The path advocated by Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita is the moderate, medium, golden path, both for the busy man of the world and for the highest spiritual aspirant.
— Paramahansa Yogananda
Janmashtami — the birth anniversary of Bhagavan Krishna, whose teachings are enshrined in the Bhagavad Gita — is celebrated every year with special commemorative programmes by Yogoda Satsanga Society in India. It falls on September 4 this year.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate this blessed occasion with the following programmes:
- Friday, September 4: Special Commemorative Meditation with YSS/SRF president and spiritual head Swami Chidananda Giri
- Saturday, August 29: Discourse in Hindi by a YSS sannyasi
Janmashtami Commemorative Meditation
With YSS/SRF President Swami Chidananda Giri
(with Live Hindi Interpretation)
Friday, September 4, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. (IST)
On this special day, YSS/SRF President Sri Sri Swami Chidananda Giri will lead a commemorative meditation, which will be live-streamed from the SRF International Headquarters in Los Angeles, USA, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. (IST).
This video will remain available for viewing later.
भगवान कृष्ण : मानव रूप, दिव्य स्वरूप
(Bhagavan Krishna: The Divine in Human Form)
Saturday, August 29, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (IST)
On the blessed occasion of Janmashtami, Swami Achyutananda Giri, a sannyasi of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, will give a discourse in Hindi, titled “भगवान कृष्ण : मानव रूप, दिव्य स्वरूप (Bhagavan Krishna: The Divine in Human Form).”
In this discourse, Swami Achyutananda will explore the sublime nature of Sri Krishna — the Purna Avatar whose name signifies the irresistible cosmic pull (ākarṣayati iti kṛṣṇaḥ) drawing estranged souls back to their divine home. He will explain how Bhagavan Krishna personifies the inseparable essence of God’s eternal Joy (Ānanda) and unconditional Love (Prema) beyond the reach of ordinary sensory perception and mortal intellect.
The discourse will further delve into the esoteric significance of His divine play (līlā), the pure soul-to-Spirit devotion exemplified by Radha, and the cosmic harmony that sustains creation. Drawing from Paramahansa Yogananda’s inspiring commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, God Talks With Arjuna, Swami Achyutananda will share insights on how the science of Kriya Yoga and deep interiorized meditation allow seekers to pierce the veil of sensory limitations, transmute limited human attachments into universal love (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), and awaken to the omniscient Krishna Consciousness within.
All are welcome to attend this discourse that will be live-streamed from Yogoda Satsanga Math, Dakshineswar on Saturday, August 29.
Please note: This discourse will be available for viewing till Friday, September 4, 10 p.m. (IST).
In-person Events
On this sacred occasion, in-person programmes will be conducted at YSS ashrams, kendras and mandalis. To learn more and participate in these events, please contact a meditation centre near you.
Janmashtami Message from Swami Chidananda Giri
“Loving greetings to each one of you at this spiritually uplifting time of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Though born millenniums ago, this great and beloved avatar of divine love is just as real today to those whose hearts are attuned to him as he was when he walked the earth in his beautiful human form — ever ready to guide and uplift sincere seekers on the royal path of yoga toward the goal of Self-realization.”
Make an Offering
Janmashtami presents us with an opportunity to thank Bhagavan Krishna for blessing us with the eternal wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. If you would like to make an offering on this occasion, please visit the link below:
To know more, you may wish to explore the following links:
- Paramahansa Yogananda on Bhagavan Krishna and the Golden Middle Path of Yoga
- The Hidden Truths in the Bhagavad Gita
- “Where Krishna Is, There Is Victory” — By Swami Chaitanyananda Giri
- Bhagavan Krishna Answers the Question, “What Is True Devotion?”
- Read: God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita
- Watch: Discourses on The Bhagavad Gita
