The festival of Janmashtami holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Hindus worldwide. Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is a compound word made of two words – “Janma” (Birth) and “Ashtami” (The 8th day). Hence, it is celebrated as a the birth anniversary of Load Krishna on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Shravana. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with immense joy, reverence and fervor, culminating in a grand midnight celebration.
Janmashtami is a festival that signifies love and devotion. Central to the observance of Janmashtami is the act of fasting, a practice deeply rooted in Hindu scriptures and traditions. This article aims to shed light on the significance of fasting during Janmashtami, drawing from sacred texts and various cultural practices of Vaishnava sects.
Fasting on Janmashtami is not just a ritualistic practice but is anchored in the rich tapestry of scriptures, philosophies, and traditions.
Scriptural Foundations
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse scripture part of the Mahabharata, holds a special conversation between Pandava Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. In Chapter 6, the “Dhyana Yoga,” Lord Krishna speaks about the virtues of self-control and discipline, likening the disciplined person to an unwavering flame in a windless place. Fasting during Janmashtami can be seen as a practice that encapsulates this discipline, helping devotees harness their physical and mental faculties.
In the 16th and 17th shlokas of Chapter 6, Lord Krishna explains the essence of fasting and other virtues.
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नत: | न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ||
Lord Krishna: O Arjuna, it’s not possible for one to achieve a success in Yoga when one eats too much or too little and sleeps too much or too little.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा ||
Lord Krishna: But one who regulates the eating and sleeping and balanced the work and recreation, can overcome the pains of materialism by practicing Yoga.
These shlokas underscores the importance of moderation and discipline, virtues that are embodied in the act of fasting.
Bhagavata Purana
The Bhagavata Purana elaborates on the life and leelas (divine plays) of Lord Krishna. One notable story is of the gopis who performed the Katyaayani Vrata, a month-long fast, to attain Lord Krishna as their husband. The severity and devotion shown by the gopis exemplify the significance of fasting as an instrument of devotion and a means to divine grace.
The Shlokas 1 of Chapter 22 of Skandha 10 narrates the tale of fasting by unmarried gopis.
हेमन्ते प्रथमे मासि नन्दव्रजकुमारिका: । चेरुर्हविष्यं भुञ्जाना: कात्यायन्यर्चनव्रतम् ॥
Rishi Shree Shukadevji: In the first month of the Hemant (Autumn) season, the Kumaris of Nanda’s Vraj (unmarried girls of Gokul), performed the month-long vrat of Goddess Katyayani (Durga in the form of Yoga-maya) by consuming only Havishyam (boiled wild rice made with ghee or clarified butter and fit for oblation).
Ancient wisdom by Bhadavata Purana offers the hints about what to consume for fasting (such as mixture rice and ghee that is suitable as a offering to god and made without spices) through the story of Vrat observance of unmarried Gopis intense desire to be with the Lord Krishna forever.
Upanishad
The Chhandogya Upanishad provides the further proof about the lifestyle wisdom and shows the relationship between Aahar (Food) and Vichar (Mind) with emphasis on Sattvic diet.
Shloka 2 of Chapter 26 of the Canto 7 states this link.
आहार शुद्धौ सत्त्व शुद्धिः सत्त्व शुद्धौ स्मृतिः ध्रुवा स्मृति लम्भे सर्व ग्रन्थीनां विप्र मोक्षः
Rishi Veda Vyasa: From purity of food comes purity of mind; from purity of mind comes constant remembrance of God, and from that one attains Moksha (liberation from materialism).
Hence, it’s clear from scared texts that fasting is a way to focus mind into the God – Shree Krishna – and to have the right mindset (pure mind), one needs to consume pure and sattvic foods.
Vaishnava Traditions & Practices
Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions in Hinduism, places Lord Vishnu (and his incarnations) at the center of worship. Janmashtami is thus one of the most important festivals in this tradition.
In the Vaishnav tradition, Ekadashis (the eleventh day of each fortnight in the lunar calendar) are days dedicated to fasting and contemplation. Janmashtami is an extension of this fasting culture, believed to purify the soul and bring one closer to the divine.
Pushtimarg
Founded by Shri Vallabhacharya, Pushtimarg is another prominent Vaishnav tradition that takes Janmashtami fasting to an intricate level. Here, the fast includes a total refrain from any grains and a focus on consuming only milk and milk products, which are considered to be Lord Krishna’s favorites. This kind of fasting is believed to facilitate a stronger bond between the devotee and the divine. The fast is observed till midnight or until Vaishnav attend the Shreenathiji (Shree Goverdhannathji) darshan and aarti.
ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), ounded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, popularized the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition worldwide. ISKCON carries its unique approach to fasting. Devotees fast until midnight, singing hymns (kirtans), reading from the Bhagavad Gita, and participating in abhishek (ritualistic bathing of deities). The fast is broken by consuming ‘prasadam,’ sanctified food prepared with sattvic ingredients and mindfulness.
Madhva and Nimbarka Sampradayas
In these traditions, devotees fast until midnight, which is the auspicious time marking Lord Krishna’s birth. This fast is broken with a ceremonial feast that often includes ‘Panchamrit,’ a mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar, symbolizing the nectar of life and purity.
Conclusion
Fasting on Janmashtami is not just a ritualistic practice but is anchored in the rich tapestry of scriptures, philosophies, and traditions. Whether viewed from the lens of the Bhagavad Gita, Puranas, and other scared texts that describe the eternal way of living, or various Vaishnav traditions and practices, fasting emerges as a multi-faced tool – from discipline and self-control to purification and spiritual elevation.
By observing a fast on this auspicious day, one aligns oneself with the cosmic rhythms, emulates the virtues of Lord Krishna, and endeavors to make the body a worthy vessel for the divine. So this Janmashtami, as you engage in fasting and other devotional practices, know that you are participating in a deeply spiritual and enriching tradition and being closer to divine.
Don’t forget to consume the Janmashtami Farali Platter suitable for fasting so your body stays nutritious all day as your refocus your energy on divinity.
