________________________________ From: milind mk <[email protected]> Subject: BIRTH OF KRISHNA - HAPPY JANMASHTAMI BIRTH OF KRISHNA (Shrimad Bhagvatam) ….. The time was auspicious. It had the charm of all the six seasons. The planets and the stars were in the positions from where they showered peace and joy to the world. The four quarters were clear and pellucid and the star ROHINI was in the ascent: the star which is governed by Prajapti. The sky was clear and studded with stars which were shining brightly. The waters in the rivers were clear and sweet. The lakes were filled with flowers: lotuses and Utpalas. The trees were covered with flowers. A gentle breeze was flowing and it brought soft and intense scents of the flowers with it. The fires which were kindled by the brahmins were burning without smoke and an air of peace and tranquility pervaded the earth. The minds of all men were happy for no reason. Only Kamsa was unhappy. The divine Dundubhi was being played in the heavens: Kinnaras were singing and so were he Gandharvas. Siddhas and Charanas were chanting words of praise: the apsaras and the Vidyadhara women were dancing with abandon. The devas and the rishis showered flowers on the earth. There was heard a great rumbling from the clouds which was like the roar of the ocean. It was midnight. The muhurta was ABHIJIT and Narayana , who is in the hearts of everyone, was born to Devki , the wife of Vasudeva. Devaki gave birth to Narayana like the east brings forth the glorious moon. ©©© Vasudeva looked at the new-born child and he was amazed. It was not an ordinary child. Narayana had appeared in his real form. Vasudeva saw that it was not a child but Narayana himself who was lying there in his arms. He looked at the lotus eyes: at his four arms: at the Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Padma in his four hands. Vasudeva saw the famed mark on the chest of the child : the mark known as Shrivatsa. The jewel Kausthubha was gleaming on his neck and he was wearing yellow silk. Dark as a rain cloud, he made the entire place shine with the splendour of his crown , his earrings which were shaped like fish, with the glory that was himself. ………….. 10.3.9-10 tam adbhutaḿ bālakam ambujekṣaṇaḿ catur-bhujaḿ śańkha-gadādy-udāyudham śrīvatsa-lakṣmaḿ gala-śobhi-kaustubhaḿ pītāmbaraḿ sāndra-payoda-saubhagam mahārha-vaidūrya-kirīṭa-kuṇḍala- tviṣā pariṣvakta-sahasra-kuntalam uddāma-kāñcy-ańgada-kańkaṇādibhir virocamānaḿ vasudeva aikṣata TRANSLATION Vasudeva then saw the newborn child, who had very wonderful lotuslike eyes and who bore in His four hands the four weapons śańkha, cakra, gadā and padma. On His chest was the mark of Śrīvatsa and on His neck the brilliant Kaustubha gem. Dressed in yellow, His body blackish like a dense cloud, His scattered hair fully grown, and His helmet and earrings sparkling uncommonly with the valuable gem Vaidūrya, the child, decorated with a brilliant belt, armlets, bangles and other ornaments, appeared very wonderful. PURPORT To support the word adbhutam, meaning "wonderful," the decorations and opulences of the newborn child are fully described. As confirmed in the Brahma-saḿhitā (5.30), barhāvataḿsam asitāmbuda-sundarāńgam: the hue of the Lord's beautiful form resembles the blackish color of dense clouds (asita means "blackish," and ambuda means "cloud"). It is clear from the word catur-bhujam that Kṛṣṇa first appeared with four hands, as Lord Viṣṇu. No ordinary child in human society has ever been born with four hands. And when is a child born with fully grown hair? The descent of the Lord, therefore, is completely distinct from the birth of an ordinary child. The Vaidūrya gem, which sometimes appears bluish, sometimes yellow and sometimes red, is available in Vaikuṇṭhaloka. The Lord's helmet and earrings were decorated with this particular gem.
