Posted on: 08 Apr 2023
[Smt. Chhanda asked: Padanamaskaram Swami. In the book Shri Datta Swami, in point 13 (Topic Shankara) You have mentioned Shankara as God Shiva, Ramanuja as God Vishnu and Madhva as God Brahma. You have also told Shankara Himself has completed the knowledge part, then Ramanujacharya showed the path of devotion and finally Madhvacharya showed the path of service and sacrifice. I will request You to kindly clarify this doubt as Madhva was the incarnation of Vayu and Shankara gave the knowledge indicating God Brahma. Though the internal God is one still I am not able to grasp it properly. Please enlighten once again. Always at Your lotus feet my Lord, Chhanda.]
Swami replied:- Shankara, stressing on knowledge, is the incarnation of God Shiva. Ramanuja, stressing on theoretical devotion, is the incarnation of God Vishnu. Madhva, stressing on practical devotion, is the incarnation of God Brahma. In all these three divine forms, God Datta is the underlying common actor. Hence, all these divine preachers are also the three roles of God Datta only. Shankara is the single incarnation of God Shiva. Hence, Shankara told that He was God and there was no influence of any soul since it was a pure incarnation of God. Ramanuja was the incarnation of God Vishnu along with the inseparable Adishesha, which was a mixed incarnation. Madhva was the incarnation of God Brahma along with His beloved servant god Vaayu, which was also a mixed incarnation. The mixed incarnations contain the serving souls also due to the influence of whom these two preachers told that they were souls only serving God as servants.