Śrī Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī
Śrī Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī 2019 : will be celebrated on 24 August 2019 (in Eastern Hemisphere [India, Russia, etc]) and 23 August 2019 (in Western Hemisphere [USA]) .
Midnight Puja Time on Janmāṣṭamī 2019 = 24:01 to 24:46 (12:01AM to 12:46 AM of 25 August), Midnight time = 24:24 (12:24 AM of 25 August)
Śrī kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī-vrata is a Nitya-Vrata which is to be done by all. All Vaishnavas must observe Śrī kṛṣṇa- janmāṣṭamī-vrata.
(Heartiest Greetings of the appearance day of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
One should know Bhagavān tattvataḥ, how?
जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः।
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन॥
(गीता ४.९)
janma karma ca mē divyaṃ yō vētti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dēhaṃ punarjanma naiti māmēti sō'rjuna
(Gītā 4.9)
“'The birth (appearance) and Leelā (pastimes) - all these of mine (Bhagavān) are divine, transcendental in nature' whoever knows me Tattvatah (all these reality) He doesn't take rebirth again in the material world after leaving the body, but attains me (Bhagavān), Oh' Arjuna !.”
The Leelās and appearance of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma, Śrī Kṛṣṇa are all divine.
(Bhagavān appeared from the heart of mother devaki)
निशीथे तमउद्भूते जायमाने जनार्दने ।
देवक्यां देवरूपिण्यां विष्णुः सर्वगुहाशयः ॥
आविरासीद्यथा प्राच्यां दिशीन्दुरिव पुष्कलः ॥
(श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०.३.८)
niśīthe tamaudbhūte jāyamāne janārdane
devakyāṃ devarūpiṇyāṃ viṣṇuḥ sarvaguhāśayaḥ
āvirāsīdyathā prācyāṃ diśīnduriva puṣkalaḥ
(Śrīmadbhāgavatam 10.3.8)
“At midnight, when the darkness tormenting the people was thickening, Lord Viṣṇu, the Indweller of the hearts of all, manifested himself in his own divine form, like the full moon rising in the Eastern horizon, from the heart of Devakī who was like unto a goddess.”
Therefore to make Bhagavān appear in our life, we have to keep him very dearly in our heart like mother Devaki, and thereafter he appears from our heart.
Before appearance Bhagavān entered in the mind (mana) of Vasudeva, and ...
ततो जगन्मङ्गलमच्युतांशं समाहितं शूरसुतेन देवी।
दधार सर्वात्मकमात्मभूतं काष्ठा यथाऽऽनन्दकरं मनस्तः॥
(श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०।२।१८)
tato jagan-maṅgalam acyutāṁśaṁ
samāhitaṁ śūra-sutena devī
dadhāra sarvātmakam ātma-bhūtaṁ
kāṣṭhā yathānanda-karaṁ manastaḥ
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10/2/18)
“Thereafter that all-auspicious Bhagavān who is acyuta-aṁśaṁ (Maha-Vishnu, achyutah-vishnurev amshah sa Mahavishnu) was fully transferred (samāhitaṁ) from the mind of Vasudeva (the son of śūrasena) to the mind of Devakī. Devakī, having thus been initiated by Vasudeva, became beautiful by carrying Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme soul of all souls, just as the direction-east becomes beautiful by carrying the rising moon.”
Here Bhagavān was transferred from the mind or heart of Vasudeva to the core of the heart of Devaki, this is a divine process of Deeksha (initiation). It is called divine Vaidh deeksha — that deeksha (initiation) which is bestowed to disciple by doing mere Sankalp by Guru. Guru can initiate a disciple by mere his Sankalpa (will or determination) or dhyaan (contemplation) .
While explaining the word "samāhitaṁ", Śrī Sridhar Goswāmī in his commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam writes "वैधदीक्षयार्पितम - vaidha-deekshāyā-arpitama" which means this divine process of Vaidh deeksha (initiation) unto a disciple by a guru.
Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa appeared in the darkness of the mid-night, into the locked confines of a jail. However, at the moment of his birth, all the guards fell asleep from the Maya of Bhagavān, all the chains were broken and the barred doors gently opened. What does it reflect?
When (love for) Śrī Rāma or Śrī Kṛṣṇa appears in our heart, then the great darkness in form of our negativity
(ignorance) fades. The chains in form of ego, I, Me, Myself etc are broken.
Three fold Leelās of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa —
Bhagavān Shri Krishna has three fold Leelās (1) Vrindāvana Leelā in childhood, (2) Mathura Leelā and (3) Dvarika Leelā.
Bhagavān Shri Krishna in Vraja appeared on the 9th day, a day after Janmashtami.
In fact, Śrī Rāma himself appeared as Bhagavān Shri Krishna in the Nand-Vraja, and after doing Braj-Vrindavan Leelā for around 10 Years Bhagavān Shri Krishna disappeared into his Nitya Leelā.
When Vasudeva reached with the new born baby to the bank of Yamuna...
