Understanding Hinduism
Hinduism is traditionally seen as the oldest living faith on Earth. Its followers are often said to be the “oldest living culture”, in reverence to its antiquity. To this day, Hinduism remains one of the most complex and powerful religions in the world. It is said to be a way of life; one that is integrated with culture, ethics and behavior. As one of the oldest spiritual paths, it prescribes various beliefs, ranging from mythology, philosophy, and superstitions to the beliefs of pantheism. But ultimately, there is one burning question that remains to be answered: Is Hinduism monotheistic or polytheistic?
Hinduism as Monotheism
From a philosophical standpoint, Hinduism is monotheistic. One of its main teachings is that an all-encompassing, all-powerful Brahman is the sole creator and sustainer of the universe. In this way, the universe and all of its sentient creations are permeated by the same divine power. Depending on the branch of Hinduism one follows, there can be a plethora of forms and manifestations of Brahman that are worshiped as deities. However, in the end, these deities are all seen as coming from the same divine source.
From a psychological standpoint, Hinduism might be seen as monotheistic due to its holistic view of the world. Ancient Hindu texts recognize the interconnectedness of all things and the oneness of the universe. This negates any notion of viewing the power of the divine as further subdivided into multiple entities. In other words, adherents may view multiple gods as existing, but all these gods are ultimately seen as part of the same divine source.
Perspectives from Experts
The idea of Hinduism being monotheistic or polytheistic has been debated by many experts in the field. According to the prominent Indian-born professor Emeritus of Comparative Religion, Alister Hardy, Hinduism can certainly be seen as monotheistic in some ways. In his book, The Teaching of Hinduism, Hardy writes, “Though in certain contexts it may appear polytheistic, Hinduism is, in essence, divinely monotheistic.”
In contrast, many believe that Hinduism is polytheistic due to its plethora of gods that are worshiped and revered. Professor of Religion Ram Nath Sharma has written the following: “According to this polytheistic view, there can be many gods, all of whom are seen as having a subordinate role to the ultimate Supreme Being, or Brahman, who represents the highest creative force in the universe.”
Analysis and Insights
From what has been said so far, it is clear that Hinduism is not exclusively either monotheistic or polytheistic. Nonetheless, it is best described as being both monotheistic and polytheistic. Its underlying philosophy promotes the idea of one divine source, while its followings also prescribe a multitude of venerated gods.
Ultimately, this dichotomy is reflective of Hinduism’s underlying view of the world, which sees all of existence as one. The various gods and goddesses are seen as facets that are part of one bigger, divine source. This allows for adherents to have a complex relationship with the divine, all the while avoiding a dichotomous understanding of reality.
The Worship of Hindu Gods
Although Hinduism may be seen as monotheistic from a philosophical and psychological standpoint, its followers also worship a plethora of gods and goddesses. The most commonly worshiped and venerated deities are Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Shiva is said to be the destroyer of all things, while Vishnu is often seen as the savior of humanity and Brahma is the creator.
Apart from these main gods, Hindus also worship various forms of Kali, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Surya. All of these gods and goddesses come in a variety of manifestations, with each having their own characteristics, stories, and worship methods. They may also be seen as manifestations of the same divine source, performing various roles within the cycle of life and death.
Vedic Literature on Hinduism
The Vedas are the oldest existing literature of Hinduism, dating back to the second millennium BC. Within these scriptures, there is much debate regarding the nature of the gods and whether they should be classified as monotheistic or polytheistic. While some of the hymns from the Vedas seem to take a monotheistic approach to the divine, there are also many hymns that evoke various gods and grant them individual qualities.
For example, one of the most well-known Vedic hymns, the Rigveda proclaims that “the divine one is all the gods in one”. This suggests that, while Hinduism is not exclusively either monotheistic or polytheistic, its followers do believe in one all-encompassing divine source that transcends the multiple gods and goddesses they worship.
Symbolism in Hinduism
Symbolism is a key element of Hinduism and is commonly used to express and venerate the divine. Some of the most commonly used symbols in Hinduism are the Aum/Om, the trident, and the swastika.
The Aum/Om is a sacred symbol for the Hindus, embodying the essence of Brahman. It is seen as a representation of the idea of one omnipresent divine source. The trident is a symbol of Shiva, while the swastika is seen as an auspicious sign of good luck and prosperity. Both of these symbols are used to worship various deities and venerate the divine source.
Rituals in Hinduism
Rituals and ceremonies are an integral part of Hinduism. One of the main rituals in Hinduism is the karana puja, a prayer ritual performed to give thanks and venerate the gods. This ritual is seen as a way of expressing one’s devotion to the divine source.
Other important rituals in Hinduism include the burning of incense, offering of flowers, chanting of mantras, and the lighting of lamps. All of these rituals are usually performed to create a spiritual atmosphere and to pay homage to the gods. In this way, religion, culture, and tradition are tightly interwoven in Hinduism, signifying its underlying unity and continuity with the divine source.
Interplay of Monotheism and Polytheism
Hinduism is, without a doubt, one of the most complex religions in the world. It is both monotheistic and polytheistic and uses a variety of symbols, images, texts, and rituals to venerate the divine.
Nonetheless, the interplay of monotheistic and polytheistic beliefs within Hinduism allows for a more open and multifaceted approach to the divine. This allows for adherents to have a complex relationship with the divine, yet still recognize its underlying unity and source.
Reinterpretation of Monotheism
Hinduism is unique in that it reinterprets the idea of monotheism by allowing for the veneration of multiple gods. It is a religion that understands the complexities of existence, allowing for its followers to recognize the oneness of the divine source, while also allowing them to revere and honor the many manifestations of the divine.
For this reason, Hindus are able to have a multifaceted relationship with the divine, recognizing the various gods and their individualistic characteristics. At the same time, the adherents also see these gods as all coming from the same source: the divine Brahman.
The Non-duality of Hinduism
At the heart of Hinduism lies the concept of non-duality, or the idea that reality is one. This allows adherents to recognize and venerate aspects of the divine, while still understanding the ultimate omnipresence of Brahman.
For this reason, Hinduism is best described as being both monotheistic and polytheistic. Adherents may worship multiple deities, while still understanding that these deities are all connected to one divine source. It is in this way that Hinduism’s true spiritual power and beauty can be found.
