Sree Krishna Jayanti - a spiritual perspective

1. Introduction

Sree Krishna was born at midnight, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan. On this day the star, Rohini, was prominent on the horizon and the moon was in the constellation, Taurus.

This day is known as Sree Krishna Jayanti, Janmashtami, Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami or Gopalkala and the birth of Sree Krishna is celebrated at midnight.
On the day of Sree Krishna Jayanti the Sree Krishna principle (tattva) is a 1000 times more active than on any other day. So on this day, celebrating Sree Krishna Jayanti (Gokulashtami) by observing rituals and chanting 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya,' with devotion and spiritual emotion yields more benefit.

2. Method of celebrating Sree Krishna Jayanti

A fast is observed throughout the day on Sree Krishna Jayanti (Gokulaashtami). After celebrating the birth of Sree Krishna at midnight, the fast is concluded by eating holy sacrament (prasaad); or it may be concluded by eating the prasaad of dahikaalaa the following morning.

3. The significance of preparing dahikaalaa

Kaalaa is the mixture of various things like curd, milk and homemade butter. When Sri Krishna and His friends were out looking after their cows, Sree Krishna used to mix together the snacks they had brought along and make kaalaa. It was consumed by all, happily. This story became the basis of the ritual of making a kaalaa, on the day following Sree Krishna Jayanti (Gokulaashtami).

The spiritual ill-effects incurred in ritualistic worship by not following various codes of conduct, e.g. not touching holy things at certain times, menstrual cycle observances for women, etc., are reduced by observing a fast on this day. At the same time, it is said that, by observing this religious vow, one gets material benefits in terms of children and wealth and after death one attains Vaikuntha Lok (region where Sree Krishna resides).

4. The spiritual importance of Sree Krishna Jayanti (Gopaalkaalaa)*

4.1 Meaning

Gopaalkaalaa stands for a combination which shows the relatonship of the five white coloured elements (yogurt, milk, etc.) to the maximum unmanifest divine consciousness (nirgun chaitanya) and to that of the actions of the complete incarnation, i.e. Lord Sree Krishna. Kaalaa is a word associated with an action which is done in unity and at a consistent high speed. Kaalaa means a consortium of incidences which highlight a special act (karya) needed at a particular level, place, and time.

The actions of a complete incarnation are ideal with respect to all the three components i.e. place, time and level. The process of these actions, shows to humanity, the different spiritual facets of life, through divine planning. Gopalkaalaa represents the multifaceted functions of the complete Incarnation, i.e. Lord Sree Krishna Himself.

4.2 The main ingredients of the dahikaalaa

Flattened rice (pohe), yogurt, milk, buttermilk and homemade butter are the main ingredients of the kaalaa. All of these represent devotion at different levels.

Flattened rice (pohe) : They represent the playmates of Sree Krishna who stayed loyal to Him irrespective of the situation

Yogurt: It represents motherly devotion which sometimes gives punishment due to motherly love.

Milk: It is the representation of the natural manifest love and devotion of the milkmaids (gopis)

Buttermilk: It is the representation of the devotion with opposition (virodhi bhakti) of the gopis.

Homemade butter: It is the symbol of everyone's unmanifest devotion (nirgun bhakti) and undying love for Sree Krishna.

On this day, the fast-moving frequencies of the Sree Krishna principle related to the water element arrive in the Universe. The ingredients of the kaalaa actively absorb these waves.

4.3 Other advantages

Nurtures the body and mind: On this day the atmosphere is charged with the frequencies of the Water element. This helps the flow of the five basic elements in the body; hence it increases the enthusiasm in the mind and gives the body increased capacity to work.

The entire creation experiences bliss: Due to a rise in the humidity in the atmosphere, the plants become very sensitive to absorbing and projecting the frequencies of Divine energy. Hence, the entire creation experiences Bliss.