Krishna Janmashtami is the birthday of Sri Krishna, an incarnation of one of the trinities, Vishnu. It is also known as Gokulashtami or Krishna Jayanthi. It is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Paksha (dark fornight) in the Hindu month of Shravana or Bhadrapada. Devotees observe fast on this day and have only one meal a day before Janmashtami. Devotees break the fast on the next day when both Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi get over. Devotees perform Krishna pooja during Nishita Kaal which is the midnight. This involves sixteen steps (Shodashopachara). The same fasting rules apply as it is for Ekadashi. One must refrain from consuming grains if health permits and can consume only milk and fruits if needed.
Today’s predictions
Krishna Janmashtami falling on Wednesday is believed to be the most auspicious since Krishna is an Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu and Vishnu is the controlling deity for Mercury, which is the day lord of Wednesday.This year, luckily, Janmashtami is falling on a Wednesday, when the day lord Mercury is in its own Nakshatra Ashlesha, which represents the Kundalini Shakti, and is responsible for powers like mystical insight, intuition, healing, observation and transformation.
Mercury is in tight conjunction with the Sun, which is also in Ashlesha. This Solar infused Janmashtami can make youa sure shot winner if you pray to Krishna, because He can bless you with high intellectual capacity to deal with any problem in your life and you can win any battle through the power of your communication. Moreover, Saturn is aspecting Mercury and Sun, which means that if you pray to Krishna, you can even get famous among masses for your intellect and virtuous actions and get recognized for your hard work.
Today,the Moon is also in the Solar Star Krittika, which is all about Dahana Shakti.The Moon in Sun Star and Sun in Moon’s sign Cancer is causing a Parivartana or divine exchange that can prove to be very auspicious. The Moon will be in the powerful Rohini Nakshatra, the following day, the day after which the Krishna Janmashtami is concluded. It means that by praying to Vishnu today, your mind can get rid of any negative thoughts and impurities, and you can get the necessary courage, enthusiasm, confidence, strength and energy to excel in all your pursuits in life and make you emerge victorious in all your tasks.
Mantras to be chanted at least 108 times
Om NamoNarayanaaya
Om Sri KrishnaayaNamaha
Om Sri VaasudevaayaNamaha
Om Sri MaadhavaayaNamaha
Om Sri KeshavaayaNamaha
Om Sri NandagopakumaaraayaNamaha
Om Sri DevakinandaayaNamaha
Meaning – I bow to Narayana, Vihsnu, who incarnated as Sri Krishna.
Dos:
- Observe fast if health permits
- Feed the poor and dogs especially of dark complexion as Krishna means ‘the dark one’
- Meditate and chant the above mantras
- Offer butter, sweets, flowers and fruits to Krishna
- Chant Vishnu Sahasranama or listen to it
- Donate food to the cows in Goshalas and give them a bath.
Don’ts
- Avoid harshness or anger with others through words or action
- Do not hurt animals especially any cow.
- Do not consume non vegetarian food or alcohol.
- Do not hurt any friend, because Krishna loved Sudama and all his friends.
- Let go of your ego and meditate and chant upon Krishna’s name.
