Janmashtami: Know the Exact Age of Shree Krishna!

Related Topics:Birth Chart AnalysisFestivals and EventsHindu DeitiesMahabharataShri Krishna

Janmashtami is one of the most significant festivals of the Hindus, across the world. Hindus celebrate the birth of Shri Krishna on this day with much fun and enthusiasm. Bhagwan Shri Krishna is the eighth Avatar roop (incarnation) of Shri Vishnu and took birth in the Dwapar Yuga. One of the most loveable, admirable and worshipped gods in the Hindu pantheon, Shri Krishna appeared on the 8th day of the second fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Sravana which is very close to the month of Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha according to the Barhaspatyamana, in the year of Visvavasu, about 5,250 years ago (from now 2023), which means about 3227-3228 B.C. 

Krishna means dark complexioned, also the name by which his devotees address him. Shri Krishna was dark complexioned (somewhat bluish, as his complexion is mentioned in many Hindu scriptures as ‘Meghvarnam,’ whose complexion is like a dark bluish cloud). As he was born on Krishna Paksha and he was Krishna (complexioned), the day is also known as Krishna Ashtami and hence we celebrate his birthday as Shri Krishna Janmashtami in the second fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar today, which comes in the English calendar months of August and September. 

Birth Chart of Shri Krishna

The most commonly accepted birth chart of Lord Krishna is from the Puranas, Srimad Bhagavatam and other ancient texts. 

Ashtamyaam, Sraavanamaase, Krishna-pakshe ashtami maha-thithau; Rohinyaam, ardha-rathre, cha sudnmsa udayonmukhe. (from Srimad Bhagavatham by Sri Vyasa Maharshi

The date and time of birth mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatham by Maharishi Ved Vyasa, 

• Date of Birth: July—17/18—3228 (BC)
• Day : *Wednesday*
• Time : *00:00 A.M.*
• Month:  Bhadrapada, Krishna Paksha Ashtami
• Birth Star (Nakshatra): Rohini
• Place of birth = Mathura (27*25’ North; 77*41’ East

Shri Krishna was born towards the end of Dwapar Yuga and he lived in his human body for 126 years, 8 months and 7 days. He took birth in human form about 5250 years ago. Born to Devaki and Vasudev, he was the 8th of all his siblings. His birth was a supernatural phenomenon. 

His birth chart clearly shows he was Supreme Being and took human birth to reinstate dharma. As he says in Bhagavad Gita, Adhyaya 4, Shloka 7 and 8:

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।

अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥४-७॥

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।

धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥४-८॥

Meaning: Whenever There Is A Decline In Righteousness And An Increase In Sinfulness, O Arjun, At That Time I Manifest Myself On Earth.

His Birth Was Not Natural, But Supernatural

When Shri Krishna was born, both his parents were locked in jail (by his mama (maternal uncle)) Kansa. Kansa was the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom, which had its capital in Mathura. He was a great warrior too, but his demonic nature brought his end. The people of Mathura were scared of his torturous behaviour and wanted somebody to rescue them from the tyrant Kansa. Finally, Shri Vishnu decided to ascend to Earth as Devaki’s eighth son Shri Krishna. There was an Akaashvani that a child born of Devaki would kill Kansa, and hence Kansa locked both Devaki and Vasudeva in a karagar (jail). Kansa decided he would kill every single child born to Devaki (his own sister), as soon as they took birth. 

However, though he was successful in killing six of his siblings, he failed to kill the seventh who was born as a Balaram through Rohini. He was the elder brother of Sri Krishna and was safely transferred to Rohini’s (Vasudeva’s first wife) womb from Devaki’s womb, while he was yet to be born. When Shri Krishna ascended, all the locks of the karagar opened automatically with divine intervention. Soon after Shri Krishna ascended, Vasudev moved infant Krishna amid torrential rain and thunder to Nand Goan and handed him over to Yashoda and Nanda, the foster parents of Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna lived there till the age of 12 and showed many godlike miracles. Later he came to Mathura and killed then demon king Kansa, his maternal uncle and continued to perform countless miracles and dharma restoration tasks for the rest of his life and the War of Kurukshetra is one of them. 

Shri Krishna is called the Purna Purusha or Sampurna Purusha, as he was nipun (expert) in 16 Kalas. The first five kalas are 1) Anna Maya (with cereals), 2) Pranamaya (with breath), 3) Mano Maya (with mind), 4) Vigyanamaya (with knowledge) and 5) Anandamaya (with joy) are present in every human being. With little effort, humans can perfect three more kalas – 6) Atishayini, (With Peace) 7) Viparinabhimi (With Love) and 8) Sankramini. (With Creator) The ‌remaining eight Kalas are 9) Prabhvi, 10) Kunthini, 11) Vikasini, 12) Maryadini, 16) Sanhaladini, 14) Ahladini,1 5) Paripurna and 16) Swarupavasthit.

Anyone with the ninth Kala besides the first five natural Kalas and the next three perfected Kalas, becomes a god. According to Sanatan Hindu scriptures, the ninth kalas Prabhvi means KARTUM AKARTUM, to do seemingly impossible tasks.

What Does His Chart Indicate?

His birth chart gives us information regarding valuable insights into his life and personality. The Rohini Nakshatra is one of the most promising and favourable nakshatras. Intelligent, wise, and blessed with good fortune type of people are born under this nakshatra. His chart indicates that Shri Krishna was born under the ascending of Cancer, which is usually governed by the Moon. This indicates that he was a loveable and emotional person, with a profound association with his family and dear ones. 

However, the positioning of the planets in his chart also indicates that he was born as a leader, a brave person with a very charismatic aura, profound knowledge and extraordinary personality with the ability to encourage and inspire people, something only a Supreme Being can have, not an ordinary person.

However, we need to be aware that the age was not calculated in ‌ordinary human years as per the present Gregorian calendar (which is just about 2000 years old) in those days, but calculated in the years of the Yuga cycle. Many calculations are being made by expert astrologers today to reach a date that looks most accurate as per present calendars.  

Celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami

Shri Krishna’s birth is celebrated as Janmashtami every year. His exact date & time of birth is calculated by our Vedic astrologers for this day every year. Hindus and his followers all over the world celebrate his birthday, his life and his teachings with much devotion and enthusiasm on this day. Small kids are dressed like Shri Krishna and Radharani and his childhood stories are performed by these small kids. Mandirs are decorated, all day bhajans and kirtan take place, at many mandirs like 56 bhog (56 different dishes) are offered to Shri Krishna. Devotees sing, dance, ring bells, blow conch, and Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Lord Krishna. At Mathura (his birthplace) big spiritual gatherings are organized to celebrate the day. Devotees also observe a 24-hour fast till late at midnight (the time of his birth) and eat food only after offering food to Shri Krishna. 

It is necessary to know that the importance of Shri Krishna’s life and lessons exceeds the boundaries of chronological age. Shri Krishna was Vishnu’s avatar, and his story is studied as an everlasting source of wisdom and spiritual assistance.

Shri Krishna’s life has been incredibly inspirational and motivational for us human beings. He in his lifetime has taught his followers the way to fight for dharma at any cost without any compromising, and for that, if one has to stand against a blood relation, so be it, because Dharma is the only way to attain Moksha, the ultimate goal.

The maha-mantra in Kaliyug for Moksha prapti is: 

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण, कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे।

हरे राम हरे राम, राम राम हरे हरे।।

 

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