Gokulashtami
Gokulashtami also known as Janmashtami or Krishna Jayanthi is the day Lord Krishna was born. Lord Sri Krishna is the avatar of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be one of the most glorious incarnations. He is popularly known as a naughty child, an inspired cowherd, a destroyer of demons and an enthralling flute-player. He represents the absolute knowledge that removes the darkness of ignorance in life. The etymology of the name ‘Krishna’ as per Bhagavad Gita, na signifies that He stops the repetition of birth and death, and krish means existence (Krishna is the whole of existence). Also, krish means ‘attraction,’ and na means Ananda (bliss).
Some people celebrate it on Ashtami tithi which comes in Krishna paksha during the lunar month Sravana as Gokulashtami. Some celebrate on the day when Rohini star is present. It falls in late August or early September of the Gregorian calendar.
Significance of Gokulashtami
In the houses, mango leaves are tied to the doorways to mark the auspicious occasion. Beautiful rangoli patterns are drawn outside the main entrance and lamps are lit. The baby Krishna’s feet is drawn with a paste made out of rice flour and water from entrance to the pooja room to indicate Lord Krishna’s presence. People observe a daylong fast, which is broken only at midnight, the time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Devotees gather at midnight and celebrate Janmashtami by singing devotional songs and reciting Hindu scriptures. The idol of ‘Baal Gopal’ (baby Krishna) is placed in a cradle as a symbol of his birth. Devotees, rock the cradle joyfully singing songs. Butter mixed with sugar and various milk sweets are offered to Lord Krishna. Dahi-handi (pot of curd) competitions are held where teams of young enthusiasts form human pyramids to reach the pot of curd tied at a considerable height. Breaking this is a symbolic recreation of Lord Krishna’s childhood pranks.
Spiritual Significance of Gokulashtami
Lord Krishna’s birth has a deeper meaning. Devaki (Lord Krishna’s mother) symbolizes the body and Vasudev (Lord Krishna’s father) symbolizes the life force (prana). When prana rises in the body, joy (Krishna) is born. But the ego (Kamsa) tries to eliminate joy. Kamsa is Devaki’s brother which indicates that ego is born along with the body. Ego cannot survive and has to surrender where there is joy and love. Lord Krishna is the epitome of joy and the source of love. Devaki and Vasudev’s imprisonment by Kamsa signifies that when the ego takes over, the body feels like a prison. When Krishna was born, the prison guards fell asleep. The guards here are the senses which protect the ego because they are turned outward when awake. Inner joy sprouts in us only when the senses are turn inwards. Krishna is the most attractive, joyful space within all of us. When there is no fear, worry or desire in the mind, you are able to get deep rest. And it is in deep rest that Krishna is born. Lord Krishna was born on midnight and this also has a deeper significance. Midnight is the time of maximum darkness and from the moment the Lord appeared the darkness started diminishing. Similarly our heart is dark filled with fear, anger, anxiety and miseries. When we turn to the Lord, He appears in our heart and all the darkness gets dispelled and the light of eternal hope starts streaming in. The Lord appeared in a prison cell amidst shackles and then freed His parents. This indicates that all of us who are shackled by our own material desires can be freed by the Lord who appears in our heart which is like a prison house. So the real Janmashtami will take place when the Lord appears in our hearts. All of us are actually wanting the Janmashtami to happen to us whether we are aware of it or not. Lord Krishna is also called as butter thief. When curd is churned, butter comes up and floats on top. It is nourishing and light but not heavy. Similarly when intelligence is churned, it becomes like butter. When knowledge dawns in the mind then one gets established in one’s Self. Krishna stealing butter is a symbolism depicting the glory of love.
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