Rama before krishna.

Why Dongreji Maharaj Spoke on Rama Before Krishna. A saints gentle wisdom.

There is a beautiful and deeply meaningful incident from the life of the revered saint Sri Dongreji Maharaj.

When he was invited to Bombay to deliver his first Bhagavat Sapthah, the organisers left no stone unturned. In those days publicity meant devotion and labour — handwritten banners were lovingly prepared and placed across the city announcing a seven-day discourse on the Bhagavatam by the great saint.

The city was ready. The devotees were waiting. Everything was perfectly arranged.

Sri Dongreji Maharaj arrived a day early. After offering prayers at the temple, he quietly called the organisers and said something completely unexpected:

He would not speak on the Bhagavatam.

Instead, he wished to speak on Sri Rama.

The organisers were stunned and worried. The entire event had been announced as a Bhagavat discourse. How would the audience react? With folded hands they pleaded with Maharaj to keep the programme as planned and suggested that a separate time could later be arranged for Sri Rama Katha.

Dongreji Maharaj listened patiently and then explained with compassion and clarity.

He said that before people listen to the divine play of Sri Krishna, they must first understand what it means to be a true human being.

They must first learn Purushartha.

They must first learn Maryada.

They must first understand Dharma in human life.

And for that, the world must first listen to Sri Rama.

He gently explained that without the grounding of Rama’s life — the life of Maryada Purushottama — people may misunderstand Krishna’s divine leelas. Without the foundation of dharma, Krishna’s playful acts might appear confusing to the unprepared mind.

How would they understand:

the butter stealing,

the mischievous pranks,

the divine play with the gopis,

the profound meaning behind Draupadi’s cheer haran and Krishna’s intervention?

Without first learning what righteousness, restraint, duty, compassion, and ideal conduct look like in human life, the deeper spiritual truths of Krishna’s leelas could easily be misinterpreted.

Sri Rama teaches us how to be human.

Sri Krishna teaches us how the Divine works through life.

First comes Maryada.

Then comes Madhurya.

First the discipline of dharma.

Then the sweetness of divine love.

Only when the soil is prepared can the seed of Krishna bhakti truly take root.

Hearing this, the organisers understood. The banners could announce Bhagavatam — but the saint would prepare hearts first. And so, before the Bhagavat Sapthah began, Bombay listened to the story of Sri Rama.

And in that decision lies a timeless lesson:

Before we seek to understand God, we must learn how to become worthy seekers.

This incident quietly teaches us the natural order of spiritual growth.

Rama prepares the heart. Krishna enchants it.

Rama shows us how to walk the path.

Krishna shows us the joy of reaching the destination.

Rama teaches duty, restraint, sacrifice and righteousness.

Krishna reveals love, surrender, playfulness and divine intimacy.

When life is aligned with dharma, Krishna’s leelas no longer confuse the mind — they illuminate the soul.

Perhaps that is why the sages say: Rama builds the foundation, Krishna raises the temple.

A Verse to Conclude

A beautiful traditional verse expresses this relationship:

रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः कृष्णस्तु भगवान् स्वयम्।

धर्मेण हीनाः पशुभिः समानाः॥

Rāmo vigrahavān dharmaḥ, Kṛṣṇas tu Bhagavān svayam

Dharmeṇa hīnāḥ paśubhiḥ samānāḥ.

Meaning:

Rama is Dharma embodied. Krishna is God Himself.

Without dharma, human beings live no better than animals.

And so, before tasting the sweetness of Krishna’s flute,

the world must first learn the steady rhythm of Rama’s footsteps.