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.
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oppiliappan/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:Oppiliappan-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
mailto:Oppiliappan-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Oppiliappan-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia |
oppiliappan-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To subscribe to the list |