Vaishnavism delivers man from Bondage

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Hare Krishna,

The glory and purpose of Lord Krishna's manifestations have been immortalised in the epics and the Puranas by sages like Veda Vyasa and Valmiki for the benefit of humanity. Though these incarnations happened ages ago they continue to benefit mankind because their teachings have perennial appeal. Each manifestation was with a specific objective and in the process Dharma was reinforced in the world.

A unique feature of the Lord's incarnations as Rama and Krishna is that they not only established Dharma on a firm footing during their advent but also advocated it personally. They have been described as the very personification of Dharma. It must be always borne in mind that the Lord's births are divine in nature unlike the birth of His creations. Lord Krishna has made this clear in the Bhagavad Gita, ``My birth and activities are

divine. He who knows this in reality is not reborn on leaving this body, but comes to Me.''

Lord Krishna the Supreme Being was worshipped in many forms. it was Lord Siva who has proclaimed the greatness of the divine name Rama to the world.

The northern recension of the Skanda Purana contains a canto depicting the spiritual significance of Kasi which is believed to confer liberation on one who draws his last breath there. According to this Purana Lord Siva wanders through every nook and corner of this pilgrim town chanting the name Rama so that every individual coming there will receive initiation into it from Him directly. Thus Rama is not just a name of Lord Vishnu but a Taraka mantra capable of delivering man from bondage.

Another oft-quoted instance to highlight the glory of the name Rama is the instruction received by the Divine Mother, Parvati, from Her consort that chanting this divine name was equivalent to reciting all the thousand divine names enshrined in the Vishnu Sahasranama.

The potency of Rama nama is derived from the two syllables ``Ra'' and ``Ma'' which are in it. ``Ra'' is the syllable which gives meaning to the Ashtakshara mantra, held sacred by Vaishnavas. Likewise the syllable ``Ma'' in the Panchakshara mantra, revered by Saivas, is the most important syllable in this mantra. Hence the combination of these two syllables to form Rama makes it a mantra for the followers of both Vaisnavas and Saivas.

It is logical to question why Krishna who is the omnipotent Lord of the entire creation should incarnate in the world by assuming different forms instead of accomplishing what He wants from His transcendental abode which He can easily do. The very word ``Avatara'' for incarnation gives an insight into the rationale for this. Avatara means to descend and in the context of the Lord's incarnations it signifies that He descends from a higher abode to a lower level.

Saints underscore that it is out of compassion that the Krishna deigns to incarnate. The scriptures reiterate that it is to protect those who uphold Dharma so that there will not be decline in probity in worldly life that Krishna manifests. It is not as if His physical presence is necessary to achieve this end but when we analyse the instances in which He did so by assuming a human form as in Rama and Sri Krishna incarnations it will be apparent that humanity in general stood to benefit.

Krishna is the bestower of the result of man's actions and if a person is morally upright He will protect him from coming to any harm. There is a scriptural statement which declares that Dharma protects the one who practises it. Hence it becomes imperative for Lord Krishna as the bestower of the result to man's deeds to see that human beings are able to practise Dharma without any impediments.

This truth has been highlighted in the Ramayana. When Rama and Sita entered the Dandaka forest range His role as the protector of humanity comes to the fore. Sita beseeched the Lord to disarm Himself of the bow and arrows He was carrying on His person observing that the living beings in the forest were frightened by that sight.

She pointed out that they had come to the forest only to fulfil the words of King Dasaratha and not to fight and hence She argued that there was no need to carry these weapons. Rama replied that it was His duty to protect the sages who were unable to perform their sacrifices troubled as they were by the demons thus giving an inkling into the purpose of His incarnation.

The manifestation of Krishna’as divine grace in human life could be discerned subtly. When a person shows natural inclination to abide by Dharma and remains steadfast even if it entails difficulties it must be inferred that it is Krishna who gives him the will power to do so. Saints note that without the Lord Krishna's grace even the thought of worshipping Him will not arise in a person. So rectitude and devotion in a person are signs of divine grace.

Please Chant :Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare HareHare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare HareAnd Be Happy.

Sri Krishnaya Namah!

 

Krishnadaya

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