Guest guest Report post Posted February 29, 2000 Please accept my humble obeisances. Shivaism and Vishnuism as they appear in modern India differ in various ways but most importantly in one principal area: Vishnuites worship Lord Vishnu as Supreme Lord and Shivaites worship Lord Shiva as Supreme Lord. There are some Shivaite sects who recognize Lord Vishnu's superior position but majority of Shivaites do not. They call Lord Shiva Jagadisha (Lord of the Universe), whereas Vaisnavas certainly reserve this title for Lord Vishnu as He is the True Lord of the Universe. This attitude of the Shivaites is highly offensive to Lord Visnu and all Vaisnavas including Lord Shiva Himself. These people actually achieve no positive result whatsoever because even the object of their worship, Lord Shiva, is not pleased with them. Lord Shiva is a great Vaisnava and is always happy to see people worship Vishnu, Rama or Krishna, instead of worshiping Him directly. But for the benefit of conditioned souls who are under the influence of tamo-guna and who do not worship Lord Vishnu out of ignorance, He mercifully accepts their service. This doesn't mean, of course, that anyone who is feeling that he is influenced by tamo-guna should go and worship Lord Shiva. If he's got some intelligence he will worship Lord Vishnu, or better Lord Krishna because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This will lift him above all gunas or modes of material nature. So, as stated above, another difference between Shivaites and Vishnuites is that worship of Lord Shiva is meant for people in tamo-guna (ignorance) since He is the designated deity for this mode of nature. Vishnu is governing the sattva-guna (goodness) and Brahma is responsible for rajo-guna (passion). So, even from material prospective worship of Lord Vishnu is superior and more benefiting. Worship to Lord Vishnu, Rama or Krishna, though, is transcendental and will relieve the sincere worshiper from the influence of all three modes of material nature. Thus, such person would be liberated and will go to Vaikuntha planets after leaving his/her body. Lord Shiva is one of the topmost devotees of Vishnu, so Vaisnavas respect Him as such. But normally we do not worship Him, although there are exceptions in some Vaisnava temples. I have seen Shiva Lingams (symbol of Lord Shiva) in some Gaudiya Vaisnava temples but I am unaware of the standard they follow in worshiping Them. Sorry for the lack (or rather the absence) of sastric quotes on this issue. I hope this information will still be of some help. Your servant, Gauri das > Hare krishna prabhus & matajis, > > pamho. agtsp. > > i rec'd the below-quoted query from a new devotee but i do not know how to > answer it. Can someone who knows kindly help? > > thank you > > your servant > > dina > > >>>I have often wondered about the differences of the 2 sects of hinduism > >>>ie > : shaivism and vaishanavism. How are they different or similar, in > philosophy or otherwise. > Furthermore do vaishnavites follow shavism tradition ie worship of shiva > etc or vice versa. <<< Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest sadashiv Report post Posted March 10, 2014 as mentioned lord Shiva meditate lord Vishnu and lord Vishnu meditates to lord Shiva so what now u have written only half line mentioned and then why lord Krishna said Arjuna to worship lord Shiva for getting blessing of winning battle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites