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Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Rama, Hare Hare!
In the sixties, these chants of Hari Bhakti were
sweeping across the Western Hemisphere spreading the word
of Krishna. And now, well into the 21st century, although
the movement may have ebbed a bit, yet it has secured its
share of the devout in the form of the new Hindu.
With
the rising interest in the west about India and all things Indian,
including its sometimes-confusing-sometimes-intriguing-never-fully-comprehending-religion
Hinduism, Krishna still remains the focal point of reference.
In this context it becomes not only significant, but also
totally imperative to explore the truth behind Krishna and
unravel the mysteries surrounding this one-of-the-favourite
and alluring deities of the Hindus.
 Krishna
is the most significant avatar (reincarnation) of
Lord Vishnu, one of the trinity of the Hindu pantheon -
the other two being Brahma and Shiva. He was born to Vasudev
and Devaki, who had been imprisoned by Devaki's brother,
the evil King Kansa. This was because seers had predicted
that the Devaki's child would slay Kansa. Krishna was Devaki's
eighth-born, all the others having been killed by Kansa
the day they were born. However, miraculously Vasudev managed
to save this son of his and on the day of his birth somehow
transported him to his friend Nandlal's house in a village
in Vrindavan. Here Krishna grew up amongst the cowherds
and was looked after by Nand and his wife Yashoda as their
own.
 As
a child Krishna was the naughtiest and most mischievous
kid in the whole village. His childhood and teenage years
were spent amongst the cowherds and village belles, also
called gopis, for whom Krishna was the supreme mate.
Their love for him bordered on worship and they all took
him to be their eternal partner. When Krishna came of age,
he killed his uncle King Kansa and installed his grandfather
Ugarasen on the throne and became a prince himself, who
was known to be a just ruler. He was well aware of the intrigues
royal life thrusts upon one and made full use of the double-speak
of diplomacy and politics. On the war field, Krishna was
the one who inspired the Pandav prince Arjun, his cousin,
to fight against his other cousins the Kauravas for what
was right. These inspirational words are enshrined in the
Holy Gita and are considered to be one of the world's most
profound philosophies.
So popular is the figure of Krishna in
India that his day of birth is celebrated as a birthday
of one's own family members with reverence and love in equal
measure. It rivals Christmas in its magnitude and is one
of the most auspicious Hindu festivals.
Krishna was born on a rainy night at the
stroke of 12 and his birthday is celebrated all across India
as well as amongst Hindus overseas as Janamashtami
or Gokulashtami. Janam means birth and ashtami
is the eight day in the Hindu calendar. He was born on the
eight day in the Hindu month of Shravan (which falls
in July-August according to the Christian calendar).
In different parts of India, this festival is associated
with various nuances. In the northern part of the country
as well as in Bengal, in the east, people install miniature
idols of baby Krishna in the cradle and everyone swings
the cradle singing bhajans (hymns) to Krishna as
they do so. Some people also set up jhankis (tableaux)
of a miniature village made of clay to show Nandgaon, the
village where he grew up, something quite similar to what
is done during Christmas.
Many people observe a day long fast on
this day, which they break at midnight. Also, all across
the nation people visit temples devoted to Krishna, which
are especially lit and decorated on this day. The temples
are abuzz with activity throughout the day and people are
specially called for to sing devotional songs to mark the
occasion. And just like the home tableaux, cradles with
small idols of Krishna are also established in the temples,
where everyone present take their turns to rock the crib.
In temples, including the ones run by ISKCON
(International Society for Krishna Consciousness) throughout
the world, lavish ceremonies are held to mark the occasion.
The idol of Krishna is ceremonially bathed with a mixture
of honey, milk, curd, dry fruits and tulsi (basil)
leaves. The same mixture is later distributed as prasad
(sweets offered as the blessings of the lord). The idol
is also dressed in new clothes and is offered fruits and
sweets and diyas (lamps) are lit with shudh ghee
(clarified butter).
At exactly midnight, a special aarti
(a hymn sung to the Gods to ask for blessings. The process
of doing the same is lighting a lamp and chanting the aarti
while holding the lamp) is conducted and temple bells are
rung to announce the birth of the Lord.
In Mathura, the city of his birth and Vrindavan,
where he grew up, (both these towns are in the North Indian
state of Uttar Pradesh) several plays are staged on this
day where incidents from Krishna's life are enacted amongst
a gathering of people. These two cities become a major pilgrimage
centre too during this festive season, where a huge number
of people head to participate in the festivities. Celebratory
programmes including the Rasleela, a form of dance,
are organised on this day where young boys and girls gather
to dance to the glory of the Lord.
In
the western part of India, the day is also marked by the
breaking of handis (pots) containing butter and curd,
which are hung at great heights suspended with ropes between
buildings of a locality or across the city square. In fact,
in most parts of Maharashtra, including its capital city
of Mumbai, handi-breaking competitions takes place
between people from various localities. Young boys organise
themselves in a pyramidal structure, amidst chants of Aala
Re Aala, Govinda Aala (rejoice, for Govinda is coming!)
and the most nimble of foot climbs this human pyramid and
breaks the suspended handi. The genesis of this practice
perhaps traces its roots to Krishna (or Govinda as he is
also known) himself, who was so fond of butter that he would
steal the butter out of the pot, no matter where his mother
would hide it.
 The
city of Dwarka, located on the western tip of Gujarat, houses
the famous 16th century temple of Dwarakadhish. On the day
of Janamashtami, people throng to this temple in
droves to pay their respects to the resident God. Krishna
originally established Dwarka as his new capital. However,
the old Dwarka now lies submerged under the sea, off the
coast of Kutch in Gujarat, not far from where the present
Dwarka is situated.
In
the South too, particularly in Guruvayur, the idol of Krishna
is worshipped by the devout on this day. According to legend,
it was here that the idol of Krishna was installed after
Dwarka submerged under the sea.
The
birthday festivities end with the chanting of Hare Krishna,
Hare Krishna when people finally retire to their homes,
happy in the knowledge that the Lord is there to protect
and guide them in their journey through life.
And
so this timeless saga of this dark-skinned, flute playing,
yellow clad, crowned with a peacock plume, darling prince
of the masses continues in people's hearts and conscience.
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