Today, Hindus around the world celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, the birth of Krishna, avatar of Lord Vishnu.  Like so many, I have a particular fondness for Lord Krishna, which largely stems from my love of the great Hindu epic Mahabharata.  Krishna plays countless roles – son, step-son, husband, friend, advisor, charioteer, and God.  He is a beautifully complex character in the epic and perhaps, that is why is so beloved by Hindus.

Earlier today, I came across a timely and excellent piece on the Huffington Post by Gadadhara Pandit Dasa, the Hindu chaplain at NYU and Columbia, who examines the many facets of Krishna.  Entitled “The birth of Krishna: When God came to Earth,” the piece is well worth a read on this day that is special to almost one billion Hindus around the world.