Interviewer:
Pronam, Guru Dev. Today's video topic is Janmashtami, which will be celebrated tomorrow with great pomp and show in many places. Could you please explain the significance of Janmashtami and the story behind it to our viewers?
Guru Dev:
We have to go back to the Puranas for that—specifically to the time of Kansa. Kansa was a very cruel and oppressive king. Devaki and Vasudeva were imprisoned in Kansa's jail. Kansa had calculated and was warned that the eighth child of Devaki would be the one to kill him.
Guru Dev:
Consequently, he killed the first seven children by dashing them against the stone walls of the prison. Every time a child was born, even if it was a girl, he showed no mercy. When the eighth child was about to be born, Kansa was on high alert, constantly checking with the guards to see if Devaki had given birth.
Guru Dev:
By divine play, Krishna was born to Devaki. At the exact same time, in the house of Nanda in Mathura, Adishakti Mahamaya was born. It was a dark, stormy night. The Yamuna River was overflowing, making it impossible to cross. Vasudeva realized that if he wanted to save Krishna, he had to take him away from the prison.
Guru Dev:
He placed the newborn Krishna in a basket on his head. It is said that the serpent Vasuki held his hood over Krishna like an umbrella to protect him from the rain. When Vasudeva reached the banks of the Yamuna, he saw the water was rising rapidly. Suddenly, he saw a jackal (shiva) crossing the river with ease. Seeing this, Vasudeva realized the water wasn't as deep as it looked, or perhaps it was a divine sign. He followed and managed to cross the river.
Guru Dev:
He reached Nanda's house, where Adishakti had just been born. Vasudeva explained the situation—that Kansa would kill the boy—and exchanged Krishna for the baby girl. He brought the girl back to the prison in Mathura.
Guru Dev:
The next morning, Kansa was informed of the birth. He rushed to the cell and found a baby girl. Even though she was a girl, Kansa thought, "Eighth child or not, this one might kill me too." As he tried to dash her against the wall, she slipped from his hands and ascended into the sky, announcing: "The one who will kill you is already growing up in Gokul." She then disappeared and settled in the Vindhya Mountains, where there is still a temple dedicated to her. It is said that at that temple, the leaves of a Banyan tree that fall are inscribed with "Jai Shri Ram."
Guru Dev:
Kansa sent many demons to find and kill Krishna—Putana, Bakasura, Aghasura, and others—but Krishna defeated them all. He performed many miracles, such as lifting the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people from torrential rains sent by Indra. Eventually, he killed the rogue elephant sent by Kansa and then killed Kansa himself, fulfilling the prophecy.
Guru Dev:
Krishna's life was full of divine plays (leelas). He grew up in Nanda's house, and eventually, he met Radha. Their bond was not just a romantic one; it represented the union of the soul with the divine energy (Hladini Shakti). It is also said that Krishna performed intense penance on one leg to Narayana, who promised to always stay with him and provide him with strength, provided he never strayed from the path of righteousness.
Guru Dev:
Krishna's influence extended to the great Kurukshetra War. He had to use many strategies, some of which seemed to bend the rules of war, to ensure the victory of the Pandavas. After the war, Gandhari, who had lost all her sons, was devastated. She cursed Krishna, saying that just as the Kuru dynasty was destroyed, his own Yadu dynasty would also perish.
Guru Dev:
Later in life, Krishna established his kingdom in Dwarka. He even asked the sea to recede so he could build his city. However, the curse eventually took effect. It is said that even the great archer Arjuna could not lift his bow, and Krishna's Sudarshana Chakra failed him when the Yadu dynasty fell into internal strife and the Gopis were taken away by invaders. Krishna was eventually struck by an arrow in his foot by a hunter who mistook his foot for a bird. This led to his departure from the mortal world, and the Yadu dynasty was wiped out.
Guru Dev:
Krishna was a "Mahamanav" (superhuman) and a great practitioner of Tantra. Many of the events in the Kurukshetra War, like the sudden disappearance of the sun, were results of his spiritual powers. Everything was part of a divine blueprint.
Interviewer:
Guru Dev, you often say that "Krishna and Kali are one." Could you explain this for Janmashtami?
Guru Dev:
That is a story from the Puranas. Krishna once took the form of Kali. Radha's husband, Ayan Ghosh, was a great devotee of Goddess Kali. His sisters, Jatila and Kutila, were always suspicious of Radha and Krishna. They told Ayan that his wife was with Krishna under a tree. Ayan rushed there with a weapon, intending to kill them. Knowing this, Krishna transformed into Goddess Kali, and Radha appeared to be worshipping the Goddess. When Ayan arrived, he was overjoyed to see his wife's devotion to Kali and scolded his sisters for lying. This is why it is said they are one and the same energy.
Interviewer:
One last question. Why do we see people carrying small idols of "Gopal" (baby Krishna) in their arms everywhere?
Guru Dev:
There is something called "Gopal Tantra." Gopal is the child form of Krishna. "Go-pal" means the protector of cows. Gopal is considered a very naughty and playful deity. Devotees believe that if you leave him alone at home, he will cause mischief or "accidents." Therefore, like a mother who doesn't leave her child behind, devotees carry Gopal with them wherever they go. It's a form of deep, personal devotion (Vatsalya Bhava).
Interviewer:
Thank you, Guru Dev. Tomorrow is Janmashtami, and we hope this special episode helps our viewers understand the history and significance of the festival. Pronam.
Guru Dev:
Pronam. Wishing everyone a blessed Janmashtami.