Observance of Krishna Jayanti
• August 21, 2000
All over India, irrespective of sect, Sri Jayanti is observed in generally the same way. It is one of the most festive days of the religious calendar. Most of you are aware of these customs. In anxious anticipation of the birth of Krishna, fasting is observed throughout the day. The whole family is abuzz with preparations for the night’s celebrations. As evening approaches, little footsteps of Krishna are drawn in front of the house, leading into the house and to the PerumaaL sannidhi. In Karnataka households, little Krishnan is placed in a tiny ‘thottil’ (cradle) in the sannidhi, and all manner of sweets, fruits, and bhakshaNams are tied so as to hang right above him, right within his reach. The kitchen has been busy since morning, and children are milling around, waiting for the opportunity to sample the more than 15 varieties of delicacies that have been prepared to offer to him. Too bad they have to wait till night.
The clock approaches midnight and it is the vRshabha lagnam. The ArAdhakar takes a special ‘snAnam’ as the appointed time nears. Devotees read aloud the Krishnavatara Ghatta from the 10th skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam. They lovingly focus on the last four slokas, which describe in detail the incomparable auspiciousness and beauty of the divine baby. Alvar Paasurams and songs of saints such as Purandara Dasa are sung. As the worship proceeds, the house is transformed into Gokulam (Aypaadi) itself, and all feel overjoyed as Krishna’s presence becomes apparent:
Running, falling,
Hugging each other with joy,
They search, saying,
”Where is our lord?”
Singing all the while,
They dance to the beat
of countless drums!
And so it was in Aypaadi.
( Oduvaar, vizhuvaar, ugandhu aalippaar
naaduvaar, nampiraan enguththaan enbaar
paaduvaargaLum palpaRaikotta ninRu
aaduvaargaLum aayiRRu aayppaadiyE. — periyalvar tm 1.2.2)
The worship continues with recitation of the sahasranAma, mukunda-mAlA and other stotras. With great affection all the day’s preparations are offered to little Krishna — nothing too spicy or ‘kAram’, mind you, for their Kannan is delicate.
As the divine baby is finally put to sleep, everyone experiences an unusual sense of contentment and happiness. As they sample the navanItam and mouth-watering sweets, they are convinced that this must be Krishna’s prasAdam, for nothing else could be so tasty. As the night winds down, all are filled with the memory of yet another fantastic Sri Jayanti. They need no other proof of the presence of Krishna, and all sing along the lines of Sri Desika,
Our beloved who is dark as a rain cloud, who
rains the gift of liberation, has arrived!
( muththimazhai pozhiyumugil vaNNar vandhaar! )
aDiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan,
Mani