I thought id start my very first blog post with some questions and answers based on Vedic characters (Gods, Godesses, DemiGods and devotees) whose names are chanted in Kirtan.
Q. Who is Krishna?
A. Krishna is the divine lover boy from the land of Vrndavana. Depicted in art holding a flute, wearing a peacock feather, dressed in bright yellow and red garments with a skin complexion usually painted blue.
Krishna is famous as the lover boy God of the Hindu/Tantric traditions of ancient India because of his relationship with enumerable cow herd girls (gopis) in the village of Vraj (vrndavana). Of these girls one stands supreme as the one and only that can fully control Krishna with her love - Radha. She is the absolute epitome of "the lover" Krishna being "the beloved". Their love knows absolutely no boundries.
other names for Krishna are: Govinda, Gopala, Shyam, Murali Manohara, Radha Ramana, Hari, Nanda-lala, devakinandana to name a few.
Shiva
A. The name Shiva literally means auspiciousness. He is the embodiment of knowledge, having renounced everything (even his clothes!) this God wears nothing but ash from cremation grounds, a snake around his neck and sits on a tiger skin with his third eye wide open, meditating with his mala (rosary used for chanting mantras) chanting the names of Rama and Krishna. The consort of Shiva is Parvati aka Sati, Devi, Kali, Durga of whom are her expansions commonly referred to as "The Mother"
names of Shiva: Shambho, Nataraja, Shankar, Bolenath, Mahadeva, "hara hara"
Rama
A. Both Rama and Krishna are known as Vishnu Tattva, which means they are manifestations of Vishnu. Rama was the incarnation that appeared on this planet before Krishna. The lilas (play, stories) of Rama are accounted in the Ramayana. Rama being the perfect King carries a bow, which represents protection. His consort is Sita who was also and incarnation of Radha.
names for Rama: Rama chandra, Raghu nandana, Raghupati, Raja Rama.
Common chants for Krishna: hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare, govinda jaya jay gopala jaya jay radha ramana hari govinda jaya jaya, gopala devakinandana gopala.
Rama: sri rama jai rama jai jai rama, raghupati raghava raja rama, patita pavana sita rama.
Shiva: om namaha shivaya, shiva shiva shiva shambo, mahadeva shambo, bolo bolo sabmila bolo om namaha shivaya
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