Inspiration - RKT Newsletter
August 2024
The Enchanting Shree Krishna Janmashtami
Quote
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत |
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् || 7||
yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham
Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjun, at that time I manifest Myself on
From the Editor's DeskKrishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor by millions of devotees around the globe. It serves as a vibrant reminder of the core values – love, compassion, righteousness, the need to overcome adversity with inner strength, and the value of sharing divine wisdom. Shree Krishna embodied these principles throughout His life, encouraging devotees to do the same.
The August issue of the Radha Krishna Temple’s monthly newsletter Inspiration focuses on the theme of Janmashtami to instill our cultural values, devotion, and love for Shree Krishna.
Bhakti RasThe Divine Celebration of Krishna Janmashtami: Embrace the Spirit of Devotion
Shree Krishna is the Supreme Lord who descended on earth seemingly to establish righteousness and guide humanity, but most of all to grace the souls through His divine Leelas (i.e., pastimes). These Leelas teach us important life lessons, such as the importance of selfless service and loving devotion. Shree Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad Gita provide profound wisdom on various aspects of life, including duty, morality, and the path to spiritual enlightenment. His divine presence and grace can be experienced through sincere devotion and surrender. As we celebrate Janmashtami this month, let us keep in mind the significance of this festival and the lessons of life to benefit from divine knowledge.
Krishna Janmashtami is more than just a festival; it is a profound celebration of the divine and a reminder of the timeless virtues embodied by Leela Purushottam Shree Krishna. The festival falls on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Shravan, according to the Hindu lunar calendar, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor by millions of devotees around the globe. Janmashtami serves as a vibrant reminder of the values of love, compassion, righteousness, the need to overcome adversity with inner strength, and the value of sharing divine wisdom. Shree Krishna embodied these principles throughout His life, encouraging devotees to do the same.
The Significance of Janmashtami
Shree Krishna's birth is celebrated not just as a historical event but as a symbol of hope and divine intervention. The legend of His birth is intertwined with the tale of Kans, Devaki's brother, who was foretold to be executed by Devaki's eighth son. To thwart this prophecy, Kans imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed their newborns, believing he could override the prophecy. However, Shree Krishna orchestrated His miraculous escape, demonstrating His divine shaktis even as a newborn child. There are numerous lessons to learn from this and all other Leelas of God. The underlying message is the need for devotees to uphold divine sentiments and practice devotion for their spiritual elevation. The Leelas narrated in this video exemplify Shree Krishna’s enchanting antics as a child.
The message in the video is to understand the importance of developing divine feelings towards Shree Krishna’s Leelas. There is a difference between God's actions and ours, recognizing that God's actions are selfless and for the welfare of all beings. Shree Krishna's birth itself is divine, unlike ours. By engaging in exclusive devotion towards the Supreme Lord, we can attain Yog and be released from the bondage of our karma from endless lifetimes. By selflessly serving Shree Krishna with our body, mind, and intellect, we can forge ahead on the spiritual journey to attract divine grace.
Janmashtami is also significant in that it brings an entire community together, fostering a sense of belonging. It serves as a reminder that, despite the challenges we face, we can find strength in our faith based on the teachings of Shree Krishna.
Enchanting Janmashtami Celebrations
Every Krishna Janmashtami, devotees adorn Temples and their homes with vibrant decorations. From colorful rangoli and beautiful decorations to offering savory sweets, devotees honor the Lord by lovingly inviting the participation of the community in the joyous celebrations that evoke devotional sentiments in people’s hearts.
- Shree Krishna Leelas: Janmashtami is the perfect occasion to recreate the enchanting Leelas of God to teach the younger generation our cultural values and instill devotional sentiments and faith. Each Shree Krishna Leela depicts His compassion, love, protection, and acceptance of His devotees. Live performances where various characters come together to showcase Shree Krishna Leelas through dance or drama, are an excellent medium for education and entertainment.
- Display of Jhankis (Dioramas): Another popular way to celebrate the Leelas of God is through a display of Jhankis – a visual delight that creatively captures the actions of God to communicate the divine teachings through life-sized idols.
