Hinduism is often described as a polytheistic religion because it acknowledges and worships multiple deities. However, the understanding of divinity in Hinduism is complex and can be both polytheistic and monotheistic, depending on the philosophical perspective.

ORIGIN

Hinduism is often known as a polythestic religion with countless gods and goddesses to worship, but there are more facets to it which would be uncovered. It is the third most practised religion in the world. A core belief of Hinduism is such that a supreme force lies within every entity. Every man, woman and even object has a life and hence carries a living force. This living force is the superior power which has been bestowed upon every existing being. Meaning, it is an all encompassing power. And yet, there is another aligned belief that this entire energy and power flow is panned out through one source, Brahaman. This is not to be confused with the Hindu deity of creation, Brahma. Brahaman is believed to be the driving power and force of existence. Everything emerges from it, there is no Universe of life without it. Brahaman has no form or shape either, it is Nirakar. There are no physical attributions associated with the power of Brahaman. The various gods and goddesses are known to be the manifestations of Brahaman.

SIGNIFICANCE

This form of worship promotes the comfort that God lives within each soul, he is near and attainable. There are multiple mythological anecdotes which depict how determined worship has led devotees to directly contact god. Two practices advanced by Hinduism are Meditation and Yoga. Through these techniques, Hindus have achieved the highest state of consciousness and felt the closest to higher power through an awakened understanding of the world and energy.

However, the understanding of divinity in Hinduism is complex and can be both polytheistic and monotheistic, depending on the philosophical perspective.

1. Polytheism:

Hinduism has a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, each representing various aspects of life, nature, and cosmic functions. Some of the well-known deities include:

• Brahma (the creator)
• Vishnu (the preserver)
• Shiv (the destroyer and transformer)
• Laxmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity)
• Saraswati (goddess of knowledge and the arts)
• Durga and Kali (goddesses associated with power and protection)
• Ganesh (god of beginnings and remover of obstacles)

Worshiping these gods is seen as a way to seek blessings for various aspects of life, such as health, prosperity, knowledge, or protection.

2. Monotheism:

Despite the multiplicity of gods, many Hindus believe in a single, ultimate reality or supreme god. This is expressed in different ways:

• Brahman: In the Vedanta philosophy, Brahman is the ultimate, formless, infinite reality that pervades everything. The gods and goddesses are considered manifestations or expressions of this one reality.
• Saguna and Nirguna Brahman: Brahman can be worshipped in two forms:
  • Saguna Brahman (with attributes) refers to Brahman manifesting in different deities with specific characteristics and roles.
  • Nirguna Brahman (without attributes) refers to the formless, impersonal aspect of the divine. This is why many Hindus believe that all deities are essentially manifestations of the same divine force, and worshiping one god is ultimately worshiping the same underlying reality.

3. Henotheism:

Some scholars describe Hinduism as henotheistic, where there is belief in one supreme deity, but without denying the existence or worship of other gods. For example, a person may choose to devote themselves primarily to Vishnu or Shiv but still acknowledge the existence and importance of other gods.

4. The Trimurti:

Hinduism has the concept of the Trimurti, where Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiv are seen as three aspects of the same divine power. Together, they represent the cyclical nature of the universe:

• Brahma (creation)
• Vishnu (preservation)
• Shiv (destruction and transformation)

5. Personal Gods (Isht Devata):

Hindus often choose a particular deity (Isht Devata) for personal worship, reflecting the belief that the divine takes different forms to cater to the diverse needs and temperaments of individuals. For instance, a devotee of Vishnu might primarily worship Vishnu, while another person might focus on Shiv, Ganesh, or Devi (the goddess).

6. Philosophical Schools:

Different philosophical traditions within Hinduism interpret the nature of divinity in unique ways:

• Advait Vedanta teaches non-dualism, where Brahman is the only reality, and the individual soul (Atman) is identical with Brahman.
• Dvaita (dualism) maintains a distinction between the individual soul and the supreme deity (usually Vishnu).
• Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) suggests that while the soul is distinct, it is inseparably linked to Brahman (often Vishnu).

In this way, Hinduism provides a framework that accommodates both the worship of multiple deities and the belief in a single, unified divine reality. This flexibility is one of the reasons for its endurance and diversity.

HISTORICAL PRACTICE

There are three deities responsible for the creation, preservation and destruction namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv respectively. Together they are known as the Trimurti and known as the chief gods.

Then there are various schools of worship in Hinduism. Vaishnavism refers to the worshippers of Vishnu. These devotees primarily worship only forms and various avatars of Vishnu. Although they do not have anything against other deities, their devotion remains loyal towards manifestations of Vishnu. Most followers of the Hindu religion practice Vaishnavism.

Shaivism is the worship of god Shiv. The followers call themselves Shaivas or Shaivites. Then comes Shaktism where Shakti translates to energy. Shakti is known as the mother goddess and her followers believe in the supreme role of energy in the Universe and how everything stems from it and is facilitated by it. Smartism is too recognised as a belief where Smartas, the ones who value all deities equally, are pertained. They holistically encourage devotion towards all the deities. They have a liberal viewpoint and essentially indicate how free a religion Hinduism is. It does not force its devotees to follow a particular deity, they are free to choose who they want to worship. It does not even necessarily have to be a god, it can simply be the faith in supreme powers that led to the creation, preservation and destruction of the Universe.

PRESENT DAY USAGE

Although there is a belief that there are 33 crore gods and goddesses in Hinduism, it is known to be a misconception as the word “Koti” meaning type, is mistaken as crore. Hindus are at liberty to pray to any god of their choice, they can even simply devote themselves fully towards meditation to reach their goals.

METAPHYSICS

Hindus are widely appreciated for their scientific approach towards life. Here as well, there is a deeper reason. Any object or entity in nature that provides any benefits is often regarded as a god in Hinduism, there are fire, sun, water, wind etc gods. If a water body is regarded as sacred, people would refrain from corrupting or polluting it. They would in fact express gratitude towards it and preserve it. This idea is spread across various natural objects or bodies so people value things more efficiently, are able to identify its prime offering and never cause any harm towards it. It can be viewed as a holy way for preservation of natural resources.