Gary and Richard (now Radhanath Swami) boarded a train at Varanasi, and were compressed in an overcrowded compartment. The sweltering heat suffocated the two friends. Besides, the monsoon storm had forced the train to stop at a place for two days. Finally, seeking relief Gary and Richard got down when the train halted at Mathura. When Richard enquired from a local sadhu about the place, he replied, “This is Mathura, Lord Krishna’s birthplace. And today is Janmastami, Krishna’s birthday.” The sadhu also revealed that Krishna is their name for that one Supreme Lord who appears in this world to remove suffering and give us spiritual happiness.
Gary and Richard (now Radhanath Swami) then went to the birthplace of Krishna to witness the festivities. Hundreds danced and chanted to live music played with drums, flutes and cymbals. Both of them spent the whole day absorbing the wonderful sights and sounds of the birthday celebration. According to the scriptures, it was at midnight that Lord Krishna appeared in the city of Mathura. Now everybody waited for that moment. Although the temple was already packed with thousands, a steady flow of thousands more managed to stream through the door. The police tried to control the crowds in vain with long bamboo sticks.
Neither Gary nor Richard had ever seen such massive crowds. When the clock struck midnight, the doors of the inner sanctum swung open to reveal the altar of Krishna. A tumult of joy rose like a tidal wave. Enthralled, the people in the crowd were oblivious to being shoved and crushed. Old and young, male and female, rich and poor, all merged together with palms joined in prayer and eyes glossed with devotion. Small circles of villagers sang their own special songs, while everyone else laughed, cried, danced, and exuberantly called out Krishna’s holy names. For Gary and Richard who had clung on to pillars, the eagerness of these pilgrims was astounding.
The birthday of Krishna is known to Indians as Janmashtami, and I have been fortunate to hear Radhanath Swami’s talks on this special day. The different scriptures throughout the world address the Supreme Being variously as Jehovah, Alllah, Buddha, Rama and so on. Radhanath Swami says that the Supreme Person is full of extraordinary attributes, which make Him universally attractive. The name Krishna, meaning ‘the all-attractive one’ describes this all-attractiveness of the Supreme Lord.
Radhanath Swami explains that Krishna descends not just to maintain law, but to awaken love. The love that our heart longs for through relationships with various persons finds fulfilment when it is reposed in the Supreme Person God. “Because when we love Krishna, our love is never interrupted, never betrayed, never let down, and never disappointed”, says Radhanath Swami.
Quoting scriptures, Radhanath Swami reveals that over 5000 years ago on Janmashtami, the Lord appeared at mid-night. This historical fact also has a deeper significance, according to Radhanath Swami. He says, “Midnight is the time of maximum darkness and from the moment the Lord appeared the darkness started diminishing. Similarly our heart is dark being afflicted by multiple anxieties and miseries. But in the darkest hour of our life, when we turn to the Lord and He appears in our heart, all the darkness recedes and the light of eternal hope starts streaming in.”
Radhanath Swami gives a beautiful purport to Krishna appearing in a prison cell amidst shackles. “Krishna appeared in the prison and freed His parents from the shackles of the prison. This indicates that all of us who are shackled by our own self-destructive desires can be freed by the Lord who appears in our heart, which is like a prison house.”
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Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
Very well explained.. thanks.. JAI !!!
View CommentI really liked this para and also helps us in our surrender to lord. Thank you swami ji
“Midnight is the time of maximum darkness and from the moment the Lord appeared the darkness started diminishing. Similarly our heart is dark being afflicted by multiple anxieties and miseries. But in the darkest hour of our life, when we turn to the Lord and He appears in our heart, all the darkness recedes and the light of eternal hope starts streaming in.”
View CommentAwesome
View CommentGreat and inspiring one
View Comment“Love reposed in God is never betrayed” – a crystal clear guideline on what to do with one’s life.
View Comment“”When we love Krishna, our love is never interrupted, never betrayed, never let down, and never disappointed”. Thank you – this is something which is not the case with loving any other material relationship. Thank you Radhanath Swami for telling us this.
View CommentIts a complete faith of Radhanath Swami and his friend Gary that took them to holy town where Lord Krishna’s birthday was being celebrated.God on His own connected them with Him on that auspicious day.Therfore a nice begining to spiritual life.Thanks for sharing with us.
View CommentIt is a moving account of the faith and conviction of two sincere spiritual seekers…
View CommentVery wonderful insight on what is the mood behind celebrating Lord’s birthday
View CommentRadhanath Swami’s explanation about why Lord Krishna appeared in a prison house is simply amazing.
View CommentBeautiful purport to the birthday of Lord Krishna by Radhanath Swami
View CommentJanmashtami is the time for self-introspection as Lord comes every year to free us from material shackles.The celebrations help us connect with the Lord in order to awaken our dormant Love for Him. Maharaj’s deep realization has helped many of his followers understand the real purport behind the celebrations.
View CommentThanks to H.H Radhnath Swami Maharaj for understanding and realizing to seek help from lord in order to come out of this material world which is full of miseries.
View CommentThanks to the beautiful analogies of Radhanath swami. I pray that we can all sincerely follow in the foot steps of great souls like Radhanath swami.
View Commentsimply wonderful
View CommentVery nice article – Insightful glimpse of Janmashtami celebration in Mathura. Thank you so much Maharaj.
View Commentamazing
View CommentAmazing insights
View CommentOnly Radhanath Swami could explain so beautifully the significance of Janmashtami
View CommentThank you for nice info.
View CommentVery enlightening and charming message Radhanath Swami has given about the appearance of Lord Krishna.
View CommentGOD is ultimately a person, and has all kinds of reciprocations with His dear devotees.
View CommentWho would not want to be with such a loving GOD???
This shows how god is a person
View CommentKrishna is Supreme personality of Godhead..Ultimate Refuge..
View CommentThank You Maharaj…
What to say? When Radhanath Swami explains, its not just sentiment, its not just some philosophy – if we give a sincere open hearted hearing…we can experience God’s grace…
View CommentWonderful explanation of the significance of Janmashtami. Thank you.
View CommentBeautiful Pastime!!!!!!!!Thank you
View Commentwhen Maharaj narrates the pastimes of Krishna he actually experience those pastimes it is said right from the heart it is really amazing to hear from him
View Comment