Sri Krishna Janmashtami: The Advent of Lord Krishna

By: Yamuna Sundaridasi

Janmashtami is the divine appearance day of Lord Krishna and is a joyous festival celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm. Many activities like devotional songs invoking auspiciousness, various cultural programs enacting the Lord’s pastimes, famous butter pot festival, bathing of the deities and distribution of a variety of delicious preparations are organised throughout the world.

However, more than the external picture there is also a deeper significance to this day. God or Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita Chapter 4 text 9 – ‘One who knows the transcendental nature of my appearance and activities does not, upon leaving this body take birth in the material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.’ This is very profound as the Lord promises that anyone who takes to His shelter can at once stop this repetition of birth and death and achieve an eternal destination.

While this brings us solace, the Lord out of His compassion also assures us of the topmost peace formula in Chapter 5 text 29 – ‘Knowing Me as the ultimate purpose of all austerities, the Lord of all planets and it’s agents and the well-wisher of all living entities, one can attain peace from the pangs of material miseries.’ Every nation, organisation and individual are anxious to find peace and tranquillity, however, there is still chaos and growing uncertainty. Nonetheless, by following the Bhagavad-gita and the Lord’s instructions, there can be a positive transformation in the world.

Therefore, on this Janmashtami let us dive deeper into our spiritual pursuits and find the true meaning to our existence. This Krishna consciousness movement and chanting of the holy names of God, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare is the sublime method that can deliver all living entities from this unnatural state of misery, and keep them situated in the divine state of knowledge, eternity and bliss.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Melbourne, invites everyone to partake in the online festivities for Lord Krishna’s birthday on Wednesday 12 August 2020. There will be a live broadcast of the program from the Temple from 4.30 am until midnight arti at ‘bit.ly/hkmlive‘ (YouTube channel – Hare Krishna Melbourne). You can write to us at harekrishna.ws@gmail.com for any further queries.

Wishing you a pleasant Janmashtami festival and good health for the coming year! Hare Krishna!