Azhvars sing of Visnu, Nayanmars of Siva

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Many paths to the One Goal from Hindu Dharma

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.