How to observe Krishna Janmashtami?

It is said that the greatest Sri Krishna pooja that a person can do is to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. But many people feel the need to perform a puja when they feel they need to connect with the Supreme Being. A simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna helps in keeping the mind calm and in concentrating. Some people exclusively perform Sri Krishna pooja during Sri Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami or Gokulashtami.

On this day special Poojas and rituals with chanting of shlokas are conducted in all the Krishna temples. Devotional songs are sung in the praise of Krishna. In places like Mathura (birth lace of Krishna); Dwaraka (Krishna rules this place); Gokula (the place where Krishna  grew up) and Vrindavan (where Krishna spent time with his consort Radha), the festivities are colourful and special. 

In Udupi, Karnataka the festival is celebrated in the Krishna mutt. Devotees fast on this day and offer the pooja to the Lord at midnight and then break the fast by consuming Naivedya (offerings). Variety of delicious savouries are prepared on this day and offered to the Lord along with fruits, coconut, butter (Krishna's favourite as a child), avalakki/poha (flattened rice) and milk. Some of the savouries prepared on this day Tengol, chakkali, Shankarpoli, Kodabale, Karchikayi, Coconut Barfi, Besan Laddoo, Wheat Laddoo, Sev, Avalakki, Chivda, Rava Laddoo, Mysore pak etc.

In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi ritual is carried out with great enthusiasm. An earthern oot filled with curd/yogurt is hung 20 to 30 feet above ground and the group which breaks it by forming a human pyramid wins the contest.

In households, a small cradle made of wood or silver is decorated and the idol of Balakrishna (Baby Krishna) is decorated and worshipped. A special arathi is performed and songs in praise of Lord Krishna is sung. The neighbourhood women and children are invited home and offered KumKum, turmeric powder, flowers, fruits, betel leaf and nuts, and a packet of assorted savouries.

Women sing lullabies and the cradle is slowly swayed by a thread decorated with flowers. Baby boys are dressed as Krishna complete with peacock feather in the hair and flute in the hand. 

Here is how to perform a simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna:

• Select a calm and quite place.
• Clean the pooja area and then take a bath.
• Place a photograph or idol or picture of Lord Krishna also of Lord Ganesha.
• Keep a lamp ready. Place some flowers and fruits or sweets ready in a plate.
• Pray to Ganesha.
• Meditate for a few minutes to clear the mind of unwanted thoughts.
• Now light the lamp.
• Meditate or pray to Lord Krishna.
• Offer flowers – Tulsi leaves is the best offering made to Krishna. You can light incense or agarbathis. If needed you can ring the bell, while offering flowers.
• Chant the shloka – Om Namo Vasudevaya Namah.
• Now offer fruits or any sweet or usual food prepared for the deity. You can sprinkle some water after making the offering.

You can meditate for a few minutes or read some shlokas or prayers dedicated to Krishna.

After the Krishna Puja remove the fruits and share it as ‘prasad’ with others.

After the puja, find some time to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. One finds ideas and thoughts rushing in while chanting this - which will help you in finding new meaning and direction in your life. Other spiritual books that can be read include Uddhava Gita and Srimad Bhagavad Purana.

Popular Shlokas/ songs:

Achuthashtakam

Madhurashtakam

Krishna Nee Begane Baaro

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya

Sri Krishna taught us to rise above rituals and to perform action. The best offering to Sri Krishna is to perform one’s duty by realizing the human within.

Also Read: The legend of Krishna Janmashtami

Pushya Putrada Ekadashi

What is it? 

 

Ekadashi is observed as a spiritual discipline on the 11th day of each Paksha (half month), by Upavasa (fasting) either as repentance for sins committed or for gaining self-control. The time of observance of this ritual sometimes varies between the followers of Smarta, Vaishnava and Srivaishnava traditions, based on whether they follow the Siddhanta or Aryamana method of calculations. The Ekadashi during the month of Pushya is called Putrada Ekadashi.

Putrada Ekadashi (literally meaning ‘Ekadashi that is the giver of sons’) falls on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waxing moon (growing) in the Hindu month of Pushya (December-January). This day is also known as Pushya Putrada Ekadashi, to differentiate it from the other Putrada Ekadashi in Shravana (July-August), which is also called Shravana Putrada Ekadashi.
Couples fast on this day and worship Lord Vishnu for a good son. This day is especially observed by Vaishnavas, followers of Vishnu.

A son is considered important in Hindu society as he takes care of his parents in their old age and by offering shraddha (ancestor rites), ensures the well-being of his parents in their after-life. While each Ekadashi is prescribed for a certain goal, the goal of having sons was considered so great that two Putrada (‘giver of sons’) Ekadashis are devoted to it.

The Legend

 

The Bhavishya Purana reveals the tale of Putrada Ekadashi as told by Lord Krishna to King Yudhishtira. King Suketuman ruled the city of Bhadravati. He had a wife called Shailya. They did not have a child of their own and were grieved by the absence of progeny for many years. They were worried, not only about the lack of a successor to the throne, but also as to who would offer Tarpana (oblations to ancestors) after their death.

Once, after many years of frustration, on the eleventh day of the month of Pushya, the King, without letting anyone know, rode off on his horse to the forest. He spent the day wandering amidst the heavy jungle and wild animals. Time, taking its lead, clocked afternoon and he felt thirsty and very hungry. In his search for food and water, he came across a small lake at a distance. On the banks of the Lake Manasarovar, he noticed an ashram residence of great Rishis. The King alighted from his horse and drank water from the lake. His left eye started fluttering. The King thought of this as a good omen. He bowed to each Rishi one after the other. On greeting, the King asked, “O Rishis, why have you all assembled here in this dense jungle?” The Rishis replied, “O King, we have come here for a holy dip in this lake. Today is Putrada Ekadashi. One who observes a fast (Vratha) on this day with complete faith to the Almighty achieves the fulfillment of any wishes one might have - people who will observe this fast will conceive a child”. On listening carefully to the discourses of the Rishis, the King felt very relieved and at ease. He had found the answers to his problems.

The King stayed the night with the Rishis and performed the Vratha of Putrada Ekadashi by fasting. He focused all his senses and thoughts to the devotion to God. The Rishis blessed him by saying, O King, “By performing the Vratha like you did, the Almighty will bless you with a child and fulfill all your desires”.

The King arrived back at the palace, next morning. As time passed, a beautiful son was born to the King and the Queen. The King was very happy and the palace rejoiced with the arrival of an heir, who grew up to become a heroic king.

According to the Purana, Krishna says to Yudhishtira - “One who performs the Vratha, reads and listens to the above episode, will achieve and be gifted with equal rewards as performing millions of Yajnya. It is believed that performing a Vratha on Ekadashi gives both spiritual rewards and resolves various social issues of devotees.”

In our next post, we will learn about the scientific significance of celebrating Ekadashi, and the Ekadashi recipes for a well rounded body, mind and soul.