Janamastami brochure of ISKCON Zurich temple

Janmasthami: A life in separation and celebrating manifestation of Krishna in our hearts

- Devasri Radhika Devi Dasi

“If we have a strong sense of love for the Supreme Lord, then we can discharge our duty and at the same time
remember Him. But we have to develop that sense of love. Arjuna, for instance, was always thinking of Krishna, he was
the constant companion of Krishna, and at the same time he was a warrior.”
- His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is

Janmasthami is a celebration of the manifestation of Lord Krishna in our hearts. It is a festival of celebrating
longing and separation from the Lord. The beauty of Krishna-consciousness is that it is laded with festivities just like a
tree laded with fruits. We celebrate the appearance of the Lord, His pastimes and even the disappearance of Vaishnava
saints – as they re-unite with their eternal associates. How often have we reminded ourselves that we are indeed
leading a life in separation from the Lord? Instantly, it brings us closer to God-consciousness and makes our activities
more purposeful. As spiritual life is su-sukham (BG 9.2), this separation and longing does not make us morose, instead
it is a source of joy as it reminds us of Krishna.

One of the significant festivals that precedes Janmasthami is Rathayatra, which marks how the residents of
Vraja dragged Krishna and Balarama back to Vrindavana. This is followed by Balarama Jayanti: the manifestation of
Lord Balarama in our hearts. Lord Balarama is the adi-guru – His appearance is symbolic of the manifestation of a
guru or spiritual master in our lives, before we manifest Krishna. The term guru may be translated as heavy. The
spiritual master instructs us to deeply cleanse and make our hearts heavy with love as we gradually manifest
Krishna. And then on Janmasthami, we fast the entire day, as we keep busy – preparing our hearts to welcome
Krishna.
One may wonder why we fast at all – isn´t Krishna-consciousness a joyous process? How can fasting be
joyous? Srila Prabhupada states that a devotee takes up austerities for Krishna and this gives both Krishna and him/
her, a great sense of joy. It is just like how a father and mother work hard at home or at work, just to make their
children happy. Or how a young boy takes on several hardships to do something extra-ordinary or pleasing for the girl
he loves.

This material world and its tastes of pleasure are only a temporary, miniscule and perverted reflection of the
eternal spiritual bliss that is abundant in Krishna´s abode. We can only imagine the state of our hearts once we made
it Krishna`s abode. Srila Prabhupada states that we must take these so-called small inconveniences to express our
strong sense of love for Krishna.

Another interesting analogy by Srila Prabhupada in this regard is his example of how a devotee leads his/her life. He compares it to how
a married man/woman who secretly awaits meeting his/her lover at night, dutifully serves the wife/husband throughout the day with a
sense of separation and longing in their heart. That is how a devotee leads his/her life: sincerely executing their activities in the material

aration. His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami often stated, “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability as it is

sensewith
world of love for Krishna.
a sense of sep
an offering for Krishna.” The 4th of July, 2020 marked the physical disappearance of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami – a personality
thinking
who leadofhis life, in separation from Srila Prabhupada. His life was dedicated to very sincere efforts that still serve us as reminders of
Srila Prabhupada. This is the gift of ISKCON: exemplary footsteps which we can visibly follow and that lead us to developing a strong

This strong sense of love helps us realise the constant companionship of Krishna. Srila Prabhupada emphasises how Arjuna was always

Krishna, he was the constant companion of Krishna, and at the same time
Rādh
he was a warrior. Similarly, as we engage in the activities of our every day –
we can choose companionship of Krishna through the holy name: Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare.