Janmastami-Most Holy Appearance Day of Lord Sri Krishna

Here is an excerpt from a lecture by Srila Prabhupada in which he talks about Janmastami:

So Krishna takes birth. That is Janmastami. So if anyone tries to understand why the Aja, the Unborn, takes birth, janma karma... And God, Krishna, who has nothing to do... That is the Vedic information. Na tasya karyam karanam ca vidyate. Why He has to do? Actually He hasn't got to do anything. He has to enjoy only. Just like we see the Deity Krishna is not working in the factory as a factory manager. He's enjoying the company of Radharani. We have to work. If we enjoy with our so-called Radharani, then we'll starve to death. We have to work. But God is not like that. Na tasya karyam karanam ca vidyate. Na tat-samas cabhyadhikas ca drsyate. These are the informations from Vedas, Upanisads, that He has nothing to do. Yes. That is real God. If God has to work, God has to do something, then what kind of God He is? Here, the so-called imitation Gods, even a rich man, he does not do anything. And why God will work? Therefore God comes... He's aja, unborn. He comes, janma, karma, He works also. Just like Krishna. He worked ordinary cowherd's boy. He worked as ordinary politician. He worked as ordinary philosopher, left the instruction of Bhagavad-gita and so many other instructions, sublime instructions.

So one has to understand that why the unborn takes birth. One who hasn't got to do anything, why He comes as a human being and works? Janma karma me divyam. These are all transcendental subject matter. These are not ordinary things. Krishna's coming, Krishna's working, Krishna's fighting, Krishna's loving, they're all transcendental subject matter. Aprakrta. So janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah. If anyone simply understands this subject matter, why Krishna takes birth, why Krishna works as ordinary man -- these are all transcendental subject matter -- then he becomes free. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Simply by understanding Krishna, about His work, about His birth. Simply if we can understand. The Bhagavad-gita is there. You can read and try to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is. The result will be, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Then after giving up this body, he never takes birth in this material world. Punar janma. Punar janma means within this material world. In the spiritual world there is no janma, there is no death. Punar janma naiti. Then where...? He's finished? No. Mam eti: "He comes to Me, back to home, back to Godhead." This is perfection.

(This lecture was given on June 25, 1973 in Mayapur, West Bengal, India)

Let us all therefore remember how Krishna has blessed us unlimitedly by appearing in this world.

Krishna Appears in the Prison of Kamsa

Krishna Appears in the Prison of Kamsa- Janmashtami

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Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: Parents Won't Let Me Attend Janmastami. What to Do?

Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Srila Gurudeva

Srila Gurudeva, tomorrow is Krishna Janmastami, the most auspicious day ever. The day I've been waiting for. The saddest part is I cannot attend the event in the nearest ISKCON because of my parents. Srila Gurudeva, please advise me for attend the event. Please give me an Idea for attend Srila Gurudeva. I want blessings from Supreme.

Thank You and Hare Krishna.
Your Servant,
Hari
Malaysia

Answer: Here's What to Do

First of all try to get your parents to come to the temple with you. If this is not possible and they insist that you stay at home, observe Janmastami at home by spending the whole day fasting (water is okay), reading the pastimes of Krishna from the Krishna Book, cooking a wonderful feast for Krishna, and offering the feast at midnight followed by an arati ceremony and breaking your fast by partaking of the feast. Engage in your parents in doing this along with you.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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