Celebrate the Spirit of Krishna Consciousness

Whatever name we prefer to give the Supreme Being — Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, Shakti, Vishnu or Krishna — the concept of a Supreme Creator is that He is of extraordinary attributes, and is universally attractive. The name Krishna means ‘the all-attractive One’. “Sarva akarshati iti Krishna” — this describes the attractive nature of the Lord and so describes the absolute Truth, the supreme personality of Godhead, in full. The Lord administers the world through the laws of material nature — gross such as the law of gravitation and subtle such as the law of karma. But when predominance of materialism over spirituality disturbs the universal order, the Lord descends “to deliver the pious, annihilate the miscreants and re-establish divine principles”, says the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna descends not just to maintain law, but to awaken love. The love that our heart longs for through relationships with various persons finds fulfilment only when it is reposed in the Supreme. When we love Krishna, our love is never interrupted, never betrayed, never let down, never disappointed.
Unfortunately in this world of matter, all living beings are attracted not to the Lord of their heart but to matter and material enjoyment. However, matter being limited and finite, it can never fulfil the unlimited desires of our spirit; material enjoyment satiates, but never satisfies.
All religions recommend chanting the names of God. The Bible says “Let the Lord always be on your lips”, Islam exhorts the chanting of the 99 names of Allah. And among all the mantras — empowered sound vibrations — mentioned in Vedic scriptures, the maha-mantra “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare” is specially recommended for our age. So let us experience the love, care, protection and happiness of Janmashtami — the appearance of the Lord in our hearts — by devotedly chanting His holy names.