As Palnitkars almost from across the country come home that day and hold a nice Pooja, all the Temple and Deep Mala get decorated and lit! After the Pooja, Palnitkars give lunch to the whole village! The point is, I have always been a Shiv Bhakt. Shri Aurobindo IS Shri Krishna! Who is Shri Vishnu! So, since Maha Shivratri, I have been thinking, – Truly I am Shiva Bhakt! When I try to concentrate on Shri Krishna, it doesn’t really click very well. And this after knowing there is only one GOD! So, Praying Shiv, yet following Shri Aurobindo, is there a Conflict?

What is the difference between Krishna and Shiva, Hari and Hara? They are a single god in two modes of working of the One Divine. Both are children of the Divine Mother, great and beautiful. Here is a poem of Sri Aurobindo that helps us see the unity that was lost in the later extreme sectarian outlook. 

The One Self

‘All are deceived, do what the One Power dictates,
    Yet each thinks his own will his nature moves;
The hater knows not ’tis himself he hates,
    The lover knows not ’tis himself he loves.

In all is one being many bodies bear;
    Here Krishna flutes upon the forest road,
Here Shiva sits ash-smeared, with matted hair.
    But Shiva and Krishna are the single God.

In us too Krishna seeks for love and joy,
    In us too Shiva struggles with the world’s grief.
One Self in all of us endures annoy,
    Cries in his pain and asks his fate’s relief.

My rival’s downfall is my own disgrace:
I look on my enemy and see Krishna’s face.’

Source: CWSA – 02: Collected Poems: Pondicherry (Circa 1927-1947) > Sonnets from Manuscripts (Circa 1934-1947) > The One Self

Link: https://incarnateword.in/cwsa/02/the-one-self

Affectionately,

Alok Da