What is Hinduism?
Hinduism is a major world religion in India, which has over a billion followers world-wide. It is one of the oldest extant religions in the world, and as such has a long and deep history, as well as various forms and expressions. Hinduism has many gods and goddesses, as well as hundreds of thousands of traditions and beliefs, but one of its core concepts is the belief in the existence of one Supreme Being — commonly referred to as “God” or by the Sanskrit term “Brahman”. The key question is: who created God in Hinduism?
Creation of God
In Hinduism, the concept of God is a little bit different from the traditional concept of a personal God, and is more accurately described as an all-encompassing supreme being that is the source and origin of all things in the universe. According to Hinduism, God is not an entity that was created or invented, but rather the underlying creative force behind the universe and the source of all existence.
Hinduism does not ascribe to a Creator God — aside from Brahman. However, Hinduism does recognize a variety of deities—known as “devas”—who are responsible for several aspects of life and the universe. For example, one deva, called Vishnu, is believed to be the maintainer of the universe — responsible for replenishing it after destruction and keeping it in balance. In this way, Hinduism recognizes that creation itself is a cyclical process — with destruction, followed by creation — all of which is overseen by the various gods of the Hindu pantheon, who are working to uphold the cosmic order.
The Supreme Being and Ultimate Reality
In Hinduism, the Supreme Being is known as Brahman — a term that has no gender and is often used interchangeably with other words such as God and Ultimate Reality. Brahman is described as being the source of all creation, and is said to be formless, eternal, and infinite. In Hinduism, Brahman is not simply seen as a creator, but rather as the ultimate reality from which all creation flows. This concept of Brahman is at the center of Hindu philosophy, and all other gods and goddesses are seen as mere manifestations of Brahman — all of which are subservient to it.
Gods, Goddesses, and Avatars
In Hinduism, certain deities are seen as more predominant and dominant than others — these deities are known as avatars. Avatars are seen as the physical forms of Brahman and are believed to have been “born” from or descended from it. The most famous of these avatars are Krishna and Rama, who are believed to have existed as physical forms of Braham in order to restore cosmic order.
Hinduism has many gods and goddesses, each with their own unique histories, forms, and purposes — all of which are believed to be part of the one ultimate reality — Brahman. For example, Shiva is seen as the destroyer and re-creator of the universe, while Vishnu is seen as the preserver and maintainer of the universe.
The Concept of Divine Wisdom
In Hinduism, divine wisdom is seen as a reflection of the Supreme Being — Brahman — and is often referred to as “Atma”. This divine wisdom is realized through knowledge, love and devotion — which allows one to gain an understanding of Brahman and its all-encompassing nature. As such, practice of yoga and meditation are seen as essential aspects of Hinduism, as they are believed to help one to gain a sense of unity and harmony with Brahman.
Who Created God in Hinduism?
The concept of Brahman as an all-encompassing Supreme Being is at the center of Hinduism, and as such it is difficult to pinpoint an exact creator of this being or any of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Many Hindus believe that these gods and goddesses were already present in the universe before creation, and merely shifted and took various forms as the universe was formed and expanded.
In any case, Hindus believe that all creation in the universe flows from Brahman — the one ultimate reality. As such, it is impossible to pinpoint one single creator of God. Instead, Hindus view creation as a cyclical process — with destruction and recreation — overseen by the many gods and goddesses working to uphold cosmic order.
The Scriptural Narratives
The various scriptures of Hinduism provide various explanations of the creation of the universe, with some accounts being more elaborate than others. These narratives provide insight into the beliefs of Hinduism and help to inform the broader concept of Brahman and its role in the universe. The most famous of these scriptures is the Bhagavad Gita — an ancient text revered by many Hindus — which describes the relationship between the divine and mortal worlds and the spiritual path that one should seek to follow.
How Hinduism views Creation
In Hinduism, there are two key ways in which creation is viewed. The first is from a materialistic or physical standpoint — in which the universe is seen as a physical construct — with gods and goddesses simply taking on various forms to maintain cosmic order. The second is seeing the universe as an abstract realm, where all beings and things are an expression of one all-encompassing reality — Brahman. Ultimately, Hindus view creation as a cyclical process wherein everything is constantly shifting and changing.
The Role of Dharma
The concept of Dharma is integral to Hinduism, as it forms the basis of right living and moral decision making — providing an individual with a sense of purpose and direction. The observance of Dharma is seen as essential by Hindus — as it helps to keep one’s thoughts in line with Brahman and ensure the preservation of cosmic balance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hinduism does not ascribe to a single creator God, but rather Brahman — the all-encompassing Supreme Being — as the ultimate source of creation and ongoing force of the universe. In addition to this underlying creative force, Hinduism also recognizes several other gods and goddesses who play an integral role in maintaining the cosmic order. Ultimately, Hindus view creation as a constantly shifting, yet cyclical process, that is informed by divine wisdom, Dharma, and observance of right living.
