Shrikrushna Janmashtami (6th September 2023)

Here, we present some facets of Shrikrushna’s Incarnation highlighted by (Late) Paratpar Guru Parashram Pande Maharaj from His vast knowledge about Dharma and our Scriptures.

Shrikrushna emancipates the evildoers even as He destroys them

The evil demoness Putana came to poison Shrikrushna on the pretext of breastfeeding Him. However, Shrikrushna digested the poison she had applied to her breasts, gave her the status of a mother, and thus, emancipated her. At that time Putana herself said that she was liberated by the grace of Shrikrushna. This is why, Shrikrushna is recognised as the Supreme Deity. Even when He was destroying the unrighteous, He intended to emancipate them. There are many such examples in our Scriptures.

Shrikrushna destroyed the evildoers so that their bad sanskars do not affect the next generation.

Narrating the Shrimadbhagwadgeeta to archer Arjun to bring him out of despondency

When Kouravas did not accept any demand made by the Pandavas and war became imminent, even though he was a great archer, Arjun became despondent when he saw his own kin in front as enemies during the war.

To enhance Arjun’s inner-strength, Shrikrushna narrated the Shrimadbhagwadgeeta just as the war was about to start. Even today, this philosophy is a guiding force for the entire world, on how to get out of a desperate situation and stand up for Dharma (Righteousness). Everyone today is in a desperate state. There is a need for society and the rulers to take support of Shrimadbhagwadgeeta and act accordingly.

Shrikrushna said to Arjun :

हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् ।
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः ।।

– Shrimadbhagwadgeeta (2.37)

Meaning : Slain, you will obtain Heaven; victorious, you will enjoy the Earth; therefore, stand up O’ son of Kunti, determined to fight.

Shrikrushna displayed all the duties of an ideal king through His actions

Shrikrushna narrated how everyone, including the rulers, should behave. He performed all the duties of an ideal ruler Himself. He also gave proof that He was a Jagadguru (Guru of the world) by moulding a disciple of the calibre of Arjun. Today’s rulers should become role models just as Shrikrushna was.

God is pleased to serve a true devotee; hence, Shrikrushna became Arjun’s charioteer, washed the horses, ate even banana peels at Vidur’s house, entertained the Gopis through Rasleela

God takes pleasure in serving a true devotee; hence, Shrikrushna became Arjun’s charioteer, washed the horses, ate banana peels at Vidur’s house, entertained the Gopis through Rasleela. He played with the Gopas (Cowherds), reared cows and made them happy. He accepts any offering made with love and affection. All these are Krushna-leelas (Divine plays), and no matter how much we try to describe them, it will not suffice.

Therefore, Sage Vyas has described these Bhagawat-leelas (Divine plays) performed by God in the Text – ‘Bhagawat’. Sage Vyas obtained far more Anand (Bliss) by writing the Bhagawat when compared with what He obtained by writing the Vedas, the Puranas and the Mahabharata.

If we wish to surrender unto Shrikrushna, it is necessary to understand Him completely

The strength in surrendering is evident. In Shrimadbhagwadgeeta, God says – ‘Surrender everything unto me, and without a worry, remain in communion with me by participating in the Divine mission of the present times’.

The process of surrender is neither easy nor simple. Surrender requires understanding Shrikrushna completely (who we will trust fully), etch His form on our mind and have complete confidence in Him.

Shriram told the Sages that they will obtain Anand when they become Gopis during Shrikrushna’s Incarnation

Even after complete surrender, some ego remains, and the highest spiritual happiness in life is not obtained. During the Incarnation as Shriram, the Sages performed severe penance ignoring their gross bodies completely. Then they had the darshan of Shriram. They knew that He is God; but this did not awaken their sattvik bhav (Pure spiritual emotion). They did not experience Anand (Bliss).

They said to Shriram, “We want to taste Anand, the Divine nectar”. Shriram replied, “When you become Gopis during Shrikrushna’s Incarnation, you will experience Anand”.

When the Sages were born as Gopis, Shrikrushna took away their clothes and destroyed their subtle ego

These Sages were born as Gopis; but because they still had the awareness that they are ‘knowledgeable’, Shrikrushna took away and hid their clothes as they bathed. In doing so, He destroyed their subtle ego and manifested His true form within them. Hence, they felt ashamed of the worthless nature of their knowledge. Evil tendencies present in them were subdued. They merged in Shrikrushna. Their subconscious mind was now purified. There was a realisation of the nature of the soul. By giving them a chance to participate in the Raskrida, Shrikrushna gave them the taste of Madhurbhav (Bliss of devotion).

– Paratpar Guru Parashram Pande Maharaj

Learning from Shrikrushna

‘परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय संभवामि युगे युगे ॥’

(Meaning : For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of Dharma [Righteousness], I am born in every age.)

Mahavishnu, who says thus, has assumed Dashavatars (Ten Incarnations). Among these, Shriram and Shrikrushna are more popular.

Prabhu Ramchandra was born on Chaitra Shukla 9 at noon, while Gopalkrushna was born on the midnight of Shravan Krushna 8. This brought about the ascent of Mahakaal, which was to control adharma (Unrighteousness). This is why, Gopalkrushna is also addressed as ‘Kaal’.

We should learn the necessary conducts for our day-to-day life from Prabhu Ramchandra and about serving the Nation & Dharma from Shrikrushna.

Shrikrushna Janmashtami is the day to celebrate the birth of Gopalkrishna’s Incarnation for reinstating Dharma.

A day after His Janmashtami, ‘Dahihandi’, ‘Gopalkala’ are celebrated as a reminder of Shrikrushna’s Leelas (Divine plays).

– Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Narendracharyaji Maharaj (Courtesy : ‘Dharmakshetra Nanijdham’, August 2011)

Science of Spirituality on Deities

The little that most people know about God is usually through stories read or heard during their childhood. Due to insufficient information, their belief in God is also very little. Availability of more information about God helps in increasing belief. This in turn improves the quality of spiritual practice. Therefore, useful information about Shrikrushna, generally not available elsewhere, is given in Sanatan’s Booklet – ‘Shrikrushna’.

Along with information about God, if one has knowledge of the science of Spirituality, the quality of spiritual practice is even better.

The path one has to take for spiritual progress is from ‘the individual to the Universe’. This means that the ‘individual (embodied soul, jiva)’, must imbibe the principles present in the ‘Universe (Supreme soul, Shiv)’, only then can it merge with the Supreme soul.

A droplet of water containing a trace of oil cannot blend with water completely, likewise until and unless the devotee of Shrikrushna imbibes all His attributes, he cannot merge with Him, meaning, he cannot attain Sayujya mukti. (For more, visit : Sanatan.org)

Did you know ?

Shrikrushna’s childhood lasted only seven years : In the seventh year of His life, when Shrikrushna left for Mathura to kill Kansa, His childhood was over. The land around Mathura is called Vrajabhumi. Since Shrikrushna’s leela (Divine play) during childhood took place on this land, it is considered Holy.