Home SBOI-Group Pictures Audio-Video Wallpapers Greeting-cards Ashrams Info.

***Greetings on the Occasion of Krishna Janmastami***
Birthday of Lord Krishna

Sai Baba Explains Spiritual significance of Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janamasthmi update - Prasanthi Nilayam

Shirdi Sai Baba Krishna Janamasthmi
Greeting cards

Sai Baba themed Krishna Janamasthmi greeting cards & wallpapers

108 Names of Lord Krishna taken from Vishnu Sahasranama

Friday, Aug 14 , 2009 Kulwant hall - Prasanthi Nilayam

The Sai Kulwant hall was decked for Krishnashtami from last evening with blue cloth decorations and a Krishna statue onstage. Bhagavan had come for darshan at 6.15 pm yesterday and had accepted Arati after more than 90 minutes of bhajans at 6.35 pm. This morning, students from all three campuses of the University were present for darshan, along with a contingent from the institutions at Muddenahalli and Alike and a group of devotees from Maharashtra. Swami gave Janmashtami darshan clad in a yellow robe seated on the special white chair at 9.20 am. After His darshan round, He moved to the interview room and emerged after nearly an hour to accept Arati onstage at a quarter past ten. He went to the interview room again briefly before returning to His residence in the car.

In the evening, the procession of cows from the Gokulam led by Swami's baby elephant arrived in Sai Kulwant hall at five o'clock as the bhajans began. Swami came fifteen minutes later came onstage after blessing the quadrupeds during His darshan round. Krishnashtami songs were being sung as Swami

gave darshan. Once He sat onstage for a few minutes, He asked for bhajans to be sung, and prasadam was distributed. At 6.20, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence. A meeting of the "thyagajeevi"s of the institutions at Muddenahalli and Alike along with many of those working at Bhagavan's institutions at Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan was arranged over the weekend at the hall in the building adjacent to Swami's residence. This evening after bhajan, there was an orientation lecture session there after the evening bhajan for an hour.
***********

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

“Krishna was born on 20th July, 3227 B.C., during the early morning at 3 a.m.” - Baba

Sri Krishna Jansmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the Avatar of the Dwapara Age. Many are the saints of this land who have dedicated their life to the adoration and veneration of Lord Krishna. Tulsidas, Meerabai, Chaitanya Deva and Purandaradasa poured out their devotion to Lord Krishna in the form of songs which remain popular in Bharat even to this day. The story of His life and His leelas (Divine sport) has enchanted the people of Bharat for millennia, for it tells us about God’s pure love for His devotees. Krishnashtami is a festival whose celebration is marked by fun and gaiety that recalls the joy experienced by the Gopalas and Gopis (cowherds) in the company of Krishna during His childhood days at Brindavan.

At Prasanthi Nilayam, this experience is enhanced by the presence of the same Lord Krishna who has come again as our beloved Bhagawan Sai Krishna.

Today we celebrate Krishna's birthday. Where was he born? In a prison. What were his possessions? Nothing. Born in a prison, he was taken to the house of Nanda, and then he went to Mathura. He owned nothing. But he became the greatest figure in the world. What does this show? Worldly possessions are not the secret of greatness. Krishna's greatness consisted in His permanent state of bliss (ananda).

If you recognise the distinction between Krishna and Rama, you will appreciate Krishna's nature better. Krishna always smiled at the outset and carried out his task later. For Rama, the deed came first and then the smile. Krishna made women cry. Rama wept for the sake of women. Rama went into the battle only after having a strong cause for it. Krishna first provoked the conflict and then determined its outcome.

The Krishna principle revels in delight. The Rama principle is based on the concept of obligation (baadhyatha).

The Ramaayana is intended to promote the reign of truth and righteousness on earth. The Krishna Avathaar was intended to give a perennial message to the world. He sought nothing for himself. He kept nothing for himself. He gave away everything to the people. He slayed his maternal uncle, Kamsa. He installed Kamsa's father, Ugrasena, on the throne. He did not covet the kingdom. He befriended the Pandavas, defeated the Kauravas, and crowned Dharmaja as the emperor. He did not make himself king. He was a king without a crown. He was the king of kings. He had no kingdom of his own. But he ruled over the hearts of the millions. It is this profound truth that is proclaimed by the Krishna principle (Krishna thathva).