मघोनि वर्षत्यसकृत् यमानुजा गंभीर तोयौघ जवोर्मि फेनिला ।
भयानकावर्त शताकुला नदी मार्गं ददौ सिन्धुरिव श्रियः पतेः ॥
(श्रीमद्भागवतम् १०.३.५०)
maghoni varṣaty asakṛd yamānujā
gambhīra-toyaugha-javormi-phenilā
bhayānakāvarta-śatākulā nadī
mārgaḿ dadau sindhur iva śriyaḥ pateḥ
(Śrīmadbhāgavatam 10.3.50)
“Because of constant rain sent by the demigod Indra, the river Yamunā was filled with deep water, foaming about with fiercely whirling waves. But as the great Ocean had formerly given way to the Lord of Śrī Sītā (śriyaḥ pateḥ) Śrī Rāma, the river Yamunā gave way to Bhagavān (Shri Krishna).”
(The cow-herd leader Shri Krishna — the Shringari form of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma)
Therefore, scriptures say Śrī Kṛṣṇa is none but Shringari (especially adorned) form of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma as
the love god. Śrī Rāma is called by the name ‘Kṛṣṇa’ in Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa as well as in Bhāgavatam also and
various other scriptures Samhitas. Therefore, one should understand that all the Leelās of Bhagavān Shri Krishna in
Vrindāvana is the Leelā of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma.
The cow-herd leader Śrī Rāma
In Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, the Leelās of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma is mentioned after the age of 12 Years. Other Ramayanas mentions the childhood pastimes of Bhagavān Śrī Rāma as a Gopa balak (the cow herd leader) in villages on the bank of Sarayu river where he does Rasa dance with Gopis.
When Bhagavān Śrī Rāma appears as Shri Krishna, then Ashoka Vana of Ayodhya manifests itself as Vrindāvana, in fact Bhagavān Śrī Rāma did Rasa Leelā in Vrindāvana also during Treta Yuga. This story is narrated how Bhagavān Śrī Rāma did Rasa Leelā in Vrindāvana in Treta Yuga in Vrihat koshal Khanda, Brahm Ramayana (for more refer https://lordrama.co.in/how-many-ramayanas.html). This is also indicated by Lord BrahmA when He prays to Śrī Rāma in Adhyatm Ramayana, Brahmaa tells, Oh Rama You are worshiped in Vrindāvana by Gopis —
को वा ज्ञातुं त्वामतिमानं गतमानं
मानासक्तो माधवशक्तो मुनिमान्यम् ।
वृन्दारण्ये वन्दितवृन्दाकरवृन्दम्
वन्दे रामं भवमुखवन्द्यं सुखकन्दम् ॥
kō vā jñātuṃ tvāmatimānaṃ gatamānaṃ
mānāsaktō mādhavaśaktō munimānyam ।
vṛndāraṇyē vanditavṛndākaravṛndam
vandē rāmaṃ bhavamukhavandyaṃ sukhakandam ॥
O Lord ! You are beyond the present, the visible, and the proofs derived from them. [In that case] which worldly creature can try to or completely understand You [or reason You out]? You are without second, without any comparison, and revered unquestionably by the best of philosophers. I bow to Śrī Rām, Who is glorified and worshiped by Lord Shiva, Who is cloud of happiness, and who is revered by Gop-Gopis of Vrindāvana (It also indicates Śrī Rāma will be cow-herd leader Krishna in Vrindāvana during Dvapara Yuga). [ Adhyatm Ramayana, BrahmA's prayer to Śrī Rāma]
Śrī Rāma is expert in the Rasa dance, He delights the hearts of his devotees and Sakhis & Gopis in the 12 forests on the bank of river Sarayu and takes delight also in those devotees, therefore He is called Rama. He is foremost bliss, so he is called Rama.
Similarly, Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa attracts all, therefore He is called Kṛṣṇa, He does Rāsa Leelā to delight the hearts of Gopis.
अथ श्रीकृष्णजन्माष्टमीव्रतनिर्णयः
atha Śrī Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī-vrata-nirṇayaḥ
Now deciding the day for observing Śrī Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī Vrat
Bhagavān Śrī Rāmānanda says in his Śrī Vaiṣṇava-matābja-bhāskara —
भाद्रेऽसितेनिशीथेऽथ रोहिण्यामष्टमीतिथौ ।
सिंहमर्के गते सौम्ये कृष्णो जातो विधूयते ॥
(श्री वैष्णवमताब्जभास्कर ४.२८)
bhādrē'sitēniśīthē'tha rōhiṇyāmaṣṭamītithau ।
siṃhamarkē gatē saumyē kṛṣṇō jātō vidhūyatē ॥
(Śrī Vaiṣṇava-matābja-bhāskara 4.34)
When there was sun In Simha Rashi (leo zodiac), then in the Rohiṇī-Nakshatra in the mid-night of ashtami tithi (8th day) of the Krishna paksha (dark phase) of Bhādra month, when moon was risen, Śrī Kṛṣṇa had appeared.
