Children, we celebrate Sri Krishna’s birthday every year with great cheer and festivity. We can see children dressed up as little Krishnas everywhere, singing and dancing, parading in a procession, and breaking pots of butter and milk strung high above the ground. The day of Bhagavan’s avatara in human form as Krishna is celebrated as a glorious festival. Just hearing the name Sri Krishna fills our hearts with indescribable happiness and enthusiasm. It gives us the joy of seeing a bud gently unfolding its petals and blooming into a beautiful flower. It gives us the satisfaction of a cool breeze caressing us under the heat of a scorching sun. It was Bhagavan who first taught the world the principle of how to turn any situation or experience in life into a joyous celebration. As we celebrate the birth of that supreme avatara externally, we should also not forget the great life lessons and teachings he bestowed on us.
Like the incessant ocean waves, life will constantly raise challenges, both external and internal. This is why the ancient rishis dubbed our existence as a samsara-sagara—an ocean of repeated cycles of birth, death, and misery. It often seems like we experience more conflict and misery than happiness. Life is like a battlefield upon which there is a constant clash between our past and our future. As such, people find it difficult to make positive changes in life. It was because they understood this dual nature of life that our ancient sages taught us to accept both success and hardship with equanimity. If we develop this attitude, we will never be overpowered by happiness or sorrow. Moreover, our life will get transformed into a joyous celebration. This is the greatest lesson that Sri Krishna’s life teaches us. Life is the totality of all experiences—times of comfort and hardship, of success and defeat, of honour and dishonour. No one has the choice to take what they want and reject the rest. It is when we try to do this that conflict arises within us. It’s only when we accept life in its totality that we find happiness and contentment. This is why Sri Krishna accepted all aspects of life with equanimity, with a gentle smile on his face.
Life takes us to the forefront of many unexpected situations and experiences. Sri Krishna never taught us to ignore them or to try to escape from them. Rather, he taught us to view them from the right perspective and to respond to them accordingly. He never advised anyone to suppress their thoughts and emotions. Rather, he taught people how to transform their energy and channel their thoughts and emotions in a manner beneficial to themselves, others, and society as a whole. With a life of unparalleled greatness, words of deep inspiration, and acts of exceeding nobility, Bhagavan Krishna continues to be the world’s greatest wonder: a complete and holy incarnation of the Supreme. Even though Bhagavan was incarnated 5,000 years ago, he still lives in people’s hearts. His teachings flow from generation to generation, inspiring our life and thoughts. Sri Krishna always perceived life with joy. Not only did he remain happy at all times, but he also showered everyone around him with happiness. He maintained his inherent sweet and cheerful disposition in all situations of life. It is said that Bhagavan came into this world with a smile on his face and left this world with a smile on his face. On the other hand, we have come into this world crying. We should at least be able to leave this world with a smile on our faces. May Krishna’s unfading smile become an inspiration for us. May the love of that supreme power flow into our hearts like the silver light of the full moon and overflow. May this love remain in my children’s hearts forever. May the Paramatma bless you all.