What is Janmashtami?
Krishna Bhagwan is the 8th avatar of Vishnu Bhagwan. He was born during the Dvapara Yug and lived through the beginning of Kal Yug. He was born on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha). This day is celebrated as Krishnashtami or Janmashtami.
The Story of Krishna Janam
The king of Mathura, Kansa was a tyrant. He had a sister Devaki who was married to Vasudev. Once a fortune teller told Kansa that his own sister’s 8th child will be the cause of his death. Kansa was so angry that he came to kill his own sister. However, Vasudev made a promise of handing over the 8th child at birth to Kansa to save his wife. Vasudev and Devaki had 7 children and they all were killed by Kansa at birth. Kansa had imprisoned them both.
On the night Krishna Janam, Vasudeva’s friend Nandaraja and his wife Yashoda had also given birth to a baby girl in Mathura. After Krishna was born, a magical light filled the prison and the guards kept sleeping while the locks opened. It was a stormy night and Vasudeva put Krishna in a basket and took him to his friend Nanda. They had to cross the Yamuna river which was a difficult task. To protect them Vishnuji’s multi-headed snake, Sheshnag came and helped them cross the river safely.
They exchanged the babies and Vasudev returned to the prison. The baby started crying and woke up the guards. When Kansa was informed he came to kill the baby, but she turned into Goddess Durga. Durga ji laughed at Kansa and told him his death had arrived and then disappeared. Kansa tried his best to find Krishna but could not. Krishna grew up in Gokul as a part of Gopa tribe with Yashoda ma and Nanda.
The Story of Putana & Krishna
In order to kill Krishna Kansa asked Putana, a form changing demoness to kill all the babies in Gokul. She took the form of a beautiful lady and filled her breast with poison. She killed many kids but when she came to feed Krishna ji, he saw her for who she was. He sucked the life out of her and she regained her original form as she died.
What was in little Krishna’s mouth?
Krishna Bhagwan was famous for eating soil/mid as a child. When Yashoda Ma once saw him she scolded him and asked him if he was eating soil. He refused. Yashoda ma then asked him to open his mouth. When he did open his mouth Yashoda ma saw the entire universe in his mouth. She smiled with wonder and asked her to close his mouth.
Krishna Shloka that can be recited
ॐ देव्किनन्दनाय विधमहे वासुदेवाय धीमहि तन्नो कृष्ण:प्रचोदयात
Aum Devkinandanaye Vidmahe Vasudevaye Dhi-Mahi Tanno Krishna Prachodayat
Lord Krishna is constantly governing the thoughts of yogis in meditation. The divine Krishna is limitless & not even Gods or demons can define the limit of Sri Krishna. To such a supreme deity I offer my salutations. Accept my regards Oh lord!
Krishna Bhajans thats kids will enjoy too
Here are some of our favourite Krishna Bhajans that kids will love to hear and dance to them too!
1.Aarti kunnj bihari ki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UReXCHBh9w8
2.Govind bolo hare gopal bolo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Tte5_pGrU
3.Shree krishna Govind Hare Murari https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v-ltIiPsLU
4.Achyutam Keshavam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPhKgYBRwYo
5. Natwara Nagar Nanda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLwR5ReaKZY
Happy Janmashtmi and Hare Krishna.
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