The birth of Krishna takes place at midnight. Devotees need to be mentally focused to perceive the divine birth. This focus is realized by chanting bhajans dedicated to Krishna in a community environment hours prior to the time of birth. This also serves to create an appropriate welcome to the incarnation of God.
There are several types of Janmashtami bhajans and each group has their favorites. Most popular are simple but lyrical verses describing the childhood of Krishna in Vrindavan, whose authorship is lost in antiquity. Then there are the devotional songs composed by singer saints during the Bhakti Movement. Finally, there are popular songs from Hindi films based on the life of Krishna.
Popular Janmashtami Bhajans
There are many popular Krishna bhajans sung on the occasion of Janmashtami that have been passed down from generation to generation. These songs are extremely simple in concept and language. They express unashamed reverence and pleasure at the antics of Krishna. Many of the songs focus on the characteristic appearance of Krishna. The blue skin is a common feature. Other features include curly hair with the peacock feather ensconced and large eyes filled with naughtiness. These devotional songs are set to lilting music and are suitable for community singing.
The divine entity can be seen only in the rarest of rare cases. Most devotees over centuries know that this bliss is not for them. In the following song [1] they blame themselves.
One of the most popular Janmashtami songs, Nand ke Anand Bhayo, obviously celebrates the birth of Krishna. The refrain is as follows: Who says God does not come when called? / The problem is that you do not call with the devotion of Mira / Nand has been blessed with a son / Sing praises to the infant Krishna / Nand is distributing elephants and horses / And palanquins to all.
The Bhakti Movement
The Bhakti Movement took place in India in the 15th and 16th centuries when singers and saints took religion to the masses by stressing devotion over theology. They included personages like Mirabai, Surdas, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Tulsidas.
The devotional songs of Mirabai are popular even today. They express a personal bond with Krishna based on unquestioning devotion. Translations of extracts from two Mira bhajans [2] often sung during Janmashtami are as follows: I have been given the wealth of devotion / I have not had to spend a penny for it / No thief can steal it from me / And the wealth increases every day / Mira has tied anklets on her feet and is dancing / People say that she has gone crazy / And her mother-in-law calls her a disgrace to the family.
Bhajans from Hindi Films
Since the 1940s Hindi films have been entertaining audiences. Most Hindi films are musicals with many songs in each film. A large number of these songs are based on religious topics. These songs are sung during religious festivals and Janmashtami is no exception.
These songs are slightly different from the popular bhajans. They employ metaphorical language and take the pleasure to a more intellectual level. But they retain the lyrical beauty and melody of the popular bhajans.
One of the most popular Hindi film songs sung during Janmashtami is from a film called Satyam Shivam Sundaram. It is a play upon the dark skinned Krishna and the fair Radha [3]. The song is titled Yashomati Maiya.The first verse is translated as follows: Krishna asks his mother Yashoda / Why is Radha fair and I am dark skinned? / Mother smiles and replies / You were born in the depth of the dark night / And hence you are dark skinned.
Though different types of Janmashtami bhajans have bee described in this article, the classification is academic. During the festivities all types if songs are sung by everyone.
Sources:
- [1] Accessed from BhajansOnline.blogspot.com
- [2] Accessed from Manaskriti.com
- [3] Accessed from Fropki.com
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