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Written by Sri Swami Chandrashekarendra
Saraswati |
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The Azhvars sing the glory of Visnu and the Nayanmars of Siva. In the
Vedas all deities are hymned in the same way. The Upanishads do not
speak much about deities; they are concerned with truths of the Self.
Tiruvalluvar speaks about God and philosophical matters and his views
are in keeping with the Vedic tradition. But the emphasis in his work is
on
morals and ethics. As for Tirumular, he does not deal so much with God,
devotion, etc, as he does with aspects of yoga like pranayama, dhyana,
dharana and samadhi. "Each great man, like each great work, speaks
about a particular system, a particular path. Which of these is to be
followed? “such a question arises in the minds of people. Whatever
system or path you follow, follow it with faith. Do not give it up
midway.
In the end it will lead you to the Paramatman. In the beginning the
paths
may seem different but all of them take you to the same goal.
Devar kuralum Tirunanmarai mudivum
Muvar Tamizhum munimozhiyum--Kovai
Tiruvacakamum Tirumular sollum
Oruvacakam en(ru)unar.
The same idea is expressed in the "Sivamahimna-stotra". This hymn
glorifying Siva is by Pushpadanta. He was a gandharva who, under a curse
of Isvara, was condemned to live on earth. One stanza in his hymn says:
"Trayi (the three Vedas), Sankhya(philosophical inquiry), yoga, the
Pasupata system, Vaisnavism- people follow any of them according to
their different dispositions. Like the rivers merging in the ocean all
these
paths have one meeting point, the Paramatman. "
It is this spirit of catholicism that Englishmen exclaim: "Jevhovah,
Jove or
Lord!". Jehovah is the Semitic God of the region of Israel, the home of
the
Bible. Jove is another name of Jupiter. The word "Lord" applies to the
God
of any faith; it is common to all religions. Realised people in the West
also
speak that the one Being is the same, call him by any name you like.
If the Puranas are read in an attitude of respect and humility and with
the
honest intention that we should benefit by reading them, there will be
no
cause for any confusion. We will gain the wisdom to treat them as works
meant for our ultimate well-being. |
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