If you enquire deeply, you will find that every Avathaar has incarnated to convey a special message and carry out a particular mission.

Divine Discourse: Sri Krishna Janmaashtami, 4 September 1996

The incarnation of Krishna proclaimed the doctrine of divine love, as manifested by the cowherd maids (Gopikas). Today, man is like an earthen pot filled with nectar. His body may be made of clay, but his spirit is eternal. The Divine has to be experienced through the body. Hence, human birth should not be treated as something trivial. Human life is worth living --it should be cherished as something precious.

But today, such a precious gift is being treated as dirt. It is essential to realise the value of human existence. What is the goal of human life? It is to go back to the source from which we came. Our duty is to return to our primordial, original home.

All of you who are here have come from different parts of India and the world. After your stay here, you have to go back to your native places. Likewise, human beings have come to the planet earth as pilgrims. They have to return to their original home. You have come from the Aathma. You have to go back to the Aathma. You have come from the Brahman (Supreme Self). You have to merge in the Brahman. You have incarnated as a spark of Brahman. You have to become the Brahman. That is the ideal. That is the goal. In between, there may be many impediments. You should ignore them. Have unshakable faith. That is true devotion.

Divine Discourse: Sri Krishna Janmaashtami, 18 August 1995

Whatever you do, remember the Omnipresence of the Divine. Do every act to please God, out of love and not out of compulsion. Divinise every act. The Lord declares in the Gita, "Having been born in this transient and unhappy world, worship Me."

Krishna called upon Arjuna to stand up and face the battle, reminding him of what was in store for the evil minded Kauravas. He adjured Arjuna to have full faith in Him and do his duty. Then Arjuna declared, "I shall do as You bid me (Karishyevachanam thava)." Then Krishna declared, "You have now become My true devotee." And He exhorted Arjuna to rise and fight the battle, which would end in the complete destruction of the Kauravas and the wicked quartet, Duryodhana, Dussaasana, Karna, and Sakuni.

The great teaching of the Gita is this: Put your trust in God, carry on your duties, be helpful to everyone, and sanctify your lives. Dedicate all actions to God. That is the way to experience oneness with God. God is in you. You are in God. This oneness is the basic truth. Chant the name of the Lord and render social service in a spirit of selflessness and devotion to God.

Divine Discourse: Sri Krishna Janmaashtami, 18 August 1995

Krishna is omnipresent. The word has three meanings:

(1) "Krishithi-ithi Krishna --The man who ploughs is Krishna." The heart is the symbol of a field. The heart should be cleared of weeds (evil qualities). It should be filled with love. The seeds of the Lord's name should be sown in it. Krishna encourages the devotee to do all this.

(2) "Karshathi-ithi Krishna --Because he attracts, he is Krishna." Krishna has the supreme power of attraction. By his words, his sport, his music, and all his actions he attracts all people. This power of attraction is present in everyone. Hence, everyone is potentially Krishna.

(3) "Krushyathi-ithi Krishnah --Because he imparts bliss, he is called Krishna." Everyone seeks happiness. The Divine, who is the embodiment of happiness, is in you. God wants you to be happy, but you do not realize it. Try to recognize the source of bliss within you. It is not the true nature of man to be unhappy. When anyone is otherwise, people around him are concerned about him. You should always be happy, because you are the embodiment of the Aathma. Never give way to worry.

As a spark of the Divine, you have to behave like the Divine. Do not give room for grief. What use is there in turning over the beads of the rosary while your mind is thinking of mundane matters? First of all, purify your mind. Dedicate all actions to God. Free yourself from all attachments. Treat all things as gifts from God for which you are the guardian and not the owner.

