Krishna Janmashtami: Let Sri Krishna be a Role Model for the Youth

Team Udayavani, Aug 26, 2024, 9:53 AM IST

Lord Krishna is a significant deity in Hinduism, worshipped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is a central figure in the Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most revered festivals for Hindus. It is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, or Shri Jayanti.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu and the son of Devaki and Vasudeva, was born on Janmashtami to defeat the demon king Kamsa of Mathura, who was Devaki’s brother. A prophecy had foretold that Kamsa would be killed by Devaki’s eighth son, so Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva, killing their children as they were born. However, he succeeded in killing only six of their children. The seventh child, Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of princess Rohini. When Krishna, their eighth child, was born, the entire palace fell into a deep sleep, allowing Vasudeva to carry the newborn Krishna to the home of his friend Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda in Vrindavan. Vasudeva then returned to the palace, placing a baby girl next to Devaki. When Kamsa attempted to kill the baby, she transformed into Goddess Durga, warning him of his impending doom before vanishing.

Thus, Krishna was born to destroy evil, and his birth is celebrated as Janmashtami. According to Hindu scriptures, Krishna was born in Mathura on Ashtami Tithi during the month of Shravana to Devaki and Vasudeva. Krishna grew up to be loved by all, admired as a leader, and cherished as a playful child. Even today, mothers delight in dressing their children as Krishna, complete with a flute and peacock feather, imagining themselves as Yashoda. Those who hear Krishna’s stories often envision themselves as Radha, and parents wish for a son-in-law like Krishna, while those in distress pray for Krishna’s guidance, likening themselves to Sudama.

Krishna’s appeal lies in his vibrant personality, which remains timeless. Despite hearing or reading about Krishna’s life from birth to death, one marvels at how he never seemed to age. His life was full of energy, and he retained a childlike heart, brimming with love, joy, and strength, keeping his mind, body, and spirit healthy.

Krishna is remembered for his mischievousness, but that was just a small part of his life. He excelled in every phase of life, making him beloved by people of all ages. The love between Radha and Krishna remains eternal, but Krishna, who let go of this bond at the age of 16 to pursue a greater path, demonstrated the importance of achieving one’s goals. When Krishna left for the festival called by his uncle Kamsa, Radha was heartbroken. Krishna played his flute one last time before giving it to Radha, vowing never to touch it or return to Vrindavan. In Radha’s hands, the flute became a symbol of Krishna’s presence.

Through his life, Krishna showed that love is just one part of life, while the path to achievement is the most important. He demonstrated how to move forward, even in difficult times, without giving up or worrying, making his life an ideal for today’s youth. Let us celebrate Krishna Janmashtami by understanding its deeper significance rather than merely marking it as a festival.

One of the key lessons we can learn from Krishna is that “strategy is greater than strength.” What cannot be achieved through strength can be accomplished with strategy. Krishna also taught that hatred and anger cannot win everything, but love can conquer all. His words, “A person can be both an enemy and a friend. You reap what you sow,” are profoundly meaningful, aren’t they?

Translated version of Kannada article by Bhagya J. Bogadi, Mysuru