Sri Krishna Jayanthi - Birth of Lord Krishna
by Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
The Sri Krishna Jayanthi which falls on August 22 will be celebrated
by Hindus all over the world as a religious festival. The word
"Jayanthi" is linked with the birth date of Lord Krishna. Jayanthi is a
term for the constellation of stars that took place during the
appearance of Lord Krishna in this world.
 Sri Krishna was born in a prison cell in the city of Mathura on the
banks of the river Yamuna approximately 3,000 years before the birth of
Jesus Christ. It was predicted that His birth would spell the death of
his wicked uncle Kamsa. This prompted the cruel Kamsa to put in prison
his sister Devaki and her husband Vasu Deva and ordered that each child
of theirs should be put to death as soon as they are born.
But, inscrutable are the ways of providence and the eighth child was
born to the accompaniment of thunder and lightning and this was Krishna
a blue baby boy like a lotus flower with beautiful smile on his tiny
lips. Seeing this extraordinary baby, the parents bowed down in
reverence.
A voice was heard directing Vasu Deva to take the child to Gokulam
and entrust him to Yasoha and bring back her baby girl to Mathura. All
the prison doors opened and the rivers parted for Vasu Deva to take the
child to Gokulam and bring back the baby girl to Mathura.
Krishna is the eighth of the ten incarnations of Maha Vishnu and he
slew Kamsa and wiped out all other wicked demons. Krishna was a
formidable warrior, an unsurpassed statesman, the greater philosopher
and world teacher.
As Arjuna's charioteer, he decided the fate of the great battle of
Kurushetra. On the battle field the armies of the Kauravas and the
Pandavas stood face to face, poised to destroy each other.
Seeing on the opposite side his cousin, uncles, grandfathers,
teachers and several close relations and friends, Arjuna finds himself
unable to fight and put his weapons down.
Declaring Himself the teacher of the universe (Jagaduru) Krishna
reveals to Arjuna the most profound knowledge and expounds the
importance of duty above everything. This is how he happened to deliver
the eternal massage of the Bhagavad Gita.
Indeed, the Bhagavad Gita which forms part of Mahabharatha is the
most popular religious poem of Sanskrit literature. It is said to be the
most beautiful, perhaps the only true philosophical song and is the most
influential work in Indian thought.
In the battle of Kurukshetra Arjuna typifies the struggling
individual who feels the burden and mystery of the world. The
despondency of Arjuna is not the passing mood or a disappointed man,
exciting the sense of unrealities of things.
According to the late President of India Dr. S. Radhakrishnan as the
theism of the Bhagavad Gita. "The mood of despair in which Arjuna is
found is what mystics call as the dark right of the soul, on essential
step in the upward path.
"The life of the soul is symbolised by the battle field or
Kurukshetra and the Kauravas are the enemies who impede the progress of
the soul. Arjuna attempts to recapture the Kingdom of man by resisting
the temptations and controlling the passions. Indeed, the path of
progress is through suffering and self-abnegation.
Undoubtedly, the Bhagavad Gita delivered by Lord Krishna in the
battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is quite consistent with the mood and
requirement of modern world.
Furthermore, the scriptures call him "Purna Avatara", that is the
full manifestation of God. Lord Krishna was a teacher, and lover of
mankind. He was most accessible to the pure hearted who have cultivated
true love for him. Sri Krishna was the greater Kasma Yogi" of all times.
He was the friend of the poor whom he protected from the oppressors.
He was the embodiment of humility. His immortal teachings and "Karma
Yoga", "Bhakthi' and 'Gnana' have no parallel in the religious
literature.
The Bhagavata Purana, the Vishnu Purana and
Mahabharatha proclaim that there was none to match Sri Krishna in
beauty, in wisdom and perfection.
Indeed Sri krishna was the towering genius of his age. He embodied in
himself all the great qualities of the head, heart and hand. Every word
of his teachings and every act of his life was full of substance.
Further, Sri Krishna was considered to be the preserver of the
universe. He descended to earth to save mankind and establish Dharma.
For this purpose he took ten Avatars or incarnations.
Undoubtedly, "Krishna Jayanthi" is a religious festival which is
observed in all Vishnu temples particularly at Dehiwela, Sri
Venkateswara Maha Vishnu temple at Modera, Sri Swarnampiha Sametha Sri
Math Arunasaleswara Devasthanam, Mutwal and Vallipura Alvas Vishnu
temple at Point Pedro.
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