===Redirecting to Jetusa list as all the devotees will benefit from this answer
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Jai SrimanNarayana!

Pujya Chinna Jeeyar,

Namaskarams.

I have been following discussions about comparisons between Lord Shiva and
Lord SirmanNarayana. This discussion troubled me
most probably due to my ignorance. However,
I have a few questions for which I hope you will
find time to show us the answers and right way
to think and approach this issue.

I am troubled when I read that Lord SrimanNarayana
is greater than Lord Shiva. When somebody who
prays to Lord Shiva, reads this then he/she might
feel hurt. Isn't this is similar to saying that
Christainity, Islam, Judaism, Hinudism, Buddhism,
, Jainism or some other religion is better than
any other religion?

Why is it incorrect to say that Lord Shiva,
Lord SrimanNarayana or some other God followed
by some other religion are all one and the same?
I ask this question in relation to your mentioning
that Lord Shiva and Lord SrimanNarayana are
essentially different and they have their own
unique qualities... When we say this doesn't this
imply that they are different and not one and the
same. In which case, if we say that Lord SrimanNarayana is the greatest,
then doesn't this
imply Lord Shiva is not as great as Lord
SrimanNarayana and will this not create some kind
of animosity among followers of the two?

In the last sentence in Narayana Suktam it says
(which I quote with much trepidation, since my
reproduction is not exact and my understanding
may not be correct.. please excuse me for this
and please correct me to think in proper manner)
that Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Indra are all
represented by the same LIGHT that is present in
everybody's heart and THAT SAME LIGHT IS ESSENTIALLY THE SUPEREME BEING WE
ALL NEED TO
SEEK.

In view of this state in Narayana Suktam, how do
we treat the above questions i respectfully submit
to you.
Another question is, yes we read that we need to
seek the LIGHT that is in our heart. But, having
read this, how does one proceed from there....I/we
am/are still lost!!!

Saranam.

Jai SrimanNarayana!
Ranganath Samudrala