When is Yashoda Jayanti 2027?
Yashoda Jayanti 2027 will be celebrated on Friday, February 26. This festival is observed as the birth anniversary of Mata Yashoda. On this day, devotees worship her to remember her affection, motherly love, and devotion toward Lord Shri Krishna, whom she raised with immense love and care. On the occasion of Yashoda Jayanti, reading and listening to stories about the childhood pastimes of Lord Shri Krishna and Mata Yashoda is considered especially significant.
Mata Yashoda did not give birth to Shri Krishna, but she raised him as her own son. Do you know who Mata Yashoda was in her previous birth? Although she did not give birth to Krishna, she became his mother throughout his childhood pastimes and showered him with immense love and affection.
Who Was Mata Yashoda in Her Previous Birth?
In the Treta Yuga, when Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Lord Rama in Ayodhya, his mother was Mata Kaushalya. Mata Kaushalya showered Lord Shri Rama with immense love and affection throughout his childhood. However, when Mata Kaikeyi asked King Dasharatha to fulfill his promises of sending Shri Rama into exile for 14 years and making Bharata the king, Lord Rama, the embodiment of righteousness, followed his father's command and went into the forest along with Lakshmana and Sita Ji.
After Rama's departure, King Dasharatha was overcome with such immense grief that he passed away. When Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years, Mata Kaikeyi expressed her deep remorse and said to him, “Rama, I have taken upon myself a blame that can never be erased. As a way of atoning for my mistake, you must be born from my womb in your next birth. Only then will I feel that you have forgiven me.”
Shri Rama replied that he would indeed take birth, but after being born, he would go to his mother Kaushalya. Therefore, he would not be able to enjoy childhood pastimes with Kaikeyi.
The Relationship Between Mata Yashoda and Devaki in Dwapara Yuga
For this reason, in the Dwapara Yuga, Kaikeyi is believed to have been reborn as Devaki, the sister of Kansa. Kansa was a cruel king who imprisoned his own sister Devaki. His atrocities continued to increase. To put an end to Kansa's cruelty, Lord Krishna was born from the womb of his sister Devaki.
Mata Yashoda is regarded as the same mother Kaushalya who, although she did not give birth to Lord Krishna, witnessed and cherished all his childhood pastimes.
Thus, we learn about the connection associated with Mata Yashoda. Now, let us understand why Yashoda Jayanti is celebrated.
When Is Yashoda Jayanti Celebrated?
With the blessings of Lord Brahma, Mata Yashoda is believed to have been born in Braj on the Shashti Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna. Her father's name was Sumukh, and her mother's name was Patala. She was married to Nanda, the king of Braj.
The love, affection, and motherly devotion that Mata Yashoda had for Lord Krishna represents a unique bond. To remember this extraordinary love and the divine childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna, her birth anniversary is celebrated as Yashoda Jayanti. Devotees worship Mata Yashoda on this day.
Why Is Yashoda Jayanti Celebrated?
Yashoda Jayanti is a festival dedicated to remembering Mata Yashoda's motherly love, affection, and devotion. On this day, devotees worship Mata Yashoda and remember the divine childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna and his mother.
Many stories about Lord Krishna and Mata Yashoda are traditionally told, and listening to them brings joy to devotees. One such story highlights the deep affection Mata Yashoda had for Shri Krishna.
To learn about the story of Lord Krishna’s birth, Janmashtami Puja Vidhi, and the religious significance of this auspicious festival: -Read our Janmashtami Special Guide as well.
The Story of Shri Krishna Stealing Butter
A famous episode from Shri Krishna's childhood is described as follows.
Once, Nandarani Yashoda assigned the household maids to other tasks and began churning curd herself. At that moment, Lord Shri Krishna came to his mother while she was churning curd because he wanted to drink milk. Increasing the love and joy in his mother's heart, he held the churning rod and stopped her from churning.
Shri Krishna climbed into Mata Yashoda's lap. Because of her immense motherly love, milk began flowing naturally from her breasts. She started feeding Lord Krishna and lovingly gazed at his face, which carried a gentle smile.
Meanwhile, the milk placed on the stove in another part of the house began to boil over. Seeing the milk overflowing, Yashoda Ji left Lord Shri Krishna before he had finished drinking and hurried to take the milk off the stove.
Krishna then performed another playful pastime. Pretending to be angry, his little red lips began to tremble. He bit them and used a nearby grinding stone to break the pot of curd. With fake tears in his eyes, he went into another house and began eating leftover butter all by himself.
Mata Yashoda Sees Shri Krishna Eating Butter
When Yashoda Ji returned, she saw that the curd pot had been broken into pieces. She immediately understood that it must have been her little son who had done it. When she did not find him there, she began smiling.
After looking around, she discovered that Shri Krishna was standing on an overturned Ukhal and generously feeding the stolen butter to the monkeys. At the same time, he kept looking around cautiously, worried that his mischief might be discovered. Seeing this, Yashoda Rani quietly approached him from behind.
Mata Yashoda Runs After Shri Krishna
When Shri Krishna saw his mother approaching him with a stick in her hand, he quickly jumped down from the Ukhal and began running away like a frightened little child.
The Supreme Lord, whom even great Yogis cannot easily reach despite purifying their minds through intense meditation, was now being chased by Yashoda Ji as she tried to catch him.
Eventually, Mata Yashoda managed to catch him. Holding Shri Krishna by the hand, she began scolding him. At that moment, the Lord's divine childhood pastime became especially remarkable.
Why Did Mata Yashoda Tie Shri Krishna With a Rope?
Krishna had certainly committed a mischievous act, and despite trying to hold back his tears, he could not stop crying. He rubbed his eyes with his hands, causing the black Kajal around them to spread across his face. Frightened that he might be punished, he looked upward with anxious eyes.
When Yashoda Ji saw that her little son was very frightened, her heart filled with motherly affection. She threw away the stick and thought that she should tie him with a rope so that he would not run away.
When Mata Yashoda tried to tie her mischievous son with a rope, the rope fell short by two fingers. She brought another rope and joined it to the first.
When that rope was also too short, she added another one. In this way, no matter how many ropes she brought and joined together, they remained two fingers short.
Yashoda Rani joined all the ropes available in the house, yet she could not tie Lord Shri Krishna. The Gopis watching her efforts began to smile, while Yashoda herself was also surprised and smiled at the situation.
How Did Lord Shri Krishna Allow Himself to Be Bound by Mata Yashoda?
Lord Shri Krishna saw that his mother was covered in sweat, the flowers woven into her braid had fallen, and she had become very tired. Seeing her effort and affection, he finally allowed himself to be bound by his mother.
Lord Shri Krishna is considered completely independent. The entire universe, including Brahma, Indra, and other divine beings, is believed to be under his control. Yet by allowing himself to be bound in this way, he demonstrated to the world that he is moved by the love of his devoted devotees.
Religious Significance of Yashoda Jayanti
Reading or listening to stories about Lord Krishna and Mata Yashoda on Yashoda Jayanti is traditionally believed to bring blessings for those wishing to have children. Mata Yashoda raised Lord Krishna as her own son and presented a remarkable example of love and complete devotion.
Therefore, according to these beliefs, people who wish to have children may receive special blessings by reading these stories. It is also believed that pregnant women who read stories about the divine childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna and Mata Yashoda may be blessed with a radiant and fortunate child.
