Sri Krishna Janmastami
September 2, 2010
Photos courtesy of B.C. Parvat Maharaj, Jivana Didi and Krishnapriya Didi ::: Click on the pictures for larger view (you must have javascript enabled)
Captions by Vrinda Devi
Captions by Vrinda Devi
Sri Kunti Devi prayed to the Lord:
krishnaya vasudevaya
devaki-nandanaya ca
nanda-gopa-kumaraya
govindaya namo namah
Let me therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has become the son of Vasudeva, the pleasure of Devaki, the boy of Nanda and the other cowherd men of Vrindavana, and the enlivener of the cows and the senses.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.21
All the preparations for Sri Janmastami started the day before. Yogurt, ghee and Curd were made as the main ingredient for the next day feast.
Sureswari Didi and Sripad Parvat Maharaj collected produce, grains, fruits and flowers.
Mango pulp and peanuts collected from the Nuts and Spices, who always donate generously to our Ashram.
Laksmi Priya Didi and Kalindi Didi are always engaged in flower service and make sure that Their Lordships and the temple room is always blooming with a great variety of flowers.
Krishna Madhuri Didi and Sushila Didi are also making garlands and other flower offerings as their regular seva, and on this special occassion they work hard to make sure that all the decorations were very beautiful!
Their Lordships
Ramai Prabhu offers Prasadam to Srila Gurudev at the Pushpa Samadhi.
Brajeswara Prabhu came from San Francisco and helps with the Kitchen service pitting cherries.
Many, many potatoes are cut for the different preparations that are to be offered to Their Lordships.
Everybody in the kitchen is happily engaged in some service.
Prema helps with the oranges for the nectar.
Satrughna Prabhu always makes the Sandesh.
Shyama Didi came from San Jose and helps in the kitchen service.
Fried curd.
Chidwa.
Aloo tikkis for the evening offering.
Everybody helps with the cleaning and washing of the pots
Maheswari Didi visiting from Hungary and Madhumita Didi and Krishnapriya Didi roll kachoris for the Nandotsav.
Sanatani Didi is the Most Valuable Cook.
Ramananda Prabhu helps fry the tikkis.
Kalachand Prabhu and Radhika Didi
Sureswari Didi and Devaki Didi
Vidura Prabhu. Sanatani Didi and Rajani Didi.
Sachi Didi takes over the frying of the many aloo tikkis.
Ekala Prabhu and Brajeswara Prabhu
Gaura Nataraj Prabhu and Diksavati Didi are very happy to see Virachandra Prabhu back at the Ashram.
Diksavati Didi with her happy daughters Anapurna and Vaidehi Didis.
Mallika and Vrinda Didis.
Our Maheswari Didi from Hungary and Vraja Mohini Didi.
Everybody is happy to have come to the Ashram to celebrate Sri Janmastami
Madhumita and Vaidehi Didis.
Vidura and Neelamani Prabhus.
Sweet young Jahnava.
The children get ready for the Play that Madhumati Didi orchestrates every year.
Vaidehi invited her co-worker Chris to the festival and he loved the Prasadam.
Dhanistha Didi.
In the Temple room the bhajans and readings began early.
Ananta Rupa Prabhu and Lilashakti Didi from our San Jose Ashram.
Bimala Didi and Diksavati Didi are such a valuable part of the Ashram.
Kumaris Devaki and Krishna Priya.
Narayani Didi.
Madhumati Didi helps Anjana with her peacock costume.
In the meantime in the temple room Sripad Parvat Maharaj and Sripad Sarvabavana Prabhu lead the devotees in kirtan, singing all the beautiful songs from our Kirtan guide.
Under Madhumati Didis guidance the children re-enacted the story of the Brahman Sudama and Lord Krishna's Meeting. As it is described in The Bhagavatam 10.80
sri-suka uvaca:
krishnasyasit sakha kascid
brahmano brahma-vittama?
virakta indriyarthesu
prasantatma jitendriyah
"Sukadeva Gosvami said: Lord Krisha had a certain brahmana friend [named Sudama] who was most learned in Vedic knowledge and detached from all sense enjoyment. Furthermore, his mind was peaceful and his senses subdued."
krishnasyasit sakha kascid
brahmano brahma-vittama?
virakta indriyarthesu
prasantatma jitendriyah
"Sukadeva Gosvami said: Lord Krisha had a certain brahmana friend [named Sudama] who was most learned in Vedic knowledge and detached from all sense enjoyment. Furthermore, his mind was peaceful and his senses subdued."
Upon his wife's request the poor Brahman went to see Lord Krishna. When Lord Krishna, who was seated in his palace with his Queens, saw the Brahman at once he abandoned their association and ran to embrace his old friend.
Kumaris Rohini, Lavanika and Sita participate happily on the Play.
Syama Mohini, Rohini, Nab, Adi Kesava, Sivani, Sita, Lavanika, Gopal and Bindhu Madava.
Lavanika and Sita with Bimala Didi.
and also with Anjana and Nandarani Didi.
Nab and Jaya Ram Prabhu.
Kirtan starts again in the temple room.
Sripad Parvat Maharaj sings while the plate for Their Lordships offering is getting ready in the kitchen.
As the midnight hour approaches the devotees gather to be seen by Their Lordships.
The pastimes of the Lords arrival is heard and then the kirtan begins.
Sri Arotik begins at midnight to celebrate the Advent of The Lord.
The 108 ghee lamp is lit
and offered to Their Lordships
and mercifully to the devotees.
Their Lordships new outfit was sewn by Swaranangi Didi with the help of Vaidehi Didi, Isthadevika Didi and Maheswari Didi from Hungary.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare