The Island of a Thousand Temples (13)
Relatives Relationship Based on Pravara

PRAVARA (Sanskrit), in the combination of word pra and vara – pra=foremost, vara= superior. Sa, pravara means ‘the foremost superior’. In daily intercourse frequently heard about the term Warga Waisnawa, Warga Siwa/Siwa Paksa, Budha Paksa, para sakta, etc. All of those terms describe the membership based on the foremost name of the adored God. However, it does not mean that there are plenty of Gods.

It declares in Reg Veda the holy book that the God is Esa (single). Nevertheless, the vipra (holy man) dedicated Him with lot of names alias sahasra nama. Moreover, to adore the God, the Hindus may chose for appropriate names in accordance with their spiritual appetite. Whatever the names are, as long as the adoration based on the veneration concept of God, it will provide similar meaning.
God is a perfection symbol. Because of it, human are not allowed providing him with a single name. Surely, they can adore God with the name Brahma, Wisnu, Siwa, Rudra, Parwati, or Sri Krsna. This process was as the pioneer in bearing a family based on the similarity in adoration. Therefore, it is true that pravara is penguyuban(association)/membership relation based on the similarity in what we adore of. No matter how, but it aimed at reaching the path of the Almighty God.
Worshipping the God with different names was sort of taking the different path with the same purpose, which served devotedly to God the Almighty. According to Swami Satya Narayana, of kerta period, the most fortunate adoration is worshipping the God with the name Narayana, in treta period with the name Rama, in dwapara period with Sri Krisna, and of Kali period–present age–, the most fortunate adoration is worshiping the God with thousands of names. In other word, each chosen names contain of the same value as long as it based of sincerity veneration.
The membership basic concept of pravara is very religiously. A person may feels of one family because worshipping the God with the same name. This method applied by Mpu Kuturan to the Hindus in Bali in veneration system of Sanghyang Tri Murti at Kahyangan Tiga Temple within the area of Desa Pakraman (district village). Comparable thing also applied in adoration of Sanghyang Tri Purusa at Padma Tiga Penataran Agung of Besakih Temple.
Sanghyang Tri Purusa is Sanghyang Siwa/the God who inspire Bhur Loka (below realm, or the plants and animal realm), Sanghyang Sadha Siwa/the God who inspire Bhuwah Loka (middle realm, or human world), and Sanghyang Parama Siwa (the God who inspire Swah Loka (the deities realm). For inspiring the tri loka (three realms), that is why it called Sanghyang Tri Purusa – purusa = life or soul.
The veneration focused on one name of God, renowned in Sampradaya Hindu system – where the socialist often called it as sekte (sect). Numerous names of God considered as the numerous ways in reaching for one purpose. Moreover, in reaching for one purpose, surely is inappropriate if taking all of those paths.
If this pravara concept realized well, there will be no more contradiction in concept. Therefore, it is suitable for the Hindus in Bali, which followed Hindu Sampradaya Siwa Sidhanta, to adore Sanghyang Siwa Tiga/Tri Purusa at Besakih Temple, and worshiping Sanghyang Tri Murti (Brahma, Wisnu, Iswara) at Desa Pakraman.
Inappropriate thought is that if there is other sampradnya appears as the member temporary choice. It is unsuitable also if they are said as a splinter of Hindu. Do not condemn other sect as a deviate sect, because of our majority. Unfaithful behavior to the differences is not the characteristic of a good Hindus member. The narrow thoughts often push for a conflict. Properly, that difference should not consider as a treatment. Is it not the case that Hindu religion is ‘an independence religion’?
(Ketut Wiana and Berata Ashrama, editor).