Sri Krishna Janmastami marks the celebration of the birth of
Bhagavan Sri Krishna. This festival is also known as Krishna Jayanti
or Janmashtami. Lord Krishna is regarded as the 8th avatar or
'incarnation' of Vishnu. The life of Sri Krishna is the most stirring
saga of one of the greatest saviors and propounders of 'Dharma'.
His life is filled with numerous dangers over which he ultimately
gained victory. The stories of how he killed, one after the other,
all the demonic adversaries- Pootana, Shakata, Agha, Dhenuka,
Bakaa, Keshi, Kansa, Shishupala, Jarasandha etc. - has made him
the peerless savior of mankind.
Krishna's Birth
Mathura was the capital of a kingdom in North India. Ugrasen was
the king of Mathura. He had a son, Kansa and a daughter, Devki.
During the lavish wedding of Devki to Vasudev, Kansa heard a celestial
voice announce,"O Kansa, Thy death is written at the hand
of the eighth son born to this union." Through the ensuing
years the demon king put to death six children born to Devki in
the dungeons of the Palace. On the day that Sri Krishna was born
it was raining and dark. At midnight a bright light appeared in
the room of Devki. Then the child was born. Vasudev, terrified
for the baby's safety, carried it in a basket through the opened
gates of the dungeon. On account of the heavy rain the river Yamuna
was swollen. But as he stepped out of the prison the rain stopped
and the dim light of the moon showed the way. A huge snake taking
the shape of an umbrella protected the child. As he reached the
river the waters were divided leaving a dry path for Vasudev to
cross. Vasudev went to the home of his friend Nanda. He exchanged
the baby boy with a baby girl and went back. The following day,
when Kansa tried to kill the baby girl she slipped from his hands
and the image of Devi appeared. She spoke to Kansa,''The one who
is destined to kill you has already taken birth elsewhere.' Sri
Krishna flourished under Nanda's and Yashodha's care and later
on slew the wicked Kansa.
Darjeeling people celebrate this special occasion by singing
bhajans in the name of lord Krishna. A special sect called the
Pranamis in the Darjeeling hills are strict followers of lord
Krishna. Young unmarried girls specially keep on a fasting this
day and offer prayers to lord Krishna - it is believed that by
doing this they will get good husbands in the future.
Article by Vani Shah
