Janmashtami and the Secret of Dharma

myNachiketa
Aug 1
3 min read

Once upon a time in Mathura, there was a wicked king named Kansa. He was so afraid of his fate that he locked his sister, Devaki, and her husband, Vasudeva, in prison. A prophecy told him that their eighth child would be the one to defeat him.

Devaki gave birth to her eighth child—Krishna! To save little Krishna from Kansa, his father, Vasudeva, took him across the river Yamuna to a safe place in Gokul, where he was raised by his loving foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda.

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Krishna was not just any baby; he grew up to be a fun-loving child who could steal butter and create mischief. But he also stood up against evil and saved everyone from Kansa's wickedness. (Read the full story of Krishna's Birth here.)

The celebrations of Janmashtami remind us of this joyful story, where we celebrate love, courage, and the battle between good and evil.

Now, let's dive into the fun of Janmashtami celebrations!

On this joyous day, people participate in different activities:

Fasting: Many people fast to show their love for Krishna, waiting eagerly for midnight, which is when Krishna was born.
Midnight Puja: Families come together to perform special prayers, singing hymns and offering sweets to the baby Krishna.
Dahi Handi: This exciting tradition involves teams forming human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd or butter. It’s like a game of teamwork where everyone cheers and laughs!
Bhajans: People gather to sing beautiful songs and bhajans in praise of Krishna, filled with happy tunes that make your heart dance.
Dressing Up: Children dress as Krishna and Radha, wearing colourful outfits and accessories, which brings the festival to life!

Everything around Janmashtami teaches us valuable lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred scripture where Krishna shares his wisdom. Here are a few important teachings from the Bhagavad Gita that encourage us to follow the path of Dharma (Righteousness):

Nishkam Karma (Selfless Action)
Krishna tells us to do our duties without expecting rewards. For example, in school, if you help your friend with their homework just because you care, without wanting praise, you’re doing it selflessly!
Always Stand Up for What is Right
Krishna stood up against Kansa, showing us that we should also be brave. If you see someone being bullied in the playground, it’s important to stand up for them, just like Krishna would!
Be Devoted
Krishna teaches us to be dedicated to what we love. Whether it’s studying or playing sports, giving your best effort to show your devotion to Bhagwan.
Gain Knowledge
Krishna teaches us that true knowledge helps us understand who we really are and guides us to become better human beings. When we study hard and read books, we become wise and learned individuals, thus we make our and others' lives better.
Control Your Mind and Feelings: Just as Krishna faced many challenges, we too will face difficulties in life. It’s about how we tackle these challenges with a calm mind and a positive attitude. When facing problems in learning a game, staying calm and patient will help you find a solution.
Love Everyone: Krishna loved everyone unconditionally, including his friends, family, and even the animals. You can show kindness to everyone, like sharing your toys or helping others in need.

So this Janmashtami, let’s promise to follow Krishna’s teachings! Whether it’s being a little kinder, helping a friend, or working hard in school, just like Krishna, we can create a better place around us.