- Dahi Handi: This popular custom involves forming human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with yogurt and other treats, recreating Shree Krishna's childhood Leelas. The excitement and energy of this event bring communities together, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and joy. It is a lively celebration that showcases the playful nature of little Krishna and the enthusiasm of His devotees.
- Bhajans and Kirtans: Swami Mukundananda ji has beautifully explained that the goal of material souls is to attach the mind to God. Bhajan/kirtan is the best way to accomplish this goal. All Vedic scriptures and bhakti saints also recommend kirtan as a tool for evoking devotion and love for God as a tool for purifying the heart. The material mind is unable to purify because it is conditioned to variety and finds it difficult to focus on the divine realm consistently or constantly. Through kirtan, the mind remains engaged because of the variety in the tune, modulations in sound and scale, and compelling lyrics that characterize the glories of God. In particular, Shree Krishna bhajans glorify His divine names, forms, virtues, pastimes, abodes, and associates as a means to intensify devotional sentiments. Here is a sample of one such sweet bhajan in Swamiji’s voice.
- Abhishek: Shree Krishna's Utsav Murti is bathed in a mixture of milk, honey, ghee, yogurt, sugar candy, and other ingredients, symbolizing purification and auspiciousness. This ritual is performed with great reverence, as devotees believe that it brings blessings and prosperity to their lives. The Abhishek is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, as devotees shower Shree Krishna with affection.
- Jhoolan: Typically, Baby Krishna is seated on a decorated swing in His full glory and devotees take the opportunity to gently push the swing as an expression of love and devotion.
The Subtle Messages of Janmashtami
Shree Krishna Janmashtami is a celebration of devotion and love, but it also carries deeper spiritual lessons. It teaches us about resilience, the triumph of righteousness, and a reminder of the eternal presence of divine support in our lives. As we navigate the complexities of life, we can draw inspiration from the knowledge of God and His infinite Leelas, allowing them to illuminate our paths and attach our minds to Him.
Janmashtami reminds us of the innumerable reasons for Shree Krishna’s Avatar. Considered to be the Paravasth Avatar, the Lord manifests all His shaktis whether to slay demons as an infant or bestow immense love upon the Brajwasis through His four unique Madhuris or inherent forms of sweetness. First, His Bal Leela Madhuri where He captures the hearts of devotees through charming antics like stealing butter from the Gopis. Second is His Roop Madhuri or the threefold bending form which is incredibly attractive. The third is the Murli Madhuri where the enchanting sounds of His flute send devotees into ecstasy, and the fourth is the Prem Madhuri where He displays sweet Leelas that endear even those who do not believe in the personal form of God. These Madhuris are an excellent way to attach the mind to God and advance on the path of spirituality.
As we celebrate Shree Krishna Janmashtami, let us embrace the spirit of devotion, unity, and compassion to connect with God and each other.
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
Cow Dung on Shree Krishna!
Over 5000 years ago, when Shree Krishna was four years old, there was a Gopi (i.e., cowherd woman) who was looking for help to move a pile of cow dung while working in the field. Shree Krishna, seated in the hearts of devotees and knowing their desires, arrived and allowed her to ask Him for help. She told Him to help her to put all the cow dung in the basket. She promised that she would give Him a ball of butter for every basket he filled and lifted. Shree Krishna loved butter and agreed to help her. Upon completing one basket, she requested Him to fill and lift more baskets.
Shree Krishna continued but lost count after completing 3-4 baskets. He needed a new way to keep track. So, the Gopi proposed that for every basket lifted, she would take a small piece of the cow-dung and stick it on his cheek. The total count would dictate the amount of butter balls He got. Shree Krishna agreed to this suggestion. Soon, both His cheeks and his forehead were filled with cow dung. When the task was completed, Shree Krishna asked the Gopi for His butter. She told Him that the butter was at her house and He would need to go with her to get it. They began walking in that direction.
Another Gopi was waiting at this Gopi’s house. She started laughing upon seeing Shree Krishna’s face. His curiosity sparked and He asked them why they were laughing. They told Him to look at his face in the mirror. When He did, He was shocked! He took a wet rag and wiped His face clean. He then demanded the Gopi to give His hard-earned butter. The Gopi teased him saying that He would not get the butter since the agreement was to match the butter balls to the count of cow-dung spots on His face. He had wiped his face so there were no cow dung spots left. Hearing this, Shree Krishna looked like He would break down crying. Looking at His incredibly cute face, the Gopi gave in and lovingly offered the butter balls to Him.
