Random thoughts on Janmashtami

Random thoughts on Janmashtami (Sri  Krishna’s Birthday)

I think , its not simply not enough to be simply ritualistic on such as these occasions. What we do on such day’s, mostly, do some Pooja, go to temples, offer prasads, fire agarnbathi’s, break coconuts, eat and be satisfied that , we have pleased the Lord and Lord will shower His blessings on us. By evening we forget , and do what we were doing all the while as usual. There wont be any change in the life style or thinking etc., Same mundane things, worries, jealousies, hatred, etc., Nothing is changed and will be changed.

We  should take this opportunitiy of Krishn’a Birthday(Janmashtami) to reflect on what he has said , esp.  what we call “Bhagavad Gita” .  I find it very Unfortunate and a bit amusing, to hear Bhagavad Gita, rendered by late Ghantasala, ONLY on someone Death. Is it really meant only for the ‘Dead” or for the people who are in mourning?

Actually , Bhagavad Gita is a Comprehensive philosophy of life and work.

Here I share some of the words Swami Ranganathananda, of Ramakrishna Math, spoke on Bhagavad Gita.

 The Bhagavad Gita was and is read as a pious act and for a little peace of Mind. We never realized that - this is a book of intense practicality, that this is the greatest book of practical Vedanta, capable of helping in to create a Society of fully developed human beings. We never understood the practical application of Gita teachings. If we had done so, we would not have had the thousand years of foreign invasions, Internal caste conflicts, feaudal oppressions and mass poverty. We never took Gita seriously. But, now, we have to.

The Gita is philosophy that will train people’s mind and hearts to build a new welfare society, based on human dignitiy, freedom and equality. But the tragedy is, we have, converted it into a mere Book of Piety.

The Gita is compared to the Milk taken out of cow, meaning Vedas, by Sri Krishna, the Milkman. What is the Milk for? It is not meant for Worship, but it is meant to be drank for nourishment. Then alone can one get strength. But all these hundreds of years, we took that glass of Milk, worshipped it with flowers and saluted it, but never drank it. That is why, we are feeble, physically, mentally and socially. Start drinking this Milk and assimilate it. That will help us to develop character, strength, work efficiency and spirit of service and to forge a new national destiny.

(Unquote)