Rama vis a vis Krishna from Nrsimhapriya April 2002

[Guest guest]

Dear Sadagopan mama I had the pleasure of meeting you when you were

anointed with the birudu " SrI nrUsimhA Seva Rasika " by HH during the

sathabhishekam ceremony of our jeer. I had enquired of you regarding

the archives of Nrsimhapriya on cds. Kindly let me know where I can

procure the same. I humbly submit a translation of an interesting

article from an old issue. I request our knowledgeable readers to

forgive and correct any mistakes which needless to say are due to my

ignorance- Dr.S.Sundar Rajan, Trichy.

 

Rama vis a vis Krishna

Similarities and differences

 

by Adiyarkkuadiyavan, Kethandpatti; Nrsimhapriya April 2002 pp 140

to 143.

 

Emperuman has been experienced by Azhwars and preceptors in many

ways. The ten incarnations of our Lord are special. Amongst those the

two wherein he played the roles of men Rama and Krishna are especial.

Many extraordinary feats spectacles and remarkable deeds were done in

these two incarnations.

I have attempted to document the similarities and differences between

Sri Rama and Sri Krishna herein.

 

Rama descended in Tretha yuga. Krishna manifested in Dwapara yuga.

Rama was born in the Solar dynasty - Raghuvamsam. Krishna in

Yaduvamsam - the dynasty of Yadavas. Rama was born in a palace in

Ayodhya. Krishna was born in dungeon, a jail. Rama had three

siblings. Krishna had seven. Rama was the eldest. Krishna was the

youngest. Rama was greenish black of complexion. Krishna was black as

a thundercloud. Rama did not sport much in cildhood. Krishna spent

the whole of his childhood in play- he of unending pranks. The

purpose of Ramavatharam was to kill Ravana. The object of Krishna's

descent was the Mahabharatha war and slaying of Kamsa. Rama was not

very particular about food. Krishna was plump because of his liking

for milk, butter,curds and clarified butter-ghee. Rama went to the

jungle from his royal seat to hunt and kill the ungodly. Krishna as

a child finished off the demons at his domicile. Rama's main weapon

was the bow- Kothanda. Krishna's was the sound of his conch- the

Panchajanya.Rama's familial preceptor was Vasishta. Krishna's

familial preceptor was maharishi Sandipini. Rama as born after a long

period of childlessness to Dasaratha. Krishna was born to the newly

married couple in a short time. " One utterance, one arrow and one

wife " these were the principles of the ever truthful Rama. Krishna

was known as he of many toungues and many wives; a thief and a

trickster. Throughout his incarnation Rama lived as a human being.

Many a times Krishna exhibited that he was the Lord. Obeying his

father's edict Rama went into exile. Krishna instructed his father

to take him to Gokulam. Rama married Sita, maharaja Janaka's

daughter in a ceremony witnessed by all. Krishna married Rukmani the

daughter of a minor chieftain by force -gandharva fashion. Rama was

born on the shores of Saryu river. Krishna was born in the north

Madura on the banks of Yamuna. Rama was born due to the yagna done

by one i.e. Dasaratha. Krishna was born due the rituals done by four.

Rama was the protector of rishis, munis and monkeys. Krishna was the

bosom pal of cows,calfs, kids and little girls. Rama captivated his

devotees by love. Krishna ensared them by the music of his flute.

Rama turned a stone into a woman- Ahalya. Krishna turned a scorched

wood like object into an infant - Parikshit. Rama built a bridge of

rocks. Krishna lifted a huge rock- Govardhana as an umbrella. Rama

sent Hanuman as his mesenger. Krishna went as a messenger himself.

The first victim of Rama was a female- Tataka. Similarly Krishna's

first victim was Putana.Rama wore tree bark. Krishna used to wear

yellow silk. Adiseshan's incarnation Lakshmana was Rama's younger

brother. Krishna's elder brother Balarama was Adiseshan's

incarnation.Because of one woman, Sita, Rama destroyed a city- Lanka.

Krishna safegaurded the modesty of one woman- Draupadi. Rama was

shown the way by a bird Jatayu. A bird Garuda held the umbrella over

Krishna. Kabandha, Virada,Jatayu and Vali were given liberation by

Rama. Krishna liberated Karna and Sisupala. Rama killed Ravana and

the other demons on his own. Krishna killed the Kauravas through

Arjuna. Rama was the father of Lav and Kush. Krishna's only child was

Pradhyumna.Rama fought in a chariot being driven by Mathali. Krishna

was himself the driver of Arjuna's chariot. Rama took the entire

host,living and non living, of Ayodhya with him to Vaikuntam. Krishna

was instrumental in destroying his race and went to Vaikuntam all by

himself.

The Azhwars experienced Rama as men only. They undertook the form of

women- brides,lovers and mothers - when they sang of Krishna. Andal

addressed Rama as " he who is delicious to the mind " . Andal called

Krishna " he who is unaware of women's sorrows " .

Rama's story speaks of the " greatness of She who was taken captive " .

The greatness of Krishna's tale is of " He who took on a lowly

messenger's role " . Compared to Mahabaratha Ramayana is not as

voluminous.

The manner in which Azhwars and preceptors have blissfully

experienced Rama and Krishna again and again is truly enjoyable.

May Rama's divine name remain forever! May we always enjoy the notes

from Krishna's flute!

Hare Ram! Hare Ram! Hare Krishna! Hare Krishna!

 

Our elders say that Rama manifested as " panchaayudhadhari - one with

five weapons " to the following: 1. Kousalya - Bala kandam. 2.

Anjaneya - Kishkinda kandam. 3. Trijata - Yuddha kandam. 4.

Mandodari - Yuddha kandam.

Krishna manifested as " panchaayudhadhari - one with five weapons " to

1. Dhritarashtra 2. Arjuna after viswaroopa darshana. 3. To many in

Duryodhana's assembly when an attempt was made to capture him. 4.In

many other instances.

 

Attempted translation by Dr.S.Sundar Rajan, Trichy.