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Practical Wisdom:
- Shree Krishna allowed the Gopi to put cow dung on His face. In this leela, the Gopi did not see Him as God. She had no fear and lovingly connected with Him. Shree Krishna allowed himself to be enslaved simply through the power of selfless love and devotion.
- Shree Krishna was with the Gopi. Many people search for God by going on a pilgrimage, engaging in deep austerities, and learning from the Scriptures. They do not find God easily. This was not a challenge for the Gopi. This leela is one of many divine leelas of Shree Krishna. He descended to bestow His blessings to His devotees. He engages in these pastimes to show how easy it is to love Him. On the auspicious day of Janmashtami, engage in activities to learn more about the divine pastimes and keep your mind constantly engaged in Shree Krishna.
Youth Insights
Lessons We Can Draw from Shree Krishna's Childhood Leelas
Shree Krishna’s childhood leelas are filled with wisdom and guidance, especially for young individuals navigating their way through life. Among the many lessons, two that stand out are: Standing up for what’s right, and the importance of friendship and loyalty.
Standing Up for What’s Right
Even as a child, Shree Krishna demonstrated incredible courage in confronting injustice. The story of Him lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers from Indra’s wrath is a powerful example of standing up for what’s right, no matter the odds.
As students, we often encounter situations where we witness something wrong—whether it is bullying, unfair treatment, or any form of injustice. Shree Krishna’s example teaches us to speak out and take action, even when it is difficult. By standing up for what is right, we can create positive change and make a meaningful impact on the world around us.
The Importance of Friendship and Loyalty
Shree Krishna’s relationship with his friends, particularly Sudama, is a beautiful example of true friendship. Despite the differences in their social status, Shree Krishna’s love and loyalty towards Sudama never faltered. This reminds us that genuine friendships are built on love, trust, and loyalty, not on materialistic factors.
We can implement this by cultivating friendships that are based on mutual respect and care. By being there for our friends in times of need, showing loyalty, and supporting each other through life’s challenges, we can build strong, lasting relationships, just as Shree Krishna demonstrated for us.
Conclusion
Shree Krishna’s childhood leelas offer timeless lessons that are incredibly relevant to our lives today. By standing up for what’s right and valuing true friendship, we can live more meaningful lives and make our communities a better place too. As we continue our journey, let us draw inspiration from Shree Krishna and strive to incorporate these lessons into our daily lives, creating a positive impact on ourselves and those around us.
Holistic Health TitbitsThe Origin of Fasting
Fasting became one of the many fad diets in Western civilization, but it was recorded in 1500 B.C. in the Vedic culture and practiced thousands of years prior. Early humans were known to fast due to food scarcity in the winter. In the days of George Washington, fasting was adopted as a noninvasive way to stave off ailments. Since then, it has been shown to improve lifespan and metabolic markers and has expanded to many other religions worldwide.
Why do we Fast?
Studies show that fasting has a wide variety of benefits. For example, we need to fast at least twelve hours before lab tests to get optimal medical test results. Some people do it for weight loss, detoxification, metabolic health, and digestive system improvement, but this should always be done under a doctor’s supervision, especially if we take medications. Other benefits include inflammation reduction, mental clarity, cellular repair, lower risk of certain cancers, and longevity through an increase in growth hormone production. Fasting for austerity is still popular because it demonstrates the ability to give up material desires in exchange for a deeper connection to God.
Janmashtami: Fasting for Spiritual Austerity, Health and Well-being
As the celebration of Janmashtami approaches, we have the opportunity to incorporate this practice into our Sadhana and Seva. If this is the first time embarking on this tradition, here are some guidelines we can follow:
- Start your day of celebration by fasting at dawn and avoid eating until midnight.
- It is of the utmost importance to avoid consuming meat and non-vegetarian meals during Janmashtami, especially when fasting.
- Exclude grain, onions, garlic, alcohol, and oily foods from the diet.
- Refrain from consuming tea and coffee as these beverages can increase acidity and lead to discomfort
- Many Hindus allow for the consumption of water, fruits, and milk throughout the fast.