(One can see this same in Vārāh Samhita, what is said by Bhagavān Rāmānanda
वराहसंहितायामपि —
“सिंहेऽर्के रोहिणीयक्ता नभःकृष्णाष्टमी यदि ।
रात्र्यर्द्धपूर्बापरगा जयन्ती कलयापि चेति ॥” )
That is called Śrī Kṛṣṇa-janmāṣṭamī, in that one should observe Vrata (fasting) and Utasava (celebration) of the appearance of Śrī Kṛṣṇa with all Vidhis.
त्याजाष्टमी चेदथ वाजिविद्धा तथाग्निविद्धं विधिभं च हेयम् ।
चेदष्टमी नो विधिभेन युक्ता महात्मभिर्विष्णुपरायणैस्तैः॥
(श्री वैष्णवमताब्जभास्कर ४.२९)
tyājāṣṭamī cēdatha vājividdhā tathāgnividdhaṃ vidhibhaṃ ca hēyam ।
cēdaṣṭamī nō vidhibhēna yuktā mahātmabhirviṣṇuparāyaṇaistaiḥ ॥
(Śrī Vaiṣṇava-matābja-bhāskara 4.29)
If Aṣṭamī (8th day) is mixed with Saptamī (7th day), and if Rohiṇī Nakshatra whose deity is Lord Brahmā is mixed with Kritikā Nakshatra whose deity is Agni, then on that day Shri Krishna Janmashtami Vrata should not be observed by Mahatmas who are devoted to Shri Vishnu.
वशिष्ठसंहितायाम् —
“अष्टमी रोहिणीयुक्ता निश्यर्द्धे दृश्यतेयदि ।
मुख्यकाल इति ख्यातस्तत्र जातोहरिः स्वयमिति ॥”
In Vashishth Samhita, it is said — If the mid night of Ashtami is seen with Rohiṇī Nakshatra, then it is the prime time renowned when Shri Hari himself (Bhagavān Shri Krishna) appeared.
विद्धा जयन्ती यदि सप्तमीयुता शुद्धा तथा सा नवमीयुता यदि ।
विद्धाऽथ वेद्याग्नियुता हि रोहिणी ज्ञेया तु शुद्धा यदि सा परावन्विता॥
(श्री वैष्णवमताब्जभास्कर ४.३०)
viddhā jayantī yadi saptamīyutā śuddhā tathā sā navamīyutā yadi ।
viddhā'tha vēdyāgniyutā hi rōhiṇī jñēyā tu śuddhā yadi sā parāvanvitā॥
(Śrī Vaiṣṇava-matābja-bhāskara 4.30)
If Jayanti* (Janmashtamī with Rohiṇī Nakshatra in the mid night is called Shri Krishna Jayanti) is mixed with Saptami (7th day) and if Rohiṇī Nakshatra is mixed with Kritika Nakshatra, then it is called Viddha (which is discarded; Vrat is not observed) and if Janmāshtamī (8th day) is mixed with Navamī (9th day) and if Rohiṇī Nakshatra is mixed with Mrigshira then it is Shuddha (Purest, in which Vrata is observed).
*There are two names of the appearance day of Shri Krishna in accordance of the Yoga during the mid night —
1. Janmāshtamī — when there is no presence of Rohiṇī Nakshatra at all in the midnight of the Ashtamī day, then it is simply called Janmashtami, it is to be done by all.
2. Jayantī — if Janmāshtamī has even a slight presence of Rohiṇī Nakshatra during midnight, then it is Jayanti, this is purest. As said in Vishnu Rahasya and Vashishth Samhita etc...
विष्णुरहस्ये
“अष्टमी कृष्णपक्षस्य रोहिणीऋक्षसंयुता ।
भवेत् प्रोष्ठपदे मासि जयन्ती नाम सा स्मृता ॥”
वशिष्ठसंहितायाम्
“श्रावणे वा नभस्ये वारोहिणीसहिताऽष्टमी ।
यदा कृष्णा नरैर्लब्धा साजयन्तीति कीर्त्तिता ॥”
Observing Shri Krishna Janmāshtamī (or Jayantī when there is appropriate pure Yog) Vrata properly with due consideration destroys the sins of millions of births, and bestows all rewards of life and whatever is desired. Yet a devotee should do it with the desire of achieving the bhakti of Ishta deva Bhagavān ShriShri SitaRama or Shri Shri RadhaKrishna.
As there are such factors to be taken into account to observe the Vratas like Janmashtami, Navami, Ekadashi etc, a general devotee may not decide on his own when and how to observe such Vratas, in such cases one should always follow one’s Gurudeva or parampara to observe Vratas and celebrations on the proper day.
If Shri Krishna Janmāshtamī happens on either Wednesday or Monday, it is more auspicious as said in Padma-Purāṇa —
“प्रेतयोनिगतानां तु प्रेतत्वं नाशितं नरैः ।
यैः कृता श्रावणेमासि अष्टमी रोहिणीयुता ॥
किं पुनर्बुधवारेण सोमेनापि विशेषतः ।”
(पद्मपुराण)