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Is it a Sin or Dosham For Sri Vaishnava Visit Siva Sthalam?

Differentiating between Siva and Vishnu is in fact a sin.

 

Sankaranarayana
Siva and Vishnu in One Murthy.Image Source:http://sankarankoviltemple.in/arulmigusankaranaarayanaswamy_english.htm

 

Prambanan: Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma temple
Prambanan: Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma temple (Photo credit: Felix Krohn)

 


Siva means ‘that which is auspicious(mangalam)’, while Vishnu means “supporter(from the root Jishnu-Vishnum Jishnum,Vishnu Sahasranaama-means support)


Tri -murthis,Brahma, Vishnu are the three Principles representing three aspects of Reality namely,Creation,Protection and Dissolution and Reality is manifested as an aspect in each and that is not complete.


In Nirguna(Attributeless) Upasana where Reality is conceived as principles that are attributable we use the terms Avayaya,avakta,aprameya etc(Vishnu Sahasranama); while worshiping as Sauna(with attributes that are the best according to us)(this is a lower level in Self Realization– we use some epithets which we normally use when w praise namely Maheswara,Rama,Krishna,Vishnu etc.


So, for a Devotee both standpoints -that is worshiping only one ,without worshiping the other, are correct.


But in the correct Philosophical sense it is incorrect.


This concept of Siva Vs Vishnu along with other Gods , have been a hall- mark of middle ages in India when Buddhism was on the up-rise for Buddha preached Nihilism or Sunya while people , with a vengeance as it were, to counter him, worshiped many Gods that too one God to the exclusion of others .

Adi Sankaracharya wanted this Polytheism to be streamlined and established

SixSystemsShanmatha,Kaumaaram,Souram,Ganapathyam,Saivam,Saaktham, and Vishnavam and declared that one can follow any one of these.


Unique to Indian Philosophy is the fact is that Self-Realization is intensely personal and no institution is recommended-in fact Vedas do not mention common worship or temple worship at any place-and Self Realization is conditioned by individual Gunas or Dispositions;there fore one can worship Reality in any form he wants so long as his goal is Realization.

As an aside you may find find common Naamavalis in Vishnu Sahasranaama and Siva Sahasranaama and between Lalitha Sahasranaama and Laksmi Sahasranaama.
For staunch Vishistadvains-“Akaasat paththam thoyam yatha gacchati Saagam;Sarva Deva Namakaaraha,Kesavam pratigacchadhi”

 

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5 responses

  1. Sadagoapan Thiruvali Avatar
    Sadagoapan Thiruvali

    The term “Sri Vaishnava” itself refers to the followers of Visishtadvaitha sampradayam established by Sri Ramanujacharya. So the pramanam for us is definitely Vedas. But the vast content of incomprehensible Vedas have been simplified and their essence has been communicated to us by the life and works of Sri Vaishnava Acharyas (includes both Azhwars and Poorvacharyas). If you ask me why I refrain from going to the temple any deity other than Srimannarayana, the answer is simple. “seyyadhana seyyom” as Andal says. Our poorvacharyas didn’t approve of it. They have defined this as a necessary attribute to be a Sri Vaishnava. It is as important as chastity is for any cultured woman. Our Acharyas describe this. Thirumazhisai Azhwar describes this. Much before him, it gets described in Srimad Bhagavatham in Ajamila’s story when Yama describes this. Even the Upanishads say that Srimannarayana is more subtle and more fundamental cause for this universe. “Antharbahischa thath sarvam vyapya Narayana sthithaha”. So one can establish the supremacy of Srimannarayana through the Vedas and one can also define the conduct exhibited by a Sri Vaishnava in relation with refraining from other “gods”. We don’t worship Brahma or Indra or Vayu and similarly Siva or Sakthi or whoever it may be. That doesn’t mean that one contracts a sin by worshiping other deities being a Sri Vaishnava. Thats because the statement I said itself is a misnomer. When you say, someone worships all deities, then itself that person cannot be called a Sri Vaishnava (maybe what we generally do is mix up the concept of born in a Sri Vaishnava family with being a Sri Vaishnava). So its not a sin that one doesn’t Sri Vaishnavam being born into a Sri Vaishnava family. Each person is free to choose his spiritual path. Only fact is that you can worship Siva as well be a Sri Vaishnava. So by worshiping both Siva and Vishnu, one might be considered a smartha. Not an issue. That person is ideologically a smartha but a Sri Vaishnava by birth and maybe appearance also. So I would like to restate that its surely not a sin. It only (re)defines who you are/ what your beliefs are.

    Reply
    1. ramanan50 Avatar
      ramanan50

      Thank you for a detailed comment.

      I agree with your points and that has been the purpose of my post.

      As to Seyyathana Seyyom,of Andal means not doing any thing prohibited by Dharama that’s all.Any other meaning, in my opinion, commits the Tamil grammatical fallacy of valinthu Porul Kooruthal, labored explanation.
      Regards.

      Reply
      1. Sadagoapan Thiruvali Avatar
        Sadagoapan Thiruvali

        I do agree seyyathana seyyom refers from refraining from adharmic path. But that phrase is also alternately elaborated as “Poorvargal/Acharyargal/Periyavargal seyyathanavatrai seyyom” which means that one lives as a Sri Vaishnava by looking at the lives of Poorvacharyas. Since, they practiced steadfast devotion to Srimannarayana ONLY, SriVaishnavas also follow that. They don’t do it as a result of their svarupam (inherent nature) not due to any dvesham (hatred) or fear of violating dharmam. Offering prayers and worship to any God within the Vedic pantheon is absolutely alright. The only disclaimer is that one has to choose the deities who are consistent with their system of theology (sampradayam) just for the sake of claiming oneself to be a follower of that sampradayam. Hope my point is clearly communicated.

        However, the crux of the story is that Sanathana Dharma has been very flexible about choosing one’s spiritual path and even the spiritual teacher. So anything within that umbrella of Vedic religion is absolutely acceptable and nothing is a sin as long as one acknowledges Vedic procedures. As Nammazhwar says “avaravar vidhi vazhi adaiya nindranare”

  2. Nithya Rohit Avatar
    Nithya Rohit

    I do agree that spiritual realization is a personal experience and that none can define the true path for another individual. If one finds solace in Vishnu worship, so be it. Adi Shankarar’s works have been remarkable in letting one person realize him/herself by their own experiences and not by the books.

    He said, “Bhaja Govindam” and yet, he said, look for god within yourself. He said “Lakshmi Narasimha mama dehi karavalambam (lend me a helping hand)”, yet he said that god is only one and he is within yourself!

    He said take the name of the lord, reemphasizing “Nama smaranam”, yet, he said do not look outside, but look within! It is an experience to realize the supreme! While he talked great about Vishnu worship, he also reiterated the importance of Shakti worship! Well, that was Adi Shankarar, a guru beyond comprehension! He was the one who made us realize that these rules won’t come handy at the time of judgement, it will be the name of the lord. So,
    Bhaja Govindam
    Bhaja Govindam
    Govindam Bhaja Moodamathe

    Glory to Sriman Narayana! 🙂

    Reply
    1. ramanan50 Avatar
      ramanan50

      Please see my reply for a comment to this post in Facebook in IyerIyengar Network

      On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 8:32 AM, Ramani's blog wrote:

      >

      Reply

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