Preparation for Janmastami
Category: Article
Title: Preparation for Janmastami
Upload date: 2006-08-14
Śivarāma Swami
Janmastami is the 16th here in Kazakhstan and in India, Australasia, and Europe; in the US it s the 15th. In either case we need to prepare ourselves for the appearance of Lord Krishna.Krishna appeared in this world many thousands of years ago with the primary purpose of revealing His Vrindavan pastimes and teaching devotees how to love Him in the spontaneous way that the Vraja-vasis do. This is all beautifully explained in the beginning of Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi 4).
The materialists misunderstood Krishna to be amoral and ignored His teachings, while many devotees continued to worship Him in the regulative way that leads to Vaikuntha. Thus Krishna had to appear again as Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the perfect devotee, to teach by His personal example how to follow the residents of Vrindavan.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu s teachings centred mainly around the tasting of Vraja-rasa through sankirtana, and hearing the Bhagavatam in the association of pure devotees. And Srila Prabhupada has made Lord Caitanya s teachings as simple as can be and adapted them to our modern age.
Thus in our hearts the seed of Vraja-bhakti has been planted.
As Janmastami approaches, we must ensure that the reason for Krishna s appearance is alive and well within our hearts. Krishna is Madhusudana, the divine bee of loving mellows. And devotees are like creepers in various stages of development. Some have sprouted, some have leaves unfurled, some are budding flowers, others fully flowered, and some rare ones bear the tasty fruit of love.
Together we are the garden-offering that Srila Prabhupada tends for Krishna s pleasure. Upon Krishna s appearance, that Madhusudana bee will certainly fly to each and every creeper to see the condition of our development, to see our Vraja-bhakti developing, to taste as much affection and love as He can.
As Krishna flies by our garden on Janmastami day, we must pray to Him for the strength, devotion, and intelligence to become the Vraja-vasi that He wants us to be.
Certainly some specks of love-pollen from His legs or whiskers will fall upon us, and give us that special nourishment we need. Then at some future time we may come to realize our spiritual forms and serve Krishna like the gopis or the gopas, bringing Him that greatest pleasure which He always desires.
2006-08-14
The materialists misunderstood Krishna to be amoral and ignored His teachings, while many devotees continued to worship Him in the regulative way that leads to Vaikuntha. Thus Krishna had to appear again as Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the perfect devotee, to teach by His personal example how to follow the residents of Vrindavan.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu s teachings centred mainly around the tasting of Vraja-rasa through sankirtana, and hearing the Bhagavatam in the association of pure devotees. And Srila Prabhupada has made Lord Caitanya s teachings as simple as can be and adapted them to our modern age.
Thus in our hearts the seed of Vraja-bhakti has been planted.
As Janmastami approaches, we must ensure that the reason for Krishna s appearance is alive and well within our hearts. Krishna is Madhusudana, the divine bee of loving mellows. And devotees are like creepers in various stages of development. Some have sprouted, some have leaves unfurled, some are budding flowers, others fully flowered, and some rare ones bear the tasty fruit of love.
Together we are the garden-offering that Srila Prabhupada tends for Krishna s pleasure. Upon Krishna s appearance, that Madhusudana bee will certainly fly to each and every creeper to see the condition of our development, to see our Vraja-bhakti developing, to taste as much affection and love as He can.
As Krishna flies by our garden on Janmastami day, we must pray to Him for the strength, devotion, and intelligence to become the Vraja-vasi that He wants us to be.
Certainly some specks of love-pollen from His legs or whiskers will fall upon us, and give us that special nourishment we need. Then at some future time we may come to realize our spiritual forms and serve Krishna like the gopis or the gopas, bringing Him that greatest pleasure which He always desires.
2006-08-14