but sri mm ji,
by saying that siddhanta is the definitive final phase, you are putting qualifications on other modes of worship. This is what i am trying to say, which you consider as deviation.
Every sambradhayam within hinduism, base the srutis as the final arbiter. And the founders of these sambradhayams are much more learned in our scriptures, as erudite as the giants in our religion. So, my point is that how they interpreted the sutras for their followers is good enough as the final answer to their own 'salvation'.
On the contrary, you and i, coming from advaitha tradition believe in siddhanta. To me personally this philosophy appeals.
The question we should be asking is not which theory is correct, but rather which theory is appropriate for the culture and make up of a group of people following a sambradhayam. They then are all equally valid. One can not seperate the identity and the dignity of a people following a particular sambradhayam, because all the cultural artifacts of such a sambradhayam are imbibed and merged in to the group identity. This is why, we need to respect all sambradhayams as true.
I quoted maha periaval's view on other religions, because i think that applies equally to the different hindu sambradhayams.
Hope this clarifies.
Regards,
krs