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Shiva v's Vishnu
- Thread starter Nunjima
- Start date
Andal
resident hypnotist
Namaste,
As far as my experience it sparks lots of debate on forums like this but this difference doesn't cause fighting, loss of life, or anything like that.
Most Shaivas have a great deal of respect for Vishnu and lots of Vaishnavas like wise have a great deal of respect for Shiva. For myself I feel that it was the kindness of Shiva that led me to Vishnu
There is also a tradition of seeing both Shiva and Vishnu as two sides of the same coin, Harihara
I, honestly, don't see any real difference between Vishnu and Shiva, as they are worshiped by their respective religions. In my opinion, Shaivites worship Vishnu, except they call Him Shiva. Likewise, Vaishnavites worship Shiva, but call Him Vishnu. (Or Krishna. ^_^)
It's all the Same, in Truth. Just different names.
I, personally, am a Shaivite, but I still love singing the Mahamantra, and accept the authority of the Bhagavad-Gita. So, I guess in truth, I'm a Vaishna-Shaiva-ite. ^_^
Brahma's in there, as well, IMO, though I don't know much about him. (What are Brahma's devotees called?)
It's all the Same, in Truth. Just different names.
I, personally, am a Shaivite, but I still love singing the Mahamantra, and accept the authority of the Bhagavad-Gita. So, I guess in truth, I'm a Vaishna-Shaiva-ite. ^_^
Brahma's in there, as well, IMO, though I don't know much about him. (What are Brahma's devotees called?)
Metempsychosis
Reincarnation of 'Anti-religion'
Heard of Smarta Sect?They are neither Shaivites nor Vaishanavites.They are probably the most prevalent sect.
At a Saivite temple named Kutralam, formerly a Vishnu temple, sage Agastya, in one legend, was refused entry. He then appeared as a Vaishnavite devotee and is said to have miraculously converted the image to a Shiva linga.A symbolic meaning of this conversion is to show that Vishnu and Shiva are different aspects of the one and same God.
At a Saivite temple named Kutralam, formerly a Vishnu temple, sage Agastya, in one legend, was refused entry. He then appeared as a Vaishnavite devotee and is said to have miraculously converted the image to a Shiva linga.A symbolic meaning of this conversion is to show that Vishnu and Shiva are different aspects of the one and same God.
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Andal
resident hypnotist
Smarta are actually a minority tradition. Vaishnavs make up about 70% of Hindus followed by Shaivas, Shaktis, then Smarta
Aum Hari Aum!
Metempsychosis
Reincarnation of 'Anti-religion'
Sorry,It is the agnostic or atheists(charvakas),who form 70% of Hindus
.Among others ,it impossible to say.By smarta,I meant the advaitins like Swami Vivekananda and others.Many shaivites may pray to krishna.The groups like ISKCON propagate towards vaishanavism that mars the statistics as well.
Sorry,It is the agnostic or atheists(charvakas),who form 70% of Hindus
By smarta,I meant the advaitins like Swami Vivekananda and others.Many shaivites may pray to krishna.The groups like ISKCON propagate towards vaishanavism that mars the statistics as well.
There is a Krishna murti in the Shaiva temple that I pray at. ^_^
I'd say that ISCKON is as much Vaishnavite as any other group that worships a form of Vishnu.
Swami Vivekananda was a Smartan?
I was thinking of something similar recently which I will ask here if anybody is knowledgeable. I recently came across a book in the local library that was all about Shaivism. I have never known much about it, having been raised in a Vaishnava family. But everything I read was exactly what I already believe. So what are the actual differences between Shaivism and Vaishnavism apart from the name/form of God?
If I may ask, which book is it?
And, no, in my opinion, other than the name, there isn't much of a real difference. ^_^
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
I've always seen them as separate aspects of the same identity. Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu... it makes no difference which one the traveler turns to but my thinking is that the different aspects are there to appeal to a wider range of people.
An amusing aside, whenever I kill a bug or have to demolish something I simply grin and tell those around me that I am exercising my Shiva aspect. The thing is nothing is ever destroyed because the essence is given expression in another form. Life goes on - all ways.
Shiva and Vishnu are the aspects of same God. Having said that, the diffference is actually in the devotees and not God. Lord Shiva has many aspects to his form- a great ascetic who is purest of the pure, a great Yogi - Guru of all yogis, a tyaagi- who wears the skull of his own consort's different births, He is the one who exudes bliss to his devotees and He is the Great destroyer of Maya in his devotees and He also executes Pralaya. One may see him as one of the above, all of the above, or NONE of the above - HE IS ACTUALLY WHAT HE IS!!!
The devotees of Lord Vishnu understand Him as above only- a great Yogi, blissful, Lord of Laxmiji, remover of Maya etc
The devotees created "Shaivism" and "Vaishnavism" as that form of the Lord is "Ishta" to them. They follow different paths which are suitable to their own psyche. By and large Vaishnavites believe in Bhakti Marg, Shivaites also do Bhakti but many of his followers have inclination towards Yoga, ascetism and tyaag.
