Ram or Krishna? Avoid the Grave Sin of Nāmāparādh!

Question - Some naive people who are devotees of Ram do not even want to sing the names of Shri Krishna. Some devotees of Shri Krishna have an aversion to Ram's name. They want a resolution to this issue.

Shri Maharaj Ji's Answer - Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are one. Their body, senses, mind, intellect, and powers are all the same. The same Ram became Krishna, and Lakshman became Balram. All four manifestations appeared in the Krishna avatar with changed names. Hanuman Ji also appeared in the war of Mahabharat. All those who were present in the descension of Shri Ram also appeared in the descension of Shri Krishna. In Adhyatma Ramayana, Shri Ram is addressed by names like Madhav, Mathuresh, Vrindarakavrind-Vandya, etc., and others, all of which signify Shri Krishna, because Ram and Krishna are one. Tulsidas has also addressed Shri Ram as 'Nandkumar.'

Therefore, you should never consider any difference between Ram and Krishna. Do not even dream of a difference in the various incarnations of God and Their names. Doing so is a grave transgression (Nāmāparādh). While atonements are prescribed for all other sins, the scriptures mention no atonement for Nāmāparādh. Shri Krishna and Shri Ram are the same. Do not ever think that They are two. There is only a slight difference in Their adornments. Shri Ram held a bow and arrow, whereas Shri Krishna carried a flute.

It is a matter of preference. If you desire the bliss of Shri Krishna, who always maintains propriety of conduct in all His dealings, then practice devotion to Shri Ram. If you desire the bliss of Mādhurya bhāv (maharas, the highest bliss that one can attain), then practice devotion to Shri Krishna. The difference lies only in preference. Ram did not perform Raas; He postponed it. He gave a boon to great saints, sons of Agni, Gopis of Mithila, Gopis of Janakpur, sakhis of Vaikunth, and great sages who performed severe austerities to become Gopis during the descension of Krishna.

However, there is no difference in Their form, personality, qualities, pastimes, or abodes. To emphasize this truth, Shri Maharaj Ji composed a pad: avadha ke rāma bane braja śyāma - the same Lord Ram of Avadh became Shyam of Braj. That very Lord later incarnated as Gaurang Mahaprabhu.

According to the mental impressions of one's previous births, they may choose to chant whichever name of God their mind feels most drawn to. But you should never think that one name of God is superior and another is inferior.

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Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:

The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English

Hare Rama Hare Krishna - Hindi