Guest guest Posted April 6, 2005 Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 Hi All, I have seen that in all village deity temples where blood sacrifice of goats and birds take place,they give the same Vibhudhi(ash powder) as prasad which is given in Pure Veg Shiva temples. Does it mean those village deites are the real Bhutaas present around Shiva? It throws some truth on the notion that Shiva in Kala Bhairava expansion will eat meat,drink wine etc. But regarding Lord Vishnu we dont find any of his relation with village deities.Also Vishnu related things are away from blood.But Shiva wears animal skin and Kali's form is very horrifying.Does this all mean Vishnu is Supreme? Please clarify esp Shiva devotees. Please note this is my genuine doubt and I dont speculate on Vishnu's or Shiva's supremacy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagdish Posted April 26, 2005 Report Share Posted April 26, 2005 The village deities are not real bhutaas, they are usually local deities designated for particular purpose. - Unless specifically mentioned and Unless one sees a form of Lord Shiva surrounded by these deities one should not assume that they are bhutaas/bhootas Usually the sacrifices made to them is out of ignorance of the villagers and it is due to a misguided practice of a lower quality. However, because they have sincerity in their devotion Lord Shiva being the absolute Lord accepts this type of devotion and thuse exhibits his acceptance in the form of his expansions such as Maha Bhairav or Kaal Bhairav, etc. His Guise as Kaal Bhairav is actually there as the presiding deity over Cremation grounds, to allocate time slots to the ghosts in those cemetaries, as to when they are allowed to leave the grounds and what times they should return. Thus in this guise Lord Shiva is also considered the Lord of Ignorance, because ignorant people (Asurs, demons or demonic minds) tend to worship him for materialistic benefits. He also removes ignorance from devotees and gives them Gyan/Knowledge of Self, etc.. These expansions of Lord Shiva are mainly worshipped in tantric practices, which again require animal sacrifices as part of their rites and rituals. Whilst those who are situated in the mode of goodness (Saatvic) worship Lord Shiva in his absolute forms (Shiva, Maheshvar, Lord Ashutosh, Shankara etc) Maa Kali - similar to Lord Shiva, she is his Shakti (divine material energy) and his Consort. She is Maa Parvati/Maa Shakti/ Maa Gauri. Maa - Mother She took on the "horrific" form of Kali to kill demons and demonic minds. The demonic mentality and the quality of ignorance in a devotee is exterminated by her. But for the devotees she is the most graceful divine Mother. Lord Vishnu We rarely see him in fearful forms. However, His partial incarnatinos such as Varaha (The boar), for killing the demon who had kidnapped mother earth and for rescuing her and Nursingh (Part Man Part Lion), for killing the demon Hiranyakahsipu and rescuing his son who was Lord's devotee, Prahlad, are well known "anger" incarntions. Lord Vishnu is always situated in the mode of goodness regardless of the type of his incarnation and is always worshipable by his devotees. He reciprocates the feeling that is reflected in him by his devotees. Demons usually exhibit anger/hatred/fear etc and hence that is what they get, whilst the devotees exhibit love and that is what they get. Best Wishes Jagdish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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