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as subservient to Lord Vishnu, although it is still understood that he is above the category of an ordinary jiva (living entity). In one interpretation, Brahma is considered by Gaudiya Vaishnavites to be the highest of the jivas.
Saivites, similarly hold a similar view with Shiva. Shiva performs four acts of creation, sustenance, reduction and blessing.
Tantra
Yantra
11. TRIMURTHY
Mantra
Vaishanavism
Sakthism
Saivism
This bikering between the various groups led to the reformation under Sankaracharya in the 9th C AD to form the Smarta Sampradaya. Smartism is a denomination of Hinduism that places emphasis on a group of five deities rather than just a single deity. The "worship of the five forms"
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