Re: Inspirations
The loving words of Lord Shiva spoken to Shaivites of Sri Kalahasthi touches my soul.
Preface: Govinda Bhatta, cousin of Sri Ramanuja (charya) has become a Saivite, he has been doing the 'water kainkarya' to Lord Sri Shiva at Kalahasthi temple and has been appointed the head of that temple. Several Sri Vaishnavas at the order of Sri Ramanujacharya, try to convince Govinda Bhatta to join back at Sri Vaishnavam. At first he refuses, then his mind fully changed, agrees. The few Shaivites who try to talk to Govinda Bhatta to stay at Kalahasthi are met with failure. But upon this, they reveal the sweet words of Lord Shiva that were spoken to them at a dream, wherein the good Lord praises the efforts of Sri Vaishnava acharyas like Yamunacharya (Alavandar), Ramanujacharya and Govinda Bhatta and asks Shaivites to let Govinda choose whatever he wants to.
Here are the words spoken by Sri Shiva:
"Listen my faithful! In the olden days, the Vedas and Shastras suffered at the hands of Pashandins, Bhauddas and the Charvakas. They were restored by the three-staffed Sanyasin, Dattatreya. Again now, as of old, the vedas have suffered heretical vandalism. To reestablish them, the celestials Vishwaksena, Ananta and Vainateya have become incorporate on earth, under the names of Yamuna, Ramanuja and Govinda. To help them, the divine symbols of Vishnu - the Conch and the Discus - have appeared as Dasarathi and Kuresa, respectively. So, the vedic Vaishnavism which is going to revive under these masters is a system which is after my own heart. Govinda had entertained a wish once for living in Kashi; and this wish I fulfilled as appearing as linga in his palm, and giving him thus a chapter of Saivism; so that they may be in a position to show and prove to others the comparative merits of the two systems, which can best be done only after personal experience. Vaishnavas are free people. Interfere not. Let them alone". (Life of Ramanujacharya - Page 91 - www.acharya.org/d.html).
I'm touched by the profound sweetness of Lord Shiva expressed at the above dream - how he loves Govinda instead of saying 'he forgives him' and how he supports Sri Vaishnavam and its revival. I'm touched by the good lord's gentleness and kindness. This is an inspiration to me, a Sri Vaishnava, to love Lord Shiva equally.
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jai hanuman gyan gun sagar jai kapis tihu lok ujagar
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