In the previous episode, we had witnessed the conclusion of the “Jada-Bharata-Upaakyaanam” and we’re about to commence the next important section of the “Shri Vishnu Puraana”, which is nothing but the detailed accord of Bhagawan Krishna. Before we commence that, we might be wondering why are Sage Paraashara and Sage Sukhaachaarya not laying much emphasis on Bhagawan Vishnu’s other incarnations and why only on Bhagawan Krishna a lot. We’ve commenced a small discussion in this regard in yesterday’s episode itself and we shall continue this further today. In fact, when we trace back to our previous project – Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana, Sage Sukhaachaarya had categorically explained to King Parikshit that if he wants a detailed accord on Bhagawan Rama’s incarnation, he should visit the Ramayana text, which comprises of around 24,000 slokas, wherein Valmiki Bhagawan had detailed Bhagawan Rama’s incarnation to the greatest possible extent. He doesn’t go inside details of how Bhagawan Rama took birth at Ayodhya and his subsequent life events. Similarly here too, Sage Paraashara explains to Sage Maithreya that he should go and visit the Ramayana text for more details about Bhagawan Rama’s incarnation.
We might wonder why there seems a “partiality” and “sidelining” when it comes to Bhagawan Rama, as compared to Bhagawan Krishna! 🙂 Let’s look at some possible reasons here. Firstly according to my little analysis, Bhagawan Rama’s childhood days aren’t spoken about much in the Valmiki Ramayana. We’ve already witnessed earlier and readers can always go back to refer our first project of this blog on Valmiki Ramayana for details – If we consider the “Bala Kanda” (The first section of the Ramayana text), from sloka 1 to sloka 24 within the same “Sarga”, Bhagawan Rama takes birth as the son of Kaushalya, goes to the “Gurukula”, finishes all his education and Sage Vishwamitra makes his way to Ayodhya to take Rama and Lakshmana along with him. At this time when Sage Vishwamitra enters the scene, Bhagawan Rama is already 12 years old! Thus, within just 24 slokas, 12 years of Bhagawan Rama’s life has already been covered! Whereas, this is not the case with Bhagawan Krishna – To explain Little Krishna’s childhood days from His birth till the age of 12, there would be around 10,000 slokas, done by various Aachaaryas put together. Even in the Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana, we had witnessed the “Dasamah Skandha” (10’th Skandha) fully dedicated to Bhagawan Bala-Krishna, isn’t it? We’ve to understand here that if we’ve to experience Bhagawan’s beauty, it is always wonderful to witness Bhagawan as a child. Automatically that love and “Bhakti” for Bhagawan would increase manifold.
Of course by doing so, we’re not discarding Bhagawan Rama’s incarnation completely here. Bhagawan Rama is an epitome of “Dharma”. In order to put into practice all the important facets of “Dharma”, we need to have a certain level of maturity, isn’t it? For that, we need to get a bit older. This is why, Bhagawan Rama’s youth and adult experiences are very important for us to understand – Right from marrying Mother Sita to going to the forest for fourteen years, exhibiting various aspects of “Dharma” in various walks of life (As a husband, as a brother, as a friend, as Bhagawan Himself, etc.) Bhagawan Rama’s life at later stages (after childhood) gains more prominence. However, the main objective of these “Puraanas” are to experience Bhagawan in such a way that our level of “Bhakti” increases. For this to happen, experiencing Bhagawan as a child and getting immersed into the ocean of “Bhakti” is the easiest way. This is perhaps one reason why Bhagawan Krishna’s incarnation and His childhood days are enormously talked about, both in the Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana and Shri Vishnu Puraana.
Secondly, Bhagawan Krishna’s “Leelas” as a child are very absorbing and mind-capturing in nature. In order to exhibit Bhakti, there should be some “outstanding” and “remarkable” incidents and experiences, which would in-turn motivate us towards this channel. Even in today’s Marketing Management, we do talk about this isn’t it? If we’re trying to market or sell a product or a service, there should be something very appealing about the product, so that the attention of the customer is attracted. This is why we see every organization spending so much of money on marketing and branding activities, so that the outreach towards potential customers increases. Similarly here too, if we keep saying the Bhagawan is a strict epitome of “Dharma”, and if we’re going to deviate from it, we’re going to get punished by Bhagawan, how many of us are going to come into the “Bhakti-Maarga”? We would be scared and would probably run away! 🙂 However, I’m not saying that the above statement is false. It is true only, because it is Bhagawan’s words!
Having said that, there should be some mechanism to attract devotees towards Bhagawan isn’t it? In fact, Bhagawan Himself thought within thus, “Oh! If I’m going to be so strict with my “Dharma-book”, nobody is going to come towards me! Hence, I’ve to “market” myself in the form of a little child, so as to give a beautiful experience to my devotees, and in turn attract them towards the “Bhakti Maarga”. I should make sure that I forgive those devotees who come to me thus, with an unconditional surrender!” It is with this intention that Bhagawan Vishnu incarnated as Bhagawan Krishna, whose childhood days are the primary focus. In fact, this is the reason why all the “Aalwars” and “Aachaaryas” have laid special emphasis on Bhagawan Krishna as a little child. Thus, we should understand that it is not the question about why Bhagawan Rama’s incarnation is being sidelined. It is only about experiencing the “Bhakti-Maarga” better. Thus, comparing Bhagawan Rama with Bhagawan Krishna is like comparing an apple and an orange. There’s no point in doing this, because all of Bhagawan’s incarnations have a definite purpose in this world. We’ve already seen this before as well.
Hence, starting from now, we shall gear up ourselves to experience the “Bhakti-Maarga” at its highest peak, with Bhagawan Krishna as our center point of focus. From the next episode onwards we shall commence witnessing Sage Paraashara’s narratives on how Bhagawan Krishna incarnated in this world and what were His divine “Leelas” that He exhibited in this world, so that, normal people like us are also induced into the “Bhakti-Maarga”! Stay tuned for exciting times ahead! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 