Today is Janmashtami, appearance day of Lord Krishna. Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, does not take birth like you and me. His appearance in this world is extraordinary and transcendental.
This is why in Bhagavad Gita he says that one who understands his birth and activities will never again return back to this material world. Such a fortunate soul will get freedom from the repeated cycle of birth and death, and he will go back to his abode.
“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” Bhagavad Gita 4.9
Krishna is permanent and everything else is temporary. Our house, job, family members and even our body will go one day. But Krishna will always remain. So, it is better to develop a strong relationship with Krishna. Material life promises a lot but gives nothing. This is why Krishna says, “Do not waste your time here, you come to me, and I will give you everything.”
Any sane man will accept Krishna’s invitation and will take a vow to never leave him. Krishna appeared and performed so many extraordinary pastimes to convince us that he is the Supreme Lord. He performed so many sweet pastimes especially in Vrindavan to attract us and also to invite us to be part of such loving pastimes.
You and I have tried our best to be happy here without Krishna. And now we know that life without Krishna is like life without soul. So, now let us give up our stubbornness and take complete shelter of Krishna.
Krishna floods our life with bliss
On this auspicious day of Janmashtami, let us decide to dedicate our life completely to Krishna and say to him loudly and clearly, “Krishna I am yours, please accept me.” On this Janmashtami take a vow to never leave Krishna’s shelter.
As soon as we will wholeheartedly accept Krishna as the most important person of our life, happiness and auspicious will begin flooding our life. Suffering will just disappear from our life. How can there be any suffering when we begin loving Krishna?
One of the best ways to show that we really love Krishna is by chanting his holy names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. When we chant then we connect with Krishna and when we remain connected with Krishna then we will always be in bliss.
In Srimad Bhagavatam it is described in detail that when Krishna was about to appear then everywhere there was sign of auspiciousness and happiness. Everyone was experiencing happiness.
Although Devaki’s six children were brutally killed and the seventh child she thought she lost but still she also started experiencing joy from within. Her body became effulgent and there was divine bliss on her face.
“At that time (Krishna’s appearance), in all directions – east, west, south, north, everywhere – there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. There were auspicious stars visible in the sky, and on the surface of the earth – in all towns and villages and pasturing grounds and within the minds of everyone – there were signs of good fortune.” Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Chapter 3, The Birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa
Three Reflections
- One who understands Krishna’s birth get freedom from the repeated cycle of birth and death and returns back to the abode of Krishna.
- Krishna performed so many sweet pastimes especially in Vrindavan to attract us and also to invite us to be part of such loving pastimes.
- One of the best ways to show that we really love Krishna is by chanting his holy names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
Ask Yourself
- Have I completed my chanting of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra?
Action Item
- If not, then please complete chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
