Which of the following festivals is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna?

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that specifically celebrates the birth (Janma) of Lord Krishna.
The festival is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravana or Bhadrapada.
The name itself, a combination of 'Janma' (birth) and 'Ashtami' (eighth day), directly points to the event it commemorates.

Option A: Deepawali, the festival of lights, primarily celebrates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana.
Option B: Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and her nine divine forms (Navadurga).
Option D: Holi is known as the 'festival of colors.' It celebrates the eternal love of Radha and Krishna and also signifies the victory of good over evil, commemorating the story of Holika and Prahlad.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Religious Festivals as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding a patient's cultural and religious background is fundamental to providing holistic and culturally competent nursing care.
Knowledge of festivals like Janmashtami allows nurses to anticipate patient needs, such as fasting (which can affect medication schedules and nutrition), dietary modifications, and requests for time or space for prayer.
What if? If a Hindu patient is admitted during Janmashtami, the nurse should proactively ask if they are observing a fast. If so, the nurse must coordinate with the dietary department for appropriate meals (e.g., 'phalahari' diet) and consult with the physician to adjust medication schedules if necessary, especially for drugs that need to be taken with food.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key concept in the question stem, which is the 'birth of Lord Krishna'.
Analyze the names of the festivals provided in the options for linguistic clues.
Break down the word 'Janmashtami' into its components: 'Janma' (meaning birth) and 'Ashtami' (meaning the eighth day).
This direct linguistic link makes it the most plausible answer for a festival celebrating a birth.
Confirm this by recalling the themes of the other festivals: Deepawali (lights), Navratri (Goddess Durga), and Holi (colors), which do not relate to the birth of Krishna.
Select the option that directly matches the event described in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 1046-1048

Practise the full DSSSB 12 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.