Janmashtami

India, the land of festivals will witness the birthday of Lord Krishna, Krishnashtami ( or simply called Janmashtami) today, 14th of August, 2017. Krishna, as called by many, was the eighth avatar of "Lord Vishnu" and also was said to be born on the midnight of the eighth day or the "Ashtami" according to Hindu Lunar calendar. Lord Vishnu came in the avatar of Krishna to protect Dharma. The name Krishna is given to him because of his color (krisna in Sanskrit means dark). Krishna is often portrayed as an attractive young looking boy with a flute.

One of the most widely celebrated festivals across the nation, Janmashtami and Lord Krishna has been a great source of tales. These tales, I reckon are very inspiring, thought provoking and fun.  Krishna's journey from birth to becoming a "Lord", his victory over the evils, is an epic.

Krishnashtami and its importance

Let's travel back to the era of the king Kansa, the emperor of Mathura Kingdom. King Kansa, the most merciless king married his loving sister Devaki to Vasudeva. Having known that the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva will be the cause of his death, Kansa put his sister and Vasudeva in a prison. His cruelty over the period has gone so wild that he killed all the first 6 children that Devaki gave birth to. However, in what is called as a mysterious birth, the 7th child of Devaki was transferred to the womb of Princess Rohini. He grew as "Balram", the elder brother of Krishna. After the birth of Krishna, Vasudev carried him in a basket on his head, fighting the storm.(Visualize the scene from Bahubali where Sivagami carried Bahubali to save him).  Vasudeva kept Krishna at Yashoda's place and instead took back a girl child just to misguide Kansa that the eighth child born was a baby girl and not a boy and make sure King Kansa would spare the child for not being a son.

King Kansa, with no second thoughts, still wanted to kill the child, has thrown her against a rock from where Goddess Durga has aroused and warned him of his death. Krishna, eventually kills Kansa and Mathura kingdom is restored with happiness and joy.

"Jai Shree Krishna !! "

The death of Kansa