History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c37.42
History of Dharmaśāstra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c37.42
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v3.c37.42
Among the gods popularly worshipped the principal ones are Viṣṇu under various names and in various *avatāras*, Śiva in his various forms, Durgā, Gaṇeśa and the Sun.¹⁷¹² The worship of these deities (called pañcāyatanapūjā) is said to have been popularised by the great Śaṁkarācārya. In modern times these five devatās are still worshipped, but they are differently arranged according as the worshipper places one or other of the five in the centre. The following diagram will show the five positions: