Harihara is a term used to denote the unity of Vishnu and Shiva as one and the same with Hari being the name of Vishnu and Hara that of Shiva. This is a popular concept, especially among those trying to bridge the gaps between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Smartism holds this concept as a tenet.

There is scriptural support for those assertions as both the Shri Rudram and Vishnu sahasranama indicate that Vishnu and Shiva are one.

As Swami Sivananda discussed, " A bigoted Virasaivite entertains hatred towards Lord Vishnu, Vaishnavites and Puranas which treat of Vishnu. Is this not the height of folly? Is this not extreme ignorance? He has not understood the true nature of Lord Siva. He has no idea of true religion. He is a fanatic, a bigot, a man of little understanding, a narrow sectarian, with a very small constricted heart. He is like a frog in the well which has no idea of the vast ocean. Likewise, a bigoted Vira Vaishnavite entertains hatred towards Lord Siva, Saivites and Siva Puranas which discuss Lord Siva."

He notes that sectarian worship is of recent origin with Saiva Siddhanta of Kantacharya and the Vaishnava sects of Madhva and Sri Ramanuja being no more than eight hundred years old.

Sivananda concludes by stating: "Siva and Vishnu are one and the same entity. They are essentially one and the same. They are the names given to the different aspects of the all-pervading Supreme Soul or the Absolute. ‘Sivasya hridayam vishnur-vishnoscha hridayam sivah—Vishnu is the heart of Siva and likewise Siva is the heart of Vishnu’."

Accordingly, a devotee can have intense love for his Ishta-Deva in the beginning, to intensify his devotion for that particular deity but he should have equal devotion to the other forms of the Lord also.

Harihara was also the name of the founding ruler of the Vijaynagar empire.

References and external Links

• Siva and Vishnu are One and the Same.

See also

Trimurti