By: Mahanidhi Swami
To increase our observance of Bhagavan Sri Krishna’s Jayanti, appearance day festival, we will cite some valuable points from Srila Sanatana Goswamipada’s 276 verse discussion in Hari-bhakti vilasa 16.
Why should I observe Janmastami?
Bhavishyottara Purana: Achyuta Sri Krishna said to King Yuddhisthira, “Everyone from the age of 8 to 80 must celebrate My appearance day. Observing Janmastami is an eternal function in three ways—It pleases Bhagavan Sri Krishna; It is a scriptural injunction; It is a sin if you don’t observe it. O King, by observing My Jayanti one will get good children, good health, unlimited good fortune and go to Vaikuntha after death.”
Vishnu-rahasya Purana: Lord Brahma said to Narada Muni, “One who eats on Janmastami eats all the sins of the three worlds. Eating on Janmastami is equal to eating the flesh of a donkey or a human being.”
How to observe Janmastami?
There are many detailed pujas and procedures mentioned in Hari-bhakti vilasa. But we will mention a few which are easy to perform.
Morning of Janmastami take a sankalpa (vow), “O Supreme Controller Devakinandana please help me to observe a complete fast today with I will break tomorrow after sunrise.”
Spend the day reading and hearing about Sri Krishna’s childhood pastimes.
Charity given on Janmastami yields 100 times more benefit than any other day.
Offer arati to a picture of Vasudeva and Devaki, glorify them, and pray for their mercy and blessings.
During moonrise offer Candradeva and his wife Rohini devi (the nakshatra Krishnaji appeared in) some water in a conch shell (arghya) while chanting Krishna’s Holy Names like “He Krishna, Govinda, Damodara, Madhava, Hari, Kesava, Madhusudana”!
What are the PUJA DETAILS?
* Bathe Krishna at midnight with bhakti-surcharged pancha amrta (milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar water). Offer a new dress, crown ornaments etc. Offer full arati along with kirtana, and sound lots of conches, bells, drums, voices and peacocks!
*Bhoga—offer varieties of seasonal fruits plus coconut, dates, and many cow ghee cooked preps; all made with the utmost loving care.
* Flowers—offer lots of fragrant garlands and flowers like lotus, mogra (jasmine), champaka, malati and mallika along with many tulasi leaves and manjaris.
* Scents—offer Lord Krishna camphor, musk, aguru, kumkum, and sandalwood paste.
*Conclusion:
To conclude, I pray to Sri Krishna’s Mathura father Vasudeva to bless me with pure consciousness (vasudeva-chit), so that someday Sri Krishna will also appear in my heart, and then initiate a grand festival of pure devotional service which will continue throughout every day of my life.
Sri Krishna Jayanti ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!