Divine Discourse: Sri Krishna Janmaashtami, 25 August 997

Birth of Lord Krishna

Krishna was born during the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of the month). The effulgence of the Lord is seen with greater effect when it is dark. In a world of disorder, Krishna was born to establish order. He was born on Ashtami day. Ashtami is associated with troubles and difficulties. When do troubles arise? When righteousness is forgotten. Krishna’s advent therefore signifies removal of darkness, end of troubles and effulgence of Supreme Wisdom.

– Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

“Krishna was born on 20th July, 3227 B.C., during the early morning at 3 a.m.” - Baba

The Divine Advent

The birth of Krishna is in itself a transcendental phenomenon that generates awe among the Hindus and overwhelms one and all with its supra mundane happenings.

Mother Earth, unable to bear the burden of sins committed by evil kings and rulers, appealed to Brahma, the Creator for help. Brahma prayed to the Supreme Lord Vishnu, who assured him that he would soon be born on earth to annihilate tyrannical forces.

One such evil force was Kamsa, the ruler of Mathura (in northern India) and his people were utterly terrified of him. On the day Kamsa's sister Devaki was married off to Vasudeva, an akashvani or voice from the sky was heard prophesying that Devaki's 8th son would be the destroyer of Kamsa. The frightened Kamsa immediately unsheathed his sword to kill his sister but Vasudeva intervened and implored Kamsa to spare his bride, and promised to hand over every new born child to him. Kamsa relented but imprisoned both Devaki and her husband Vasudeva.

When Devaki gave birth to her first child, Kamsa came to the prison cell and slaughtered the newborn. In this way, he killed the first six sons of Devaki. Even before her 8th child was born, Devaki and Vasudeva started lamenting its fate and theirs. Then suddenly Lord Vishnu appeared before them and said he himself was coming to rescue them and the people of Mathura. He asked Vasudeva to carry him to the house of his friend, the cowherd chief Nanda in Gokula right after his birth, where Nanda's wife Yashoda had given birth to a daughter. He was to exchange his boy and bring Yashoda's baby daughter back to the prison. Vishnu assured them that "nothing shall bar your path".

At midnight on ashtami, the divine baby was born in Kamsa's prison. Remembering the divine instructions, Vasudeva clasped the child to his bosom and started for Gokula, but found that his legs were in chains. He jerked his legs and was unfettered! The massive iron-barred doors unlocked and opened up.

While crossing river Yamuna, Vasudeva held his baby high over his head. The rain fell in torrents and the river was in spate. But the water made way for Vasudeva and miraculously a five-mouthed snake followed him from behind and provided shelter over the baby.

When Vasudeva reached Gokula, he found the door of Nanda's house open. He exchanged the babies and hurried back to the prison of Kamsa with the baby girl. Early in the morning, all the people at Gokula rejoiced the birth of Nanda's beautiful male child. Vasudeva came back to Mathura and as he entered, the doors of the prison closed themselves.

When Kamsa came to know about the birth, he rushed inside the prison and tried to kill the baby. But this time it skipped from his hand and reaching the sky. She was transformed into the goddess Yogamaya, who told Kamsa: "O foolish! What will you get by killing me? Your nemesis is already born somewhere else."

Meaning of Krishna

“The name Krishna has to be properly understood. ‘Krish’ + ‘Na’ = Krishna. This means that He is one who cultivates (Krish) the heart. ‘Karsh’ + ‘Na’ is another derivation, which indicates that Krishna is one who attracts (‘Krishnati it Krishnah’). Krishna attracts people not only by the matchless beauty of his form. He attracts people by his music, his dance, his sports and his words.

Sri Krishnashtami in the Divine Presence

Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba witnesses the rare sight of celebrating Avatar’s Birthday in the Divine Presence of Avatar Himself. Sri Krishna Janmashtami has been a major celebration in Prasanthi Nilayam for the past many years. The festivity normally begins with the arrival of Bhagawan to Sai Kulwant Hall for giving coveted Divine Darshan to the milling crowd of thousands. As soon as Bhagawan takes seat on the specially decorated throne meant for Him on the dias, students from the Institute sing various hymns exalting the Lord of Dwapara and the Lord of Parthi. Half way through the musical offering, the procession comprising of Sai Geeta, Bhagawan’s pet elephant, cows and calves from Bhagawan’s Gokulam, all adorned in style befitting the grandeur of occasion arrives at the Mandir followed by dancing students from the school and devotees from the neighbouring villages. Bhagawan blesses the procession by giving away fruits to Sai Geeta, cows and calves. Prasadam will be distributed to the devotees before the offering of Mangala Aarati to Bhagawan. Invariably, Bhagawan gives His Divine discourse either in the morning or in the evening, most of the time narrating various incidents from the life of Bhagawan Sri Krishna. Krishnashtami is a spiritual treat to the devotees flock into Prasanthi Nilayam, a rare opportunity to celebrate the Birth of one Avatar in the immediate presence of present Avatar.

