Secret and significance of Janmashtami

In the Indian Sanatana tradition, the name of the person associated with each festival is added to it. For example, in Shivaratri, Ram Navami, Parshuram Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, etc., we did not use the term “Shri Krishna Janmashtami” or “Shri Krishna Janma Jayanti” for Janmashtami because there is a deep hidden secret behind it.

Firstly, Shri Krishna is not just a person. When he was named by Gargacharyaji, he explained this mystery. Remember, Gargacharyaji was a great astrologer and during Shree Krishna’s manifestation, there was an astronomical event that occurred, considering the energies that are available in the universe every year on the eighth day of the month of Shravan, Shri Krishna’s name was given.

The Gopala Tapini Upanishad provides a clear verse on this.

कृषिर्भूवाचक: शब्दो णश्च निवृत्तिवाचक: ।
तयोरैफ़्यम् परब्रह्म कृष्ण इत्यभिधीयते ॥
– गोपाल तापिनी उपनिषद

In translation, the word “Krish” signifies existence and the letter ‘N’ signifies the essence of bliss.
Commenting on this, the commentator has written that the entity which is the eternal source of joy, which exists at all times, in all places, and is constantly blissful, is none other than Shri Krishna.

Every year, on the eighth waning day of the month of Shravan, there are energies available that promote the development of our good qualities, destroy our negative qualities, and mitigate the effects of our planetary influences or our actions. Shri Krishna manifests to harness these energies.

Describing the energies of time, Ved Vyasa has given the following verse in the Shrimad Bhagavat Purana:

सर्वगुणोथेत: काल: परमशोभन: ।
शान्तर्क्षग्रहतारकम् ॥
– वेदव्यासजी

In other words, during that time, there was an energy that encompassed all positive and constructive qualities, and all the stars and planets were in a state of tranquility.

It is important to remember that according to our traditions, this midnight time is referred to as the Janmashtami. This means that every year, the divine or supremely compassionate universe provides us with the opportunity to access the energy of Janmashtami during this midnight time.

Now, in order to understand why such energies manifest during that time, we must delve into the positions of the planets at that time.

Ved Vyas writes:

स्वगृहे रवि उच्चस्थ चंद्र: ।
नेशीथ: समयोऽष्टमी ब्रह्मर्क्षमत्र क्षणे ॥
– वेद व्यासजी

In other words, on the day of Janmashtami, during the midnight, the Sun is in its own sign and the Moon is in an exalted position in the Rohini nakshatra.

It should be remembered that every year, on Janmashtami, this combination occurs at midnight. The Sun is in its own sign and the Moon is in an exalted position in the Rohini nakshatra.

Now, speaking about time, the Sun represents the soul of that time, while the Moon represents the mind.

Let us refer to the Jataka Parijata sutra:

कालस्य आत्मा भास्कर: चित्तमिन्दु: ।
– जातक पारिजात

So, basically, during that time, the Universal Soul and Universal Mind are both present in their best versions, and that is why we have the potential to bring about improvement in our lives.

What we desire can be attained during this Shravan Krishna Ashtami, and what we do not want we can rectify during this midnight time. In a way, we can undergo our transformation during this night. We can have our own rebirth, which is why this night is called Janmashtami.

Our ancient scientists, the rishis, were aware of this, and that is why collectively as a community, they would perform worship during this midnight time. That is why our energy receptors and powerhouses, the temples, are open during this time.

Once again, I would like to reiterate that if it was just about Krishna’s birth, the scriptures would have named it Krishna Janmashtami. But here, we know that the essence of Krishna is the universal bliss, the name of the Supreme Soul. That is why, if we are attentive, alert, and follow the advice of a wise person, and engage in rituals, prayers, mantra chanting, or meditation during this night, it is certain that we can have a new birth or upgradation of ourselves.

Shubham Bhavatu.