SRI KRISHNASHTAMI—SRI KRISHNA JAYANTHI VRATA KATHA
On one occasion sage Narada requested creator Brahma to narrate the significance of Sri Krishnashtami and sri Krishna Jayanthi so that he can get salvation by performing the vratam. Brahma was very much pleased at this wish of sage Narada. Brahma said that by performing the vratam or at least listening to the story the person will be successful and earn ‘punya’ in his life. The sins of seven births will be destroyed. Not only this, he will earn the ‘punya’ of performing many yagnas and bathing in many holy rivers. Fasting on the Jayanthi day has wonderful effects. It is also important to follow ‘ jagarana’ (waking up) the whole night thinking about the Lord and singing in his praise. In ancient days many kings like Ambarisha, Sisupala, Gadhi, got their kingdoms by fasting on Krishna Jayanthi and worshipping Sri Krishna! Even great sages like Gautama, Gargya, Jamadagni, Valmiki and others fasted and worshipped Sri Krishna on this Jayanthi day.
Therefore it is very important to fast on the Jayanthi day and keep oneself totally in the thought of Sri Krishna.This vratam, done well, beats all other vratas and the results they offer. All should perform this vratam during all the four yugas. Narada was happy at these words of Brahma. He wanted to know how the vratam should be performed. Lord Brahma continued and said that once sage Sanatkumara told king Harischandra details of performing Sri Krishnashtami Vratam..You should have one meal the previous day, Have a good oil bath.Take a Kalasa according to your capacity, fill It with water. Wrap it with a new cloth and place it in a clean decorated ‘mantapa’. Place a small idol of SriGopala Krishna there and perform puja with bhakthi or devotion. All the 16 Upacharas—shodasopacharas should be offered to the Lord. Soon after the moon rises in the sky, offer ‘arghyam’—water through the conch- sankham. Later offer ‘arghyam’ the same way to Sri Krishna with tender coconut water.
After offering ‘arghya’ to Chandra and Sri Krishna you should not sleep till the moon sets. Recite stotras, Bhagavadgita and other holy stories. The next day, after a clean bath early in the morning, you can have a hearty meal with relatives , brahmas and friends. One who does this vratam with faith and devotion shall surely reach Vaikunta, the abode of Sri Mahavishnu. Brahma advised sage Narada to perform Sri Krishnashtami Vratam and get mukti or salvation! Creator Brahma asked sage Narada to offer all his actions to God Narayana himself. Accordingly sage Narada performed Sri Krishnashtami Vra tam. Let all people perform this vratam and decimate all their accumulated sins!
This is the conversation between Creator BRAHMA and sage NARADA in BRAHMANDA PURANA
No comments:
Post a Comment