The supreme message of Bhagawan Krishna's life is the uniqueness of Love Principle. This Yadava born, darling Chinni Krishna, whose childhood pranks, dream of every mother, weave nostalgic memory of those Golden Days of Dwapara, whose flute still enchants the love filled hearts of present day gopikas, whose song celestial is the guide to Ultimate Truth for the present day Arjunas was the embodiment of Supreme Divine Love.

Gita (Saar) Summary

The teachings of Lord Krishna have been written down in a book famously known as 'Bhagwad Gita'. It is the holy book of Hindus. It is to Hindus, what Bible is to Christians or what the holy Quran is to Muslims. Since the book is quite big and extensive, sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to read at a stretch. Geeta Saar is the gist of the main teachings of Lord Krishna. It contains the crux of the Holy Gita.

Lord questions everyone over various issues and asks them to give up the illusionary world. Bhagwan Krishna says, the only way to achieve life long happiness is to surrender to him.

Why do you worry unnecessarily? What are you afraid of? Who can kill or destroy you? A soul is never born, so it never dies.
Whatever happened in the past, happened for the best; whatever is happening, is happening for the best; whatever will happen in future, will happen for the best. Do not repent the past, do not worry for future, concentrate on your present.
What did you own, that makes you cry on losing? What did you bring, that you fear losing? What did you give birth to, that you fear its destruction? You didn't bring anything. Whatever one takes, one must return it to God. Everyone came empty handed and will therefore die, empty handed.
Whatever belongs to you today, belonged to someone else yesterday and it will belong to some one else tomorrow. Don't be illusioned by Maya. Maya is the root cause of all pain and misery.
Change is the rule of nature. What one understands, as death is actually life itself. One moment you are the owner of crores and in the very next moment you become a pauper.
Your body doesn't belong to you and vice versa. Body is composed of five elements- Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Sky; one day it will perish in these elements.
Offer yourself to the Almighty Lord. This is the best support. One who knows this unconditional support gains freedom from fear, worry and despair.

Sai Baba themed Krishna Janamasthmi greeting cards

108 names of Lord Krishna -
Popular names of Lord Krishna - Shri Krishna names-
Different names of Lord Krishna

