It is our selfless love for God that “opens the door to the impossible and makes way for the inaccessible,” says Swami Mukundananda ji. When Shree Krishna descended, He bestowed upon us that rare opportunity to fill our heart and mind with selfless love. He made one soul his father, another mother, another brother, and another friend, yet another a servant or a beloved. Hiding His mightiness and bound by the love of these blessed souls, He displayed amazing leelas (pastimes,) which became a basis for our bhakti (devotion.)
Baal Gopal was irresistibly beautiful in every way. Lord Shiv in disguise, stood outside the Nand baba’s home for a long time, pleading with mother Yashoda to let him have a glimpse of the alluring Kanhaiya. It is no wonder that the gopis, the gwals and all the residents of Gokul were enamored of Him. He was so attractive that everyone in Gokul was drawn to Him naturally. His mesmerizing looks, nectarous smiles, exuberant boyish pranks, and the hypnotizing flute always filled Gokul with love, laughter, and joy. Shyamsundar’s childhood leelas are so sweet that Devaki lamented over her misfortune of not having seen Him as a baby, nor experience the special sweetness of His childhood pastimes. The sweet Lord assumed the child form again and clambered into Devaki’s lap, just to please His devotee. The same magnanimous Lord has manifested at the Radha Krishna Temple.
During this first Janmashtami Mahotsav at the temple, we are blessed to feed Him, bathe Him, rock Him gently in His jhoola, or sing and dance for Him. Engaging in such devotional activities bring peace and solace, as Shree Krishna himself compassionately reveals to Uddhav :
उपगायन् गृणन् नृत्यन् कर्माण्य् अभिनयन् मम |
मत्कथाः श्रावयन् शृण्वन् मुहूर्तं क्षणिको भवेत् ||
upagāyan gṛṇan nṛtyan karmāṇy abhinayan mama |
matkathāḥ śrāvayan śṛṇvan muhūrtaṁ kṣaṇiko bhavet ||
(Shreemad Bhagavatam, 11.27.44)
“Singing along with others, chanting loudly and dancing, enacting my transcendental pastimes, or listening and narrating stories about Me, the devotee should for some time absorb himself in such festivity.”
When we contemplate on Shree Krishna’s glorious names, resplendent form, sublime virtues, and delightful pastimes, the joy we attain is boundless. We are naturally drawn to His bliss, as everything is madhuram (sweet) about the Madhuradhi Pati, the Supreme Lord of Sweetness!
We extend a hearty invitation to the Janmashtami festivities that are spread over four days, from 12 – 15 August 2017, where you can:
- Participate in the elaborate abhishek of Shree Radha Krishna
- Sing along or dance to the soul-stirring kirtans
- Offer bhog (special offerings) to Kanhaiya Lal
- Rock Baal-Gopal in His jhoola
- Absorb in His sweet leelas (pastimes) during the cultural programs
- Relish the special Janmashtami Mahaprasad
Join us everyday to seek His blessings and experience His divine vibrations and love!
For more details of the four-day celebrations, see Janmashtami Mahotsav at The Radha Krishna Temple.