I am a Vaishnava that is interested in Shaivism. I'm curious about one aspect of the theology.
In Vaishnava theology, there is something called the "Three Aspects of God". These are 1) The impersonal Brahman, the all-pervading force, 2) The paramatma or antaryami, God in the heart of every living being and indeed in every atom, and 3) Bhagavan, the personal form of God as Sri Krishna.
Now, does the same theology exist in Shaivism, except with Lord Shiva as the Supreme Bhagavan? Or is Shaiva theology entirely different?
Also, the Bhagavata Purana talks about the concept of archa-avatar - when the Deity in the temple has been made according to dimensions given in the Scriptures, God Himself enters into the Deity and the Deity becomes an incarnation of God in His Bhagavan form. Therefore, the Deity of Krishna is the same as Krishna Himself. Is such a concept taught in Shaivism also?
Hari Om, Om Namah Shivayah.
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