By kishori gopika devi dasi
Pitter patter pitter patter
Here He comes
With His soft buttery feet
Pitter patter pitter patter
Here He comes
With His soft curls bouncing up and down
Pitter patter pitter patter
Here He comes
With His lotus like eyes looking out for you
Embrace Him
For He protects you like none other
Embrace Him
For He loves you like none other
Embrace Him
For He longs for you to do so
Janmashtami is the most important day in our vaisnava calendar. Krishna’s birth heralds hope and happiness after Kamsa’s reign of terror. Devaki and Vasudev had experienced the pain of seeing their children die in front of them by a merciless Kamsa. Imprisoned and shackled, their present was grim. But as Krishna appears from Vasudev’s heart and in Devaki’s womb, they are infused with fearlessness. The Lord will appear soon.
And Lo and behold, He appears as the most extraordinary and beautiful baby; fully dressed and bedecked with jewels and four hands! His soft black curls frame His chubby cheeks and His lotus-like eyes shine with love for Devaki and Vasudev. They went through so much grief for Him.
Challenges and tribulations had been constant in Devaki and Vasudev’s world, the moment the disembodied voice from the sky proclaimed that Devaki’s eight child would kill Kamsa.
As we all gear up for Janmashtami in our respective temples; we also face challenges and tribulations of our own. It is a race against time to complete all preparations. It’s a dodge ball game to ensure we don’t ruffle anyone’s egos. Tempers flare. Chastisement does come; it’s inevitable. Unforeseen difficulties crop up. Criticism and back-biting is also rife.
We see ourselves accomplishing incredible feats for THE festival. And as we reach the finishing line for the D-day; we marvel at the result. We marvel at the creativity, the intelligence and the ingenuity behind the service. And here comes the biggest pitfall- Pride!
As we shrivel at others’ anger
Remember that this is Krishna’s doing. He is checking our ego.
As we bristle at criticism
Remember that this is Krishna’s doing. There is a lesson for us.
And as we marvel at ‘our own’ prowess and intelligence
Remember that this is Krishna’s splendor
As we do seva for Janmashtami, there are many pitfalls. If we are not careful, anger, greed for fame, an inflated ego and lust for recognition and respect all place themselves as big boulders to block us from seeing our ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal for Janmashtami is to please Krishna; it is to act as His instrument.
Krishna is the complete whole. Everything emanates from HIM only. The good and the bad; all are meant for our ultimate good and our purification so that similar to Devaki and Vasudvev, we can also see HIM at the end.
Isopanishad
īśāvāsyam idaḿ sarvaṁ
yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat
tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā
mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.
Wishing everyone a very joyful Janmashtami. Let us treasure in our hearts our Sweet Lord and always remember for whom we are doing seva.