Hari and Hara - One God with 2 forms

Hello guys, I am back with my old article 😝. I thought I can put across to you my views on two of the most popular gods of the Hindu Traditions – Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Before I express myself, I would like to make everyone know that I have no intentions to hurt anyone or anybody’s beliefs. If you feel that my views have hurt you…please do let me know, I shall personally apologise! And I am very open to criticism! Do let me know if I am wrong! I am still a learner. Please do read my review and comment.
Shiva and Vishnu…. two gods who bind us together in different forms!
It might not be true in our generation but there was rivalry among Shaivites and Vaishnavites as to who of the two Lords was greater in our past. One would say Shiva and another would say Vishnu. Each wanted to prove “their Lord” greater than the other. Being a girl from a Shaivite family myself, I was never exposed to this kind of rivalry. My family brought me up to worship both gods with equal devotion and respect. What I didn’t understand was that why the rivalry between devotees of the two gods even existed.

In my eyes, Shiva and Vishnu are of course very different from each other but they are so much part of each other that they are inseparable.
Shankar adorns a snake round his neck while Srinivas lies on a bed of Snake. The Snakes Vasuki and Shesha respectively for each of the gods belong to the same family and belonging to the lineage of the Nagas, their minds are so pure as the Sages of our past and they show the mentality of sound humans. They revere and respect both their lords equally. Both lords Pinaakapaani and Sudarshanahasta are equally armed but with different weapons (Which I shall share in another article if you like this one). Shiva uses the “Vibhuti” for horizontally adorning his forehead in 3 lines while Sridhar holds a vertical “Naamam” on his forehead. Musical too, both are so involved with each other. Lord Jatin (Another name for Shiva) plays the Damaru and the Rudra Veena, while Lord Janardhan plays the Veena as Ram and the Flute as Krishna. In the view of dance and art, Nataraj is known for his Ananda Tandav and Rudra Tandav while Narayana in his Krishna Avatar is known to have mastered the 64 arts in 64 days and is famous for Raas Leela and Kaliya Nartana. In Philosophy, both stand out in their respective domains. Lord Kirat is known for his “Upadesh” to sages about life on the earth without pains and pleasures of Maaya. Lord Krishna is known for his “Upadesh” of Dharma in the form of Bhagavad Gita to Arjun and his “Upadesh” to Uddhava before his departure to Vaikuntha.

These are just a few differences between the two for sure, but each of them are so inter related! Shiva and Vishnu though very different from each, themselves are so much in awe of each other. As Ram in the different versions of Ramayana we understand that, Vishnu recognises Shiva in every form the former sees the latter. Shiva and Vishnu, in my eyes are not 2 Gods, but one power of the Para brahman who are interdependent than, independent. The same Shiva who needed protection from Bhasmasur, who had taken help from Vishnu in his Mohini avatar, offered support as Rudransh Hanuman to Ram. The two gods together brought forth their energies to create Lord Ayyappa or Harihara Putra for killing demoness Mahishi.

All I think is that when Shiva and Vishnu don’t believe in putting each other down, why should we? The duo shall always remain Creators, Sustainers and Destroyers when the need arises. I hope the entire world gets their blessing!
Vande Lakshmi Patim
Vande Parvati Kaantam
Vande Hari-Harau!!