Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2023: Birth of the Supreme Lord and Our Beloved Companion

This year, on the day of Janmashtami, several auspicious yogas are forming, which will make this year's Janmashtami even more special. As we all know, this year, Shri Krishna's Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 6, 2023, but this time, some special yogas are aligning on Janmashtami day.

On September 6, Wednesday, the Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga and the presence of the Moon in the Taurus zodiac will mark the celebration of Shri Krishna's birthday. Such a planetary alignment with Nakshatras is occurring after a span of 30 years.

Both the Sun and Mercury are considered highly auspicious planets in Vedic astrology. This year, on Janmashtami day, both these planets will be positioned in the same zodiac sign, forming the Budhaditya Raj Yoga. This yoga is associated with wealth, fame, honour, and good health. Therefore, by sincerely performing the worship on Janmashtami, you can also attain wealth, fame, honour, and good health.

This year, on the eighth day of the waning phase of Bhadrapada month, the combination of Wednesday and the presence of the Rohini Nakshatra during midnight is creating the Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga. On this auspicious day, the Moon will be in its exalted state in the Taurus in Rohini Nakshatra. Rohini Nakshatra is associated with growth and prosperity.

In the planetary transits, the Sun and Saturn will be in their respective signs, Leo and Aquarius. Additionally, the Moon will be exalted in the Taurus sign. This alignment of planets in dignified positions strengthens the Kendra and Trikona houses, providing significant positive energy.

These auspicious combinations make this year's Janmashtami an extraordinary and auspicious occasion.

On the night before Krishna Janmashtami, millions of devotees in India fast to honour Shri Krishna. The fast starts with a pledge called a Sankalp and ends the next day when specific astrological conditions—Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra—are met.

The fast's official ending time is 6:02 AM on September 7, 2023, but it's commonly broken after a noon worship session at 12:42 PM on the same day. Those fasting avoid eating grains until the fast is over. The rituals during this fast are similar to those during Ekadashi's fasts.

Breaking the fast, known as Parana, happens after both the Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra end post-sunrise. If either condition lingers into the next day, breaking the fast is still acceptable. The fast can last up to two days, depending on these astrological timings. If keeping a two-day fast is challenging, devotees can also end it the next day.

Clean the place for worship in your home and purify it by sprinkling holy Ganga water.

You can also place the Murti of Shri Krishna on a swing (jhula). Wherever possible, whether on a swing or the designated worship area, place the deity's idol.

After placing the idol, dress it in fresh and beautiful clothes, adorning it in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

After decorating the deity, offer incense, lamps, flowers, and food offerings before them.

After performing the daytime worship of the deity, at midnight, perform the worship of Bal Gopal (baby Krishna). Perform their Abhishek (ritual bath), dress them in new garments, and embellish them.

Following that, perform the Aarti (ritual of waving light) for Shri Krishna. Chanting mantras along with the Aarti will also bring auspiciousness.

Once the puja is complete, distribute the prasad (consecrated offering) among people. Many individuals observe fasting on Janmashtami.

You can also keep a fast dedicated to Shri Krishna. The fast can be broken the next day by consuming Prasad in His name.

By performing this puja, you can seek blessings from Shri Krishna for good health and prosperity. It can also be performed to dispel the negative effects of black magic and to protect against the evil eye. Various issues like the evil eye can be alleviated on this day.

Times were tough, to say the least. Kansa had taken over the throne from his father, Ugrasen, and was ruling Mathura with an iron fist. Everyone—people, animals, even plants—was suffering under his cruel rule. Kansa's own sister, Devaki, was married to Vasudeva, a respectable leader from the Yadav family.

On their wedding day, a prophecy was heard, warning Kansa that the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva would be his downfall.

In a fit of rage, Kansa imprisoned the couple. Devaki was expecting her eighth child, and on a dark night, she gave birth to Shri Krishna, who is believed to be the eighth form of Shri Vishnu. This birth, known as Janmashtami, happens on the eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada. The seventh child, Balarama, had been placed in the care of Vasudeva's other wife, Rohini, who had managed to escape Kansa's clutches.

Vasudeva snuck Shri Krishna out in a basket and took him to Vrindavan, where he was raised by the village leader, Nanda, and his wife, Yashoda. From that moment on, the world began to wake up to the teachings of Shri Krishna. This event is celebrated passionately all over India, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan.

Shri Krishna was extraordinarily charming. His eyes were captivating, his glow golden, his lips bright red, and his teeth white as jasmine. Known as the 'dark one,' Shri Krishna brought joy and happiness to all.

Janmashtami turns Krishna temples into a dazzling spectacle. Devotees flock in large numbers just to glimpse baby Krishna, their anticipation similar to an expectant mother eager to see her newborn. The atmosphere is alive with bhajans, kirtans, and dance, particularly in Vrindavan, often called the 'Land of the Heart.'

Devotees fast and keep a night-long vigil, waiting for the moment to celebrate the birth of Krishna. The day after Ashtami, called Nandotsav or Mahotsav, involves grand processions, where bullock carts are decorated, and scenes from Krishna's life are re-enacted. These include Krishna showing the universe in his mouth, stealing butter, and dancing on the serpent Kaliya.

Different parts of India celebrate Janmashtami in their unique ways. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, the works of Dayaram, a poet from the Bhakti movement, are often recited. Temples in Nathdwara and Dwarka become hubs of activity, featuring visits, folk dances, and devotional songs.

The key takeaway from Janmashtami is the essence of pure lov, something we can all learn from Krishna's life. To truly understand and apply Krishna's teachings, all one needs is the right perspective. As Krishna said in the Bhagwad Gita, 'The only way you can conquer me is through love, and there I am gladly conquered.'

Shri Krishna, was a butter thief, a young cowherd boy who enjoyed breaking the yoghurt pots of Radha and other Gopis who hopelessly fell vulnerable to his naughty pranks.

All of his transcendental pastimes are enacted during Janmashtami, the most famous being 'Dahi Handi', or the 'Pot of Yogurt'.

At midnight on the Ashtami of the Shri Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravan, earthen pots filled with yoghurt and butter are tied at a height difficult to reach.

In the act of imitating Shri Krishna, a human pyramid is formed by various participants. Breaking the pot filled with milk delicacy and water, the contents spill over the partakers.

Chanting this mantra invokes the blessings of Shri Krishna for overall well-being and promotes focus, success, and growth in career and educational pursuits.

Chanting this mantra seeks blessings from Shri Krishna and Goddess Rukmini for cultivating love, harmony, and understanding in relationships.

This mantra's repetition invokes divine energy from Shri Krishna, promoting well-being, vitality, and health.

Chanting this mantra invokes Shri Krishna's blessings for abundance, wealth, and prosperity in life.

Reciting this mantra invites the protective energy of Shri Krishna, dispelling obstacles, negativity, and bringing positivity.

This powerful Maha Mantra connects the practitioner to divine consciousness, fostering spiritual growth and inner peace.

Chanting this mantra seeks the fulfilment of desires through the grace of Shri Krishna.

Repetition of this simple mantra seeks clarity and focus from Shri Krishna, aiding in making wise decisions.

Chanting this mantra eliminates hardships and brings spiritual abundance, providing mental peace and self.

You can chant the mantras that are relevant to your needs. Regular and sincere chanting of these mantras will positively impact your life and bring about positive changes.