Thus Spake the Divine - Never Forget Shiva: Be a Slave to Tirumal

Thus Spake the Divine

Never Forget Shiva: Be a Slave to Tirumal

Burnt wood turns coal. Coal, under heavy pressure, becomes crystal and takes the form of a diamond. When we live in this universe without getting touched by Maya, our ignorance gets burnt and turns into coal. Everything looks Vishnu Mayam Jagat (World Filled with Vishnu). That is why even Tirumal (Vishnu) appears Karumal (Karu means black in Tamil). As coals turn into diamond, Parameshvara is in the state of Shuddha Sphatika Sankasam which is immaculately transparent.

Both coal and diamond are not distinct from each other. Coal turns into diamond and diamond is the erstwhile coal. Similarly, both Vishnu and Shiva are one and the same. Neither is bound by worldly pressures and delusions of Maya. Neither Maha Vishnu’s blackness nor Shiva’s whiteness forms part of VIBGYOR. Different colours of the universe are manifestations of Maya. When truth is distorted, it is called “coloured vision”. As long as we are closely associated with White Shiva and Black Vishnu, it means that we are closely associated with absolute truth.

Followers of Shaivism apply Vibhuti, the white ash, as an ultimate and eternal reminder of whiteness of Shiva, which is obtained after burning coal. Vibhuti is the eternal Substance, which is known as Tiruneeru in Tamil. Mud, sand and dust are the eternal reminders of Vishnu Mayam Jagat. All trees, plants and vegetation emerge from soil, grow in soil and eventually get buried in soil. Therefore, earth is indication of that ultimate eventuality. That is why Vaishnavas apply the Holy Soil (Tiruman).

Both Vibhuti and Tiruman represent the same philosophy. As there is no distinction between Hari (Vishnu) and Haran (Shiva), there is no distinction in their symbols too. Vaishnavas apply Tiruman on their forehead vertically, as a mark of existence of the universe and its growing aspirations. When everything comes to the balanced state of Shiva Yogam, Shaivaites apply Vibhuti on their forehead horizontally.

It is absolutely wrong to attribute differences between Shiva and Vishnu. The Alwars of Vaishnavism and Nayanmars of Shaivism have considered both as one in their enlightened state of Bhakti. When an Alwar sings, ‘pirai thangu sadayaanai valaththe vaiththu’ (keeping the one with matted hair and crescent moon, that is Shiva, on the right side), a Nayanmar echoes the same by singing, ‘kudam aadiyai idaththe kondu’ (keeping the one who danced with Gopikaas carrying water pots, that is Krishna or Vishnu, on the left).

This feeling of oneness between Shiva and Vishnu has been existent in Tamil Nadu since ancient times. That is why, of the 27 birth stars, only two pertaining to Shiva and Vishnu possess the prefix of “Tiru”, which is a salutation representing high reverence as “Tiruvadhirai” and “Tiruvonam” respectively. Avvaiyar wants one to inculcate this feeling of Oneness between Shiva and Vishnu even from one’s childhood. That is why she preaches, “Never forget Shiva; be a slave to Tirumal”.

One should realise that it is the Paramatma, who manifests into different forms of Gods. There is no harm in worshipping Ishta Devata or Kula Devata of one’s ancestral lineage. However, one should not demean other’s God in any manner. They should realise that our own God is manifested into Gods being worshipped by others. If we do so, there will not be any religious clashes. Happiness and peace will then prevail.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.