Krishnajanmashtami Poem by Savita Tyagi
Krishnajanmashtami
Today is The festival of Krishna Janam Ashtami.
This morning I thought of my eldest brother.
The festival decoration used to be a time of excitement in our home.
My eldest brother's creativity on that day would swing in full force.
The Mathura jail, Krishna's birthplace was made with cardboard box.
He would design the river with actual water flowing
With most up to date electrical gadgets available.
A figurine of Vasudeva holding baby Krishna in basket would be placed in there.
The forest of Vrandavan was created with mango leaves and twigs.
Mountain of Goverdhan was made with pebbles and stones.
We all kept fast, had a fruit and lemonade to sustain us till midnight
And kept ourselves busy whole heartedly with an amazing excitement,
Lending a helping hand when ever we could to set up the Jhanki,
As these decorations depicting life events of Krishna's life are called.
On day of Krishna Janam Ashtami these Jhankis are set at many places
People visit temples and family homes to watch, admire and celebrate.
Since Krishna was born in jail, on this day jails are specially decorated.
At night visiting local jail to watch Krishna-plays performed by prisoners
Were one of the high lights of the evening still reverberating in my heart.
At mid nigh Krishna Janam was done by Amma behind a curtain held by us children.
Grand finale, Arti, prayers and Prasad with the most delicious food.....
The good old days flash back in mind.......
Happy Krishna Janam Ashtami
(cont.) i'd not like (too well) to fast. how MUCH fruit and lemonade would Bri be allowed to consume! ? ? BUT, i'd be so looking forward to the play and the delicious food (LATER) that maybe fasting would not bother me....... TOO MUCH. bri :) a nice set of memories, Savita! ! ! Thanks.
(cont.) Certainly with poetic license i think it should be. But i THINK you, Savita, 'want' midnight, not mid nigh or mid night. Google seems to not approve of mid night. ; ( Religious leaders and 'the faithful' will say that Krishna was born in a jail, about 3100 years before Jesus was born in a 'stable', complete with 'farm animals'. i wonder which birthplace smelled WORSE. Hmm? (cont.)
(cont.) i AM 'LOVING' THIS POEM! to MyPoemList, and i may start celebrating! but...in line 19, start with Was, not Were, a fairly easy 'mistake' to make. ha ha. now to finish reading. At mid nigh Krishna Janam was done.... i JUST checked on Google mid night a couple(?) of days ago; another Indian (a fine poet, new to PH i think, Ruchi Chaurasiya) had used mid night and i thought it might be ok. (cont.)
(cont.) line 13: i'd 'marry' when and ever. know what i mean! ? :) [is it just an American spelling i do suggest? ? ] (cont.)
did YOU type the festival's name that way in the title, OR did PH do that! ! ! ? ? i like the way it is in the title. perhaps 'Indians' should ALL begin spelling it that way? Did you say you maintained yourselves with mango leaves and twigs! ! ! i must read that part again. in college i knew a guy with the last name Jancke (i think) , and he WAS pretty decorative, now that i think of him. (cont.)
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/29/2024 7:41:28 AM # 1.0.0.1119
The memories of the past that your elder brother used to decorate the arena of Krishna janmastami have been so amazingly portrayed. On this day people visit temples and family homes to watch, admire and celebrate. As Krishna was born in jail, hence on this day Krishna janmastami is observed in jail too. The last Stanza says much how it is celebrated. You have, dear madam, so nicely penned this poem. Thank you.