Janmastami
Janmastami Report | Pictures of Swami Chidanandaji’s | Pictures of Lord Sri Krishna
Sri Krishna Janmashtami with His Holiness Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj
On the 20st August 2003, Sivananda Ashram celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the day of the divine advent of the great jagadguru, or world teacher, Sri Krishna. According to Revered Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, Lord Krishna came to destroy all undivine and destructive forces. His life was a manifestation of unprecedented divine love. The flow of divine love inundated Mathura, Gokul, Vrindavan and Dwarka. A tidal wave of love, an ecstasy of love was bestowed upon people who experienced union with God.
People all over India remember and celebrate the divine advent of this avatar. At Sivananda Ashram, the preparation for Sri Krishna Janmashtami started some days earlier. Meticulously the ashram was transformed into a spiritual palace of beauty.
Celebrations started at 5 a.m. on August 20st with a meditation and satsang, followed at 6 a.m. by swamis of the ashram leading a Prabhat Pheri, devotional singing, parading around the ashram in an atmosphere of joy and devotion. For the whole day, in the Vishwanath Temple there was continuous chanting of the mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
The evening programme began with bhajans and kirtans while abhisheka was performed in the temples shrine. The sound of the harmonium and the rhythm of the bhajans resonated as a divine waterfall. The sweet presence of Lord Krishna became more manifest as the ashram pujari, monks and devotees continued the worship in the temple shrine. The minds of devotees were absorbed in the divine. When the singers sung the mahamantra Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, some devotees were moved to dance in divine ecstasy, and hearts were overflowing with divine bliss. Those who had the heart of the gopis could see the sweet and bewitching smile of Lord Krishna and hear the sound of his flute.
Truly one could not imagine anything greater happening, but it is to know God very little to think that the celebration had reached its zenith. Miracles do happen! And this one happened at midnight, the very time of the birth of the maha avatar Lord Krishna. His Holiness Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj arrived at the Vishwanath Temple to celebrate with the devotees and ashramites the birth of the divine child!
The mood in the temple was devotional and full of exultation. At the darshan of Revered Swami Chidananda Maharaj, the ashramites and devotees rejoiced greatly. It was as if Lord Krishna was with them. To the devotees, Revered Swamiji was the embodiment of divine sweetness, and the light of lights. Swamiji spoke words of wisdom and led the assembly of devotees in the singing of Gods name. Though Revered Swamiji was with the devotees for little more than thirty minutes, it seemed he led them unto eternity. In the presence of a saint who has attained God-realisation the time stretched into infinity.
Jai Sri Krishna! Jai Sivananda! Jai Chidananda!
Report from Divine Life Society Headquarters
Janmastami Report | Pictures of Swami Chidanandaji’s | Pictures of Lord Sri Krishna
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