This year, the festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 4th. According to the Dik Panchang, this festival is held annually on the eighth day of the dark month of Bhadrapada. According to religious beliefs, it is considered auspicious to bring certain special items into the home before celebrating Janmashtami. These items are associated with the god Shri Krishna, the goddess Lakshmi, the god Vishnu, and Hindu traditions.
Of these five items, one is considered the favorite of the god Shri Krishna, another is related to prosperity and happiness, a third reminds of the childhood games of Bala Gopal, and the fourth is considered indispensable for worshipping Krishna. Below is a list of five things that are advisable to bring into the home before Janmashtami.
The Flute of Lord Shri Krishna
The connection between the god Shri Krishna and the flute is considered extremely special. According to religious legends, when Kanha played the flute, its gentle melody filled the atmosphere of Gokul with joy. Therefore, the flute is seen not just as a musical instrument of the god Shri Krishna, but also as a symbol of love, sweetness, and bliss. Before Janmashtami, one can bring a beautiful flute for the god Shri Krishna home and place it in a place of worship. According to religious beliefs, the flute is associated with love, harmony, and positivity in the home.
The flute also teaches us a wonderful life lesson. The flute itself is hollow inside, but when it touches Krishna's lips, it produces sweet music. Similarly, when a person renounces their ego and shows devotion to God, their life can be filled with peace and sweetness.
Statue of Cow and Calf
The second item is a statue of a cow and a calf. When the image of Bala Krishna comes to mind, scenes of Kanha playing among cows in the streets of Gokul and his childhood amusements appear before one's eyes. The god Shri Krishna is also known by names such as Gopal and Govind. For this reason, in religious beliefs, the statue of a cow and a calf is associated with love, family happiness, and well-being. Before Janmashtami, it can be brought home and placed in a clean and respectful place. It can be placed next to the altar for worshipping the god Shri Krishna. It is important to remember that any religious statue should be kept not only as a decorative item but also with a sense of reverence and respect.
Shri Yantra
The third item is the Shri Yantra. In the Sanata tradition, this yantra is considered a sacred object associated with the goddess Lakshmi. During the celebration of Janmashtami, special importance is given to worshipping Lakshmi-Narayan alongside worshipping the god Shri Krishna. Therefore, some people bring the Shri Yantra into the home before or on the day of Janmashtami and install it on the altar. According to religious beliefs, it is revered with the aim of attracting wealth, grandeur, and prosperity. If you bring the Shri Yantra into your home, place it in a clean and sacred place and perform worship according to your tradition and belief. However, the purpose of worship should not only be to gain material benefit but also to inspire positive thinking, faith, and good deeds.
Tulsi Plant
The fourth and very important item is the Tulsi plant. In Sanata, Tulsi is considered extremely sacred. Tulsi leaves hold special significance in the worship of the god Vishnu, and the god Shri Krishna is considered an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Therefore, there is a tradition of offering Tulsi leaves during worship and offerings to Krishna. According to religious beliefs, worshiping the god Vishnu is incomplete without Tulsi. If you do not have a Tulsi plant at home, you can bring one before Janmashtami. It should be placed in a clean and suitable place and regularly cared for. On the day of Janmashtami, Tulsi leaves can also be offered during the offering to the god Shri Krishna.
Pure Cow Ghee
The fifth item is pure cow ghee, which can be used during Janmashtami worship. On the night of Janmashtami, during the celebration of the birthday of the god Shri Krishna, special rituals and Aarti are performed. During this period, there is a tradition of lighting lamps. From a religious point of view, the lamp symbolizes light, purity, and well-being. Therefore, it is considered auspicious to bring pure cow ghee for worship before Janmashtami. During the worship of the god Shri Krishna at night, one can light a lamp made of ghee and pray for the happiness, peace, and well-being of the family.
Adopt these 5 vows along with these 5 items
Janmashtami is not only a festival of worship and celebration but also an opportunity to incorporate the teachings of the god Shri Krishna into one's life. Therefore, this Janmashtami, you can take five such vows along with these five things:
- Not showing unnecessary anger towards anyone.
- Helping those in need within one's capabilities.
- Respecting parents and elders.
- Striving to maintain love and peace in the home.
- Performing one's duties honestly and conscientiously.
The teachings of the god Shri Krishna convey to us the message that regardless of life's circumstances, a person should not deviate from the path of their duties and actions. Therefore, this Janmashtami, in addition to worshipping the god Shri Krishna, one should take note of and apply the lessons learned from his life.