The Story Behind Janmashtami : The Birth of Lord Krishna !!

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Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, is a cheerful festival celebrated every year on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada, as per Hindu calendar. It is a significant occasion that commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna and is marked by prayers, rituals, and festive celebrations. But have you ever wondered why it is celebrated on the eighth day, known as Ashtami? It is believed that Lord Krishna is the eighth child of his mother, Devaki. Hence, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great joy and devotion on the eighth day.

In Hindu mythology, there was a cruel king named Kansa who ruled the city of Mathura. Kansa had a sister named Devaki, who was married to Vasudeva, the king of the Yadu dynasty. Hoping to gain Vasudeva's trust, Kansa decided to shower the newlyweds with lavish gifts on their wedding day. Unbeknownst to him, destiny held a different course, weaving a surprising turn of events beyond his knowledge.

As Kansa took the reins of the nuptial chariot, a divine voice boomed from the heavens, prophesying that his reign of evil would be put to an end by the eighth child of his sister, Devaki. This prophecy left Kansa filled with fear and rage. He immediately ordered the arrest of Devaki and Vasudeva, throwing them into prison.

Kansa's intention was to kill Devaki, but Vasudeva managed to convince him to spare her life by promising that they would hand over all their children to him. Reluctantly, Kansa agreed to this condition. However, Kansa was unaware of the divine plan that was about to unfold in the future.

Devaki became pregnant, and when her first child was born, Kansa, driven by his paranoia, snatched the baby from her arms and mercilessly killed the innocent child. One after another, Kansa repeated this heartless act with each child born to Devaki and Vasudeva, as they were kept captive in the prison.

With every loss, the grief of Devaki and Vasudeva grew, but the divine had a plan to protect their next child. When Devaki conceived for the seventh time, the divine intervention occurred. The unborn child was miraculously transferred from Devaki's womb to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva's first wife. Thus, the seventh child, Balarama, was safely born and brought up by Rohini.

The eighth pregnancy of Devaki brought about a significant turn of events. On the auspicious eighth night of the month of Shravan, amidst heavy rainfall and thunderous skies, Lord Krishna, the eighth child, was born. The heavy rain seemed like a celebration from the heavens, expressing joy for the arrival of the divine baby.

In the prison cell, a miraculous incident took place. Vasudeva's shackles fell off, and the prison doors swung open. The guards, overcome by a divine spell, fell into a deep slumber. Sensing the opportune moment, Vasudeva made a courageous decision to save his newborn child from the clutches of Kansa's tyranny.

Holding baby Krishna gently, Vasudeva embarked on a risky journey to reach Gokul, a village on the other side of the Yamuna river. The river, swollen and turbulent due to the incessant rain, stood as a formidable obstacle. Vasudeva, filled with faith and determination, prayed for a miracle.

And the miracle happened! The mighty Yamuna, touched by the divine presence of baby Krishna, parted its waters, creating a path for Vasudeva to cross safely. With each step, Vasudeva's heart overflowed with gratitude and awe.

Upon reaching Gokul, Vasudeva found the house of his friend Nanda, whose wife Yashoda had just given birth to a baby girl. Taking advantage of the situation, Vasudeva exchanged the newborn girl with baby Krishna. He believed that Kansa, assuming the child to be a girl, would spare her life.

As Vasudeva retraced his steps back to Mathura, carrying Nanda's daughter, the prison doors closed behind him, and the guards awoke to find the baby girl instead of the prophesied eighth child. They hurriedly informed Kansa of the birth of the supposed child who would be his demise.

In a fit of rage and fear, Kansa snatched the baby girl from Vasudeva's hands, intending to dash her to the ground. But to his astonishment, the baby girl transformed into a divine form and revealed that the true destroyer of Kansa's evil existence was still alive and thriving in Gokul.

With this revelation, the divine form vanished, leaving Kansa trembling with fear and realization. The birth of Lord Krishna marked the beginning of the end for Kansa's reign of terror, as the prophecy had foretold.

Janmashtami is more than just celebrating Krishna's birth; it reminds us that good conquers evil, divine grace is powerful, and faith and devotion hold great significance. Devotees across the world observe this auspicious day with fasting, prayers, and devotional songs. They create beautiful decorations, enact scenes from Krishna's life, and engage in joyful festivities to express their love and reverence for the divine child.

As we celebrate Janmashtami, let us delve deeper into the profound teachings and wisdom imparted by Lord Krishna. May the divine presence of Lord Krishna illuminate our lives, leading us towards righteousness, love, and spiritual enlightenment. Let us seek his guidance and embrace his teachings to cultivate compassion, kindness, and wisdom within ourselves. Through his divine grace, may we find inner peace and harmony, spreading love and positivity to all beings around us.

Thank You !!