Why does Vishnu have four arms and Krsna two arms?

[Sarva gattah]

Why does Vishnu and His dear servants in Vaikuntha have four arms and why does Krishna and His intimate associates have two arms in Goloka Vrndavana?

[eshwaar101]

yes we all have thought of how cool it would be to have 4 arms

[Guest]

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=700 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#efefef colSpan=2>Shlok 109

When Lord Shri Krishna is by the side of Radhikaji, He shall be known as Radha Krishna. When He is beside of Laxmiji in the form of Rukshmini, he shall be known as Laxmi Narayan.</TD></TR><TR><TD background=/images/website/scripturesborder.gif colSpan=2 height=15></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>Shri Krishna’s various forms are described over the next four Shlokas. Krishna by the side of Radha, daughter of Vrishbhanu, shall be known as Radha Krishna.

Similarly, Krishna by the side of Rukshmani, daughter of King Bhishmaka, should be known as Laxmi Narayan. Vishnu Purana explains, ‘Laxmi took the form of Sita during Rama Avatara and as Rukshmani during Krishna Avatara.’

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=700 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#efefef colSpan=2>Shlok 110

When he is by the side of Arjuna, he shall be known as Nar-Narayan, and in the same manner, when Balbhadra or other deities are by his side, he shall be known by such other appropriate names.</TD></TR><TR><TD background=/images/website/scripturesborder.gif colSpan=2 height=15></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>When Shree Krishna is with the ‘middle’ Pandava - Arjuna, who is the incarnation of Lord Nara, they should be known as NaraNarayana. Bhaarat explains: Arjune Tu Naraveshaha Krushno Narayana Swayam - ‘Arjuna is the incarnation of Nara and Krishna is Narayana.’ Similarly the Bhagwat explains, ‘The two of you are the Rishis Nara and Narayana.’

In the same way, he can be known as Rama-Krishna, Satya-Krishna etc. when accompanied by Balbhadra (Balarama), Satyabhama and others.

Just to clarify, Nara-Narayan are famed as ‘Bharat Khanda Na Raja’ - the Lords or Kings of the Earth, who are continuously performing penance in Badrikashram for the benefit of mankind. They were born of Murti Devi and Dharma Prajapati.

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=700 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=smallfont bgColor=#efefef colSpan=2>Shlok 111

At times, devotees such as Radhikaji and others are alongside Lord Krishna but at other times, they, with extreme devotion, dwell within Lord Shree Krishna, which at such times shall be considered as by Himself.</TD></TR><TR><TD background=/images/website/scripturesborder.gif colSpan=2 height=15></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>When the devotee is beside Shree Krishna, they shall be known as Radha-Krishna and other such names. At other times, the devotees may be within God, within his heart etc. At such times they are one with God and so Shree Krishna should be termed as alone in such case, even though God is never alone: ‘Krishna is never alone without Radha and Radha without Krishna. They are always together in My heart, drowned in immense love.’

Krishna is the Lord of Lords; whose consort Radha is ‘Praneshwari’ - the vital spirit. Their devotees resound even today, that both Radha and Krishna continue to wandar in Vrindavana.

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Shlok 112

 

Therefore one shall not discriminate between the different manifestations of Krishna, as the four armed, eight armed or thousand armed manifestations of the two armed Krishna, as they are manifestations of his own free will.

</TD></TR><TR><TD background=/images/website/scripturesborder.gif colSpan=2 height=15></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>Ataschasya Swarupeshu Bhedo Gneyo Na Sarvatha - Quite simply, no discrimination should be made between any forms of God here mentioned, as all are forms of Shree Krishna and are the one and the same.

 

 

Also the number of arms on a God does not in any way relate to the greatness of that deity, but more so they are forms which devotees have desired to have Darshan of.

 

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SIKSHAPATRI -BHAGWAN SWAMINARAYAN.