Yashoda Jayanti: The bright festival of motherhood

February 25, 2024February 25, 2024 पर user द्वारा प्रकाशित

Yashoda Jayanti , an extremely important festival of Hinduism, is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Yashoda Queen , the mother of Lord Krishna. Even though Devaki gave birth to Krishna, his upbringing and the unique experience of motherhood was given to Queen Yashoda. This festival not only symbolizes respect for the motherhood of Queen Yashoda, but it also teaches us sacrifice, love and duty.

Yashoda Jayanti will be celebrated on the auspicious day of 2 March in 2024. On this auspicious occasion, we will discuss the important aspects related to the life of Queen Yashoda, the glory of her motherhood and Yashoda Jayanti.

Significance of Yashoda Jayanti:

• Celebration of Motherhood: Yashoda Jayanti is a celebration of the sacred bond of motherhood. This day reminds us of the motherly love that Queen Yashoda displayed towards Krishna. She not only nurtured Krishna but also became his guide and protector. The festival of Yashoda Jayanti celebrates the glory of motherhood and provides us an opportunity to express our gratitude towards our mothers.
• Desire for Good Progeny: It is mentioned in the scriptures that a woman who duly worships Queen Yashoda and Shri Krishna on this holy day gets the blessing of having a good child. This belief strengthens the bond of unbreakable love between mothers and their future children.
• Fulfillment of Wishes: By worshiping on the day of Yashoda Jayanti, it is believed that all the wishes will be fulfilled. By worshiping with devotion and devotion, a person gets spiritual development and desired success.

Yashoda Jayanti Puja Vidhi:

By worshiping with rituals on the holy occasion of Yashoda Jayanti, one gets the blessings of motherhood and receives the blessings of Lord Krishna. Let us know the worship method of Yashoda Jayanti in detail:

Preparations:

• Take bath before worship and wear clean clothes.
• Select a holy and quiet place for puja.
• Gather puja materials:
  • wooden stool
  • red clothes
  • urn
  • Statue or picture of Yashoda Rani and Laddu Gopal
  • kumkum
  • Fruit
  • Flower
  • Sweet dish (kheer, halwa etc.)
  • Register
  • butter
  • Sunlight
  • lamp
  • aarti thali
  • Ganga water

Steps of Puja:

1. On the occasion of Yashoda Jayanti, there is a tradition to worship Yashoda ji and the child form of Shri Krishna sitting in mother’s lap.
2. On this day, wake up early in the morning, finish your daily routine and take a bath in a holy river.
3. If it is not possible to take bath in the river, then you can mix Ganga water in your water and take bath with it.
4. Wear clean clothes after bathing.
5. Now take a clean wooden stool and purify it by sprinkling some Ganga water on it.
6. Spread red cloth on the stool.
7. Now install a Kalash over it.
8. After installing the Kalash, install the idol or picture of Laddu Gopal sitting in the lap of Mother Yashoda.
9. Now offer red colored chunari to Yashoda ji.
10. Offer kumkum, fruits, flowers, sweet bread, panjiri, butter etc. to Mother Yashoda and Laddu Gopal.
11. After offering all these things, light incense and lamp in front of Yashoda and Laddu Gopal.
12. Now listen or read the story of Yashoda Jayanti with devotion.
13. After this, perform Aarti of Mother Yashoda and Laddoo Gopal.
14. Now apologize to Yashoda and Laddu Gopal for any mistake made during the puja.
15. Distribute Prasad to all the family members and also consume it yourself.
16. After the puja is over, feed the mother cow, because cows are very dear to Shri Krishna Kanhaiya. By doing this, the blessings of both Yashoda and Yashoda Nandan will remain on you.

Story of Yashoda Jayanti:

It is described in the Puranas that once Yashoda ji had performed rigorous penance for Lord Vishnu. Pleased with this penance, Narayana appeared and said – O Yashoda! Ask for a boon! what do you wan? Yashoda said- Oh God! I have only one wish that you meet me in the form of a son and grant me the great fortune of calling you my mother.

Hearing Yashoda’s words, Lord Vishnu smiled and said – O Yashoda! Don’t worry! I give you the blessing of calling you my mother! Vishnu ji said- After some time, I will be born from the womb of Devaki, wife of Vasudev. But my upbringing will be in your hands, and you will be known in the whole world as my mother.

Gradually the wheel of time moved forward and finally that wonderful coincidence came, when Lord Shri Krishna was born as the eighth child of Vasudev-Devaki. But Vasudev, to save his son from the wrath of Kansa, sent him to the house of his best friend Nand. In this way the Lord fulfilled the boon given to Yashoda, and the way Nandrani devoted her love for Kanha cannot be described in words.

It is described in Shrimad Bhagwat that even Brahmaji, Shankarji and even his better half Lakshmiji never received the great fortune that Narayana gave to Yashoda.

Message of Yashoda Jayanti:

Yashoda Jayanti teaches us the sacred bond of motherhood, sacrifice, love and duty. This day reminds us of the glory of motherhood of Queen Yashoda. Yashoda Jayanti also reminds us that we should respect our parents and always seek their blessings.

Yashoda Jayanti: Popular Traditions and Celebrations of Yashoda Jayanti

Apart from worship, various popular traditions and ceremonies are organized on the auspicious occasion of Yashoda Jayanti, which make this festival even more special. Let’s take a look at these traditions and celebrations:

• Bhajan and Kirtan: Bhajan and Kirtan are organized in temples and homes on Yashoda Jayanti. Devotees sing hymns with devotion and praise the glory of Lord Krishna and Queen Yashoda. This sweet atmosphere of bhajan and kirtan awakens the feeling of devotion.
• Bhandara (Community Feast): Bhandara is organized at many places on the day of Yashoda Jayanti, in which food is distributed to the poor and needy. This tradition symbolizes the kindness and generosity of Queen Yashoda, who nurtured everyone with her motherly spirit.
• Natya-Sankirtan: In some areas, Natya-Sankirtan is organized on the occasion of Yashoda Jayanti. In Natya-Sankirtan, stories related to the life of Lord Krishna are presented through music and dance. This artistic presentation immerses the audience in Krishna Leela.
• Bal Gopal Puja: Bal Gopal is worshiped in many homes on Yashoda Jayanti. Bal Gopal symbolizes the childhood idol of Krishna. New clothes, fruits, flowers, and kheer are offered to him. Some families also follow the tradition of swinging Jhula like Krishna Janmashtami.
• Birth Anniversary Celebrations: Yashoda Jayanti is celebrated with pomp in many temples and institutions like the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Temples are decorated, the idol of Lord Krishna is consecrated, and special pujas are performed.
• Shringar of Yashoda Rani: In some temples, the idol of Yashoda Rani is specially decorated. They are dressed in new clothes, adorned with jewellery, and tilak is applied. This adornment is a symbol of reverence and respect towards Queen Yashoda.

All these traditions and celebrations help us understand the cultural and religious significance of Yashoda Jayanti. These traditions not only arouse devotion but also strengthen the community spirit.

Happy Yashoda Jayanti!

We hope that this article provides you with detailed information about the significance, puja method, traditions and celebrations of Yashoda Jayanti. May you celebrate the festival of Yashoda Jayanti with joy and receive the blessings of Queen Yashoda.