Happy Sri Jayanti on August 25, 2016.
vande brindAvana-caram, vallavI-jana-vallabham | jayantI sambhavam dhAma vyjayantI-vibhUshaNam || Salutations to Him! He who wanders in Vrindavana, Who is the darling of the Gopis, Who was born on the day of the Sri Jayanti, And who wears the garland called Vyjayanti. --Sri Gopala Vimsati by Sri Vedanta Desika |
Sri Krishna Jayanti is the birth of Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Sriman Nārāyana .
It is also known as Sri Jayanti, Sri Krishna Ashtami, Janma Ashtami, and Gokula Ashtami.
*When is Sri Krishna Jayanti Celebrated?
Sri Krishna Ashtami is celebrated on Shraavana Maasa Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi. Ashtami Tithi is 8th day of the waning phase of the moon. Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated on Shraavana Maasa Krishna Paksha Rohini Nakshatram.
You may celebrate Krishna's birth on either Ashtami or Jayanti as both are considered holy. The celebration of Sri Krishna Ashtami or Jayanti maybe based on your family's tradition over generations or based on your Acharya’s guidance.
More information and specifics on when Sri Jayanti is celebration are available in His Holiness Sri Sri Rangapriya Maha Deshikan Swamy's book titled “bhāratīyara habba haridinagaḻu” that is about Hindu festivals.
What is the main goal of worshiping on Sri Jayanti?
Worship of Sri Krishna is the prime goal of the day through mind, speech and action. Become absorbed in
him and enjoy the bliss through absorption. Prostrate before the lord imbibing the essence of Godhead -
Devatva.
How do we worship on Sri Jayanti?
Fasting and time of worship:
Purity, clarity, devotion and faith are the essential requirements to do worship. Fasting is also essential
with the exceptions for those who are not physically fit. They can take light food. Those who observe
Janmaashtami are required to do fasting only, where as those who observe Sri Jayanti are required to
do daana - charity along with fasting. Fasting enables equanimity and clearness of expression of oneself.
Worship is for the nourishment of the soul. Being awake throughout the night and contemplation on Sri
Krishna helps continuous remembrance of the Supreme Being in long term.
Offerings:
It is customary to offer pounded rice, sugar, and milk. Butter can be offered to Krishna, the Navaneeta
Chora or butter stealer. There is no limit for worship materials such as fruits, flowers, several types
of dishes, snacks, savories, etc. When materials are not available, just chanting sacred hymns and
contemplation is more than sufficient to worship. Graceful traditional decoration of the place reflecting
some of the temple atmosphere to enhance the mental state to contemplate on the Lord is encouraged.
The celebration signifies that it is the time to unite with the Sri Krishna.
Recitation of Slokams:
Srimad Bhaagavata 10th canto – Dashama Skanda – enunciates the birth of Krishna. This chapter is read in some traditional practices. Harikatha and singing the glory and praise are encouraged.
Mahaa mangala arati is performed at the end of worship, followed by the chanting of Arghya Mantra,
water offered with respect .
1. Krishna Arghya Mantra
jatah kamsavadharthay bhubharo harNayacha
kouravaNam vinashaya diatyanam nidhanaya cha
panDavanam hitarthaya dharma sansthapanay cha
grahaNaarghyam mya dattam devikya sahito hare||
2. Chandra Arghya Mantra
kshirodarNav sambhootham atrigotra samudbhavam
grahaNrghyam mya dattam rohiNya sahitah shashinah||
After worship:
1. pAraNam- eating to break the fast – should be done to get the results of worship; be it worldly or divine love. Those who worship for worldly things and liberation - moksha – do pAraNam in the early morning on next day and those who do it for divine love and liberation have to do pAraNam the same night before moonrise.
2. Chant Bhishma’s hymn to Krishna from Mahaabhaarata Shanti Parva:
yam dēvam dēvaki vasudēvaada jēējanat
bhōumasya brahmanaōō guptai tasyai brahmaatmanē namaha:||
sujanma vāsudēvaya gō brāhmaṇa hitāya cha
shāntirastu sivam chāstu||
Translation:
The god that Devaki bore to Vasudeva, for the preservation of the terrestrial deity (i.e. the Vedas,
Brahmans etc) salutations to that sacred incarnation of parabrahma svaroopa vasudeva, may peace and auspiciousness be there.
blessed with good progeny, health, Dhana-Dhānya, Sadgriha, and long and contented life. The region
where this Vrata is performed would never be subjected by Anāvrishti (famine), earth quakes and such
natural calamities, poverty, ‘Akāla Mritu’ or untimely deaths, widowhoods, misfortunes, robberies and
quarrels.