Krishna (कृष्ण) , is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love. He is a central character in the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, the Brahma Vaivarta Purana and the Bhagavad Gita. He is portrayed as various perspectives: a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero, and as the universal supreme being.
The anecdotes and narratives of Krishna’s life are generally titled as Krishna Leela. The legends of Krishna’s childhood and youth describe him as a cow herder, a mischievous boy whose pranks earn him the nickname Makhan Chor (butter thief), and a protector who steals the hearts of the people in both Gokul and Vrindavana. Krishna’s childhood illustrates the Hindu concept of Lila, playing for fun and enjoyment and not for sport or gain.
Various festivals are associated with Lord Krishna- Krishna Janmashtami, Holi, Gopastami, Govardhan Puja, Kartik Purnima, Sharad Purnima and Lathmar Holi. Krishna Janmashtmi is the most popular festival associated with Krishna. We have answers to some of the frequently asked questions related to Janmashtmi.
Q.1 What is Janmashtami?
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna. Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honor of the birth. Krishna is believed to have been born according to Hindu tradition, which is in Mathura, at midnight on the eighth day of Bhadrapada month (3 September in the Gregorian calendar).
Q.2 When is it celebrated?
It is observed according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Shraavana or Bhadrapad , which overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated eight days after Raksha Bandhan,
Q.3 Why is it celebrated?
According to the Hindu texts, Lord Krishna came into this world as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and destroyer of the evil on this day. Ancient Hindu literature, including states the story of Lord Krishna’s birth and how his maternal-uncle, King Kansa, wanted to kill him. And ever since his birth, every 8th day called Krishnapaksha of the month of Bhadrapada is celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami. Also, many people treat this day as an occasion to honour the victory of good over evil.
Q.4 What are the other names of Janmashtami?
Lord Krishna’s birthday is popularly know as Janmashtami but there various other names of Janmashtmi which are- Krishnashtami, SaatamAatham, Gokulashtami, Yadukulashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti etc.
Q.5 How is the festival celebrated in the country?
The whole nation comes together to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna with much fervour and enthusiasm. It is quite common to see kids dressed up as little Krishna, markets lined up with sweet shops and elegant handis, people preparing for the plays devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, fasting (upavasa), a night vigil (Ratri Jagaran), and a festival (Mahotsav) and temples being decorated with flowers. On this day, recitations of verses from the holy books, Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita, are also organised at Hindu shrines.
Q.6 Where it is generally celebrated?
Though Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated across the country with zeal and enthusiasm, some parts of the country observe special celebrations. It is celebrated particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan, along with major Vaishnava and non-sectarian communities found in Manipur, Assam, Odisha , Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Q.7 Is it celebrated outside the country?
Janmashtami is celebrated with much enthusiasm outside India as well. It is celebrated in Nepal, Bangladesh, Fiji, Pakistan, Réunion( French Island), Arizona (United States). The festival is also celebrated widely by Hindus in Caribbean in the countries of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the former British colony Fiji as well as the former Dutch colony of Suriname.
Q.8 Why do we celebrate Janmashtami in 2 days?
The date and constellation have special significance and the reason behind celebrating Shri Krishna Janmashtami for two days. It is mentioned in the Puranas that Lord Krishna was born in Rohini Nakshatra on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada month.
Q.9 Is Janmashtami a fasting day?
The devotees celebrate this day with a lot of enthusiasm every year, by holding a day-long fast, offering prayers and making sweet delicacies for Lord Krishna. Devotees start the fast by only having one meal a day prior to the event. They only break the fast at midnight of Ashtami. Throughout the day, the devotees do not consume grains and cereals. They only eat meals consisting of milk, water and fruits. People who can observe a strict fast choose to hold a ‘Nirjala’ fast, which translates to ‘starvation’.
Q.10 Who gave flute to Lord Krishna?
Shiva ji made a beautiful and beautiful flute by grinding a bone. When Shiva reached Gokul to meet Lord Shri Krishna, he offered him the flute as a gift to Shri Krishna.
Q.11 Why did Lord Krishna broke his flute?
Krishna demanded something from Radha, but she refused. Radha abandoned her body while listening to the tunes of the flute. Lord Krishna could not bear Radha’s death and broke his flute as a symbolic ending of love and threw it into the bush. However, it is also said that Shri krishna never broke his flute and he never stopped playing it . In the harivansham it is clearly mentioned that krishna played flute for maa rukmini and other queens also and the most beautiful thing that he played raasleela with rukmini ji in dwarika .
Q.12 How did Lord Krishna die?
Lord Krishna, an absolute incarnation of lord Vishnu, is worshipped highly by everyone. Yet, It is believed that he died in isolation. Duryodhana’s mother Gandhari was devastated by the death of her son and, in her rage, cursed Lord Krishna that he will die exactly after thirty-six years. He took that curse with a smiling face as he knew that he shall reap the fruits of his karma one day. Mistaking the sleeping Krishna for a deer, a hunter named Jara shoots an arrow that fatally injures him. Krishna forgives Jara and dies.
We at @VenueMonk are always here to satisfy your curiosities and provide answer to your questions.