Hinduism: Exploring the Polytheistic Perspective

Hinduism, one of the world's oldest (around 4,000 years old) religions, have intrigued scholars and spiritual seekers for centuries. A popular debate is that some view it as monotheistic, others as polytheistic—but today, let’s dive into its polytheistic side and discover why it’s difficult to classify.

At the heart of Hinduism is Brahman, the supreme being and the source of all creation. In Hinduism there is more than just belief in one god—a delicately beautiful spiritual ecosystem where countless deities embody different aspects of life and the universe. From my research, Hinduism fits the definition of polytheism because it encompasses many gods, each playing a unique role. Yet, Hindus often worship one primary deity without denying the existence of others. This brings me to an important question: Can a religion that acknowledges multiple gods still be considered monotheistic? You may be wondering this too.

Hinduism has a layered view of divinity — Brahman is not seen simply as a god but as the entire universe, existence, and reality. Within this cosmic understanding are prominent deities who personify different aspects of the divine: Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the sustainer; and Shiva, the destroyer. Each deity represents the life cycle of our reality—creation, preservation, and transformation.

There is diversity evident in Hinduism as they have many sects — an array of belief systems under an umbrella. For example, the Smarta sect, a tradition practiced by upper-caste initiates, honors multiple deities but primarily worships Shiva. Despite worshiping Shiva they still respect and acknowledge the existence of other gods such as Vishnu, Shakti, Surya, and Ganesha. Similarly, the Vaishnavas are devoted to Vishnu, viewing him as the supreme being while acknowledging the existence of other gods. On the other hand, the Shaivites worship Shiva, and the Shaktas devote themselves to the divine feminine form, Shakti.

Rather than choosing between polytheism or monotheism, Hinduism embraces a philosophy known as henotheism, where followers worship one god while accepting many others. This flexible and personal approach to spirituality is one of Hinduism’s most captivating aspects.

Hindus have chosen henotheism while scholars in the west still debate whether it is a polytheist or monotheist religion. As I explore this topic, I realize that I’m barely scratching the surface. Hinduism is vast, rich, and deeply philosophical, with countless interpretations and practices. What do you think—can a religion that honors many gods still hold a monotheistic essence? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

References:
Küng, H. (2006). Tracing the way : Spiritual dimensions of the world religions. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. 

Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa), Steven J. (2021) "Viewpoint: Vaishnavism: Monotheistic or Not?," Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies: Vol. 34, Article 8.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2007, March 1). Smarta sect. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Smarta-sect