World of Philosophy

SR No.: 007005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 1002
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 30 MB

Page 475

Let us analyse, one by one, the seven ways of harmonising in Shri Shankara's teachings. I. Harmonising of Deities :
Why only harmonising of Hari and Hara? Those who follow the tradition of Shankara Peetha all over the country say that he was called the "Shanmatha Vyavasthapanacharya", the organizer of the six schools of theology. We believe that it has come to us from Shri Shankara only. That he established six schools of theology means he reorganized the worshipping of six Deities. The “Panchayatana Pooja” (The worshipping of five Deities) in all Shankar mathas is very famous. The five deities worshipped are - Sun, Ganapati, Ambika, Shiva and Vishnu. Shri Shankar viewed them from the philosophy of harmonising principle. In South India, along with the five Gods, God Subrahmanya is also included according to the customs. Shri Shankara , has written several hymns (stotras) on them. All the religious places of God
Subrahmanya, which Shri Shankara visited and composed hymns, have become very famous. The places are all full of spiritual vibrations even today. Thus by including Subrahmanya, the six deities are reveredly looked upon by Shri Shankara from the philosophy of harmonising principles.
All Gods are different manifestations of the Absolute, i.e. Parabrahman. Parabrahma is only one. For the well-being of devotees and Sadhakas, he has appeared in different shapes and forms. Or, the only One
God has assumed different forms and shapes for the sake of different works in the world.
While creating, he is Brahma, while nourishing Vishnu, while destroying Rudra and while blessing Sadashiva. Ultimately God is only One, but He has appeared in different shapes and forms. Shri Shankara has told it in almost all his hymns.
For example -
Sun:
The hymn composed on God Sun by Shri Shankar is not that famous. But in his interpretative texts on Vedanta he has clearly stated that the Sun is the God. Look at the following verse (from Kathopanishath):
हंसः शुचिषद्वसुरन्तरिक्षसत् होता वेदिषत् अतिथिदुर्गरोणसत् ।
नृषद्वरसदृतसद्व्योमसत् अब्जागोजा ऋतजा अद्गिजा ऋतं बृहत् ।। This mantra is found in the Rigveda and the Yajurveda. Shri Shankara has interpreted this shloka, initially in the sense of “Parabrahma” only. But later he interprets it as Sun also. Shankara says that there is no contradic
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