Janmashtami 2025

August 16, 2025

Birth of Krishna.

This day marks the celebration of the birth of Krishna, the beloved cowherd of Vrindavan and the Supreme Reality manifest in human form.

The murti of Krishna and the artwork of Radha and Krishna in the images below are from the Krishna Temple in Chimbel, Goa.

Verse and translation provided by Dr. V.N. Muthukumar

लसत्कुण्डलामृष्टगण्डस्थलान्तं जपारागचोराधरं चारुहासम् । अलिव्याकुलामोदमन्दारमालं महोर्स्स्फुरत्कौस्तुभोदारहारम् ॥

Glittering earrings that rub against corners of His cheeks, Lips that shame the red japākusuma, Bees frolicking around a garland of fragrant mandāra, on His broad chest adorned by the excellent kaustubha

(viṣṇubhujaṅgaprayātastotra attributed by tradition to Śaṅkara Bhagavatpāda, v. 6)

Verse and translation provided by Dr. V.N. Muthukumar

का स्त्र्यङ्ग ते कलपदायतमूर्च्छितेन सम्मोहिताऽऽर्यचरितान्न चलेत्त्रिलोक्याम् । त्रैलोक्यसौभगमिदं च निरीक्ष्य रूपं यद्गोद्विजद्रुममृगाः पुलकान्यबिभ्रन् ॥

Indeed! Is there a woman in all three worlds, who – enchanted by Your long-drawn sweet melody – does not go astray? Seeing Your form – that captivates the three worlds – cows, birds, deer, even trees get goose-bumps.

(śrῑmad bhāgavatapurāṇam 10.29.40)