devaki feel as if she was carrying a child in her womb. But when the moment arrived, the womb became empty, and the Lord manifested before her eyes in His six-foot Vishnu form. This was a divine manifestation rather than a typical human birth. 

The festival of Janmashtami commemorates the divine birth of Lord Krishna, about 5000 years ago, in the city of Mathura, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison cell on the eighth day (ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). This year, Janmashtami is being celebrated on Monday, August 26th 2024.

Janmashtami Story – Divine Birth of Lord Krishna

In the kingdom of Mathura, fear and dread lingered under the cruel reign of King Kansa. The city lived under the shadow of a prophecy foretelling that Kansa would be killed by the eighth child of his sister Devaki. Despite his ruthless efforts to prevent this prophecy, divine plans were already in motion, unbeknownst to the tyrant.

The divine intervention began with Devaki's seventh child. Lord Krishna was aware of the threat posed by Kansa. Consequently, He instructed his divine energy, Yogmaya, to transfer the unborn child from Devaki’s womb to that of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, who lived in Vrindavan. This child was none other than a manifestation of Ananta Shesha, the eternal serpent who serves Lord Vishnu.

Kansa was eagerly awaiting the birth of the seventh child and was baffled to discover that the child had mysteriously vanished. Meanwhile, Devaki became pregnant with her eighth child, and Kansa’s paranoia grew. He ordered his soldiers to maintain strict vigilance, ready to kill the child the moment it was born.

On the night of the eighth lunar day in the month of Bhadrapada, the universe held its breath as the divine birth unfolded within the confines of Kansa’s prison. At the stroke of midnight, a celestial light filled the prison cell, and Lord Krishna appeared in His majestic four-armed form, holding the conch, discus, club, and lotus.

Devaki was overwhelmed with awe, recognizing the divine nature of her child. She realized that this was no ordinary infant but the Supreme Lord, Vishnu Himself has come to deliver them from Kansa’s tyranny. She pleaded with Krishna to assume the form of a regular baby so she could embrace the joy of being His mother.

Krishna, with a smile, obliged. He then instructed Vasudeva to carry him across the Yamuna River to the house of Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul and exchange him with their newborn daughter. As Krishna transformed into a human infant, the prison doors miraculously swung open, and the guards fell into a deep, enchanted sleep.

Vasudeva placed the infant Krishna in a small basket and began his perilous journey across the Yamuna. A gentle drizzle fell as he stepped into the river, which began to rise higher and higher. But the divine serpent, Ananta Shesha, appeared to lift and protect Vasudeva from the swirling waters.

Yamuna, yearning to touch the divine feet of the Lord, rose higher still. Sensing her devotion, Krishna extended His tiny foot from the basket, allowing the river goddess to touch it. Contented, the river receded, granting Vasudeva safe passage to the other side.

In Gokul, all lay in deep slumber. Vasudeva entered the humble home of Nanda and Yashoda, and gently exchanged the babies. He left Krishna in Yashoda’s loving care and returned to Mathura with their daughter. 

Upon his return, the prison doors closed behind him, and the guards awoke to find a child had been born. They rushed to inform Kansa, who stormed into the cell, eager to fulfill the prophecy himself.

Instead of a boy, he found a baby girl. Furious and bewildered, he attempted to kill the infant, but She slipped from his grasp, transforming into the ten-armed goddess Durga. Hovering in the sky, She admonished Kansa, revealing that the eighth child who is destined to end his tyranny was safe elsewhere.

Significance of Janmashtami

Understanding the divine nature of Krishna's birth leads to questions about the purpose of His incarnation and the significance of celebrating Janmashtami.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna provides three reasons for his descent, 1)to restore Dharma (righteousness), 2) to vanquish evil, and 3) to protect the virtuous. However, these are not the primary reasons for His incarnation.

There is a deeper reason for Krishna avatar. By manifesting in a personal form, the Lord facilitates devotion by giving devotees a Form to meditate upon, a Name to chant, and Pastimes to reflect upon. This approach allows devotees to develop a personal and intimate connection with the Divine. Thus, His descension is to grace and bless souls, providing them with opportunities for spiritual upliftment.  

Lord Krishna’s pastimes created a treasure chest of bhakti (devotion) for future generations. Saints and sages have unlocked this treasure and distributed its wisdom, making it accessible to souls seeking divine love. By recognizing Krishna’s divinity and engaging in devotion, individuals can cultivate a relationship with Him, awakening pure love and devotion. All of this is made possible because of the divine birth that took place thousands of years ago on the auspicious Janmashtami Day. 

Also watch: Swami Mukundananda discourse on real reason behind Krishna Avatar.

Overall, Janmashtami serves as a reminder that the ultimate goal of human life is to attain divine love for God. Through the celebration of Janmashtami, devotees not only honor Lord Krishna’s life and teachings but also renew their commitment to living a life of virtue, love, and spiritual growth.

Celebrate Janmashtami 2024 with Swami Mukundananda at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas from August 23rd to 27th.

Participate in Kirtans, Krishna Leelas, Dahi Handi, Jhoolan, Baby Krishna Abhishek, Midnight Arti,  and much more. Check Janmashtami Celebrations schedule here.

Happy Janmashtami 2024 to everyone!!!