The Cognitive Principle is the singular entity, but people give Him so many names according to their respective cogitative projections. A spiritual aspirant has nothing to do with the quarrel or the controversy regarding the magnanimity of these many names as the spiritual aspirant knows that the inner spirit of all these names is the same.

Now, let us take these names one by one. The most popular name is Náráyańa. What is the inner meaning of Náráyańa? The word “Náráyańa” has been composed of Nára + Ayana and the inner meaning of Náráyańa is Parama Puruśa. The word Nára has got three meanings in Saḿskrta. One meaning of “Nára” is devotion ( Bhakti). You know there was a great sage, Nárada, which means the donor of Bhakti. “Da” means donor, so Nárada means one who distributes devotion. Another meaning of “Nára” is water. (niira) The third meaning is Supreme Operative Principle or Paramá Prakrti. Then what is the meaning of Náráyańa? Sometimes the word “Prakrti” is erroneously used for nature. We say “it is a natural creation”, but there is a difference between nature and Prakrti. Nature is the functional style of Prakrti, Prakrti is not nature. So Prakrti – the Operative Principle gets shelter in Náráyańa, as “Ayana” means shelter. Then Náráyańa means the shelter of the Supreme Operative Principle, who is the superstratum of Supreme Operative Principle. It is Parama Puruśa the Supreme Cognitive Principle, which is the transcendental and all-pervading entity. So Náráyańa means Parama Puruśa.

Then another popular name is Shiva. Shiva and Shakti are the two aspects of the same reality. Shakti is not a separate entity: Shakti is the immanent principle and Shiva the transcendental. “Shakti” means Operative Principle. In every action, two principles are required, one cognitive and another operative. Suppose you are a machine-man, you are operating a machine. In that case also two principles are working. You are operating the machine according to the dictates of your brain. So here this power of regulating the machine acts as the cognitive principle; the links, that is the muscles with which you are operating the machinery, become the operative principle. The universe is also created by principles – the Cognitive Principle, Parama Puruśa and the Operative Principle – Paramá Prakrti. Though it sounds dualistic in theory it is monistic in its spirit. The composite name of Shiva and Shakti is Brahma. So here Shiva means this Cognitive Principle which means the Caetanya, the Cosmic Consciousness. Náráyańa means the Supreme consciousness and Shiva also means the Supreme consciousness, so there is no difference between Náráyańa and Shiva.

Now, let us take another word – Mádhava. In Saḿskrta “Má” has got three meanings. One meaning of “Má” is “no”, as for example, “Má Gaccha” – don’t go. Another meaning of “Má” is indriya – the sensory and the motor organs. This is why the tongue is also called “Má”. The third meaning of “Má” is the Supreme Operative principle – Lakśmii, Paramá Prakrti. “Dhava” means controller, “Dhava” means husband. That is why a lady who has lost her husband is called Vidhavá. Another meaning of dhava is also white. Hence “Madhava” means the Controller of Prakrti. Who is the Controller of Prakrti – the Operative Principle? It is Parama Puruśa. Hence, Náráyańa, Shiva and Mádhava denote the same thing.

Now, let us take another word – Ráma. The meaning of “Ráma” is Rámante Yoginah Yasmin Iti Rámah. The Saḿskrta root is “Ram” which means to enjoy the supreme beatitude. Ram + ghaiṋ = Ráma means shelter of Supreme beatitude. It is Parama Puruśa. Hence one should not quarrel regarding the greatness of the different names of different deities. All have got the same import – the same meaning. Another meaning of Ráma is Rati Mahiidhara Ráma – the most dazzling, the most glittering entity. All accept Parama Puruśa as the most glittering entity. Another meaning of Ráma: Rávańaśya Marańam iti Ráma. What is Rávańa? You know human mind has got both the subtle and debasing propensities. As subtler propensities are directed towards the Self, there is no question of their extroversial expressions. Only the debasing propensities of human mind are expressed in ten directions - east, west, north, south, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west, above and below. The púrva, pashcima, uttar, dakśińa, urdhva, and adhah are known as “Pradisha” in Sanskrit and Ishána, Váyu. Agni and Naert – these four corners are known as Ańudisha. Six Pradisha and four Ańudisha taken together are the ten directions in which microcosms express debasing propensities. As they are directed towards the mundane objects, the microcosm goaded with debasing propensities is called Rávańa. This is why in Hindu mythology Rávańa is represented as having ten heads. Now, what is the duty of a sádhaka for spiritual enlightenment. The sádhaka will have to fight against Rávańa, against those debasing propensities which are the causes of illusion and cloud the spiritual vision of mankind. So to be established in Parama Puruśa, one will have to crucify Rávańa. This is why Ráma has been said Rávańsya Marańam iti Ráma. When the Rávańa dies the sádhaka comes in contact with the universal flow of divine nectar. Then Rávańa dies and the reign of Ráma is established. So Ráma means Parama Puruśa – Puruśottama. This is why it is said that Rávańasya Marańamiti Ráma. What is the first letter of Rávana – “Ra.” and what is the first letter of Maranam – Ma. So Rá+ Ma = Rama, because when the spiritual aspirant ideates on Him Rávańa dies. Hence Náráyańa, Shiva, Mádhava, Ráma – all are the same. But for a sádhaka, the most valuable thing is his Iśt́a Mantra. With the help of the Iśt́a Mantra or his personal incantation, a sádhaka will attain enlightenment.