In the narrative of Krishna Janmashtami in English, Mathura stands as one of the seven ancient and sacred cities in India, holding a significance similar to Bethlehem for Christians, Lumbini for Buddhists, and Medina for Muslims. It is in Mathura that Lord Krishna made his divine appearance. The events spanning from his birth to nirvana are filled with profound moments and thrilling episodes in the life of Lord Krishna.
Krishna’s maternal uncle, Kansa, was informed that the offspring of Vasudev and Devaki would pose a threat to his life. In response, he imprisoned both Vasudev and Devaki. Kansa adopted a ruthless approach, promptly eliminating any children born to the imprisoned couple as a preventive measure.
Krishna Janmashtami Story In English
In accordance with the prophecy that Vishnu would manifest as Krishna from Devaki’s womb, the 8th incarnation of Krishna unfolded during the 7th Muhurat of the night in Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada, within the 28th Dwapara of the 8th Manu of Vaivasvata.
The most auspicious Lagna emerged at midnight, with only favorable planets visible during that alignment. This divine event, marked by the conjunction of Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi in the auspicious yoga called Jayanti, occurred around 3112 BCE (approximately 5126 years ago from today). Astrologers note that at that specific moment, time registered zero at 12 o’clock.
In Gokul across the Yamuna, the birth of Krishna orchestrated a miraculous occurrence. All the prison guards, under the influence of Maya, fell into a deep sleep, causing the prison doors to open automatically.
Simultaneously, heavy rainfall graced the surroundings, and the Yamuna river surged. In this rain, Vasudev ingeniously placed infant Krishna in a basket. Carrying this basket, he navigated out of the prison.
Although the Yamuna river lay ahead, an extraordinary miracle unfolded. As Vasudev approached the water, the divine touch of Krishna’s feet caused the Yamuna’s waters to part, creating a path for their safe passage.
According to the narrative, Vasudeva transported Krishna across the Yamuna to his friend Nandagop in Gokul. In Gokul, Nanda’s wife, Yashoda, had recently given birth to a baby girl. In a remarkable twist, Vasudeva exchanged Krishna with Yashoda’s baby girl. This exchange went unnoticed, facilitated by the sleep-inducing effects of Maya.
Gokul’s mother, Yashoda, was the maternal uncle and in-law of Nanda in Nandgaon. Sri Krishna, placed in the care of Yashoda and Nanda, grew up under their guidance. Gokul, situated on the banks of the Yamuna, served as the habitat for the cows belonging to Nanda.
Nand served as the leader of the devoted Gopas residing in Gokul and Nandgaon, situated around Mathura. In this region, Rohini, Vasudev’s second wife, gave birth to Balarama.
Krishna Janmashtami 2023
Balarama resided in the seventh womb of Devaki, but Yogamaya intervened, transferring him to the womb of Rohini, a territory belonging to the Gop people. The distance from Mathura to Gokul is merely 12 kilometers.
Explore Success Stories: Share Your Achievements Enhance Your Personality with 30 Tips on Personality Development Arati Saha: Google Doodle Honors Indian Swimmer on 80th Birth Anniversary Expand Your Military Vocabulary with Spoken English Tips Master the Art of Saying “Yes” in English Communication The Demise of Pootana: Upon discovering that Vasudev and Devaki had deceitfully relocated their son, Kansa dispatched his servants in all directions, instructing them to annihilate any child born at a specific time. In the initial incident, Kansa’s followers learned that the child had been left on the other side of the Yamuna.
In early childhood, Shri Krishna killed many demons sent by his maternal uncle and thwarted all his misdeeds. First, he killed Pootna. He killed Pootana at some distance from Nandababa’s house. When the terror of Kansa started increasing in Nandgaon, Nandababa escaped from there. There must have been many reasons to flee.
Seeking refuge from the threat posed by Kansa in Nandgaon, Nandababa decided to relocate both brothers to another village, Vrindavan. This town holds great significance in Krishna’s divine activities and is situated 14 km away from Mathura.
In accordance with the narratives of Srimad Bhagwat and Vishnu Purana, Nandji, along with his family and guards, migrated from Nandgaon to Vrindavan to escape Kansa’s oppression. The Vishnu Purana vividly illustrates Krishna’s enchanting pastimes in Vrindavan, including the subjugation of the serpent Kaliya.
Krishna Janmashtami 2021-22
Subsequently, as Krishna and Balaram grew older, they confronted and defeated Kaliya Nag in the Kadamb forest. Another adversary, Dhanuk, a tyrannical man from the demon caste residing in the Tal forest, was also slain by Baldev.
