Amidst all the social media posts of babies dressed up as Krishnas, bhajans, and musicals hosted over Zoom Calls and the pictures of plated delights; what we celebrated was the birthday of Lord Krishna who is believed to be born in the year 3228BC. One of the most popular gods and practically revered in every form and shape - this incarnation of Vishnu has been the favorite of young and old.
As per mythology, this incarnation was born to Devki in a prison and pretty painstakingly transported overnight to the nearest village, braving storms and floods. Well, this popular story is backed up by the importance of the work that he had to do undertake in his lifetime; eradicate evil, restore Dharma, and eventually act as a divine, force in his life as a god. Starting from when he killed all his assailants in infancy and eventually his own uncle (Kansa) in his teenage years, Krishna and his legend have been synonymous with his larger than life pranks, his metaphorical love affairs, and the advice that he gave Arjuna - eventually the whole humanity on the impermanence of matter and inner liberation, in his adulthood.
Well, a life that started as a survivor, lived on as a poor herder eventually woven into metaphysical, poetic, and allusive fantasy was a privilege! A privilege that was bestowed upon him by Yogmaya, the girl who was born on the same night as him. She never saw the light of the day for she was swapped for Devki’s son. She is almost brutally killed and smashed into a stone slab when she slips out of the perpetrator’s hand and vanishes in thin air; hence the name Maya - an illusion! Technically, she died.
She is the Lord’s divine power by which the creation of Krishna was enabled. The same mythology that glorifies Krishna and his mystical birth, fails to commemorate her as the protector, who gives her life for the eventual alleviation of mortal beings. Every year, for years we have conveniently forgotten Yogmaya because we were conditioned to accept that Krishna had more access to power and life. I feel this is one of the earliest manifestations of privilege and power that men have had over women. Also, that her story was less important since being a woman she might have attributed her pitfalls to her existence as a female, than the environment in which she could have existed.
From my earliest memories of Jamashtami, I remember asking my mother about what happened to the little girl who was born too, on that day? My questions were met with very cryptic explanations on her valorous birth and heroic sacrifice so that Krishna could live. But, in all the pomp and enthusiasm, we never remember Yogmaya! Do we, ever?
But, I changed something as we came together for the much-anticipated puja for Krishna, this year. As my 9year old comes of age, and she learns about our observances and festivals - I enlightened her on both sides of the story. As a woman - moreover, as a mother, I felt compelled to foster an awareness that even if she feels that male points of view and existence are the predominant focus - women are equally important and at times even catalytic in a gamut of things. They should never hold themselves in lesser regard or blame other women for their own oppression.
Remembering Yogmaya has made me realize this Janmashtami that much of the privilege and power that the strong sex enjoys in our culture today is unearned. It is either by way of birth or their mere existence! It will take a thorough education for them to understand privilege fully however women are very aware of it based on lived experiences or for Yogmaya, by death.
August 12, 20201130PMSan Francisco Bay Area
August 12, 20201130PMSan Francisco Bay Area
