Sai message for the day

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The incarnation of Krishna is called the perfect incarnation. Then,

how is the incarnation of Rama to be viewed? What is the difference

between the Lord's two incarnations? In offering them worship, is

there a difference of rank or status? Kindly oblige us with a

clarification.

 

Rama referred to Himself as Dasarathatmaja, son of Dasaratha, and

declared Himself to be a human being. The very purpose of the Lord's

descent as Rama was to present the Ideal Man, and to demonstrate the

sacredness of humanity. Even so, there were not lacking many who knew

the divinity of Rama. All the great sages understood this great drama

being enacted then. Vasishtha confided to Dasaratha: " O King! I have

not come to your court merely to be your priest. The Lord is soon to

take birth in your family. I have joined the court to enjoy to my

heart's content. His pranks, His amusements, and His sweet speech. As

for Visvamitra, he taught Rama and Lakshmana the powerful charms of

bala and atibala, gave them an inexhaustible quiver, and as a

benefactor of humanity initiated them into the Gayatri mantra. He

knew full well the nature of the incarnation of Rama. Other great

sages like Agastya, Bharadvaja, Matanga, and Sarabhanga were fully

aware of Rama's divine identity. It was Sarabhanga who directed Rama

and Lakshmana to Sugriva then residing in Kishkindha, adding that he

would help them in the search for Sita. Accordingly, Rama and

Lakshmana proceeded to Kishkindha. Sugriva and his retinue noticed

them from a distance. Sugriva who had earlier run a way unable to

bear Vali's blows suspected that Vali might have sent someone to

attack him again, and was terrified. He sent for Hanuman and ordered

him to discover the truth. Following Sugriva's command, Hanuman

approached Rama and Lakshmana in the guise of an old Brahmin. With

due respect and decorum and apt choice of words; Hanuman, indicated

his true nature and background. In return, he came to know how and

why Rama and Lakshmana arrived in Kishkindha. You may ask me why

Hanuman had disguised himself as a Brahmin. If he appeared, he

thought, as the monkey he was, they might not heed his words.

However, he had given them the facts, hadn't he? There is no hidden

evil design in this. Rama often referred to himself saying. again and

again, " I am a man, " " I am the son of Dasaratha " , and so on, pointing

out thereby the new ideal for man.

 

But with Krishna, it is altogether a different story. Saying,

mamanusmara yudhya ca, Thinking of me, fight; manmana bhava madbhakto

madyaji mam namaskuru, Keeping me in your mind, become my devotee,

offer sacrifices to me, bow down to me; yogaksemam vahamyaham, I look

after their welfare; Krishna unmistakably affirmed in the Gita His

divinity in a variety of contexts. These are the specific differences

between the two incarnations. Men should conduct themselves in the

path of Rama and lead their lives as Krishna had instructed. All

names belong to the Lord as do all forms. There is no place or thing

in this universe that is not divine. Therefore, you may worship in

any way you wish, when you do so wholeheartedly, with a broad outlook

and wide sympathy. Whatever the course of the river may be, its

destination is only the sea. In this way you should understand that

all forms of worship and spiritual exercise reach the one God.