NAME	MEANING
Krishna	One that brings joy
Jagannath	Lord of the whole World
Parampurush	The supreme one
Dwarkadhish	Dwarka’s king
Vasudev	Vasudev’s son
Devki Nandan	Devki's son
Govinda	Lord Of Cows
Gopal	Protector of Cows
Parthasarthi	Arjuna’s Chariot driver
Muralidhar	Who plays flute
Mathura Naresh	King of Mathura
Damodar	tied with a grinding Stone
Niranjan	who is honorable
Sanatan	The eternal one
Anant	The infinite
Ajay	All victorious
Murari	Enemy of Mura (the demon)
KamalNath	Kamla (Goddess Lakshmi's) Husband
Punya	Meritorious
Lila-Manush-Vigraha	Assums human form
Shrivastav Kausthuba-Dharya	Wearing Shri Vatsa and Kausthubha Gem
Yashoda-Vatsalya	Mother Yashoda's child
Hari	Shri Hari
Chaturbuja-Chakra-gada-Shankhadhyay	Four armed
Shrisay	Abode of Shri (Lakshmi)
Nandgopa Priyatmaj	Nanda Gopa's darling child
Yamuna Vega Samhar	Destroyer of speed of River yamuna
Balbhadra Pariyanuj	Balram's younger brother
Putana Jivit haraya	Destroyer of putana(demoness)
Shakatsura Bhanjanaya	Destroyer of Shakatasur (demon)
Nandvraja jana nandin	One bringing joy to Nand and people of Braj
Sachidanand Vigraha	Awareness and bliss
Navanit Viliptanga	whose body is slandered with butter
Ananghaya	sinless one
Navanit navaharaya	Inventor of new form of food- Butter
Muchukunda Prasadkaya	who blessed king Muchukund
Shodasha sthri sahasreshaya	Lord of 16,000 wives
Tribhanji lalitakritaye	who possesed bent in 3 places
Sukavag Amritabhdhindave	Ocean of nectar
Yogi Pataye	Lord of yogis
Avyaktaya	who is difficult to comprehend
Punya-Shlokaya	Lord whose praise bestows meritorious
Tirthapadaya	With holy feet
Vedvedayaya	Souce of Vedas
Yagnabhoktre	who consumed sacrificial offerings
Paratpataya	highest of the highest
Gopa Gopishvaraya	Lord of gopas and gopis
Yogine	Greatest Yogi
Koti surya samaprabha	someone who is as lustrous as a million suns
Ilapataye	Lord of Earth
Vanamaline	One wearing a garland
Parasmai jyotish	with a supreme light
Yadavendraye	Lord of Yadavs
Yadudvataya	Leader of Yadus
Pita vasase	Who wears yellow robes
Parijatapa Harakaya	who removed Parijath Flower
Govardhanchalo Dhartreya	Lifter of Govardhan Hill
Sarva palakaya	Protector of all beings
Niranjan	The untainted one
Kama janakaye	One generating desires in worldly mind
Kancha lochanaya	Who possess beautiful eyes
Madhughne	Killer of Madhu- demon
Brindavane sancarine	One roaming in Brindavan city
Baline	All powerful Lord
Syamantake maner hartre	who stole Syamantaka Gem
Nara Narayanatmakaya	who has twin form of nar and Narayan
Kubja Krishtambharadharya	who applied ointment by Kubja
Mayine	Lord of maya
Mushtikasura Chanura mallayudha-visharadaya	One who is an expert wrestler, killed two demons Mushtikasura and Chanura
Kamsaraye	Enemy of Kansa
Narakantakaya	Destroyer of Naraka (demon)
Anadi Brahmacharine	Beginning less absolute
Krishna Vyasana Karshakaya	Who Removed Draupadi's distress
Shishupala Shirascratte	Remover of Shishupal's head
Duryodhana Kulantakaya	Destroyer of Duryodhana's dynasty
Vidurakrura Varadaya	Giver of boon to Vidur and Akrur
Vishwarupa Pradarshakaya	Revealer of Vishwasrup (Universal form)
Satyavacha	Speaker of truth
Satya sankalp	Lord of true resolve
Satyabhama Rataya	Lover of Satyabhama
Jayine	The ever victorious Lord
Subhadra purvajaya	Brother of Subhadra
Vishnava	To Lord Vishnu
Bhishma mukti Pradayakaya	One who bestowed salvation to Bhishma
Jagadguruve venunada visharad	One expert in playing of flute music
Vrishabhasura vidhvamsine	Destoyer of demon Vrishbasura
Yudhishthira pratishthatre	One who established Yudhisthira as a king
Sarvagraha Rupine	To all-formed one
Dayanidhaye	One who is treasure of compassion
Sarvabhutat makaya	Soul of elements
Jalakrida samashaka gopi vastra pararakaya	Lord who hid gopi's clothes while they were playing in river Yamuna
Parabrahmane	A supreme brahman
Barhi Barhavatamsakaye	One who adorns peacock feathers
Pannagashana vahanaya	Having serpent Adishesha as his seat
Danavendra Vinashak	Destroyer of Lord of Asuras
Gitamrita Mahodadhaye	An ocean containing nectar of Bhagwad Gita
Kaliyaphani Manikya ranjita shri Padambhujaya	Lord whose lotus feet adorn gems from hood of Kaliya serpent