- It is generally acceptable for children seven or younger or the infirm to not take part in the fasting ritual.
- Engaging in group devotional songs and chants, decorating, reading scriptures, and other festivities will distract us from deprivation of food during the fast and keep us immersed in auspicious activity.
- If there are any concerns about fasting, consult your physician.
Spiritual Lesson
Shree Krishna explains to Arjun that sacrifices take on numerous forms including through their breath and fasting.
अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे |
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणा: || 29||
अपरे नियताहारा: प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति |
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषा: || 30||
apane juhvati pranam prane ’panam tathapare
pranapana-gati ruddhva pranayama-parayanah
apare niyataharah pranan praneshu juhvati
sarve ’pyete yajna-vido yajna-kshapita-kalmashah
Still others offer as sacrifice the outgoing breath in the incoming breath, while some offer the incoming breath into the outgoing breath. Some arduously practice prāṇāyām and restrain the incoming and outgoing breaths, purely absorbed in the regulation of the life-energy. Yet others curtail their food intake and offer the breath into the life-energy as sacrifice. All these knowers of sacrifice are cleansed of their impurities as a result of such performances (Bhagavad Gita 4:29-30)
Remember that this occasion is not for ritual performance, but to truly connect with the Supreme Lord, Shree Krishna.
Reflection Questions for DiscussionBhakti Ras / Inspiration
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
Youth Insights
Holistic Health Titbits
Upcoming Events
JKYog and the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas invite you to participate in two amazing upcoming events.
Shree Krishna Janmashtami with Swami Mukundananda
Hathi Ghoda Palaki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki!
The Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav with Swami Mukundananda ji is already underway! It has been the most miraculous and blissful festival! It reminds us of the most beautiful and heart-warming Leelas or pastimes of Shree Krishna in Vrindavan!
There are still wonderful events in which you can participate from August 25 to 27, 2024.
- Venue: Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas 1450 N Watters Rd, Allen, Texas
- Details: https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/Janmashtami/
Join us for the most amazing Janmashtami Mela for an incredible number of devotional and fun activities for people of all ages and interests!
- Special Sunday Satsang with Swamiji
- Beautiful Jhankis of Krishna Leelas
- Baby Krishna Jhoolan
- Dahi Handi!
- Cultural program
- Variety of activities for children and youth
- Awesome Food Festival
- Vendor Booths
- A magical Midnight Celebration of Krishna Janma - Cake Cutting and Midnight Aarti! Sing and dance to your heart’s content!
In addition, those interested in the Shravan Mass Rudrabhishek can participate in it from 6:15 to 7:00 PM every day. Those who find bliss in Sundarkand can participate in chanting on August 24 (Saturday) from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
There is no other place to be for the magnificent Krishna Janmashtami celebrations than the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen)!
JKYog Dallas Retreat: Savor the Inspirational Teachings of Bhakti Saints
A spiritual retreat with Swamiji is the most inspirational, devotional, life-transforming, and blissful of all programs. Hundreds of devotees take advantage of the opportunity to “leave the whole world behind” and focus on sadhana. For Dallasites, the best opportunity to give yourselves the gift of time for your inner aspirations.
Swamiji’s discourses will focus on the lives and impact of the great Bhakti Saints in Indian history. Join us to be inspired by saints who left an indelible mark on spiritual aspirants.
In addition, devotees can participate in yoga, pranayam, meditation, kirtans, lectures, parikrama, and other interactive activities. There are parallel activities for youth and Bal-Mukund kids, so participants do not need to worry about childcare or the quality of knowledge disseminated to youngsters.
Most of all, no one should miss the opportunity to connect with Swamiji – our source of inspiration, divine knowledge, bliss, and spiritual growth.
Registration includes lodging and meals throughout the stay. Once you arrive, there is nothing to worry about for the duration of the retreat!
- Dates: August 31 to September 2, 2024 (Saturday to Monday)
- Venue: Hyatt Place Dallas/Garland/Richardson, 5101 N President George Bush Hwy, Garland, TX 75043, USA
- Registration: Register now if not done already! Time is running out!
- Details: https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/dallas-retreat-with-swami-mukundananda
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