Krishna Janmashtami Vrat Katha | Legends of Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami Vrat Katha

In the Uttara Parva of Bhavishya Purana, Chapter 55 describes the Katha and procedure of observing Shri Krishna Janmashtami Vrat. According to the narration found in the Purana, King Yudhishthira said - "O Achyuta! Kindly describe in detail the procedure of observing the Vrat associated with Your birth anniversary, i.e. Janmashtami Vrat."

Lord Shri Krishna said - "O King! When Kansa was slain in Mathura, Mata Devaki took Me into her lap and began to weep. Father Vasudeva Ji also embraced Me and Baladeva and joyfully said - 'Having found both my sons safe and sound, my life has become successful today. By good fortune, all of us are together today.'

Seeing Our parents extremely delighted, many people gathered there and said to Me - 'O Lord! By slaying this wicked Kansa, You have performed a truly great deed. All of us had been greatly afflicted by his atrocities. Kindly tell us when You appeared from the womb of Mata Devaki. We shall celebrate that day as a great festival. Repeated salutations to You! We have all taken refuge in You. Kindly be pleased with us.'

At that time, Father Vasudeva also said to Me - 'Tell them the day of Your birth.'"

Then, while revealing the significance of Janmashtami Vrat before the residents of Mathura, I said - "O residents of the city! You should make the day of My birth famous throughout the world by the name of Janmashtami. Every religious person should certainly observe Janmashtami Vrat.

That is, when Surya was situated in Simha Rashi and Chandra was situated in Vrishabha Rashi, I was born at midnight on Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada under Rohini Nakshatra. I was born from the womb of Mata Devaki through Vasudeva. This day shall become famous throughout the world as Janmashtami. This Vrat first became renowned in Mathura and, in due course of time, became famous in all the worlds. By observing this Vrat, peace shall prevail in the world, happiness shall be attained and people shall remain free from diseases."

Maharaja Yudhishthira said - "O Lord! Now kindly describe the procedure of this Vrat by observing which You become pleased."

Lord Shri Krishna said - "O Maharaja! By observing this one Vrat alone, the sins accumulated over seven births are destroyed. On the day preceding the Vrat, one should cleanse the teeth and undertake the prescribed rules of the Vrat. On the day of the Vrat, after bathing at midday and completing other purificatory rites, one should prepare a Sutika Griha, i.e. a maternity chamber, for Mata Bhagavati Devaki. It should be beautifully decorated with Padmaraga gems, Vanamala and other ornaments. Like Gokula, the Sutika Griha should be adorned with Gopas, Gopis, bells, Mridanga, Shankha and auspicious Kalashas. For protection, a sword, a black goat, a pestle and other such objects should be placed at the entrance of the Sutika Griha.

Auspicious symbols such as Swastika should be drawn on the walls. Goddess Shashthi should be installed along with Naivedya and other offerings. In this manner, after decorating the Sutika Griha according to one's capacity, an image of ascetic Mata Devaki in a semi-reclining posture, together with Me, should be installed upon a couch in the centre.

Images are of eight types - made of gold, silver, copper, brass, clay, wood, gems or in painted form. A fully auspicious image made from any one of these materials should be installed. An image of My infant form drinking the milk of Mata Devaki should be placed beside her upon the couch. An image of Mata Yashoda along with a young girl should also be installed there. On the upper walls of the Sutika Mandapa, images or paintings of Deities, Grahas, Nagas, Vidyadharas and others showering flowers should be depicted. Vasudeva Ji should also be portrayed outside the Sutika Griha holding a sword and shield.

Vasudeva Ji is an incarnation of Maharishi Kashyapa, while Mata Devaki is an incarnation of Goddess Aditi. Baladeva is an incarnation of Sheshanaga. Daksha Prajapati also incarnated as Nanda Baba. Mata Yashoda is an incarnation of Goddess Diti, while Garga Muni is an incarnation of Lord Brahma. Kansa is none other than an incarnation of Kalanemi. The guards of Kansa should be depicted sleeping near the Sutika Griha. Images of cows, elephants and of Apsaras and Gandharvas engaged in dancing and singing should also be made. On one side, Kaliya Naga should be depicted in the deep waters of the Yamuna.

Having thus enthroned Goddess Devaki in the beautifully decorated new Sutika Griha, she should be worshipped with devotion by offering fragrance, flowers, Akshata, incense, coconut, pomegranate, cucumber, citron, betel nut, orange, jackfruit and all other fruits available according to the place and season. Thereafter, one should pray to Mata Devaki by following Prarthana Mantra -

Meaning - "Victory to Goddess Devaki, the beautiful-faced Mother of the Devas and manifestation of Aditi, who possesses an enchanting form and sits joyfully upon a properly spread couch as the mother of Krishna. She is surrounded by Kinnaras and others who continuously sing praises accompanied by the sounds of flute and Veena, and is served by eminent sages holding ceremonial vessels, mirrors, auspicious Kalasha and Chavara in their hands."

At that time, one should meditate upon Goddess Lakshmi, seated upon a lotus and pressing the feet of Mata Devaki. Goddess Lakshmi should be worshipped with the following Mantra -

Thereafter, all the Deities should be worshipped separately with the following Nama Mantras -

Some devotees offer Arghya to Chandra after moonrise and meditate upon Shri Hari. They should meditate upon Shri Hari by doing Dhyana with the following Mantras -

After meditating upon Lord Shri Hari with the above Mantras, the image should be bathed, i.e., offered Snana while chanting the following Mantra -

Thereafter, Anulepana, Arghya, Dhupa, Deepa and other offerings should be presented while chanting the following Mantra -

Thereafter, Naivedya should be offered while chanting the following Mantra -

The Mantra for offering Deepa is as follows -

In this manner, Chandra along with Rohini, and Vasudeva, Devaki, Nanda, Yashoda and Baladeva should be worshipped upon the altar. By performing this worship, one becomes free from all sins.

At the time of moonrise, Arghya should be offered to Chandra with the following Mantra -

At midnight, Vasordhara should be offered with jaggery and Ghee, and Goddess Shashthi should be worshipped. At the same time, rites such as the naming ceremony should also be performed. On the morning of Navami, a festival should also be celebrated for Bhagavati Devaki just as it is celebrated for Me. Thereafter, Brahmins should be fed, and Dakshina should be offered according to one's capacity while saying, "Krishno Me Priyatam" (कृष्णो मे प्रीयताम्). The following Mantra should also be recited -

Thereafter, the Brahmins should be respectfully bid farewell, and they should say - "Shantirastu Shivam Chastu." (शान्तिरस्तु शिवं चास्तु।)

O Dharmanandana! The man or woman devoted to Me who celebrates this festival of Goddess Devaki every year attains sons, progeny, good health, wealth and grains, a prosperous household, long life, sovereignty and all other desired fruits. In the region where this festival is celebrated, there is no fear of the afflictions of birth and death, repeated worldly existence, drought or other calamities. The clouds shower rain at the proper time.

O son of Pandu! In the house where this Devaki Vrat is observed, there is no untimely death or miscarriage. Moreover, that household remains free from widowhood, misfortune and quarrels. One who observes this Vrat even once attains Vishnuloka. Those who faithfully observe this Vrat enjoy all worldly pleasures and, at the end of life, attain an exalted place in Vishnuloka." Thus ends the Mahatmya of Shri Krishna Janmashtami Vrat as described in the Bhavishya Purana.