5250th  Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna

Happy Krishna Janam-Ashtami

When is  Krishna Janam Ashtami?,  Wednesday 6 September 2023 or  Thursday 7 September 2023?  This is the confusion we have every year, not only for Krishan Janam Ashtami, but for some other Hindu festivals too.   This is my effort to illustrate the difficulty we experience in assigning one day in the Gregorian (English) calendar that corresponds to the Hindu Festival.

Hindu festivals are based on Hindu Calendar. The complexity of the Hindu calendar system is without a doubt one of its most distinguishing characteristics. It combines information on lunar days, solar days, lunar months, solar months, the movements of the Sun and the Moon in respect to star constellations, and other astronomically defined time spans to provide a multi-dimensional system of organising time. On the other hand, the Gregorian (English)  calendar is based on only two fundamental units of time: solar days and solar years, making the Hindu calendar much more complicated.  Converting the dates of Hindu festivals to the Gregorian (English) calendar is a significant challenge. For the reasons stated above, a Hindu festival may not occur on a certain day in the Gregorian (English) calendar.

So, what exactly should we do?  To keep things simple, I propose we choose a day when all of the relevant criteria coincide with the Gregorian (English) calendar.

Let us consider Lord Krishna’s birthday, Janmashtami.  Lord Krishna took human form at Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India, between the hours of 12 midnight and 3 am, when  the following astrological parameters were into effect.

  • Maas (Hindu Lunar Month): Sharavan (according to the Amanta tradition) or Bhadrapada (according to the Purnimanta tradition)

  • Paksha (Phase of Moon): Krishna (period of wanning Moon)

  • Tithi (Lunar Day): Ashtami (8th Lunar day)

  • Lagna (Ascendant) rising at East horizon: Vrishabh (Taurus)

Note: Krishna Paksha (Wanning Moon) is the period between Purnima (Full Moon) and Amavasya (New Moon).  Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon) is the period between the Amavasya  (New Moon) to Purnima (Full Moon), In Sanskrit language ‘Krishna’ means ‘Dark’ and ‘Shukla’ means ‘Bright’.

As far as my little knowledge of Astronomy and Astrology can tell, Sri Krishna Janam Ashtami falls on  Wednesday, 6 September 2023, as this date meets the majority of the afore mentioned criteria.

Adding more twist to the complexity, due to the phenomenon known as ‘Adhik Shravan’ Maas, the month of Shravan will now go on for a full two months(4 July 2023  – 31 August 2023), a phenomenon that has not occurred for the last 19 years. This will make the month of Sharavan particularly noteworthy.

 

Now let us look at the above parameters for Mathura for 6 September 2023.  

  • Maas (Hindu Lunar Month): Bhadrapada

  • Ashtami Tithi begins: 6 Sep 2023, 15:37 hours

  • Ashtami Tithi ends:  7 Sep 2023, 16:14 hours  

  • Rohini Nakshatra begins: 6 Sep 2023, 09:20 hours

  • Rohini Nakshatra ends: 7 Sep 2023, 10:25 hours

  • Vrishabh (Taurus) Lagna begins: 6 Sep 2023, 21:46 hours

  • Vrishabh (Taurus) Lagna ends:   6 Sep 2023, 23:42 hours

Now let us look at the same parameters for Auckland, New Zealand for 6 Sep 2023

  • Maas (Hindu Lunar Month): Bhadrapada

  • Ashtami Tithi begins:      6 Sep 2023, 22:07 hours

  • Ashtami Tithi ends:         7 Sep 2023, 22:44 hours  

  • Rohini Nakshatra begins: 6 Sep 2023, 15:50 hours

  • Rohini Nakshatra ends:    7 Sep 2023, 16:55 hours

  • Vrishabh (Taurus) Lagna begins: 6 Sep 2023, 23:46 hours

  • Vrishabh (Taurus) Lagna ends: 7 Sep 2023, 2:08 hours

Why some temples are observing Krishna Janmashtami on 7 September 2023?

For convenience,  some pundits  take Udaya Tithi and Udaya Nakshatra, i.e., Tithi and Nakshatra at the time of   Sunrise for  the local latitude   and on the other hand some take the Actual Tithi and Nakshatra w.r.t to the city or latitude of celebration.  Hence, two dates for Krishna Janam Ashtami, 6 and 7 September 2023.

Please note Tithi and Nakshatras at the time of Local Sunrise for Mathura, India  and Auckland, New Zeeland would be:

  • 6th September 2023: Tithi and Nakshatra at the time  of  Sunrise at Mathura would be Saptami (7th Lunar Day)  and  Krittika respectively

  • 7th September 2023: Tithi and Nakshatra at the time  Sunrise at Mathura would be Ashtami (8th Lunar Day)  and  Rohini respectively

Astrologically and Technically speaking and  taking into consideration the aforementioned factors and the fact that Krishna Janam Ashtami is traditionally observed on Bhadrapada Maas, Ashtami Tithi, Rohini Nakshatra, and most significantly, at MIDNIGHT; Please note Neither Ashtami Tithi Nor Rohini Nakshatra falls at midnight of 7 September 2023.  

My Opinion

In this Digital age, with the click of the mouse one can easily and  precisely calculate the Tithies and Nakshatras  for any place and for any given date and time, then why not use the Technology?   In my humble opinion, Krishna  Janam Ashtami  should be observed at  Midnight of  Wednesday 6 September 2023 where all parameters are justfiied

Krishna Janmashtami Muhurat

The most important period for performing puja or worship in Hinduism is during the Nishita Kaal (Auspicious Period).  It is seen to be a very fortunate moment and is connected to a strong spiritual force. 

Nishita Kala (for Mathura and Auckland):  6 Sep 2023 23:57 hours  to  7 Sep 2023 00:42 hours , i.e,  11:57 PM (6 Sep 2023)  to 00:42 AM (7 Sep 2023) 

 

 

Regards

Ravinder Grover 

Disclaimer: ‘Without Prejudice’.  I offer my insight to Astrology solely based on my learnings of astrology principles and techniques,  some  of them learnt from the Sages of the highest order. These predictions are offered for guidance purpose only.   I offer absolute no guarantee on my calculations and analysis. These predictions are not intended to harm anyone by any means.  I expressly disclaim all warranties, implied or contingent, for making use of these predictions, for incurring any loss, loss of profit or in any manner. No notice or advice from anyone  will create any liability whatsoever falls