Lord Shiva The Greatest Vaishnava

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Part One

 

Excerpts from the following articles:

 

* Lord Rama's Worship of Lord Shiva

By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

 

* Krishna's Intimate Friend

By Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja

 

* Mercy and Cheating

 

Partial Excerpt:

 

Lord Rama's Worship of Lord Shiva

 

By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

 

In the Siddhanta-ratnam, third pada, texts 22, 23, 26 and 27, it is stated: “By displaying the pastime of worshiping His own form as Rudra, Lord Vishnu taught the worship of Rudra not to His own sincere devotees but to the insincere living entities who desire religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation. The Lord Himself has confirmed this fact when He spoke in the Narayaniya to Arjuna as follows: ‘O Arjuna, I am the soul of the universe. My worship of Rudra is worship of My own self. Whatever I do, common people follow. Examples set by Me should be followed. That is why I worship Rudra. Vishnu does not offer obeisances to any demigod. I worship Rudra, considering him to be My own self. I am the indwelling supersoul of the entire universe. Rudra is My own part, just as a hot iron rod is non-different from fire. I have set the standard that the demigods headed by Rudra should be worshiped. If I did not set the example of worshiping Rudra then people would not follow that standard. Therefore I teach the worship of My servants through My personal behavior. There is no one greater than or equal to Me. Therefore, since I am the greatest, I do not worship anyone. But since Rudra is My part I display the example of worshiping Rudra and other demigods to teach ordinary people