Happy Birthday my Krishna

Today, on the auspicious occasion of 'Shri Krishna Janamashtmi' or the birthday of Lord Krishna, I dedicate this post to him. I would like to share a few pictures that present him in the many leelas (or divine plays) that he did for the happiness of his devotees. When one has a look at the various things he did, one is bound to question that if he was THE lord, why did he have to do them. Let me tell you the answers along with the pictures showing what he did.

Krishna as a Son

Bal Leela (Divine plays as a child)

The little Krishna played with his mother Yashoda, cried for maakhan(white butter) which was his favorite, even stole it from the kitchen when his mother wasn't around, did all the naughty things that children of his age do & also got himself punished for those. He ensured that even when he was the God himself, he was just a child to his mother. He did not want her to loose out on any little happiness that a mother would normally get seeing all the little things that his son does as a kid.

Krishna as a Friend

Mitra Leela (Divine plays as a friend)

Krishna made sure that he was the best friend to his friends. Always there for them in times of need, he was just a thought away. He is omnipresent. Think of him when you were in need & he would be there.

Krishna as a Lover

Bhojan Leela(Divine play of eating) , Mana Leela(Divine play of persuasion)

Prem Leela(Divine plays of love), Shringaar Leela(Divine play of
beautifying the beloved)

Raas Leela(Divine play of pleasing his lovers)

Being the Almighty, Krishna did not need to take the cows to graze; he did not require to eat & drink to live, he is immortal; he did not need to be a true lover taking care of his beloved, Radha Rani, beautifying her external appearance with his own two hands, taking care of her, pacifying her when she was upset with him; he did not need to play with all the shepherd girls or gopis(all the girls of his native place) who were madly in love with him. But he descended on earth in the human form & thus made sure that he was the best as a lover taking care of all those who loved him, be it the cows, Radha Rani or the gopis. He let them all drown in the ocean of immense love & feel the most beautiful emotion in the world.

Krishna as a Mentor

When Arjuna saw that he had to fight his own relatives in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, he got depressed & disillusioned. It was then that Lord Krishna who had come to the battlefield as his chariot driver preached him Bhagvat Gita(the holy book of Hindus) to enlighten him, make him realize the difference between right & wrong & motivate him. Arjuna was blessed to have the lord himself to guide him through.

Krishna's Supreme Lover amongst all others

Mirabai

True saints, female or male, have usually felt this Love in their heart for their beloved Lord. Without this experience of Love, we remain like a fruit tree without fruits, a river without water and a mother without a child. A barren life is no joy, nor can toys nurture us too long. We all sooner or later begin to aspire for that true Love which cannot be described but can be experienced without a doubt. For most worldly people, it is difficult to follow the steep path of saints or Incarnates but we can certainly follow the path of these shepherd girls, or gopis, who were a common lot and yet achieved the highest. One such perfect gopi was Radha who was reborn as Mirabai. So these two names are interchangeable and represent to us a perfect example to follow. Mirabai devoted her life to the love of the Lord; that was the only thing that existed for her. She is a living example for us of how to love God Almighty as our very own whether as a husband, a wife, a friend, a father, a mother or a child.

I have tried to show here the various roles that Lord Krishna played during his stay on earth in the human form, the reason behind his divine plays & introduced you to the great Mirabai. Krishna's birth is a very big festival here in India and it kinda marks the beginning of the festive season here with several festivals that will follow till the last one ending on new years. The happiness, fun & frolic, celebration seems to be everywhere around you. It's impossible to put into words, it's an altogether different feeling. For all my friends outside India, here is an invitation to come to India, stay with me & see for yourself how festivity is in the air. I promise, you will have a time of your life :)

So once again,

A Very Happy Birthday, My Krishna!!

Hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare...

In love with you Krishna,always..
Meow( yours Radha/Meera)