MORE NUMBER OF SHRINES OF THE BHAGAVATHAS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED IN SHIVA AND VISHNU TEMPLES

More number of shrines of the Bhagavathas needed to be installed in Shiva and Vishnu Temples, like shrines of Prahalada, Dhruva, Markandeya, Narada, Tumburu, Nakeerar, Nambiyandar Nambi etc. Bhagavathas act as the main pillar for the establishment of religious faith, devotion and religious sentiments. Only through the life history of the Bhagavathas, we are able to thoroughly understand the significance of the deities. If there is no Prahalada, then Narasimha Avatar itself would not occur. Likewise, if there is no Narada, then we could not know about the significance of the “Narayana Mantra”, “OM NAMO NARAYANA”.

Only due the incarnation of the Prahalad avatar, the evil demoness Holika was destroyed, and due to that, we are able to celebrate the Holi Festival in a colourful manner. The main work of Narada and Tumburu is to visit the Vaikunta, and to praise Lord Vishnu, by the way of singing wonderful divine songs on them. Narada has also incarnated as Purandara Dasa, the famous Saint who lived during the time of the great King ‘Sri Krishnadeva Raya’, and still Purandara Dasa Keeranas are very famous, especially among the Carnatic Musicians.

Likewise, we can keep on telling about the importance of the Bhagavathas throughout our lifetime. At present in some of the temples of Shiva and Vishnu, we could find only the shrines of the Nayanmars and the Alwars. Prahalada and Dhruva have been incarnated long ago even before the birth of the Alwars and Nayanmars, and in fact these two devotees must be given first preference than that of the Nayanmars and the Alwars. But there is not even a single idol installed for Tumburu, Dhruva and Narada, in the Vishnu temples, though few idols of Prahalada are found in some temples of Narasimha.

Rich Shiva and Vishnu devotees must take this matter into consideration, and whenever possible, they must find the ways to install some new shrines for the popular Bhagavathas, in order to please both Lord Shiva and Vishnu. We must also keep one thing in our mind, that is, “BHAGAVATHAS ARE ALWAYS GREATER THAN THAT OF BHAGAVAN WITH REGARD TO THEIR DEVOTION”, they cannot be separated from Bhagavan, and we must never forget to sanctify them in our day to day life.

“OM NAMO NARAYANA”

WRITTEN BY

R.HARISHANKAR