These remarkable feats of Krishna and Baldev spread their fame far and wide. In addition to these, Krishna performed the slaying of Yamalarjuna, Shaktasura, Pralamb, and Arishta in Vrindavan.
Rasleela, a divine dance, is believed to have taken place where Sri Krishna and Radha used to bathe together at a ghat in Vrindavan. The story of Krishna meeting Radha at Sanket Tirtha near Gokul is also connected to Vrindavan. In Vrindavan, Krishna and the Gopis engaged in a playful game of eye-wrenching. The town witnessed the grand celebration of Raslila and Teej festivals organized by Krishna, his Sakhas, and Sakhias. Krishna, known for his mischief, is affectionately called Bankebihari, and there is a temple dedicated to Bankebihariji in Vrindavan.
Govardhan Parvat, located near Vrindavan, holds significance as the place where Krishna protected the people from the wrath of Indra. Krishna, aiming to dispel fear and teach the importance of devotion to God, replaced the worship of Indra with the festival of Annakoot in the Kartik month.
After the demise of Kansa, Krishna and Baldev reinstated Kansa’s father, Ugrasena, as the king. Ugrasena had nine sons, with Kansa being the eldest among them. The names of his sons were Nyagrodha, Tsunama, Kank, Shank Ajbhoo, Rashtrapala, Yudhushuti, and Sumushitid. Additionally, Ugrasena had five daughters named Kansa, Kansavati, Satantu, Rashtrapali, and Kanka. This lineage is said to have originated in the Ugrasenkukur dynasty, and Ugrasena and his descendants ruled until Vrajnabha assumed control of the kingdom.
Krishna Janmashtami Story in English
Krishna gained immense popularity in his childhood, having faced numerous accidental challenges and thwarted Kansa’s conspiracies during his teenage years. After the demise of Kansa, Krishna’s anonymity came to an end, and people no longer feared him as they did during Kansa’s rule. His father and foster father then took steps to arrange for the education and initiation of both brothers.
The two brothers were sent to Sandipani’s ashram for education in Astra (weapons), Shastra (scriptures), and Shastri (archery). At Sandipani’s ashram, Krishna and Balarama underwent initiation, acquiring special expertise in archery along with proficiency in various scriptures. During this time, they also encountered Sudama Brahmin, who later became Krishna’s guru-brother.
Krishna Janmashtami Story in English
When Kansa was killed, Jarasandha, the powerful emperor of Magadha and Kansa’s father-in-law, became furious. Kansa’s wife from Magadha repeatedly incited Jarasandha to seek revenge for Kansa’s death. Consequently, Jarasandha launched 17 attacks in an attempt to conquer the kingdom of Mathura. However, each of his attacks was successfully repelled. Later, he devised a formidable plan, collaborating with Kalayavan.
Kalayavan’s army besieged Mathura, and he sent a message to the Mathura King, giving them a day to prepare for battle. In response, Sri Krishna suggested that the war should be a one-on-one duel between him and Kalayavan to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Kalayavan agreed to this proposal.
During the battle between Krishna and Kalayavan, Krishna deliberately lured Kalayavan away from the battlefield and into a cave. Inside the cave, Krishna managed to evade Kalayavan, who encountered another man sleeping there. Assuming this man to be Krishna, Kalayavan kicked him forcefully, only for the man to wake up.
As the man opened his eyes and surveyed the surroundings, he spotted Kalayavan in front of him. Kalayavan was instantly incinerated by the man’s gaze. This man was King Muchukund, the son of Maharaja Mandhata from the Ikshvaku dynasty, known for his asceticism and regal stature. Muchukund possessed a boon that anyone who woke him up would be instantly consumed by his gaze.
Krishna Janmashtami Story in English
Mahabhinishkramana: After the demise of Kalayavan, a tumult arose as foreigners became adversaries of Lord Krishna. Eventually, Krishna convinced the members of his 18 clans to leave Mathura. They departed from Mathura and settled near Kushsthali Puri (Dwarka) close to the Raivat mountain, marking the largest migration in history. Millions of Yadavs, including Ugrasen, Akrur, and Balarama, returned to their ancestral place of Dwarka. Those who remained were not from the Krishna family. Despite tearful protests from the people of Mathura Mandal, including other Yaduvanshis, Krishna had to depart. The Yaduvanshi people already resided in Saurashtra, the land of their ancient ancestors. After this exodus, the population of Mathura dwindled significantly, and Jarasandha assumed control over Mathura.
