In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores the significance of Janmashtami, recounting the birth of Sri Krishna and the deeper spiritual themes woven throughout His life and devotion.
Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Dr. Svoboda notes the contrast between Krishna and Sri Ramachandra, the seventh avatar. Rama is born during the waxing phase of the moon at noon, whereas Krishna is born during the waning phase of the moon at midnight. Krishna, perhaps the most beloved deity throughout South Asia, was affectionately described by Dr. Svoboda’s mentor, Vimalananda, as a “thug” in the sweetest possible sense, one who continually orchestrates events in unexpected ways while appearing entirely uninvolved.
This pattern begins with Krishna’s birth. He was born in prison to Vasudeva and Devaki, whose brother Kamsa ruled as a ruthless tyrant. Some traditions identify Kamsa as a reincarnation of Ravana, although whether or not this is so, he had already killed six of Devaki’s sons. He believed he had destroyed the seventh, Balarama, although Balarama had already been safely transferred elsewhere. Determined to kill the eighth child as well, Kamsa remained vigilant. Yet immediately after Krishna’s birth, the prison guards mysteriously fell asleep, every locked door opened, and Vasudeva carried the newborn safely out of the prison.
Crossing the flooded Yamuna during the height of the monsoon would normally have been impossible, but Vasudeva was protected by Shesha Naga, who sheltered him throughout the journey. He reached Gokula, where Yashoda had also given birth that very night, exchanged the two infants, and returned to the prison carrying the baby girl.
When morning arrived, Kamsa was informed that Devaki had delivered a daughter instead of a son. Although the prophecy foretold his death at the hands of Devaki’s son, he decided to leave nothing to chance. Seizing the infant, he attempted to kill her by throwing her to the ground. Instead, the child manifested as Yoga Maya, laughed at Kamsa, and declared, “Fool! Your destroyer has already escaped and is elsewhere.” Having delivered this warning, she vanished.
Krishna was thus raised safely in Gokula while Vasudeva and Devaki endured separation from Him. Dr. Svoboda explains that this separation lies at the heart of Krishna Bhakti. Though His parents knew He was alive, they could not safely visit Him. Later, Krishna departed from Gokula itself, leaving behind the gopis whose devotion only deepened through separation. Eventually He established Himself in Dwaraka, where countless others became devoted to Him. Yet throughout His life, Krishna repeatedly withdrew from those who loved Him, allowing longing itself to intensify devotion.
On Janmashtami, Dr. Svoboda reminds us, we celebrate not only the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna but also the profound mystery of divine love, in which separation becomes a means of deepening devotion.