On 15th August 2017 coincident of two events: Sri Krishna Janmashtami & Independence Day in India
In our childhood, we were waiting for sweets/ chocolates to be distributed after the flag hoisting and to enjoy the holiday from school on occasion of Independence day. In offices too we celebrate this occasion with flag hoisting, patriotic songs competition, games, Quiz & usual work. In housing societies too, more or less the same thing is done. Television channels telecast some patriotic movies. Our mobile & social media apps like Facebook, whatsapp.. etc, are flooded with patriotic messages & greetings.
After coming to Krishna conciousness, things like offices, housing society, School etc, does not change, but our inner perception about real Independence Day has definitely changed because the so called Independence day we celebrate is confined to Regions. U.S celebrates it’s Independence day on July 4th, while Australian celebrates on Jan 26th and so on. Although many countries have been celebrating Independence days’ from few decades to centuries, yet they are not independent of the real problems such as famine, disease, old-age, deaths, uncontrolled population, biological wars, pollution, envy, greed etc. Even if by any chance we are able to solve any of these external problems such as wars, pollution & famine, still we are slaves to the internal enemies such as Greed, Envy, Anger, Lust & Ego. Since birth we have been victim & slave to them.
Srila Prabhupad used to say “For Independence of the real problems of life -like birth, old age, disease & death, we have to depend on Krishna”. Which is possible only in the human form of life. Those who are serious about real Independence, they have to depend on Krishna & His devotees’ mercy by following their instructions. To have Independence from past bad habits or inclinations one must associate with the people who are freed from them, so that they can guide & lead us to the Real Freedom, for that we must depend on devotees’ association. Otherwise, we are & will still be the victims of past bad habits.
Krishna Janmashtami, is the most important festival for all the Vaishnavas. Devotees from almost all the traditions fast till midnight, take darshan of abhishak performed to Their Lordships, listen to discourses of Krishna Lila, do special Pujas & conduct Special cultural programs at various Iskcon centers. All Iskcon centers are colorful on this day with the Devotees, guests & visitors seeking the blessings of Lord Krishna. Surely on this day devotees engage themselves in lots of various services to please Krishna.
We can invite people who have free time on this holiday to celebrate with us on this Krishna Janmashtami & we can become instrumental in helping them achieve real Independence from the problems of life like birth, old age, decease & death.
Srila Prabhupad beautifully writes (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.9.35 ) in his purport In this verse the word svārājyam, which means “complete independence,” is very significant. A conditioned soul does not know what complete independence is. Complete independence means situation in one’s own constitutional position. The real independence of a living entity, who is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is to remain always dependent on the Supreme Lord, just like a child who plays in complete independence, guided by his parents, who watch over him. The independence of the conditioned soul does not mean to fight with the obstacles offered by māyā, but to surrender to Kṛṣṇa. In the material world, everyone is trying to become completely independent simply by fighting against the obstacles offered by māyā. This is called the struggle for existence. Real independence is to be reinstated in the service of the Lord. Anyone who goes to the Vaikuṇṭha planets or Goloka Vṛndāvana planet is freely offering his service to the Lord. That is complete independence. Just contrary to this is material over lordship, which we wrongly take to be independence. Many great political leaders have tried to establish independence, but due to such so-called independence the people’s dependence has only increased. The living entity cannot be happy trying to be independent in the material world. One has to surrender, therefore, unto the lotus feet of the Lord and engage in his original, eternal service.
Can we help the people in general for real independence on this most auspicious occasion day of Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Written by Dinabandu Das.