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Janmãshtami! The day Bhagavãn took Avatar as Krishna on this earth. The Avatar that is non-pareil! Bhagavãn was born through the womb of Devaki in a prison cell in Mathura at midnight when the star ‘Rohini’ was on the ascent. The atmosphere was calm and even wicked hearts like Kamsa experienced calmness! Every heart was filled with joy.
The 10th Canto of Srimad Bhãgavatam speaks of the birth and the Lilas of Bhagavãn in His Avatar as Krishna. His Lilas amidst the Gopis are innumerable. In the words of
Sri Swamiji, ‘The complaints of the Gopis has verily become the Granta that is Srimad Bhãgavatam!’ Stealing butter, curd, milk in the homes of the Gopis, dancing and playing amidst them was the One whom the Vedas, the Shastras, the Upanishads and the innumerable Grantas were unable to describe.
The Avatar took place at midnight. The blue coloured infant Krishna was carried to the flower decorated cradle by Sri Swamiji. Joy filled the air as all the devotees of Madhurapuri went around the cradle singing Nãmasankirtan. ‘Beeja dãna’ (offering of rice grain) was performed by Sri Mallikarjuna Sarma and his wife.
Sri Swamiji, surrounded by devotees, led Premika Varadan-Mãdhuri Sakhi in Hamsa vãhana. Stepping out of the ashram gates Sri Swamiji and devotees opened their mouths in exclamation, ‘Ah!’ as ‘plup’ fell the butter on every face! Pots of turmeric water was splashed on all ‘victims’; the chief Victim (?!) was bathed in butter and turmeric water. Dozens of young men aimed at their affectionate (!?) Victim totally blinding Him! None could ‘protect’ Him as heavy splash of butter and turmeric water rained down from all directions. Cries from the ‘attackers’ drowned the cries of the ‘victims’. It all came to an end only when the butter and turmeric waters were all transferred from the pots to the ‘victims’ bodies!
Drenched in butter and turmeric water all followed the Leader back to Bhãgavata Bhavanam!
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