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Hindu Theology

Hindu theology is mainly the study and doctrine of the worship and adoration of six forms of the Godhead as Ganesa, Devi (Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati), Siva, Vishnu, Surya and Skanda. These aspects of divine worship are known as Shanmatas, or the sixfold religious practice of the Hindus.

Theological Classifications

Hinduism is extremely catholic, liberal, tolerant and elastic. This is the wonderful feature of Hinduism. A foreigner is struck with astonishment when he hears about the diverse sects and creeds of Hinduism. But these varieties are really an ornament to Hinduism. They are not certainly its defects. There are various types of minds and temperaments. So there should be various faiths also. This is but natural. This is the cardinal tenet of Hinduism. There is room in Hinduism for all types of souls—from the highest to the lowest—for their growth and evolution.

The term Hinduism is most elastic. It includes a number of sects and cults, allied, but different in many important points. Hinduism has, within its fold, various schools of Vedanta; Vaishnavism, Saivism, Saktism, etc. It has various cults and creeds. It is more a League of Religions than a single religion with a definite creed. It accommodates all types of men. It prescribes spiritual food for everybody, according to his qualification and growth. This is the beauty of this magnanimous religion. This is the glory of Hinduism. Hence there is no conflict among the various cults and creeds. The Rig-Veda declares: “Truth is one; sages call it by various names—Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti.” The Upanishads declare that all the paths lead to the same goal, just as cows of variegated colours yield the same white milk. The Lord Krishna says in the Gita: “Howsoever men approach Me, even so do I welcome them, for the path men take from every side is Mine.” All diversities are organised and united in the body of Hinduism.

  1. Brahman: Brahman is the ultimate, formless, and eternal reality in Hinduism. It is often described as the unchanging, infinite, and all-pervading cosmic spirit. Many Hindu philosophical traditions focus on understanding the nature of Brahman.

  2. Atman: Atman refers to the individual soul or self, which is believed to be eternal and unchanging. The goal in many Hindu paths is to realize the oneness of the Atman with Brahman, leading to spiritual liberation (moksha).

  3. Trimurti: The Trimurti represents the three principal deities in Hinduism:

    • Brahma: The creator god.
    • Vishnu: The preserver and sustainer god.
    • Shiva: The destroyer and transformer god. These deities are often seen as aspects of the one supreme reality (Brahman).

  4. Devas and Devis: Hinduism encompasses a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their unique attributes and roles. Devas are male deities, while Devis are female deities. For example, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and arts, while Ganesha is the god of wisdom and obstacles.

  5. Avatars: In the Vaishnavite tradition, it is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnates on Earth in various forms to restore cosmic order and protect dharma (righteousness). The most famous avatars include Rama and Krishna.

  6. Yugas: Hinduism categorizes time into cycles of four yugas or ages: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. These yugas represent different eras, with declining moral and spiritual qualities as one progresses through them.

  7. Dharma: Dharma refers to the moral and ethical duties and responsibilities that individuals should follow in their lives. It is a fundamental concept in Hindu theology and is closely linked to the idea of righteousness.

  8. Karma: Karma is the concept of cause and effect, where one’s actions have consequences in this life and the next. The law of karma governs the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).

  9. Reincarnation: Reincarnation is the belief that the soul (Atman) undergoes a series of births and rebirths until it attains spiritual liberation (moksha). The nature of these rebirths is determined by one’s karma.

  10. Moksha: Moksha is the ultimate goal of Hinduism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is achieved through self-realization and union with the divine, often through meditation and spiritual practices.

  11. Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism: These are major sects within Hinduism, each with its own theological focus:

    • Shaivism: Devotees of Shiva.
    • Vaishnavism: Devotees of Vishnu and his avatars.
    • Shaktism: Devotees of the Goddess Shakti, often seen as the divine mother.

  12. Advaita Vedanta and Dvaita Vedanta: These are two prominent philosophical schools within Hinduism that offer different understandings of the relationship between the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman). Advaita Vedanta teaches non-dualism, emphasizing the unity of Atman and Brahman, while Dvaita Vedanta posits a dualistic perspective.

The Vaishnavas

The Vaishnavas are usually distinguished into four principal Sampradayas or sects. Of these, the most ancient is the Sri Sampradaya founded by Ramanuja Acharya. The followers of Ramanuja adore Vishnu and Lakshmi, and their incarnations. They are called Ramanujas or Sri Sampradayins or Sri Vaishnavas. They all repeat the Ashtakshara Mantra: ‘Om Namo Narayanaya.’ They put on two white vertical lines and a central red line on the forehead.

Vedanta Desika, a follower of Ramanuja, introduced some reform in the Vaishnava faith. This gave rise to the formation of two parties of Ramanujas, one called the Northern School (Vadagalai) and the other the Southern School (Tengalai). The Tengalais regard Prapatti or self-surrender as the only way to salvation. The Vadagalais think that it is only one of the ways. According to them, the Bhakta or devotee is like the young one of a monkey which has to exert itself and cling to its mother (Markata-Nyaya or Monkey Theory); whereas, according to the Southern School, the Bhakta or devotee is like the kitten which is carried about by the cat without any effort on its own part (Marjala-Nyaya or Cat-hold Theory). The Northern School accept the Sanskrit texts, the Vedas. The Southerners have compiled a Veda of their own called ‘Nalayira Prabandha’ or ‘Four Thousand Sacred Verses’, in Tamil, and hold it to be older than the Sanskrit Vedas. Really, their four thousand verses are based on the Upanishad portion of the Vedas. In all their worship, they repeat sections from their Tamil verses.

The Vadagalais regard Lakshmi as the consort of Vishnu. Herself infinite, uncreated and equally to be adored as a means (Upaya) for release. The Tengalais regard Lakshmi as a created female being, though divine. According to them, she acts as a mediator or minister (Purushakara), and not as an equal channel of release.

Ramanandis

The followers of Ramananda are the Ramanandis. They are well-known in upper Hindusthan. They are a branch of the Ramanuja sect. They offer their worship to Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Ramananda was a disciple of Ramanuja. He flourished at Varanasi about the beginning of the fourteenth century. His followers are numerous in the Ganga valley of India. Their favourite work is the ‘Bhakti-Mala’. Their sectarian marks are like those of the Ramanujas. The Vairagis are the ascetics among the Ramanandis.
The Ramanandi tradition, also known as the Ramanandi Sampradaya, is a Vaishnava Hindu sect that follows the teachings and devotion to Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the prominent sects within the broader Vaishnava tradition and has a significant presence in India, particularly in the northern regions. Here are some key aspects of the Ramanandi tradition:
  1. Devotion to Lord Rama: The central focus of the Ramanandi tradition is devotion to Lord Rama, who is revered as the supreme deity. Lord Rama’s life, teachings, and exploits as depicted in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, are of utmost importance in this tradition.
  2. Ramanandi Saints: The Ramanandi tradition has a lineage of revered saints and spiritual leaders who have played a crucial role in the propagation of devotion to Lord Rama. Prominent among them is Ramananda, a 14th-century saint who is considered the chief proponent of this tradition and after whom it is named.
  3. Bhakti (Devotional) Philosophy: Bhakti, or devotional love and surrender to Lord Rama, is at the heart of the Ramanandi tradition. Devotees practice bhakti yoga, which involves singing hymns, chanting the name of Rama (kirtan), and engaging in acts of devotion and service to the Lord.
  4. Hanuman Devotion: The Ramanandi tradition also has a strong devotion to Lord Hanuman, who is considered an ardent devotee and a loyal companion of Lord Rama. Hanuman is often seen as an ideal model of devotion and selfless service.