Anirban Chatterjee

I agree with bmsuthar. Lord Shiva is considered above the universe, above the perennial cycle of destruction and creation. Besides, don't take mythology literally. Shiva and Visnu are but different manifestations of the same reality. As per a scientific explanation, we can say that Shiva is he all-pervading soul or field of the primordial universe, atop which energy plays its role. As per Nigurananda, a famous Bengali writer, Brahma personifies the neutron-field, Visnu the potential energy of the universe and Shiva the kinetic energy of the universe. Thus, Brahma, Visnu and Shiva are but one and the same. From the Vedic and Vedantic standpoint, the Brahman manifests in the material realm as each of the three forms respectively.

Hey guys, I am a Brahmin from the Kashyapa community of Bengal. I have always been an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. from the day I got my sense. But at the same time, recently I have read a few things about the Vedas, and have gone through Vedic philosophy and the early concepts of polytheism gradually approaching monotheistic attitude, i.e from Vedic deities to Vedantic Brahman. While I certainly adore Lord Shiva and regard Trinity to be the highest representation of Godhead, the concept of Gods like Indra, Varuna, Apam Napat and Aranyani etc. also interests me. That's why while worshipping God or Ishvar as a whole, I also respect and worship the other Vedic Gods at times. I know about Gita and the Vedantas, and that Sri Krishna had said that he alone pervades the universe and the homage to all Gods and Goddesses goes to him. And that his devotees reach him. But still, is it right to continue with this practice? By the way, my secondary worship of the deities involve reciting hymns and praise of the Gods and Goddesses, much like Atenism of ancient Egypt started by Akhenaton. Like praising Indra-Parjanyaa by reciting things like "Lord, I thank thee for having blessed us this year with rains; the rains that shower on us are due to thy blessings" and so on. While I face no side-effect, I guess this might dilute my devotion to the supreme Godhead, may he be alled Shiva or Visnu or Shakti. What's your advice on the matter?