origin of pancopasana

[Guest guest]

My query re pancopasana:

 

In SSR Srila Prabhupada has written that the system of pancopasana (worship

of Visnu, Siva, Durga-devi, Ganesa and Surya) was introduced by

Sankaracarya. It has been suggested to me that actually it was introduced by

a disciplic descendant of Sankaracarya. What is the actual fact? Please try

asking on the net, maybe Kanchi Matt. Please try to get whatever info you

can from the net about pancopasana.

 

 

The reply I received:

 

I couldn't able to get any information from net. However I got few useful

information from one of my friend and devotee who is following Sri Vaishnava

sampradaya. This information are authorised.

 

The common opinion and understanding of Sri Vaishnavas (At least Vadakilai)

in this regard is that Pancopasana system was not introduced by the Original

Sankaracharya. They say that it was introduced in the middle only. The

following are the points that are put by Sri Vaishnavas to support their

understanding on this regard.

 

1. Sankaracharya said that the Nirguna brahmam is ultimate and the same is

realised at initial stage with Saguna brahmam. In all of his writings, He

refers only Narayana to saguna brahmam. Specifically, Sankaracharya's

commentaries on Vedanta Sutra, Upanishad and Bhagavad- gita informs us that

the saguna brahmam is Lord Narayana only.

 

2. There are some works of Sankaracharya that praises the other worship

also. According to the argument of Sri Vaishnavas other writings were

written by the followers of Sankaracharya and not by the Adi sankara. They

says that with in the short life span of Adisankara, it is not possible to

write so many literature as now quoted as Adisankara's works. And the title

as sankaracharya is carried throughout the parampara and hence, other

writings which were actually written by the descendents of Adisankara is

also misunderstood / misrepresented as the writings of Adisankara.

 

3. The deekshidas (Pujaris) of Siva temple who are following Advaida, should

not take prasadam offered to Lord shiva. And they should take bath after

finishing their pujari service. These two injunctions are there over the

Pujaris and the same gives the idea that the worship of Lord shiva is not

considered as equal to the worship of Lord Narayana. Now a days that is

changed, but still few people are following. They should take food that

which is offered to Saligram or Vishnu deity.

 

4. Advaida Sanyasis should not take the prasadam offered to Lord shiva. They

should not teach vedas to those who are doing Pujari service at Shiva

temple.

 

5. According to Sri Vaishnavas, the worship of Lord shiva and other demigods

in connection to Advaida philosophy came only in the middle and the same

was especially spread by Appaya Dhiksidar who was a strong devotee of Lord

shiva. He was a great pandit.

 

6. A Sri vaishnava devotee named Sudharsana Suri wrote a commentary on Sri

basya of Ramanujacharya - which is known as sudha prakasika. In his

writings, he mentioned that among 3 people whoever accept vedas (Advaidis,

Visitadvaitis & Dwaitis) there is no difference of opinion in the concept of

"Narayana is the parabrahmam". The difference exist only in explaining how

that parabrahmam is acting and etc. So based on that statement, Sri

Vaishnavas say that it is very clear that Adisankara referred only to

Narayana as Saguna brahmam.

 

On the other hand, the argument of the present Advaidis is against the

opinion of Sri Vaishnavas. They say that it was originally introduced by

Adisankara only. They quote the life history of Adishankara who worshipped

different demigods and visited different temples of demigods. They say that

Adisankara was personally worshipping different devas and hence this

pancopasana system should have been introduced by Adisankara only. Although

it seems that Adisankara didn't mention about Pancopasana in his writings,

His life history says that he only introduced that.

 

It seems as like an argument point between Sri Vaishnavas and Advaidis.

 

My friend, informed me that if You want more details with proof on the views

of Sri Vaishnavas, he can provide that after the discussion with his Guru.