The Myths and Gods of India

1. Hindu Polytheism: A Symbolic Language for Understanding the Transcendent

A symbol is a perceptible, analogical representation of a thing or an idea.

Symbolism as a universal language. Hindu polytheism isn't about a literal belief in multiple gods, but rather a sophisticated system of symbolism. These symbols, whether they are deities, rituals, or natural phenomena, serve as a language to represent complex philosophical concepts and the multifaceted nature of the transcendent. This approach allows for a richer, more nuanced understanding of the divine, acknowledging that no single symbol can fully capture its essence.

Equivalence of symbols. The Hindu view emphasizes the equivalence of different symbols. A deity can be represented through a mental image, a geometrical diagram (yantra), an anthropomorphic image (mūrti), a spoken formula (mantra), or even a natural object. This flexibility allows individuals to connect with the divine in ways that resonate with their personal experiences and understanding.

Nature as a symbol. The natural world itself is seen as a vast symbolic system. Astronomical phenomena, forms, numbers, colors, plants, and animals all hold symbolic significance, reflecting underlying universal principles. By studying these natural symbols, one can gain insights into the divine order and the interconnectedness of all things.

2. The Illusion of Divine Unity: Multiplicity as a Path to Comprehension

'The nature of illusion (māyā) is [represented by] the number one.'

Beyond Monotheism. While monotheism focuses on a single, unified God, Hindu polytheism embraces a multitude of deities, each representing a different facet of the divine. This multiplicity isn't seen as contradictory but rather as a more comprehensive approach to understanding the transcendent. The number one, while seemingly simple, can be limiting in its representation of the infinite.

Approaching the transcendent. The Hindu approach seeks to understand the divine through multiple perspectives. Like viewing a sculpture from different angles to grasp its complete form, each deity offers a unique insight into the unknowable reality. This multiplicity allows for a more holistic and nuanced understanding of the divine.

Nondualism as the ultimate goal. While acknowledging the importance of multiplicity, Hindu philosophy ultimately aims for nondualism, the realization that all these diverse manifestations are ultimately interconnected and part of a single, underlying reality. This nondualistic perspective transcends both monotheism and polytheism, recognizing the limitations of both in fully capturing the nature of the transcendent.

3. The Three Modes of Being: Existence, Experience, and Consciousness

Know the Principle (brahman) to be enjoyment. From enjoyment are all beings born; once born they are sustained by enjoyment and leave this world to return into enjoyment.

Underlying continua. Hindu philosophy posits that the perceptible world is underpinned by three fundamental continua: space, time, and thought. These continua are not merely empty vessels but active forces that shape our reality. Understanding their nature is key to unlocking the secrets of the universe.

Substrata of the continua. Each continuum has its own underlying substratum:

• Existence (sat) is the substratum of space, providing the foundation for location and dimension.
• Experience (ānanda) is the substratum of time, linking perception to duration.
• Consciousness (cit) is the substratum of thought, connecting individual minds to a universal awareness.

The Immensity (brahman). These three substrata are ultimately unified in the Immensity, a concept that transcends space, time, and thought. The Immensity is the ultimate reality, beyond definition and comprehension, yet it is the source of all that exists.

4. The Three Fundamental Qualities: Sattva, Tamas, and Rajas

Ultimately everything arises from disintegration (tamas) and ends in disintegration.

The cosmic forces. The manifest world arises from the interplay of three fundamental qualities (guṇa):

• Sattva: The cohesive tendency, promoting harmony, balance, and knowledge.
• Tamas: The disintegrative tendency, leading to inertia, darkness, and dissolution.
• Rajas: The revolving tendency, driving activity, change, and manifestation.

Interplay of the qualities. These qualities are not independent entities but rather interconnected forces that constantly interact and influence each other. Their relative proportions determine the nature of all things, from the physical world to the human psyche.

Qualities and the Trinity. These three qualities are personified in the Hindu trinity: Viṣṇu (sattva), Śiva (tamas), and Brahmā (rajas). Understanding the interplay of these qualities is essential for navigating the complexities of life and achieving spiritual growth.

5. The Cosmic Being: Macrocosm and Microcosm Intertwined

As the one [inner] Fire pervading the worlds takes the endless forms of things, the one Soul within all beings fills their forms and the space around.

The universe as a person. Hindu cosmology often depicts the universe as a Cosmic Being, a vast entity with its own consciousness, organs, and processes. This anthropomorphic representation serves as a bridge between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual).

