The beauty of our ancient stories is that they are never set in a particular place or at a particular time. Ramayana or Mahabharata are not just events that happened in ancient times. They happen in our lives every day. The essence of these stories is eternal.
Similarly, the story of Shri Krishna's birth also has a deep meaning. In this story, Devaki symbolizes the body and Vasudeva symbolizes the life force i.e. Prana. When the body takes on Prana, Anand i.e. Shri Krishna is born. But the ego (Kans) tries to destroy the Anand. Here Kans, the brother of Devaki, shows that along with the body, the ego also exists. A happy and joyful person never creates problems for anyone, but emotionally sad people often make others unhappy or create obstacles in their path. A person who feels that he has been wronged also treats others unjustly due to his ego.
The biggest enemy of the ego is Joy (Anand). Where there is joy and love, the ego cannot survive, it has to bow down. Even a person occupying a very high position in society has to bow down in front of his small child. When a child is ill, no matter how strong a person is, he starts feeling a little helpless. When faced with love, simplicity, and joy, the ego automatically starts disappearing easily. Shri Krishna is the symbol of joy, the essence of simplicity, and the source of love.
Kamsa's imprisonment of Devaki and Vasudev indicates that when the ego increases, the body becomes like a prison. When Shri Krishna was born, the prison guards fell asleep. Here the guards are the senses that protect the ego because when it wakes up it becomes an extrovert. When these senses are introverted, then inner joy arises within us.
Shri Krishna is also known as Butter thief ( Makhanchor ). Milk is the essence of nutrition and curd is a refined form of milk. When the curd is churned, butter is formed and floats to the top. It is not heavy but light and nutritious too. When our intellect is churned, it becomes like butter. Then knowledge arises in the mind, and the person becomes established in his self. Even while living in the world, he remains detached, his mind is not disappointed by worldly things/behavior. Stealing butter (Makhan Chori) is a symbol of the depiction of the glory of Shri Krishna's love. Shri Krishna's charm and skill are such that he steals the heart of even the most restrained person.
The peacock feather on Lord Krishna's head is a symbol of responsibilities
A king is responsible for his entire subjects. He wears the burden of these responsibilities on his head in the form of a crown. But Shri Krishna fulfills all his responsibilities very easily - like a game. Just as a mother never feels the care of her children as a burden. Shri Krishna also does not find his responsibilities a burden and he wears these responsibilities of various colors very easily in the form of a peacock feather (which is also very light) on his crown.
Shri Krishna is an attractive and joyful stream within all of us. Only when there is no restlessness, worry, or desire in the mind, we can find deep relaxation, and in deep relaxation, Shri Krishna is born. This is the time to bring a wave of happiness in society - this is the message of Janmashtami.
HAPPY JANMASHTAMI !!
( Translation of Bhagavad Gita Group presentation in Hindi)
Good message on the auspicious day of Janmashtami relating to Lord Krishna ππ»
ReplyDeleteGood interpretation.---Murali Kodungallor
ReplyDeleteMumbai Swaminathan, Mumbai : No one remembers the girl baby born on the same day who was interchanged with Krishna, a boy baby, to save his life. The boy's life was precious but the girl was born to sacrifice her life. Today is not only the birthday of Krishna but also of Yogamaya.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that Yogmaya flew off to Heavens freeing herself from the clutches of Kansa while announcing to Kansa that your killer has been born. Scriptures do not clearly mention that she too got killed like other siblings of Krishna. However more knowledgeable are requested to throw light on it.
Yogmaya was also an incarnation of Shakti who came to be born along with the incarnation of Lord Vishnu to keep some old promise. When Kansa caught her by her feet and hurled her to the ground, she flew towards the heaven, saying “Kansa, your killer has already taken birth. I could have also killed you but since you caught me by my feet, I take it as your expression of humility and am pardoning you”.
*Krishna* was born in the darkness of the night, into the locked confines of a jail.
However, at the moment of his birth, all the guards fell asleep, the chains were broken and the barred doors gently opened.
Similarly, as soon as *Krishna* ( Chetna, Awareness ) takes birth in our hearts, all darkness ( Negativity ) fades.
All chains ( Ego, I, Me, Myself ) are broken.
And all prison doors we keep ourselves in ( Caste, Religion, Profession, Relations etc ) are opened.
And that is the real Message And Essence of Janmashtmi.
*Happy Krishna Janmashtami*
Very nicely written bringing out the significance of Janmashtami festival. Every Hindu festival has an underlying message that needs to be understood.
ReplyDeleteNicely written. Thank you for sharing sir.
ReplyDelete