Venkat Raman
Auckland, October 31, 2024
Hinduism speaks of the Trimurthis-Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to signify creation, protection and destruction of evil.
For thousands of years, people of the Hindu faith have followed the Trinity, eulogising the Lords through prayers, yagnas and other avenues of invocation.
The rise and spread of the cosmos has been a matter of debate among scientists and philosophers but those adept at the Hindu way of life would be aware of the creation of the Universe, the galaxies and the earth and that each of these creations had meaning and purpose.
They would also be aware that God is but one entity but worshipped in many forms, satisfying perhaps the individual style.
Lord Shiva is mentioned as the most powerful of the trio, although there are others, notably the Vaishnavities (or worshippers of Vishnu) who believe that Vishnu, as the Protector of the Universe is at its core.
Shiva is nonetheless accepted as the Lord of Dances, the saviour of the three worlds and the most powerful of the Trinity.
The sages and Rishis of yore were nonetheless aware that the three forms are but from one source of Light, Strength and Power.
Devine Equality
The concept of equality of the sexes, of placing women and men on an equal footing, of both conjoining in creation is all traced to Lord Shiva, who as Ardhanareshwara appears as half man-half woman.
Hence, the term, ‘better-half’ referred to wives by their husbands.
Westerners and people of other faiths are often amused to note the catholicity of the Hindu religion, how its form of life is transient and how some aspects of social and religious observations are common to all (like the Holy Month of Ramadan for Muslims and the Lent for Christians as the Month of Ashada for the Hindus during which all forms of abstinence are observed), signalling the universal brotherhood of mankind.
Shaivism vs Vaishnavism
The rise of various religions has tended to divide humankind into groups, sects and sub-sects within those groups serving only to create ideological and other variations in the society.
Hinduism is no exception.
While almost all Hindus worship Deities such as Ganesh, Hanuman, Durga and Lakshmi, two distinct classes of people have different approach to the main Deity.
Followers of Shiva, known as Shaivites, have created their own norms and temples, while Vaishnavities have their own principles and systems.
Temples and styles of prayer are also different.
But there is one distinction though. While Vaishnavities, steadfast in their worship of Lord Vishnu would not even consider a name other than that of their Lord, Shaivites are not sticklers to such dogma.
Thus, it is common for Shaivites to sport one of the 1000 names of Vishnu, just as the writer of this article does.
Such subtleties apart, temples and places of religious and social congregation formed a part of ancient art, architecture and religious fortitude.
These symbolise the high level of creativity and construction expertise that existed in a bygone era, simultaneously indicating the high standards of proficiency unknown to the rest of the world.
The tradition has happily followed the ages and it is not uncommon for modern society to have like-minded people pursuing moral and social values.
