The Oneness Between Shiva and Vishnu

Verbal rage has been always inter-exchanged between Vaiṣṇavites and Śaivites from time immemorial. The former refers to those who are in the path of Viṣṇu-tattva (principle) and sampradāyas (a traditional system) under it, while the latter, in that of Śiva-tattva.

In layman's terms, Vaiṣṇavites consider Hari to be supreme, while the Śaivites consider Hara in that position.

Both Hara and Hari come from the root sound hṛ – hṛ means "to forcibly take away."

It refers to the Lord who snatches away our ego and the identity of body and mind, allowing us to realize that ātma = Brahma.

The ḍamaru of Śiva simply represents sound energy, while the triśūla represents time—its three prongs signifying past, present, and future.

Now, look at Lord Nārāyaṇa—a cakra (disc) in one hand and a śaṅkha (conch) in the other. The cakra represents time (the wheel of time), while the śaṅkha represents sound.

The fundamental principles of the universe—sound and time—are expressed differently in these two divine forms. In reality, both are one.

Tirumūlar expounds on the unity between forms through his verse of Tirumaṉtiram:

ஆட்பிரனும் அணிமணிவாணனும்
ஆதி கமலத்து அலர்மிசை ஆயனும்
சோதிக்கின் மூன்றும் தொடர்ச்சியில் ஒன்று என்றர்
போதித்து உலகம் பினங்கு கின்றார்களே

Āṭhipiraṉum aṇimaṇivaṇāṉum

Āṭhik kamalthu alaṟmicai āyaṉum

Cōttikkiṉ mūṉṟum toṭarciyil oṉṟu eṉṉar

Pōtittu uḷagam piṉaṅku kiṇṭārkallē.

Meaning:

Āṭhipiraṉ (Viṣṇu), the One adorned with gems (Śiva),

And He who resides on the lotus (Brahmā),

These three are inherently one in continuity,

Yet, the world, in ignorance, debates and divides.