Dear all,
Perhaps the question 'can an anya devata shrine be
constructed in a Vishnu temple according to the aagamas' is subtly
different to the question of 'what is the best option for temple
construction in mixed-sampradaaya communities, such as those in the
west'.
It shouldn't be forgotten that the Shrivaishnava communities
in India (and to a lesser extent the US, I'm guessing?) are often
lucky to be of sufficient size such that they can organise
their 'satsang' and maintain a degree of authenticity in the
preservation of their philosophy. I can say from experience in the
UK, for example, that not all of us are so lucky.
The Shrivaishnava population here is very small - and
most of those that are here have probably become philosophically
aligned to the 'Advaita-lite' that most westerners would associate
with Hinduism and see Vaishnava/Shaiva/Smaarta distinctions
as 'divisive' or 'obsolete' etc. In fact even some Iyengars in
India these days do not know that they are affiliated to
Shrivaishnavism!! With this in mind, it should not come as a
surprise that in a country like the UK, the philosophy will tend to
be even more diluted. This is certainly a shame, but in this
situation what are the observant Shrivaishnavas to do? Close
themselves off from everybody else? One should be aware that this
will seem like 'Hindus discriminating against Hindus' to the local
folk, which may give people a negative perception of our
sampradaayam - that's surely not a good thing.
So perhaps for those of us who do call ourselves
specifically 'Srivaishnava', the best option available is to try and
be true to our principles/traditions within ourselves, while trying
to engage with those of other sampradaayas/religions in some
constructive way. If the only temple in the area is a Shiva temple
with a Vishnu shrine at the side, perhaps we need to try and search
for those noble aspects of Shaivism that echo our Shrivaishnava
belief system? I don't know - of course this may be against our
shaastras and aagamas - but isn't interaction the only way that
people will learn about each others' cultures?
For example, when I mentioned the Vishnu shrines in Shaiva
Siddhaanta temples earlier, I was not necessarily saying that a
Srivaishnava has to go and pray there - but perhaps, it is possible
to walk into one without thinking "oh no, I am in an anya-devata
shrine where worship is carried out against our aagamic principles" -
and perhaps it is more constructive to think "look - they also recite
the Vedic hymns to Vishnu, they also offer the various upaachaaras
with devotion, etc. - that's something at least".
Another issue is what type of community you are serving - if
you build a Hindu temple in a UK city (or anywhere for that matter),
you need to demonstrate that you are serving the religious needs of
the local Hindu community. One may suggest that "this is no excuse
to violate the injunctions of the aagamas and build a Ganapati
sannidhi in a Paancharaatra temple". Perhaps not. But if, in
a particular city, you can count the number of people following a
particular aagamic tradition on one hand, then it is obvious that
such a temple would not be viewed as "serving the community's
religious needs". OK, so arguably the purpose of a temple is to
serve God rather than the other way round, but let's be realistic.
Without patrons, how will the service be funded? While the 'multi-
cuisine cafeteria' mentality is no doubt an important factor, as Sri
Sudarshan put it, I would suggest that this isn't the whole story -
these temples are also a genuine attempt to keep *some* form of Vedic
practice alive, in countries where by rights, it probably shouldn't
stand a chance of surviving in the first place. Then there is the
interesting question of: given the choice between an 'anya-devata'
temple/'diluted Vishnu temple' and no temple at all, which is
better? I haven't decided myself :-)
My point basically, is that while the aagamas and shaastras
may be very clear on the issue, it is not always as simple to follow
them in all social backdrops - and would just ask for a little
understanding from the more faithful followers our tradition
elsewhere - we are trying our best out here! :-) I was once talking
to Sri Shaunaka Rishi Das, head of the Oxford Centre of Hindu
studies, himself a staunch Gaudiya Vaishnava. His background is
Irish, where many will know that sectarian violence between Catholics
and Protestants has ripped apart the nation in recent history. On
the issues of engaging with other sampradaayas and paying homage to
anya-devatas in a Vaishnava context, he said it far better than I
could - 'In Northern Ireland, if you weren't prepared to engage with
people of other religions, you'd get shot' (paraphrased). Ok so this
may not be an immediate danger with Hindus, but it's something to
think about nevertheless :-)
Sorry for this long posting and hope no offence was caused (none was
intented of course)!
best wishes
Ranjan
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