ENVIRO-SCRIPTURE: AN INSIGHT INTO OUR DHARMIC DUTY TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Page Contents:
Who is Krishna?
Śrī Kṛṣṇā, also known as Krishna, is the eighth avatar of Vishnu Bhagavan. Portrayed in many lights he is a prankster, a lover, a divine hero, and is universally loved. Stories depict his life in various stages from his makhan (butter) stealing pranks as a young boy to his flute playing love story with Radha as a young man.
The importance of Krishna Janmāṣṭamī
Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭami also known as Gokulāṣṭami or Ashtami Rohini, is celebrated as the birth of Krishna. He was born on the eighth (Aṣṭami) day of the dark fortnight in the Bhadrapada month (August–September) in Mathurā. Many fast and adorn the Lord with beautiful garments and jewellery. It is a time in which the Rāsalīla (divine play) of the Lord are recreated by communities to celebrate tales from Krishna’s childhood.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa): 10.3.1-5
śrī-śuka uvāca
atha sarva-guṇopetaḥ
kālaḥ parama-śobhanaḥ
yarhy evājana-janmarkṣaṃ
śāntarkṣa-graha-tārakam
–
diśaḥ prasedur gaganaṃ
nirmaloḍu-gaṇodayam
mahī maṅgala-bhūyiṣṭha-
pura-grāma-vrajākarā
–
nadyaḥ prasanna-salilā
hradā jalaruha-śriyaḥ
dvijāli-kula-sannāda-
stavakā vana-rājayaḥ
–
vavau vāyuḥ sukha-sparśaḥ
puṇya-gandhavahaḥ śuciḥ
agnayaś ca dvijātīnāṃ
śāntās tatra samindhata
–
manāṃsy āsan prasannāni
sādhūnām asura-druhām
jāyamāne ’jane tasmin
nedur dundubhayaḥ samam
Thereafter, at the auspicious time for the appearance of the Lord, the entire universe was surcharged with all the qualities of goodness, beauty and peace. The constellation Rohiṇī appeared, as did stars like Aśvinī. The sun, the moon and the other stars and planets were very peaceful. All directions appeared extremely pleasing, and the beautiful stars twinkled in the cloudless sky. Decorated with towns, villages, mines and pasturing grounds, the earth seemed all-auspicious. The rivers flowed with clear water, and the lakes and vast reservoirs, full of lilies and lotuses, were extraordinarily beautiful. In the trees and green plants, full of flowers and leaves, pleasing to the eyes, birds like cuckoos and swarms of bees began chanting with sweet voices for the sake of the demigods. A pure breeze began to blow, pleasing the sense of touch and bearing the aroma of flowers, and when the brāhmaṇas engaging in ritualistic ceremonies ignited their fires according to Vedic principles, the fires burned steadily, undisturbed by the breeze. Thus when the birthless Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was about to appear, the saints and brāhmaṇas, who had always been disturbed by demons like Kaṃsa and his men, felt peace within the core of their hearts, and kettledrums simultaneously vibrated from the upper planetary system.
On the occasion of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s birth, seasonal changes took place throughout the entire universe. Kṛṣṇa was born during the month of September, yet it appeared like springtime. The atmosphere, however, was very cool, although not chilly, and the rivers and reservoirs appeared just as they would in śarat, the fall. Lotuses and lilies blossom during the day, but although Kṛṣṇa appeared at twelve o’clock midnight, the lilies and lotuses were in bloom, and thus the wind blowing at that time was full of fragrance. Because of Kaṁsa’s disturbances, the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies had almost stopped. The brāhmaṇas and saintly persons could not execute the Vedic rituals with peaceful minds. But now the brāhmaṇas were very pleased to perform their daily ritualistic ceremonies undisturbed. The business of the asuras is to disturb the suras, the devotees and brāhmaṇas, but at the time of Kṛṣṇa’s appearance, these devotees and brāhmaṇas were undisturbed. (Source: vedabase)
On this divine day why not light an extra Diyā and switch off your lights to save electricity. Thus protecting Mother Earth or travel sustainably to your local temples!
Happy Sustainable Janmāṣṭami to all celebrating around the world and may your life be filled with happiness and bliss with Śrī Kṛṣṇā’s ever-flowing blessings.
Join us on our many campaigns to protect the Environment through our ancient and ever-loving Sanātana Traditions! Follow our pages @Hinduclimateaction to keep up to date about how you can get involved.