- By Chhail Bihari Mishra
2024.08.23 (Vrindavan Today News): There has been disagreements among the different scholars when to celebrate Shri Krishna Janmashtami this year. Some temples are observing it on 26h August, some are observing it on the next day. Shri Krishna Janmabhumi (the birth place of Shri Krishna) is observing the festival on the 26th August (Monday). The temples of Shri Govinda Dev, Shri Gopinath, Shri Shyam Sundar and Shri Damodar etc. are observing it on the same day of Shri Krishna Janmasthan. Whereas Shri Radharaman, Shri Gokulananda and Shri Banke Bihari and Shri Rangnath Temples and Nand Bhavan (Nandgaon) are celebrating Shri Krishna’s birthday on 27th August (Tuesday). Sometimes, the ekadashis are also observed on different days.
For those who observe fasts and other religious rituals, it is crucial to understand the distinction between “Vaishnavas” and “Smartas.” Here, we clarify this difference:
Vaishnavas: Individuals who have formally received initiation (diksha) from a spiritual teacher of a particular sect, wearing a tulsi mala (bead necklace) and applying tilak (sacred mark), are categorized as Vaishnavas.
Smartas: Those who study the Vedas and Puranas, are theistic, worship the five deities (Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva, Surya, and Durga), and live a household life are categorized as Smartas.
Many priests suggest that householders are Smartas, while those who wear Kanthi (tulsi beads) and practice asceticism are Vaishnavas. However, this is not entirely accurate. Anyone who believes in the Shruti (Vedas) and Smriti (traditional texts), and worships the five deities—Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (Shiva), Ganesha, and Uma (Durga)—is a Smarta.
In ancient times, there were different sects that worshipped distinct deities. Adi Shankaracharya propagated the idea that all deities are manifestations of the supreme Brahman. The general populace accepted this path, and those who followed it came to be known as Smartas.
A Vaishnava is someone who has been formally initiated by a guru from a Vaishnava sect, who wears a tulsi mala around their neck. In simple terms, a Vaishnava is one who remains devoted exclusively to Lord Vishnu and stays away from other worldly distractions, even while living a household life.
The ancient name of the Vaishnava tradition is Bhagavata Dharma or Pancharatra doctrine. The primary deity worshipped in this tradition is Vasudeva (a form of Vishnu), who is referred to as Bhagavan or “Bhagavat” due to his possession of six divine qualities: knowledge, power, strength, valor, wealth, and splendor. The followers of Bhagavan are called Bhagavatas.
There are various interpretations of why this tradition is called Pancharatra: According to the Mahabharata, it is called Pancharatra because it integrates the four Vedas and the Sankhya-Yoga philosophy. The Narada Pancharatra suggests that it is called Pancharatra because it encompasses knowledge of five subjects: Brahman, liberation, enjoyment, yoga, and the world.
Texts like Ishwara Samhita, Padma Tantra, Vishnu Samhita, and Parama Samhita offer different explanations for the name Pancharatra. According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, the religion was explained over five nights, which is why it came to be known as Pancharatra. This tradition is also known by other names like Narayaniya, Ekantika, and Sattvata.
Often in almanacs (Panchangs), the dates for Ekadashi and Janmashtami fasting are listed differently for Smartas and Vaishnavas. This can cause confusion among the general public. If the Dashami tithi (the tenth lunar day) lasts more than 55 ghatis (a unit of time), Vaishnavas observe their fast on Dwadashi (the twelfth lunar day); otherwise, they fast on Ekadashi (the eleventh lunar day). Similarly, Smartas observe Janmashtami on the day when Ashtami (the eighth lunar day) falls during midnight, while Vaishnavas celebrate it on the following day when the Ashtami tithi is prevalent at sunrise, and they fast accordingly.
According to the calculations of the Solar Siddhanta (an ancient Indian astronomical text), Smarta Janmashtami will be observed on August 26th, while Vaishnava Janmashtami will be celebrated with great fervor on August 27th.
