Festivals
and Events
Sri Krishna
Janmashtami
Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of
Lord Sri Krishna, the Avatar of the Dwapara Yuga (era), usually
falls in late August or in early September or in the Indian
lunar month of Shravana. Bhagawan has declared that Lord Krishna’s
advent took place at 3 a.m. on 20th July, 3228 B.C, the Ashtami
Day (eighth day after full moon) under the star ‘Rohini’
in the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Shravana Masa in
the year named ‘Srimukha’.
Janmashtami (also called Gokulashtami) is
a very colourful and joyous celebration in Prasanthi Nilayam.
The Mandir transforms itself into another ‘Brindavan’
of the times of Lord Sri Krishna when as a child He frolicked
in the company of His cowherd friends.
The gleaming cows of Sathya Sai Gokulam (Dairy),
ornately caparisoned and wearing kumkum (Vermillion), tinkling
bells, flowers, etc. are brought to the Mandir in a grand
procession by the students of the Institute and the School
who are dressed up as cowherd boys. Elegantly decorated ‘Sai
Geeta’, Baba’s pet elephant, leads this colourful
procession. Swami then spends time with each of these cows
and Sai Geeta, feeding, caressing and blessing them all.
Excerpts from
Bhagawan’s Discourses:
“The incarnation of Krishna proclaimed
the doctrine of divine love, as manifested by the cowherd
maids (gopikas). Man is like an earthen pot filled with nectar.
His body may be made of clay, but his spirit is eternal. The
Divine has to be experienced through the body. Hence, human
birth should not be treated as something trivial. Human life
is worth living; it should be cherished as something precious.
But today, such a precious gift is being
treated as dirt. It is essential to realise the value of human
existence. What is the goal of human life? It is to go back
to the source from which we came. Our duty is to return to
our primordial source. You have come from the Atma. You have
to go back to the Atma. You have come from the Brahman (Supreme
Self). You have to merge in the Brahman. You have incarnated
as a spark of Brahman. You have to become the Brahman. That
is the ideal. That is the goal. In between, there may be many
impediments. You should ignore them. Have unshakable faith.
That is true devotion”.
- Divine Discourse: 18th August,
1995
"The word (Krishna) has three meanings:
(1) "Krushathi-ithi Krishna” that
is, “The One who ploughs is called Krishna." The
field here symbolizes the heart. The heart should be cleared
of weeds (evil qualities). It should be filled with love.
The seeds of the Lord's name should be sown in it. Krishna
is the one who inspires the devotee to do all this.
(2) "Karshathi-ithi Krishna” that
is, “The One who attracts is called Krishna." Krishna
has the supreme power of attraction. By His words, His sport,
His music and all His actions, He attracts all people. This
power of Divine attraction is present in everyone. Hence,
everyone is potentially Krishna.
(3) "Kushyathi-ithi Krishna” that
is, “The One who imparts bliss is called Krishna."
Everyone seeks happiness. The Divine, who is the embodiment
of happiness, is in you. God wants you to be happy, but you
do not realize it. Try to recognize the source of bliss within
you. It is not the true nature of man to be unhappy. When
anyone is sad, people around him are concerned about him.
You should always be happy, because you are the embodiment
of the Atma. Never give way to worry.
- Divine Discourse: 25th August
1997
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