Dwarka: Krishna led a joyful life in Dwarka, engaging in political activities with Hastinapur, marrying eight women, and establishing a new clan and empire. Dwarka was akin to Vaikuntha. Krishna had eight wives: Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Mitravanda, Satya, Lakshmana, Bhadra, and Kalindi. He fathered many sons and daughters. Subsequently, Krishna liberated around 16,000 women held captive by Bhaumasura (Narakasura) and provided them refuge in Dwarka. These liberated women were not Krishna’s wives or concubines but daughters and disciples, freely living their lives in his kingdom.
Krishna’s Meeting with Pandavas: During the swayamvara organized by King Drupada of Panchal, where Pandavas’ son of his aunt was present, Krishna attended the event. His closeness with the Pandavas began, especially with Arjuna, who won Draupadi during the swayamvara by showcasing his archery skills. Krishna appreciated Arjuna’s talent. Later, Krishna aided the Pandavas in building Indraprastha after their exile, and he returned to Dwarka. Arjuna, during a pilgrimage, reached Dwarka, where he was enamored by Krishna’s sister Subhadra. Krishna arranged their marriage, solidifying the bond between Krishna and Arjuna.
Slaughter of Jarasandha: Following the Rajasuya Yajna conducted by Yudhishthira after the creation of Indraprastha, Krishna advised that tyrannical kings and their power should be eliminated for the Rajasuya Yajna to gain significance and fame. Yudhishthira accepted Krishna’s counsel, and Krishna suggested defeating Jarasandha as the first step in this endeavor.
Krishna Janmashtami Story in English
Afterwards, Krishna, accompanied by Bhima and Arjuna, journeyed to Magadha and eventually reached its capital, Giribraj. Employing a strategic approach, Krishna successfully defeated Jarasandha in a wrestling match with the assistance of Bhima.
Following Jarasandha’s demise, Krishna appointed his son Sahadeva as the king of Magadha. He liberated all the kings confined in the prison of Giribraj, gaining widespread acclaim for ending the oppressive rule of Jarasandha and restoring the captive kings to their respective kingdoms.
The demise of Jarasandha instilled fear in other tyrannical rulers. The Pandavas compelled many to submit, expanding the kingdom of Indraprastha.
Subsequently, Yudhishthira organized the Rajasuya Yajna. During the Yajna, Yudhishthira honored various sages and invited Rajadhiraj from all countries. Shishupala, Krishna’s enemy and Jarasandha’s friend, attended the Yajna. Shishupala, who sought to marry Rukmini, Krishna’s wife, insulted Krishna for the 100th time during the Yajna, resulting in Krishna slaying him in the assembly.
Mahabharata: While residing in Dwarka, Krishna imparted lessons in religion, politics, and policy. However, he could not prevent the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas and eventually served as Arjuna’s charioteer in the Mahabharata.
The Mahabharata marked a significant chapter in Krishna’s life, where he played a pivotal role. Before the war, Krishna, as Arjuna’s charioteer, delivered the Bhagavad Gita. Employing various strategies, Krishna contributed to the Pandavas’ victory.
Post the Mahabharata war, Gandhari, mourning the deaths of her sons, cursed Krishna, predicting the destruction of his dynasty.
Nirvana of Krishna: Lord Krishna, born in Mathura, spent his childhood in Gokul, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, and Barsana. After Kansa’s demise, he took charge of Mathura, eventually residing in Dwarka. After the Mahabharata war, Krishna ruled Dwarka for 36 years.
In the end, Duryodhana and others were killed, and the Kaurava dynasty was destroyed. Seeking solace for Gandhari, Krishna faced her wrath and received a curse predicting the downfall of his dynasty.
To fulfill Gandhari’s curse, Krishna guided the Yadavas to Prabhas near Somnath. In a festival, intoxicated Yadavas engaged in mutual combat, resulting in their destruction, except for Krishna.
According to legend, the pestle that emerged from Samb’s belly, when rubbed with Krishna’s permission, led to a civil war among the Yadavas, causing their demise. Krishna observed the destruction of his family and continued living in the Dwarka Sea region.
Finally, Vajra or Vajranabha, Krishna’s great-grandson, became the last ruler of the Yaduvansha in Dwarka. Arjuna, witnessing Dwarka’s submersion, rescued Vajra and the remaining Yadav women, taking them to Hastinapur. Vajra was declared the king of Mathura, known as Brajmandal in honor of Vajranabha.
