Celebrating Janmashtami
By: Dr. Priyanka Saurabh
Janmashtami is a festival deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of India, which is not just a date, but has been an immortal celebration of our emotions, our memories and our life values for centuries.
On the night of Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapad month, when the clocks touch twelve and the sound of blowing conches reverberates in the temples, it seems as if time stops. In every house, in the streets, in the temples, amidst tableaus and decorations, little Kanha is seated in a swing. This confluence of devotion, love, joy and faith is not just a religious ritual, but a celebration of our cultural soul.
On this day, a wonderful sight is seen in every corner of India – small children adorn the house as Kanha, adorned with peacock feathers, yellow clothes, flute and crown. This tradition is not just a decoration; there is a deep cultural and moral thought behind it.
When we give the form of Kanha to our children, we do not just decorate their body, but also imprint an image in their minds, which has joy, innocence, love, friendship and also the courage to stand up against injustice.
The child form of Krishna always holds a special place in the Indian psyche. The mischief of stealing butter, the affectionate conversation with the gopis, the sweet tune of the flute, and standing up fearlessly against a tyrant like Kansa – all these are not just old stories, but messages of the art of living.
These stories have entertainment as well as education. When a child becomes Kanha, he does not just play a character, but unconsciously starts imbibing these qualities.
With time, society changes and so do its values. Today’s child does not play all day in the fields, lanes and courtyards like the children of earlier times. His world is now limited to mobile, computer, video games and social media.
Digital entertainment has replaced traditional games and running around in the open. At such a time, festivals like Janmashtami come as a rare opportunity to connect children with our roots. But the danger is that this occasion may also become a program for just taking photos or posting on social media.
We have to understand that dressing up as Kanha is just an outward appearance. The real purpose is to inculcate the qualities of Kanha in children. These are the same qualities that stand the test of time – truthfulness, courage, compassion, creativity and a sense of joy in life.
The tale of butter theft teaches us that enjoying life is a part of life, but without harming anyone. The tale of lifting the Govardhan mountain gives lessons in leadership, teamwork and responsibility. The friendship of Sudama-Krishna teaches us that relationships should not be based on mere convenience or benefit, but on true love and loyalty.
In the modern context, if we think that Kanha was born in today’s era, then perhaps he would have also composed music sitting on a laptop, expressed his views on social media, and led campaigns for environmental protection.
He would have raised his voice against injustice, whether it is cyber bullying, gender discrimination or exploitation of nature. He would have stayed connected with his friends online, but would have also taught them the importance of meeting in real life and being with each other. This is the thinking we have to develop in our children.
The festival of Janmashtami gives us a precious opportunity to not only make children wear peacock feathers and crowns, but also instill in their hearts such thoughts and values that will guide them throughout their lives. When we make them the form of Kanha, we should also tell them a story – so that they can understand the meaning of that form.
For example, tell them that the flute is not just an instrument of music, but a symbol of love, peace and communication. The crown is not just a symbol of royal pomp, but a symbol of responsibility and protection. The yellow cloth is not just clothing, but a message of sacrifice and simplicity.
To make this festive occasion more meaningful, we should sensitize our children towards the environment. We can tell them that just like Kanha kept Yamuna pure, we too have to protect our water bodies and nature. We can avoid plastic crowns and artificial decorations, and use natural, handmade, indigenous clothing. This will not only add to the sanctity of the festival, but will also make children aware of eco-friendly habits.
Modern Kanha does not only mean that he knows how to operate a smartphone, but that he uses technology correctly and responsibly. He acquires knowledge on the Internet, but also stays connected to his culture. He treats friends honestly, respects elders, and helps the needy. He makes truth the basis and love the path in his life.
For me, ‘My Kanha’ means every child who is full of innocence, who smiles even in hardships, who works hard to fulfill his dreams, who treats people around him with compassion, and who is proud of his culture. Only when we create such children will our society become a true ‘Vrindavan’ – full of love, harmony and justice.
On this Janmashtami, we should take a pledge that we will make our children Kanha not only externally but also internally. We will teach them that life should have the sweetness of the flute, the responsibility of the crown, the simplicity of the peacock feather, and the purity of the yellow cloth. When every child is adorned with these qualities, it will not only be his beauty but the beauty of the entire society.
(The author is a Research Scholar in Political Science)
