Shaivism & Vaishnavism

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Please accept my humble obeisances.

 

Shivaism and Vishnuism as they appear in modern India differ in various ways

but most importantly in one principal area: Vishnuites worship Lord Vishnu

as Supreme Lord and Shivaites worship Lord Shiva as Supreme Lord. There are

some Shivaite sects who recognize Lord Vishnu's superior position but

majority of Shivaites do not. They call Lord Shiva Jagadisha (Lord of the

Universe), whereas Vaisnavas certainly reserve this title for Lord Vishnu as

He is the True Lord of the Universe.

 

This attitude of the Shivaites is highly offensive to Lord Visnu and all

Vaisnavas including Lord Shiva Himself. These people actually achieve no

positive result whatsoever because even the object of their worship, Lord

Shiva, is not pleased with them. Lord Shiva is a great Vaisnava and is

always happy to see people worship Vishnu, Rama or Krishna, instead of

worshiping Him directly. But for the benefit of conditioned souls who are

under the influence of tamo-guna and who do not worship Lord Vishnu out of

ignorance, He mercifully accepts their service. This doesn't mean, of

course, that anyone who is feeling that he is influenced by tamo-guna should

go and worship Lord Shiva. If he's got some intelligence he will worship

Lord Vishnu, or better Lord Krishna because He is the Supreme Personality of

Godhead. This will lift him above all gunas or modes of material nature.

 

So, as stated above, another difference between Shivaites and Vishnuites is

that worship of Lord Shiva is meant for people in tamo-guna (ignorance)

since He is the designated deity for this mode of nature. Vishnu is

governing the sattva-guna (goodness) and Brahma is responsible for rajo-guna

(passion). So, even from material prospective worship of Lord Vishnu is

superior and more benefiting. Worship to Lord Vishnu, Rama or Krishna,

though, is transcendental and will relieve the sincere worshiper from the

influence of all three modes of material nature. Thus, such person would be

liberated and will go to Vaikuntha planets after leaving his/her body.

 

Lord Shiva is one of the topmost devotees of Vishnu, so Vaisnavas respect

Him as such. But normally we do not worship Him, although there are

exceptions in some Vaisnava temples. I have seen Shiva Lingams (symbol of

Lord Shiva) in some Gaudiya Vaisnava temples but I am unaware of the

standard they follow in worshiping Them.

 

Sorry for the lack (or rather the absence) of sastric quotes on this issue.

I hope this information will still be of some help.

 

Your servant,

Gauri das

 

 

> Hare krishna prabhus & matajis,

>

> pamho. agtsp.

>

> i rec'd the below-quoted query from a new devotee but i do not know how to

> answer it. Can someone who knows kindly help?

>

> thank you

>

> your servant

>

> dina

>

> >>>I have often wondered about the differences of the 2 sects of hinduism

> >>>ie

> : shaivism and vaishanavism. How are they different or similar, in

> philosophy or otherwise.

> Furthermore do vaishnavites follow shavism tradition ie worship of shiva

> etc or vice versa. <<<