MORE NUMBER OF SHRINES OF THE

BHAGAVATHAS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED

IN SHIVA AND VISHNU TEMPLES

INTRODUCTION
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