Hinduism Monotheism With A Twist
                     Hinduism: Monotheism With A Twist
Chaitanya Kumari
Writes informational articles on common ethics, 
Sanathana dharma, hindu dharma, duties common to 
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Hinduism is the oldest of all the existing religions in the world; it has no single 
founder or a single holy book. Although Hinduism is essentially monotheistic, 
people of other faiths do not appreciate this fact. They mistakenly argue that 
Hinduism is all about polytheism. This article attempts to provide a basic 
understanding of Hindu monotheism, which will help in dispelling all related 
misconceptions.
The sages and seers of ancient India unambiguously proclaimed that there is 
just a single ultimate reality called God/Paramatma. The numerous deities seen 
in Hinduism are nothing but different manifestations of the same Paramatma.
Many human minds cannot concentrate on an entity that is formless during 
worship, and they need something tangible to focus on. The deities help in 
achieving this particular objective.
All the deities are varied forms of one and only Paramatma. Every true Hindu 
is constantly aware of that truth even while worshiping the deity of their 
choice.
Hindu monotheism speaks of a God who is all-encompassing. This ultimate 
reality is not vengeful towards people just because they follow a different 
religious path. Hinduism strongly declares that all forms and paths lead to the 
same supreme source.
During the time of the invaders and colonialists, many inaccurate notions about 
Hinduism were propagated by them. These elements considered their races to be 
way superior to Hinduism and thus attacked the practices and traditions of 
Sanatana dharma.
These foreign invaders wrongly stated that only idolatry and paganism can be 
seen in Hinduism. The alien aggressors were ignorant of the fact that a Hindu 
never considers the idol as God. They are conscious of the fact that the idol is 
just a medium through which the prayers reach Paramatma.
Hindu monotheism doesn’t refer to a God who brought the universe into 
existence from nothingness. As per Sanatana dharma, Paramatma pervades the 
entire universe and creation and sustains it. It is through this single source that 
all divine forms come, and therefore every such manifestation has to be 
respected.
There are several monotheistic traditions within the umbrella of Hinduism, 
too. Here, we can take the examples of Vaishnavism and Shaivism. The 
adherents of Vaishnavism consider Lord Vishnu as their Bhagawan, and they 
confine themselves to this framework only. Here, a salient point needs to be 
added. The Vaishnavas also worship all the avatars of Vishnu where the Lord 
incarnated on Earth in human form.
In the same way, the followers of Shaivism revere Lord Shiva as their 
Paramatma. Just like the Vasihnavites, even Shaivites pray to all forms of Lord 
Shiva.
Unleashing violence against people following a different faith is something 
that has never been seen in Hinduism. Religious bigotry is vehemently 
condemned by Sanatana dharma.
Based on all the above points, it is clear that Hinduism is monotheistic but with a 
difference. Respect for all deities and divine manifestations is an integral part of 
Hindu monotheism. This vividly throws light on the inclusive nature of 
Hinduism.
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