Worshiping Śiva as the Greatest Vaiṣṇava
Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a comprehensive understanding of why different classes of men worship Lord Śiva. While gross materialists, impersonalist philosophers, and even demons approach him for rapid worldly benedictions or false liberation, those situated in pure knowledge approach him differently. A true devotee worships Lord Śiva with immense respect, recognizing him as the greatest Vaiṣṇava and seeking his mercy to advance in pure love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
The Materialistic Approach to Lord Śiva
Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that individuals influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance frequently worship Lord Śiva to fulfill their material ambitions. Whether it is young girls following Vedic tradition to pray for an ideal husband or ambitious individuals seeking immense wealth, their worship is fundamentally driven by worldly desires.
- Every woman is expected to be as good and chaste as Devahuti or Bhavani. Today in Hindu society, unmarried girls are still taught to worship Lord Siva with the idea that they may get husbands like him.
- Materialistic persons who are very fond of money and great families worship different demigods to attain their desires, especially goddess Durga, Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. Such materialistic persons are called sriyaisvarya-prajepsavah.
- Persons who are attached to worshiping demigods like Lord Brahma, Siva, Indra and Candra for some personal benefit are less intelligent and have forgotten the real purpose of life.
Easily Pleased but Materially Bound
Known as Āśutoṣa, Lord Śiva is very easily satisfied and readily grants whatever benedictions his worshipers desire, making him highly attractive to both ordinary men and demons. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while Lord Śiva can bestow immense material opulence, true spiritual salvation can only be awarded by Lord Viṣṇu.
- Lord Siva's name is Asutosa, which indicates that he is very easily satisfied when one worships him, regardless of the purpose, and he gives his devotee whatever benediction the devotee wants. Therefore, people are generally very fond of worshiping Siva.
- The asura worships Lord Siva, takes some benediction from him, misuses the benediction and ultimately is killed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who awards him liberation.
- One cannot get the benefit of milk by drinking yogurt. Similarly, one cannot get salvation by worshiping Lord Siva. If one wants salvation, one must worship Lord Visnu. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita - BG 9.4.
The Impersonalist Misunderstanding
Impersonalist philosophers, such as the Māyāvādīs, often conclude that all demigods are equal to the Supreme Lord, proposing systems like pañcopāsanā to ultimately merge into the absolute. Śrīla Prabhupāda firmly rejects this speculation, emphasizing that one cannot reach the transcendental spiritual sky simply by worshiping Lord Śiva as the Supreme.
- A class of common men claim that one can accept many different paths & still reach the same place, & they maintain that the Supreme Absolute Truth may be worshiped either as the Goddess Kali, or Goddess Durga, or Lord Siva, Ganesa, Rama, Hari, or Brahma.
- Not understanding the process of disciplic succession, so-called logicians put forward the theory of pancopasana, in which a person worships one of five deities - namely Visnu, Siva, Durga, the sun-god or Ganesa.
- One cannot approach the transcendental region, or paravyoma, the spiritual sky, by worshiping Lord Siva or Brahma or any other demigod.
The Pure Vaiṣṇava Perspective
Pure devotees never disrespect Lord Śiva, nor do they mistake him for the independent Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that followers of the genuine Vedic conclusion offer Lord Śiva profound reverence, worshiping him as the most exalted Vaiṣṇava and seeking his blessings for spiritual advancement.
- A devotee of Lord Krsna does not disrespect Lord Siva, but worships Lord Siva as the most exalted devotee of Lord Krsna.
- Not only are the devotees dear to Lord Siva, but he respects them as much as he respects God. Similarly, devotees of the Supreme Lord also worship Lord Siva as the most dear devotee of Krsna. They do not worship him as a separate Personality of Godhead.
- We worship Lord Siva as Vaisnava. We give respect to Vaisnavas. So why not Lord Siva? Lord Siva is a big Vaisnava.
- The gopis used to worship not only Lord Siva but Katyayani, or Durga, as well, but their aim was to attain the favor of Lord Krsna.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while Lord Śiva is worshiped by a vast array of individuals, the motives behind such worship define the worshiper's spiritual standing. Materialists and demons worship him because he is Āśutoṣa—easily pleased and quick to grant immense material facilities and mystic powers. Impersonalists worship him out of a flawed philosophical misunderstanding, believing that the worship of any demigod will eventually lead to merging with the absolute. However, neither of these approaches grants true liberation; salvation is strictly the domain of Lord Viṣṇu. A genuine Vaiṣṇava, therefore, approaches Lord Śiva with perfect understanding. Rejecting all material motives, they offer him their deepest obeisances, worshiping him as the supreme Vaiṣṇava in order to receive his blessings for unfailing devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Worshiping Siva. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.