Krishna Janmastami

On Monday 6^th September 2004 we joyfully celebrated the birthday of Lord Krishna. We gathered for group devotional singing, the Jula darshan and to help us to reflect on the significance of Janmastami a talk was given by Pratibhaben Nirvane.

There were bhajans for 1 hour, followed by Jula Darshan. Panjari prashad was offered to everyone, plus

some sweets to go home with - a very enjoyable evening was had by everyone!

We are all aware of the miraculous events that took place around the birth of Lord Krishna. But are we aware of what Lord Krishna’s life stands for?

Krishna is the one name signifying all names, the one thought comprising all thoughts, the one deed encompassing all deeds. We must utilise this festival for developing Bhakti or devotion.

Bhakti is defined as the means of discovering the divine reality within each being. Bhakti directs man to have God ever in mind and to cultivate love for God within him. It advises him to rid himself of egotism, to curb sensual desires and to rise to the heights of ones aspiration and achievement.

Four steps are laid down in the scriptures to help man succeed in this effort.

The first is discrimination between the permanent and the impermanent.

The second is withdrawal from the process of catering to the senses.

The third is positive control of feelings, thoughts and pursuits and

The fourth is incessant yearning for liberation from all bonds.

Krishna lived all His years singing and dancing in ecstasy which was His very nature. He was humming a tune within Himself all the while whether He was on a flowerbed or a battlefield.

The Avatar of the Lord as Krishna and the career of Krishna on earth, were for the propagation and the promotion of the principal of love. Swami says “Love knows no fear, no untruth, no anxiety and no grief. I am Love, shower love, share love, I am pleased with Love. I bless that you have more and more Love for more beings. Love is God; God is Love, so live in Love”. That is the message of Krishna Janmastami.