JANMASTAMI
Artist: Murlidhara
Dasa
Just past midnight, Vasudeva took Krishna
in the rain to Gokula where Yashoda had just give birth to a baby girl. Due to the hard labor of childbirth, Yashoda did not
know whether she had given birth to a boy or a girl. She fell fast asleep. Vasudeva laid Krishna next to Yashoda and took
the baby girl (Subhadra) back to the prison of Kamsa. In the morning it was announced in Gokula that Yashoda had given birth
to a baby boy. Nanda celebrated the birth of Krishna with the other inhabitants of Vraja. The brahmanas chanted Vedic hymns,
and men and women showered Krishna with gifts and blessings. This birth ceremony of Lord Krishna is called Janmastami. This
pastime is mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10th canto, 5th chapter.