[Advaita-l] Shaivism and Vedic Hinduism

V Subrahmanian v.subrahmanian at gmail.com
Thu Jan 5 12:22:59 CST 2017


Here is an excerpt from a Ramanuja discussion group:

http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/aug95/0007.html

//NO CASTE EXCLUSIVITY AMONG VAISHNAVAS

Sri Vaishnavas can come from any caste (e.g) Alvars. Kulasekara was a
Kshatruiya. Thirumangai was also a Kshatriya by birth. Nammalwar was not a
Brahmin. Thirumazhisai Alwar was a Siva Worshipper  earlier. Thondaradipodi,
Periyalwar were Brahmins. The common things that tie them are the observance of
the sacraments of Vaishnavism and the observance of the religious duties of
Vaishnavas.DR.S.M.S.Chari"s well-written book "Vaishnavism, Its philosophy,
theology and religious discipline" will be very helpful to you to gain a
perspective on the details of Vaishnavism. Chapters 8 and 13 are brilliant
summaries of  two important doctrines of Vaishnavism. Chapter 8 deals with
Vishnu and Goddess Sri. Chapter 13 deals with the important subject of
Prapatti.//


On Thu, Jan 5, 2017 at 11:05 PM, Venkatesh Murthy via Advaita-l <
advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:

> Namaste
>
> How is it possible to say Shaivism is different from Brahminical
> religion when Satarudriya is from Vedas only? It is a useless
> argument.
>
> As a matter of fact in Gujarat and other places Vaishnavas are not
> considered Brahmins. Only Shiva worshippers are Brahmins. Well known
> fact is Brahmins must worship Siva and Kshatriyas Vishnu. Vaishyas are
> Devi Upasakas and Sudras have to worship Ganesha.
>
> In Pooja and other matters Vaidika and Agama methods are combined.
> This is the way it is today. Nobody in Brahmin tradition is doing pure
> 100% Vaidika or 100% Agama worship. Non Brahmins must not do Vaidika
> worship but always Agama or Puranokta worship only. Ladies also can do
> Puranokta worship with Pauranika Mantras. They should not say Gayatri
> Mantras and Vedic Mantras like some ladies are doing. It is wrong.
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 4, 2017 at 11:09 PM, Santosh Rao via Advaita-l
> <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
> > Namaskara,
> >
> > Is there a difference between "vaidika dharma" and the Shaiva sects?
> >
> > From some reading it seems the prevalent academic opinion is that
> Shaivism
> > and Shiva worship in general was largely separate from the Brahminical
> > religion for a large period of history before some coalescing between the
> > two occurred. Also, while Vaishnavism seems to be heavily tied into this
> > "Brahmanism," Shaivism seems to be less so. Is there a reason for this,
> or
> > is there a discrepancy between tradition and the academic view?
> >
> > Also, how does the Smarta tradition view the Shaiva agamas? Are they
> > accepted as authoritative at all? Is there a general view of Shaivas
> > regarding Vedas and Upanishads, Puranas, etc; or does it vary from sect
> to
> > sect? Are there any Shaiva sects that could correctly be labelled as
> > "non-vedic?"
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Santosh
> > _______________________________________________
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>
> --
> Regards
>
> -Venkatesh
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