Hindu Theisms - Mono, Heno, Poly, Pan, Panen, etc.

[StarryNightshade]

I suppose I'm a blend of Henotheism and PanenDeism.

I'm a PanenDeist in that I believe that Brahman is the foundation of everything we know. From the earth, to the stars, and beyond.

I'm a Henotheist in that, I accept the existence of pretty much all the Devas as important to Hinduism, but I only concentrate on a handful of them.

Maybe even some soft Polytheism in that I also believe the Devas are the qualities/representations of Brahman.

 

[Kalidas]

Hee Hee, ... yes this is fun , Kalidas I must agree


this is a nice analogy , ...I allways think of the principle of light ...pure light being white , but refracted it manifests an aray of colours .....

THAT'S where I got that analogy from! I share a simular view, and be similar i mean exactly the same! Lol

 

[Kalidas]

Oye hoyee, Ratiben! What a lovely and extremely unique statement. It clearly abides by the Dharmic paradigm, especially that of the Astika, the notion that these "-isms" aren't really applicable to the Hindu views on God/gods. It is surely a first, but upon hearing - it has rattled my mind because it is originally so unique. For my whole life, I have always (and I'm sure many other Hindus have as well) tried to restrict Hindu views on God/gods to these "-isms", but your thought is so revolutionary, that I'm still in the honeymoon phase admiring it, hoping the happy buzz does not wear off any time soon.

But I can surely answer your inquiry on how I view the "Vedic gods" in relation to the Supreme of monotheists. I don't personally believe in the existence of an Absolute, but if it did exist ... it would have to be Shakti (and the Dual-Ordinance of Kali-Durga/Durga-Kali) since it is pure energy in its rudimentary form: the power is there ... always. But I view the Vishve-Devah (literally: the All-Gods, which I praise as the Shri Noble 33) through a certain pramANa: that of natural phenomena. The view that various Deva-s are representative of natural phenomena is a valid pramANa, and it is this view that I personally hold. And I view a force that even the Deva-s are subjected to as being interwoven in all and everything, which is Rta, the order of things and the truth of things that is respected and made evident through Satya. In my opinion, this verse to Lord Varuna from the Shri Rg illustrates more clearly:

That far off constellation set on high
That shows itself at night, where does it go by day?
Inviolable are the holy laws of Varuna,
The shining moon goes radiant by night. (R.V.1.24.10)​

Just give up and become a Shakta Bhaktar already!

 

[Vinayaka]

I went into deep meditation and figured it all out. I'm a moneyistic profitist theist, occasional thisist or thatist leaning to confusistism. Gotest getist meist a dictionaryist.

 

[Kalidas]

Oye hoyee, Ratiben! What a lovely and extremely unique statement. It clearly abides by the Dharmic paradigm, especially that of the Astika, the notion that these "-isms" aren't really applicable to the Hindu views on God/gods. It is surely a first, but upon hearing - it has rattled my mind because it is originally so unique. For my whole life, I have always (and I'm sure many other Hindus have as well) tried to restrict Hindu views on God/gods to these "-isms", but your thought is so revolutionary, that I'm still in the honeymoon phase admiring it, hoping the happy buzz does not wear off any time soon.

But I can surely answer your inquiry on how I view the "Vedic gods" in relation to the Supreme of monotheists. I don't personally believe in the existence of an Absolute, but if it did exist ... it would have to be Shakti (and the Dual-Ordinance of Kali-Durga/Durga-Kali) since it is pure energy in its rudimentary form: the power is there ... always. But I view the Vishve-Devah (literally: the All-Gods, which I praise as the Shri Noble 33) through a certain pramANa: that of natural phenomena. The view that various Deva-s are representative of natural phenomena is a valid pramANa, and it is this view that I personally hold. And I view a force that even the Deva-s are subjected to as being interwoven in all and everything, which is Rta, the order of things and the truth of things that is respected and made evident through Satya. In my opinion, this verse to Lord Varuna from the Shri Rg illustrates more clearly:

That far off constellation set on high
That shows itself at night, where does it go by day?
Inviolable are the holy laws of Varuna,
The shining moon goes radiant by night. (R.V.1.24.10)​

Wait that is a scriptual thought? You and I are VERY close in belief. I too view the many Gods as divine representations of universal phenomenon. Example: evolution. I would claim Vishnu is a divine form that encompasses evolution and other forms of scientific phenomenon .

