Thus Spake the Divine - Who is God? – Response from Bhagavadpada

Thus Spake the Divine

Who is God? – Response from Bhagavadpada

Ultimately, here is the answer from Shankara Sri Bhagavadpada for the question “Who is God?” His answer is a clear indicator that there is absolutely no distinction between Shiva and Vishnu in the mind of Bhagavadpada. Go through this chapter in which Periyava is excited to quote Bhagavadpada’s Prashnottara Ratna Malika towards His mission of eliminating the discriminatory distinction between Shiva and Vishnu by their respective devotees.

Parameshvara (Shiva) and Narayana (Vishnu) are not two, they are One. Their names, functions and forms are different, but the Substance possessed within them is One and the same. The opinion of Adi

Shankara Bhagavadpada is identical to the above. He has composed a treatise called ‘Prashnottara Ratna Malika’, meaning, ‘Garland of Gems in the form of Questions and Answers’. ‘Prasna’ means question. ‘Uthara’ is the answer.

Prashnottara Ratna Malika of Adi Shankara is a collection of 67 verses, comprising questions and answers pertaining to both spiritual and worldly living. Adi Shankara has aligned these questions and answers in the most beautiful way, as that of a garland. Prashnottara Ratna Malika is considered the most precious garland of gems for scholars of Advaita.

One of the questions is: Who is God? The answer is: The one Parameshvara, who is the combination of Shankara and Narayana (Shankara Narayanatma Ekaha). The answer to the above question is a clear indicator that there is absolutely no distinction between Shiva and Vishnu in the mind of Bhagavadpada.

With the same outlook, the “Smarthas” community, the followers of Advaita Philosophy of Bhagavadpada, start pooja with a vow (sankalpam) “For pleasing Parameshvara (Parameshvara Preethyartham)”. They complete the pooja with a vow “For offering to Krishna (Krishnarpanam)”. How can a person please one God in the beginning and offer the same to another at the end? This is only possible because both Gods are one and same. Only the names are different.

Staunch Vaishnavas proclaim only Vishnu as God and Shiva as any other human being on the earth. Shaivaites proclaim only Shiva as God and Vishnu as any other human being on the earth.

Ironically, it is interesting to note that both sects hold the same philosophy that their respective Gods are dwelling in the hearts of all living beings. In that case, clearly, Shiva resides in Vishnu’s heart (if Vishnu is the human being) and Vishnu resides in Shiva’s heart (if Shiva is the human being). This means, irrespective of it, one should worship the other God, who is present within that God, isn’t it?

If we read the works of great poets, Kalidasa and Bana, who are not biased towards any one philosophy and have a neutral outlook, it is quite clear that one Substance has manifested into different Devatas. Kalidasa says, “There is only one Brahmam, which has split into three and all the three are equal. There is nothing superior or inferior to each other”. Bana also endorses the same view. These poets do not have the compulsion to substantiate or establish any one philosophy. They speak with an unbiased and open mind. The integration of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva applies to all other Devas and Devatas too.

There are enlightened Sages who worship God of their own choice (Ishta Devata). They have clearly stated that all other Devatas are also alike. Appaiya Dikshita says, “Though there is absolutely no distinction between Maheshvara (Shiva) and Janardhan (Vishnu), my mind specifically sways towards Shiva who has kept the Moon in His head.”

Leelashukar says in his Krishna Karnamrutha, “I am a Shaivaite; I chant the five-syllable Shiva Mantra (Namashivaya); But still my mind falls only for Lord Krishna, who is purplish- blue complexioned!”

One can hold on to any Devata of his preference. But on that account, one should not abuse the other’s Devatas. Even if one claims Shiva as the devotee of Vishnu or vice versa, no one says that both of them are enemies of each other. In that case, why should one hate the other?

In one Purana, Shiva does Namaskaram to Vishnu and in another, Vishnu does Namaskaram to Shiva. This does not mean that one is inferior to the other. Each of them demonstrates to us the significance of Namaskaram. Vaishnavas proclaim that even devotees should be worshiped as we worship Lord Vishnu.

Shaivaites also endorse the same view. In the Prashnottara Ratna Malika, for the question who is the

Supreme God, Para Devata, Bhagavadpada answers, “Chit Shakti”, which is the Supreme Brain of Brahmam. Only that Shakti has manifested into innumerable Devatas. That is the Shakti, Goddess Jnyanambika, (Goddess of Wisdom). She should bless all of us to keep us away from drawing all kinds of different differentiations within our minds!

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.