Janmashtami

(Commemorative Meditation and Discourse)

YSS ODK Janmashtami Commemorative Events — 2026

About the Event

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:

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.

The event will be conducted in English. Simultaneous interpretation will be available (only during the live event via Zoom) in Hindi.

To access simultaneous interpretation in Hindi:

  • Join via Zoom (during the live event). We suggest joining a few minutes before the start of the event.
  • Click the “Interpretation” button in the toolbar at the bottom of your Zoom window. (If you do not see that option, click the “More” button and then select “Interpretation” from the menu that appears.)
  • Select “Hindi” from the list.
  • Once the programme begins, you will hear simultaneous interpretation in Hindi.

Please note:

  • If you need technical assistance, please contact the YSS Helpdesk by calling (0651) 6655 555 or sending an email to [email protected].
  • For this live-streamed event, the YSS Helpdesk will be available for technical support from 7:30 a.m. (IST).
Discourse in Hindi by a YSS Sannyasi

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).” 

Swami Achyutananda will draw from Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, God Talks With Arjuna, telling us how taking the human form, Sri Krishna brought the divine wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita — a timeless roadmap for human spiritual evolution.

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.

New Visitor

If you are new to YSS and the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, you may wish to explore the following links:

Autobiography of a Yogi

Hailed as a spiritual masterpiece worldwide, Paramahansaji often used to remark, “This book will be my messenger when I am gone.”

YSS Lessons

A home-study course that transforms your life in ways you might never imagine and helps you to live a balanced and successful life.

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