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Ram in Krishna, Krishna in Ram

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
28 March 2026
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The Non-Difference of God’s Divine Forms

(An excerpt of a speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj during Ram Navmi)

Ram in Krishna, Krishna in Ram by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

To differentiate amongst God’s Divine forms is considered a namaparadh (a grave spiritual transgression).   There is no greater sin than a namaparadh.    In fact, It is a spiritual transgression to even consider God and his Saints to be separate entities, let alone his Divine forms.  It is truly astonishing how anyone can differentiate amongst God’s own  Divine forms. 

And particularly so in the case of His descensions as Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.   In some of His other descensions, such as the boar, the tortoise, or the man-lion, the Lord assumes forms that are visibly distinct. But in the case of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, there is no difference at all – not in Their divine bodies, nor in Their Name.

This is not merely philosophical thought; it is clearly established in the scriptures.

Lord Brahma has stated in the scriptures (as quoted in the Adhyatma Ramayana), in his own words:

 “O Rama, You are beyond Maya, the ruler of Maya, and You are Madhava.” 

Here, Brahma is addressing Rama as “Madhava,” even though He is known as “Raghava.” Madhava descended in the age of Dwapara, and it is true that Raghava Himself later became Madhava. However, in this instance, Brahma directly uses the name “Madhava” while addressing Rama.

 “O Rama, I bow down to You, who is emerald-hued and the Lord of Mathura.” 

What possible connection does Lord Ram have with Mathura? He never went there; even during His forest exile, Mathura is never mentioned. Yet in this verse, Brahma is calling Him the Lord of Mathura. 

“O my Rama, who resides in Vrindavan, O my Rama, who is worshipped by countless billions of celestial gods, I bow down to You.” 

These are all the words of Lord Brahma. This unity is further revealed through the Lord’s own words.

When the paramahansas of the Dandaka forest beheld Lord Ram, they became enchanted by His beauty and desired to love Him in Madhurya bhava, as their Beloved. Lord Ram blessed them and said, “I shall grant you this supreme bliss. In this descension, I abide by maryada (righteous principles), but in My next descension, I Myself will fulfill your desire. You shall take birth as Gopis and experience My love.” 

He did not say that someone else named Krishna would come and fulfill their longing. He clearly said, “I Myself will come again.” 

This establishes that Ram and Krishna are not different; they are the same Supreme Lord appearing in different leelas.

Another profound truth is revealed in the forms of Lord Ram Himself. Scriptures describe that He expanded into four forms: Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughn. 

In this divine play, Lakshman was born to one mother, Bharat to another, and Shatrughn to yet another. However, in reality, Lord Ram Himself manifested in four forms. One form – He Himself became the object of worship, while the other three assumed the role of worshippers. Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughn are all seen worshipping Lord Rama. Thus, people consider them to be devotees or saints, and Ram to be God. But in truth, all four are God.

These same four forms appeared again in Lord Krishna’s descension. Lakshman appeared as Balaram, while Bharat and Shatrughn appeared as Pradyumna and Aniruddha. The same divine personalities continued their eternal play in Lord Krishna’s avatar again.

The unity of these descensions is further illustrated in a beautiful exchange between Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna said to Radha Rani, “Do you remember? You had come as Sita when we last appeared in the world.” Radha Rani smiled and replied, “Of course I remember, I don’t have a bad memory.” 

He then asked, “Do you remember that Ravana kidnapped you?” and she replied, “Yes.” These exchanges are described in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana.

A charming incident from Krishna’s childhood reveals this truth in a deeply touching way. One day, young Krishna asked Mother Yashoda to tell Him a bedtime story. As she lovingly began narrating the story of Lord Ram, she asked Him to respond with “hmm” so she would know He was listening. Krishna agreed.

Mother Yashoda began her story (as described in the Padyavali): “There was once a king named Lord Ram in Ayodhya.” Krishna listened, smiling inwardly. He was careful not to smile outwardly, lest His mother wonder why. He did not wish to reveal that He Himself was Ram, so as she began, He simply responded, “Hmm.”

She continued, “His wife’s name was Sita,” and Krishna kept replying, “Hmm, hmm.” “By his father’s command, Ram went into exile, and there in Panchavati, Sita was kidnapped.”

At this point, Mother Yashoda prompted Him, “Are you listening or not?” Krishna had momentarily forgotten that He was enacting a leela and was supposed to keep saying “hmm.”  He didn’t say ‘hmm’ this time.

Krishna was instead overtaken by emotion. He leapt up in anger and cried out, “Lakshman, bring Me My bow at once, bring Me My bow! Ravana has kidnapped Sita! Bring Me My bow!” (as described in the Padyavali).

Mother Yashoda was frightened upon seeing this unusual behavior. She thought, “There is no Lakshman here. What has happened to him? Has some spirit possessed my child?”

At that moment, Lord Krishna had recalled His previous descension as Lord Ram. “Ravana has abducted Sita – how dare he? Bring Me My bow!”

Mother Yashoda quickly ran to Him, embraced Him, and tried to comfort Him, saying, “What happened, Lala?” He realised then, “I had promised that I would keep saying ‘hmm, hmm’ during the story.”  As mother held and soothed Him, Krishna realized that He should not have revealed Himself in this way before His mother. He quickly returned to His playful state, allowing His mother to think it was just a passing moment. 

Thankfully, Mother Yashoda did not dwell on the incident. She simply thought that something unusual had happened for a moment, but now her Krishna was perfectly fine. With motherly affection, she gently patted Baby Krishna and lovingly put Him to sleep.

All these scriptural revelations and divine pastimes point to one eternal truth. There is only one Supreme Reality, appearing in countless forms for the sake of His devotees. To see difference in Him is ignorance; to see unity is true knowledge.

Ram is Krishna and Krishna is Ram. The names may differ, the leelas may vary, but the Divine is One. 

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

(Download JKP’s free official Sanatan Vedic Dharm App (SVD App) to listen to Parts 2 and 3 of this special lecture series on Shri Ram and Shri Krishna by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

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A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.