Sri Vasihnavas and Sivan

[Guest guest]

Some issues of Sri Nrusimha Priya contain a section called

"KELvi - bathil" (Question - answer). In this section the editors

make up some questions that are of interest to the reading public

and provide answers in line with our sambrathaayam. October 94

issue contains three questions that are relevant to one of topics that

is currently under discussion here. Given below is only a summary

of the questions and answers. I have translated them to the best of

my abilities.

 

 

-- Dileepan

 

 

 

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QUESTION - ANSWER

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1. Many Azhvaar paasurams urge us to worship devotees of

Lord Vishnu. If Sivan (and Brahma) is considered a devotee of

Sriman Narayana, should we not worship him as well?

 

No! Puraanaas tell us that Sivan fought against Lord

Vishnu on behalf of Kaasiraajan and BaaNaasuran. Some claim

that Rudran is equal to, or even greater than, Narayana. For these

reasons the term devotee, as used by Azhvaars, does not apply to

Sivan. But, since Sivan and Brahma are His creation we should

not harbor any enmity. We should not dishonor or disrespect these

deities.

 

2. For many years I have been worshiping several deities such

as Narayana, Rudhran, and Murugan. If I stop worshiping deities

other than Narayana I am afraid of provoking their wrath? Is it OK

for me to continue to worship all the deities, but consider Narayana

to be the paradevathai?

 

No! If you have surrendered to the supreme Lord Narayana

there can be no doubt that He will save you. There is no

reason for you to fear anyone.

 

3. For a number of years I have had pictures of Ganapathy,

Murugan, and Sivan in my pooja room. I feel hesitant to remove

them now. Is it OK to just leave them there, but pray only to Lord

Narayana?

 

No! Give them to someone who do worship these deities.

Keeping these pictures is like a faithful and loving wife keeping a

picture of a old boy friend (a bit of bad translation here, but

conveys the meaning).

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