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379UT SR
15-16
It is worth mentioning here that incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Rama is called "Ansha-avatar' i.e. partial incarnation with only 12 "Kalas' i.e. Degrees or Anshas, while that of Krishna is called "PurnaAvatar' i.e. total incarnation with all the 16 "Kalas' i.e. Degrees or Anshas. Also, Rama is called ""Marayada Purshottam", while Krishna is called ""Leela Purshottam". Both of them, as "Narain' or "Brahma', act as an ordinary human being for the establishment of Dharma and to fight out the evil on the earth. Thus, Hindu-society regards this incarnation theory to be a process of ascent of "Nar' (Human being) to the supreme "Naraina' (the God, i.e. Vishnu) as in Mahabharat (Udyoga-Parva) and afterwards in several books.8 The Mahabharat: Source of Krishna-Katha
The great and the oldest, as well as, longest epic poem "Mahabharat' has got its significance not only for India, but for the whole world. The renowned scholar of Indian-Philosophy Monier-Williams speaks very high of this unique epic poem of India- "The great Epic, however, is not so much a poem with a single subject as a vast encyelopaedia or the source of Hindu-Mythology, legendary history, ethics, and philosophy."
Though, there are many references, available in Rig Veda regarding Krishnalo, but for the first time, a very vast and detailed description of Krishna has been made in the Mahabharat; wherein Krishna is a friend of the Pandavas; is a successful politician and above all, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
It is also worth mentioning here that for the first time, a comprehensive life-story of Krishna is made available in "Harivansh Purana', which is a supplement of the epic Mahabharat.11 The lifestory of Krishna is also available in Brahma Purana, Vishnu Purana; Bhagvata Purana; Brahma Vaivart Purana and Agni Purana, though, quite different in all the Puranas.
Indeed this oldest epic of India, the Mahabharat has truly been a source of inspiration for Indian-society. The well known and renowned scholar of Hindu-Mythology, C. Raj Gopapachari speaks very high of Mahabharat- ""The Mahabharat discloses a rich civilization and a highly evolved society which, though of an older world,