Macrocosm and microcosm. The principle of macrocosm and microcosm suggests that the structure and dynamics of the universe are mirrored within the individual. By understanding ourselves, we can gain insights into the workings of the cosmos, and vice versa.

The Soul as the link. The Soul (Ātman) is the unifying principle that connects all individual beings and the Cosmic Being. It is the common substratum of consciousness, the source of all knowledge and experience. Realizing the unity of the individual soul and the universal Soul is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.

6. The Cosmic Sacrifice: Life as a Perpetual Ritual of Transformation

Those who piously worship other gods of whom they are the devotees, it is but myself they worship, [though] ignorant of the proper rites.

The universe as sacrifice. The Vedic worldview sees the universe as a continuous cycle of sacrifice, where life is constantly transformed into life. This process of consumption and renewal is not viewed as inherently negative but rather as a fundamental aspect of existence.

Agni and Soma. The key elements of the cosmic sacrifice are fire (Agni), representing the consuming force, and offering (Soma), representing the substance being transformed. These two principles are interdependent and essential for the continuation of the universe.

Human participation. Humans participate in the cosmic sacrifice through ritual actions, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of knowledge. By consciously engaging in this process, individuals can align themselves with the divine order and contribute to the well-being of the universe.

7. The Gods of the Vedas: Energies Shaping the Universe

The Gods represent the inclinations of the senses enlightened by revelation.

Vedic deities as forces. The gods of the Vedas are not merely mythological figures but rather personifications of the fundamental energies that shape the universe. They represent the forces of nature, the principles of consciousness, and the laws of existence.

The thirty-three gods. The Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad identifies thirty-three primary deities, including the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, and the twelve Ādityas. These deities represent different aspects of the cosmos and the human psyche.

Three spheres of Agni. The world perceptible to man is divided into three spheres, Earth, Space, and Sky. These three spheres are taken as the visible symbols of the "three worlds" in which all beings dwell: the earthly world of men, the spatial world of spirits, and the celestial world of deities.

8. Śiva: The Lord of Sleep and the Destroyer of Illusions

This Great-Lord (Maheśvara) is the innermost nature of all things.

The principle of disintegration. Śiva embodies the tendency toward disintegration (tamas), the force that dissolves all forms and returns them to the unmanifest. This destructive force is not inherently negative but rather a necessary aspect of the cosmic cycle, paving the way for new creation.

Beyond duality. Śiva transcends the limitations of duality, encompassing both the fearful and the auspicious. He is the lord of sleep, representing the state of pure consciousness beyond thought and perception.

The path to liberation. From the standpoint of human realization, Śiva represents the final dissolution of the individuality, the ultimate liberation from the bonds of existence. This path of non-action and transcendence is a key aspect of Hindu spirituality.

9. Śakti: The All-Pervading Energy and the Divine Feminine

She whose shape even the Creator and the other gods cannot know is called 'the unknowable' (ajñeyā).

Power as divinity. Śakti, the divine feminine, represents the all-pervading energy that animates the universe. She is the power behind all creation, preservation, and destruction.

The consorts of the gods. Each god in the Hindu pantheon has a consort, a female deity who embodies his power. These consorts are not merely passive partners but rather active forces that shape the cosmos.

The source of all. Śakti is the ultimate source of knowledge, wealth, and liberation. She is the power that drives the universe and the force that can lead individuals to enlightenment.

10. The Path to Realization: Knowledge, Devotion, and Non-Action

The Soul is not realized through teachings, nor by intellect, nor by learning. It can be reached only by the one who woos it.

Multiple paths. Hindu philosophy recognizes multiple paths to spiritual realization, each suited to different temperaments and stages of development. These paths include:

• Knowledge (jñāna): The pursuit of understanding through intellectual inquiry and contemplation.
• Devotion (bhakti): The cultivation of love and surrender to a personal deity.
• Action (karma): The performance of selfless deeds and the fulfillment of one's duties.
• Non-action (tamas): The transcendence of all activity and the realization of the unmanifest.

The importance of experience. True realization is not merely a matter of intellectual understanding but rather a direct experience of the divine. This experience can be cultivated through various practices, including yoga, meditation, and ritual.

The ultimate goal. The ultimate goal of all spiritual paths is liberation (moksha), the transcendence of the cycle of birth and death and the realization of one's true nature as the Soul (Ātman).

Last updated: March 28, 2025