The auspicious festival of Janmashtami was marked by messages of devotion, selfless action, righteousness and public service from a number of Indian leaders to people throughout the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar sent messages, which were full of the reminder of Lord Krishna’s teachings and of the values that he had lived up to throughout his life.
Janmashtami is celebrated to honor the birth of Lord Krishna and has a deep spiritual and cultural significance for millions of devotees worldwide. It is celebrated with prayers, devotional songs, religious ceremonies and midnight celebrations across Indian temples and homes. Besides its religious significance, this festival also provides a chance to reflect on the Bhagavad Gita and Krishna's teachings.
Narendra Modi offered such heartfelt wishes to the people on the occasion and reminded them of the idea of selfless action. In his greeting he said it is important to do one’s job and not be attached to the outcome. Krishna’s teachings were a source of inspiration to people of all ages, and we have learned from them.
Modi said that the sacred festival would bring about positive energy and strength in people’s lives. And he made a point of devoting himself all the more to devotion and worship and concluded his message with a prayer of “Jai Shri Krishna.” And he said it is the same for Krishna’s philosophy that resonates in the world today.
आप सभी को जन्माष्टमी की अनेकानेक शुभकामनाएं। भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के दिव्य संदेशों में नि:स्वार्थ कर्म की अद्भुत प्रेरणा निहित है, जिसने मानवता का निरंतर मार्गदर्शन किया है। उनकी भक्ति और उपासना को समर्पित यह पावन अवसर हर किसी के जीवन में सकारात्मक ऊर्जा और शक्ति का संचार करे, यही… pic.twitter.com/4Y3AmUg4Nm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026
President Droupadi Murmu also sent her Janmashtami greetings to Indians living in India and abroad. In her message she discussed the impact of Lord Krishna’s life and teachings on Indian culture and philosophy. “Krishna showed humanity the path of truth, righteousness, justice, compassion, and selfless action,” she said.
President Murmu also called on Indian citizens to embrace the values of Lord Krishna and build an inclusive and developed India. She linked Janmashtami to national sentiments and that of collective responsibility and social progress.
जन्माष्टमी के शुभ अवसर पर मैं, देश-विदेश में रह रहे सभी भारतीयों को हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं देती हूं। भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की जीवनलीला और उनके संदेश भारतीय संस्कृति और दर्शन को संजीवनी प्रदान करते हैं। उन्होंने सत्य, धर्म, न्याय, करुणा और निष्काम कर्म का मार्ग दिखाया। आइए, इस शुभ…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 4, 2026
DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, also shared a Janmashtami message centered on karma. When it comes to the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching on the right to action and the fruits of action, Shivakumar said the principle of doing your job truthfully without expectation of success can be the guiding light in life.
He linked Krishna’s philosophy of karma with public service and the development of the nation. Shivakumar said the teachings drive people to work tirelessly for the development of the country and to remain committed to serving society.
Shivakumar added a spiritual message to his message that he called Krishna’s birth joyous to him and described the deity, who inspires the heart with his charming smile. He hoped that the footsteps of “sweet little Krishna” would continue to echo in every home and continue to be heard through all and every home.
Shivakumar also said a festival should encourage people to absorb the spirit of the Bhagavad Gita into everyday life. His message mixed religious devotion with duty, perseverance and service and Janmashtami was a celebration and a reflection.
"ಕರ್ಮಣ್ಯೇವಾಧಿಕಾರಸ್ತೇ ಮಾ ಫಲೇಷು ಕದಾಚನ ।"
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) September 4, 2026
ಫಲಾಪೇಕ್ಷೆಯಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕವಾಗಿ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಬೇಕು ಎಂಬ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯ ಈ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಸಾರವೇ ಬದುಕಿಗೆ ದಾರಿದೀಪ. ನಾಡಿನ ಸರ್ವಾಂಗೀಣ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಜನಸೇವೆಗಾಗಿ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಶ್ರಮಿಸಲು ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಈ ಕರ್ಮಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ ನಮಗೆ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ.
ತುಂಟ ನಗುವಿನಿಂದ ಎಲ್ಲರ ಮನಸೂರೆಗೊಳ್ಳುವ… pic.twitter.com/QcidxHpvig
The common thread that ran through the three leaders’ messages was that Lord Krishna’s teachings are still relevant. The greetings were different in character, but they all spoke to the values of selfless service, righteousness, compassion and responsibility.
Karma is very important during Janmashtami. The Bhagavad Gita tells us that we should be doing what we want and not only what happens to us but we are not to be guided by the outcome. It’s not just in religious tradition that this principle has been alive, but ethics, leadership and public responsibility have been a pillar of philosophy.
Janmashtami celebrations across India bring people from different generations and communities together. Temples are decorated for the occasion, devotional programmes are organised and devotees participate in prayers and rituals. Many places also feature cultural performances and activities around Krishna’s life.
The national and state leaders’ messages have given the festival more of a public face and have reminded people of Krishna’s larger value system. Their greetings stressed Janmashtami is more than a religious festival for them and it is also an opportunity to think about personal roles in society and the contribution that we can make.
While devotees celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, the messages from PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and DK Shivakumar are testament to the continuing significance of Krishna's philosophy in Indian culture. They encourage us to be duty-oriented people (duty to duty and justice and selfless service) and to accept the spiritual significance of this festival.
