Similarities And Differences Between Rama And Krishna

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Lord Rama was born with a specific purpose, that of ravana samhara. He also showed how a perfect human being should be as It was need of the hour for Treta Yuga. He showed how to protect the dharma within yourself when there is dharma yuddha in Tretayuga. Next when Dwapar Yuga came in, God had to descend again, as people had resorted to a valueless way of life and God had to fight against Adharma with the weapon of Adharma as no one listened to Dharma at that point.

Dwapara Yuga needed someone like Krishna who removed thorn on his way by another thorn. There was no need to show pragmatism and statesmanship, and miracles in Treta yuga. But this was required in Dwapara Yuga. People of Treta yuga were morally better compared to Dwapara people. After all Krishna was Rama, in an evolved version. Moreover, during the Treta yuga, Lord Rama showed perfection in everything and in the coming yuga, that is Dwapara, Lord had to show his evolution from being a perfect human to a godly human.

Krishna was full of love, which is how God manifests himself as. That was required of him at Dwapara When a person is able to listen to reason and a bit of rebuke, and learns his lesson from this, it is fine. But when a person does not listen to reason, he has to be silenced with force.

Krishna's childhood and his exploits are extolled in the Bhagavata Purana. Rama's story was explained by Valmiki. Rama was a king who showed how to be a perfect common man and Krishna was a common man who showed how to be a king. Rama was the eldest and the responsible son whereas Krishna had an elder brother, Balarama. Krishna was the central figure of Kurukshetra whereas Rama was on face to face combat with the demoniacal Ravana.

Were They Selfless?

Both were selfless in nature and they proved it every moment of their lives. His selflessness showed when he gave up his beloved wife Sita to forests for the sake of his citizens, when he gave up the throne for the sake of his father's wishes, when he sends Hanuman to be sure if Bharata is ready to give up the throne to Rama after the exile, when he retained Kishkindha and Lanka to those kings who rightfully ruled them.

Krishna's life was equally selfless. He returns the throne to Kamsas father after killing kamsa. Whenever he killed demon kings, he reinstated their children on their thrones. Krishna never became a king but played a great role in the war of Kurukshetra where he made Dharma win finally against Adharma. The kings of the entire world had assembled for the war with their armed forces.

Were They Equanimous And Composed?

Rama retained his poise in most difficult situations. When Lakshmana instigates him to retain the throne at the time of getting exiled, Rama keeps his cool and decides to follow his father's words/ When Vibheeshan surrenders to him, Rama instead of killing him, saves him and accepts him as his friend.

Rama showed human weaknesses at certain times, but did not act on his impulses. He was always composed and self-contained. When the ocean does not allow him entry to build a bridge, Rama gets angry like a common man but finally overcame the instincts and got back to his equanimity.

Krishna was composed. He tolerated Shishupala for the 100th time, but when Shishupala went beyond that number, Krishna killed him. He was perfectly in composure when he killed other demons. Krishna really gets angry with Arjuna for refusing initially to fight the kurukshetra war. Later he teaches him bhagavadgita in utmost composure and brings him round to his point of view.

Were They Dharmic?

Rama established dharma by subduing adharma, when he was beset with troubles created by adharmic people. He killed several demons when asked by Rishi to save his Yagnya. When ravan took away sita, he pursued him and killed him. He established dharma in most grueling circumstances. Rama proved himself to be a model human being in the face of difficult circumstances whereas Krishna killed adharma and proved himself to be the establisher of Dharma.

Krishna never compromised on morals and good conduct. He killed quite a few demons and mentored Arjuna during the Mahabharata war but always in the righteous vein. Krishnas plans were action oriented.

Differences

1. Rama was a born prince. Krishna wasn't.
2. Rama did not reveal that he was incarnation of Vishnu. Krishna revealed that he was.
3. Rama mantra is considered more auspicious than Krishna mantra.
4. Rama lived longer than Krishna. Rama lived on for thousands of years whereas Krishna lived only for 125 years.
5. Rama used only bow and arrow to kill all demons. But Krishna used his superpowers to do so.