Regards
I don't remember the author...I htink it was actually called 'Shaivism' but I'm not 100%. I found it in the library in Long Beach.
Thank you! That makes sense. I suppose it also has something to do with parampara/disciplic succession. Maybe.
Andal
resident hypnotist
Sorry,It is the agnostic or atheists(charvakas),who form 70% of Hindus
By smarta,I meant the advaitins like Swami Vivekananda and others.Many shaivites may pray to krishna.The groups like ISKCON propagate towards vaishanavism that mars the statistics as well.
Are Smarta Advaitan?
ISKCON doesn't really mar anything as they are a legit Vaishnava organization. Besides they're a minority anyway so they don't really change the stats that dramatically.
Aum Hari Aum!
Hmm...
The book of Shaivism I have is called "Dancing With Siva," by Subramuniyaswami, and I found it at my local library... in fact, most of the libraries in my county's system has a copy.
I was just wondering if it was the same book.
Sampradaya is by definition in sanskrit a "Guru Parampara" with its own Shashtras that propagate a way to God. But, their Shashtras should be consistent with the Vedas. The modes of succession is different in different sects.
Regards,
Now that I think about it, I probably should have said Sampradaya.
Metempsychosis
Reincarnation of 'Anti-religion'
Thats true.Can you find a siva murti in ISKCON?
It is a Vaishnava sect who have men like Sri Prabupada,who make propaganda against advaita.
http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Ishta-deva/id/503754
All smartans are advaitins ,I dont know whether all advaitins are smartans are not.
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To all the YOUNG MEMBERS (I am not old either- lol),
Seeing u all taking such a great interest in spirituality really tells me that the future of Hinduism is as bright as ever. You all are great Mumuksha souls who have already undertaken a MAJOR step in your spiritual progress i.e started thinking about God in your mind. One day, God only will remain in your mind. Here is some "unasked" requests/suggestions:-
Always remember- the Vedas are supreme Shashtras; the best accessible Shashtra that has the essence of the Vedas is Bhagvad Geeta. So, read Bhagvad Geeta in front of HIM and its real meaning will automatically come to you; you will understand it better and better with every reading. Remember another thing- Bhagvan Ved Vyasa compiled all the Shashtras (most), he is the Acharya of all Acharyas. All other Acharya's writings are commentaries on Shri Ved Vyasa's compilation.
Start with a trust without question in the Shashtras and the God as the Shashtras originated from the Greatest of the Greatest masters in spirituality; we are nothing compared to their radiance of spirituality.
Obey all your Dharmas; without reigning in your Indriyas (senses) there is no progress in spirituality because in the end you need to direct your Indriyas towards the God and away from its pleasures. The Dharma Shashtras explain what the Indriyas of different Varnashram are allowed to do.
Always have unquestioning faith in your "Ishtadev". Understand Him as the CAUSE of all causes and Supreme.
Do not always ask for this and that to God......He will give it, but it all comes with the Karmic side effects.
Always ask God what can I give u? Give Him the Vrittis of your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, hands, feet, mind, intellect, chitt and ego- THIS IS THE REAL BHRAMA-YAGNA and the real YOGA-YAGNA.
Regards,
Seeing u all taking such a great interest in spirituality really tells me that the future of Hinduism is as bright as ever. You all are great Mumuksha souls who have already undertaken a MAJOR step in your spiritual progress i.e started thinking about God in your mind. One day, God only will remain in your mind. Here is some "unasked" requests/suggestions:-
Always remember- the Vedas are supreme Shashtras; the best accessible Shashtra that has the essence of the Vedas is Bhagvad Geeta. So, read Bhagvad Geeta in front of HIM and its real meaning will automatically come to you; you will understand it better and better with every reading. Remember another thing- Bhagvan Ved Vyasa compiled all the Shashtras (most), he is the Acharya of all Acharyas. All other Acharya's writings are commentaries on Shri Ved Vyasa's compilation.
Start with a trust without question in the Shashtras and the God as the Shashtras originated from the Greatest of the Greatest masters in spirituality; we are nothing compared to their radiance of spirituality.
Obey all your Dharmas; without reigning in your Indriyas (senses) there is no progress in spirituality because in the end you need to direct your Indriyas towards the God and away from its pleasures. The Dharma Shashtras explain what the Indriyas of different Varnashram are allowed to do.
Always have unquestioning faith in your "Ishtadev". Understand Him as the CAUSE of all causes and Supreme.
Do not always ask for this and that to God......He will give it, but it all comes with the Karmic side effects.
Always ask God what can I give u? Give Him the Vrittis of your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, hands, feet, mind, intellect, chitt and ego- THIS IS THE REAL BHRAMA-YAGNA and the real YOGA-YAGNA.
Regards,