Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the divine appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna. As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us learn these important prayers and offer them to Lord Sri Krishna. We can also understand their meanings and receive His gracious blessings.
1. Sri Krishna Pranama Mantra:
he kṛṣṇa karuṇā-sindho
dīna-bandho jagat-pate
gopeśa gopikā-kānta
rādhā-kānta namo ’stu te
Translation
O my dear Krishna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the cowherdmen and the lover of the Gopis, especially Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
Srila Prabhupada mentions a prayer in the introduction to the Gita, humbly seeking the mercy of Krishna. This prayer recognises Krishna as not only all-merciful but also as the ultimate source of creation. Being omnipotent, He can guide us through life’s challenges and help us attain the highest purpose of human existence – experiencing the love of God. Krishna is also renowned as the beloved of Radharani, His divine counterpart, who is an expansion of Krishna Himself. Radharani is revered as the universal mother, offering maternal affection to all living beings in the creation.
2. Prayer to Lord Krishna:
namo brahmaṇya-devāya
go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca
jagad-dhitāya kṛṣṇāya
govindāya namo namah
Translation
My Lord, You are the well-wisher of the cows and the Brahmanas. You are the well-wisher of the entire human society and world. (Vishnu Purana 1.19.65)
This prayer emphasises their importance to the world and glorifies Krishna as their protector and ultimate well-wisher of the world. We can also offer this prayer to Lord Krishna while offering Him naivedya, Sattvik food cooked with love and devotion.
Srila Prabhupada explains how Lord Krishna’s first interest is to see that the Brahmanas and Cow are being properly honoured. The whole world will be peaceful if we take care of them. The Cows and Brahminical Culture are very important for the upkeep of society materially and spiritually. Cows produce excess milk even after feeding their calves, which is meant for human consumption. Milk is not only nutritious, but it also develops finer qualities in the drinker. Cow dung and urine are antiseptic and are used in natural farming methods as manure and pesticides. Brahminical culture is necessary to guide society morally, spiritually, and ultimately towards the goal of life, the love of Godhead.
3. Hare Krishna Mahamantra:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Meaning
O Krishna, O energy of Krishna, please engage me in Your service.
This famous mantra is found in the Upanishads and Puranas and is a prayer to the Lord and His energy to engage us in Their service. “Krishna” means “all-attractive”. “Rama” means “the highest pleasure”. “Hare” refers to the Lord’s consort. We are constitutionally spirit souls, servants of God. By calling out the Lord and His energy and engaging in His service, we get reinstated in our original position and experience real satisfaction. In the Upanishads, this is illustrated with an analogy of the senses working together to feed the stomach, which nourishes all the body’s limbs.
By offering these prayers on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, we become recipients of Krishna’s divine mercy and progress towards the ultimate goal of life, the love of Godhead.
ISKCON Bangalore is celebrating Sri Krishna Janmashtami on 6 and 7 September at Hare Krishna Hill, Rajajinagar and Vaikuntha Hill, Vasanthapura. We are also organising the Janmashtami festival at the KTPO, Whitefield, on 7 and 8 September.
Take part in the grand celebrations and be blessed.
Related Links: Sri Krishna Janmashtami | Janmashtami Recipes
