Story Behind Janmashtami

 

Story behind Janmashtami

 

Lord Krishna is the eight avatar of Lord Vishnu. So, there was a time, when pitcher of sin on the Mother Earth filled and somehow to stop that she approached Lord Brahma, The creator of the Universe for the help. Brahma in turn prayed to Lord Vishnu, The supreme one for help. Lord Vishnu accepted Brahma’s prayers and assures that he came on earth in his next birth as a mortal and protects Mother Earth

Around 5000 years ago in India, Ugrasane is a puranic king in Mahabharata epic. He was the king of Mathura, a kingdom that was established by the powerful Vrishni tribes from Yaduvanshi. Ugrasane had two children Kansa and Devaki.

However, out of ambition and upon advice of his personal confidents, Banasura and Naraksura, Kansa decided to overthrow his father and install his as a king of Mathura. An evil prince imprisoned his father to usurp the throne. Then under guidance of another advisor, Chanur, he decided to marry Asti and Prapti, the daughters of Jarasandha, king of Magadha.

After a heavenly voice prophesied that Devaki’s eight son will slay him. He was deeply shaken by this prophecy. In a fit of range he drew his sword, and moved toward Devaki with an intention to kill her. He thought that with Devaki dead, a son could never born to her. Hearing this Vasudeva fell to his knees and begged mercy to Kansa. He promised that he would personally handover each child born to him and Devaki, to Kansa. After that to keep eye on them he imprisoned Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and ordered his men to keep strict watch on them.

By the end of eight year the evil kansa killed each and every child of Devaki’s. However just before the birth of seventh child of Devaki’s, Lord Vishnu ordered Goddess Mahamaya to transfer the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. Soon Rohini gave birth to Devaki’s seventh son, named Balarama.

The eight son Krishna an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on a moonless stormy night. After giving birth to baby boy Vasudeva realised that the gates of their prison were opened and all guards were fast asleep.

A divine voice advised Vasudeva to carry child, in a basket and walk into the water. As soon as Vasudeva stepped into river, the water level of the river subsided allowing him to wade through the water to Gokula. A serpent protected Krishna from the rain with it’s large hood.

In this way Vasudeva  bring Krishna to  gokul and “Avatar Karya” of lord Vishnu begins…………….

As Krishna is born on day of  ashtami , this day is celebrated as janashtami festival in Hindus. This festival of Hindus is celebrated with great devotion on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana (July-August) in India. According to Hindu mythology, Krishna was born to destroy Mathura's demon King Kansa, brother of his virtuous mother, Devaki.

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