SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same

Some years ago, a devotee from Qatar, upon his return journey from Prasanthi Nilayam, had a transit halt for some hours in Dharmakshetra, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s Abode in Mumbai. Sharing his Christmas experience at ‘Prasanthi’, the devotee said then, “We had a fabulous Christmas in Bhagawan’s Presence, and the Day started with 21 Omkars.” Yes, Prasanthi Nilayam denotes The Abode Of Supreme Peace, and in this Abode Of Supreme Peace, all that one can expect is an everlasting echo of the message of Unity In Diversity, Oneness. How the Supreme Master walked the earth propagated His message of Oneness in His most inimitable style? Read on an experience of (Late) Sri S Ramakrishnan, Founder Editor of Bhavan’s Journal, the official bimonthly of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai). The article originally appeared in the Nov 1975 issue of Bhavan’s Journal, devoted to life, literature, and culture. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was established by Kulapati KM Munshi in the year 1938.

In 1971, a dear and respected elder, a distinguished educationist and philosopher, a former Director of the Bhavan’s Delhi Kendra, and myself went on a pilgrimage to Puttaparthi. We left Bangalore by car about 3 a.m. so as to reach Puttaparthi by 6 a.m.

During the three hour, 100-mile drive, we discussed, among other things, about the advisability or otherwise of accepting a donation offered by a philanthropist for conducting research in Bhavan on Vishishtaadvaita. The Bhavan has always firmly stood against fanning differences – denominational, religious, regional or linguistic. It is pledged to foster harmony, unity.

In view of the unbridled fanatic zeal of some of the overzealous followers of the great messiahs, there was a natural anxiety on our part as to whether the acceptance of the donation was likely to unconsciously carry with it the seed of some futile controversy on some abstract aspects of something or other.

However, long before we reached Prasanthi Nilayam at Puttaparthi, we unanimously came to the conclusion to recommend acceptance of the offer to the Bhavan’s Executive Committee. Thereafter, we discussed many other matters and by the time we reached Puttaparthi, we had forgotten all about the donation offer.

We reached Puttaparthi at about 6 a.m. As usual, there were large crowds of devotees, from far and near.

When our request to have an audience was submitted to Baba, he told the messenger that “they left Bangalore at 3 a.m. They have not even taken water this morning. First give them breakfast and then let them see me.”

When we were duly ushered into Baba’s holy presence, we prostrated before him. He affectionately patted us and bade us to sit. After solicitous enquiries about the Bhavan, with a broad grin, he said, “Some people think that Advaitins and Visishtaadvaitins – followers of Adi Shankara and followers of Ramanuja – cannot work together, isn’t it? This is absolutely wrong.”

We were dazed. How could he have known what we had discussed a few hours ago in the privacy of a speeding car?

Baba added: “The Saivites hail their Ishta Devata, Siva, as Pasupati, while the Visishtaadvaitins hail their Ishta Devata as Gopala. Is there any difference in substance?”

Then with his characteristic smile, Baba asked, “What is the name of your friend?”

“Professor Sankaranarayanan,” I replied.

“Does not his very name proclaim that Sankara and Narayana are one? How can there be any difference between Advaita and Vishishtaadvaita, Saivites and Vaishnavites?”

(Advaita – Non-dualism / Vishishtaadvaita– Qualified Non-dualism / Ishta Devata – chosen form of Deity/God/Goddess for worship)

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same – A Sacred Vision Of Divine Unity

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same is a profound spiritual truth that teaches unity behind the many names and forms of God. In Hindu tradition, Lord Sankara is worshipped as Shiva, the compassionate destroyer of ignorance, while Lord Narayana is worshipped as Vishnu, the preserver and protector of creation. Though their forms, symbols, and stories may appear different, the divine reality behind them is one.

Human beings often become attached to outer differences. Some devotees love Shiva deeply, while others feel closest to Vishnu. Some worship through the name of Mahadeva, while others chant the name of Narayana. These paths may look separate from the outside, but sincere devotion always leads toward the same Supreme Truth when the heart is pure and humble.

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same teaches that God cannot be divided by human preference. The Divine is infinite, and no single name or form can fully contain that greatness. Different forms help different hearts develop love, faith, surrender, and discipline. The wise devotee respects every form of God and recognizes the same sacred presence shining through all.

Lord Shiva represents silence, detachment, meditation, compassion, and the destruction of ego. Lord Vishnu represents protection, harmony, preservation, righteousness, and divine order. These qualities are not opposed to one another. They complete each other. Spiritual life needs both inner stillness and active goodness, both surrender and right action, both wisdom and loving protection.

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same also reminds us that religious arguments arise when people forget the essence of devotion. If one devotee says only Shiva is supreme and another says only Vishnu is supreme, both may miss the higher truth. God is not pleased by division, pride, or harsh speech. God is pleased by love, purity, humility, and service.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized the unity of all divine names and forms. He taught that the same God is worshipped through many paths and that love is the true essence of religion. When this understanding grows, narrowness disappears. A devotee no longer criticizes another form of worship, because he sees the one Divine behind all sincere prayer.

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same becomes meaningful when it changes our behavior. If we worship Shiva but carry hatred in the heart, devotion is incomplete. If we worship Vishnu but speak harshly and act selfishly, worship remains shallow. True devotion must make our thoughts pure, our words gentle, our actions helpful, and our heart compassionate.

The unity of these two divine forms can also be seen within spiritual practice. Shiva teaches the seeker to burn ego, control desires, and sit in inner silence. Vishnu teaches the seeker to protect dharma, serve creation, and live with responsibility. Together, they guide the devotee toward a balanced life of meditation, devotion, and selfless action.

A river may have many names in different regions, but its water remains the same. Gold may be shaped into many ornaments, but the substance remains gold. The sun may be reflected in many pots of water, but the light is one. In the same way, the Lord appears as many forms for the joy and upliftment of devotees, yet the divine essence remains one.

SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same finally teaches that unity must be practiced not only in worship, but also in human relationships. If God is one, then humanity is one. Differences of religion, language, caste, culture, and tradition should not create hatred. They should be understood as different expressions of the same divine creation.

When a devotee understands unity, the heart becomes broad. There is no need to reduce one form of God to glorify another. The sincere seeker can chant Om Namah Shivaya with devotion and also bow to Om Namo Narayanaya with reverence. Both names can purify the mind when repeated with love and surrender.

This sacred understanding also removes spiritual pride. The purpose of worship is not to prove superiority, but to dissolve ego. Whether one offers bilva leaves to Shiva or tulsi leaves to Vishnu, the real offering is the heart. God accepts devotion that is pure, simple, and free from selfishness.

In the end, SANKARA And NARAYANA Are One And The Same is a call to rise above division and recognize the unity of divine love. It teaches that all sacred forms guide the soul toward truth, purity, and liberation. When devotees live with respect, humility, service, and love for all, every name of God becomes a doorway to grace.

Reading without Practising is Useless