Happy birthday to Krishna! Krishna Janmashatmi 2022

Festivals in India are calculated according to the Vedic calendar. In Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, this is the lunar month of Shravana.  This month, we rejoice in the birth of Lord Krishna. According to mypanchang.com, we celebrate Krishna Janmashtami 2022 on August 18th in North and South America. Europe and India.  Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand will celebrate Krishna’s birthday on August 19th. 
Janmashtami 2022 Date: 18th or 19th August? Know when is Shri Krishna ...

So, that is the evening of the 18th and then into midnight into the morning of the 19th, for North America and India.

As we celebrate Krishna Janmashtami 2022, we are honoring the birth of  our beloved Krishna, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.  Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and the upholder of dharma. Krishna was a cowherd in this particular incarnation. Krishna was born in the town of Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh on a stormy midnight over 5,000 years ago. So, we celebrate his birth at midnight. Shri Krishna is said to have taken birth to rid the world of evil.

64 Qualities of Krishna 

Krishna is said to possess 64 attributes:  1) beautiful features all over his body; 2)  having auspicious markings on his body 3) extremely pleasing; 4) effulgent; 5) strong; 6) ever-youthful; 7) wonderful linguist; 8) truthful; 9) talks pleasingly; 10) can speak fluently in all languages; 11) highly learned; 12) highly intelligent; 13) a genius; 14) artistic; 15) extremely clever; 16) expert; 17) grateful; 18) firmly determined; 19) an expert judge of time and circumstances; 20) an authority of the Vedas, or ancient scriptures; 21) pure; 22) self-controlled; 23) steadfast; 24) forbearing; 25) forgiving; 26) serious 27) self-satisfied; 28) possessing equilibrium; 29) magnanimous; 30) religious; 31) heroic; 32) compassionate; 33) respectful; 34) gentle; 35) liberal; 36) shy; 37) the protector of surrendered souls; 38) happy; 39) the well-wisher of devotees; 40) controlled by love; 41) all-auspicious; 42) most powerful; 43) all-famous; 44) popular; 45) partial to devotees; 46) very attractive; 47) able to be worshipped 48) opulent; 49) honorable; 50) the supreme controller 51) Changeless; 52) Cognizant; 53) Memorable; 54) Blissful 55) Possessing mystical perfections; 56} Potent; 57} Having countless universes emanate from his body; 58) The original source of all incarnations; 59) A giver of salvation; 60) The attractor of liberated souls; 61) The performer of wonderful pastimes; 62) Surrounded by devotees: 63) Can attract people worldwide by playing his flute; 64) Having an unparalleled beautiful demeanor and appearance. (Please note that many of the qualities are “lost in translation”)

The sacred text, the Bhagavad Gita features a dialogue between Shri Krishna and his devoted disciple, Arjuna, regarding proper dharma, or right moral conduct. One well-known quote by Krishna is: “It is better to strive in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another. Nothing is ever lost in following one’s own dharma. But competition in another’s dharma breeds fear and insecurity.”

The word janma translates as “birth”. Ashtami (ush-tuh-me) is the 8th phase of the Moon. Krishna Janmashtami 2022 is celebrated on the 8th phase of the waning Moon in Vedic astrology.  He was born with his Moon in Rohini nakshatra. Rohini is the eye of the bull in Taurus and is one of the brightest stars in the sky.  

There are many traditional steps followed in the worship for Krishna’s birthday. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Krishna Jayanti, Krishnashtami, Gopalashtami, or Gokulashtami.

How to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami 2022

Krishna Janmashtami 2019Krishna devotees traditionally fast during the day or refrain from eating grains. Often food is made from sabudana or tapioca. They stay up till midnight celebrating Krishna’s life. Plays are re-enacted depicting snippets of Krishna’s life and his glory. Krishna bhaktas adorn statues of Lord Krishna with colorful new clothes and worship him. Krishna temples worldwide are packed with worshipers. Many mandirs (temples) will perform an abhishek (ritual bath) to a statue of Krishna and have devotees participate in the ritual. Worshippers also take turns pushing a small swing or jhula with baby Krishna or with Radha and Krishna seated.

They chant bhajans or devotional songs to Shri Krishna and lose themselves in the bliss of ecstasy during the chants. One traditional chant sung is “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna”. They break their fast at midnight and enjoy a glorious feast to celebrate the birth of Krishna.

Worshippers also can offer tulsi attar or essential oil placed on a cotton ball to a statue of Krishna. The tulsi mala is used to worship Lord Krishna, as is the tulsi plant. 

Baby Krishna (or “Bala Krishna”) was a playful, mischievous child. He had great enthusiasm for life. Thus, it’s traditional to celebrate his birthday with a great deal of mirth and merriment. Krishna is also associated with bhakti or devotion. Krishna devotees will lovingly shower Krishna with their devotion on his birthday. Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2022! Jai Shri Krishna!