 

[Kalidas]

I went into deep meditation and figured it all out. I'm a moneyistic profitist theist, occasional thisist or thatist leaning to confusistism. Gotest getist meist a dictionaryist.

You rarely tell jokes on here, but when you do their GOLD!

 

[Poeticus]

Wait that is a scriptual thought? You and I are VERY close in belief. I too view the many Gods as divine representations of universal phenomenon. Example: evolution. I would claim Vishnu is a divine form that encompasses evolution and other forms of scientific phenomenon .

I am familiar with the metaphorical comparisons of Vishnu's avatar-s being representative of various stages, either indirectly or directly, of evolution. I think it's a very revolutionary theological notion in the realm of religious beliefs regarding creationism and evolution. Where many religious groups tend to be anti-evolution, many Hindus metaphorically are pro-evolution - putting a poetic touch to it.

 

[Vinayaka]

You rarely tell jokes on here, but when you do their GOLD!

Come to think of it, Poeticus was some famous Greek wasn't he. Cousin to Abacus? That's why we have this thread, he's a wannabe Greek.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissus_poeticus

 

[Kalidas]

I am familiar with the metaphorical comparisons of Vishnu's avatar-s being representative of various stages, either indirectly or directly, of evolution. I think it's a very revolutionary theological notion in the realm of religious beliefs regarding creationism and evolution. Where many religious groups tend to be anti-evolution, many Hindus metaphorically are pro-evolution - putting a poetic touch to it.

Well that is but one example. I would claim all the deities are characterized emenations of all sciences. Big bang/ Brahma being another example. The ebb and flow of energy through all the universe /shakti and her many forms.

 

[Andal]

This is why I love Sanatana Dharma. There is room for all of us and our theisms

Here's my perspective- no clue what greek term fits lol.

I believe there to be a supreme lord and he is Vishnu. Brahman is his energy. Both Shiva and Sri Devi are the Lord in different moods. Then there are multitude of gods and goddesses charged with maintaining nature and the universe. We are all a part of God but we are unique.

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Kalidas]

This is why I love Sanatana Dharma. There is room for all of us and our theisms

Here's my perspective- no clue what greek term fits lol.

I believe there to be a supreme lord and he is Vishnu. Brahman is his energy. Both Shiva and Sri Devi are the Lord in different moods. Then there are multitude of gods and goddesses charged with maintaining nature and the universe. We are all a part of God but we are unique.

Aum Hari Aum!

Sounds like henotheistic with a side of pantheism.

 

[Andal]

Sounds like henotheistic with a side of pantheism.

That sounds delicious

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Aupmanyav]

Kudos to Vinayaka for his fun line. Hinduism is all that can be thought. On my part, I am a laser beam. Can travel over light-years with no change - an absolute advaitist.

 

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

As far as I can surmise, panentheism would be the best match for
most Shaktas; but then again, I could be misunderstanding the Western idea..

It comes from using words to point at that which is beyond words-
trying to swim while clutching your ankles

JAI MATA DI

 

[Kalidas]

Namaste,

As far as I can surmise, panentheism would be the best match for
most Shaktas; but then again, I could be misunderstanding the Western idea..

It comes from using words to point at that which is beyond words-
trying to swim while clutching your ankles

JAI MATA DI

panentheism is the idea that God is this universe and yet beyond this universe. So God is this reality and more. Think of it like this, if the universe is a house in panentheism God would be a city.

 

[Jainarayan]

Both Shiva and Sri Devi are the Lord in different moods. Then there are multitude of gods and goddesses charged with maintaining nature and the universe. We are all a part of God but we are unique.

Aum Hari Aum!

That's pretty much how I see it, but I take it a step further, I think. There is another thread about monotheism, ditheism, and what I called tritheism. In my tiny world-view tritheism is Vishnu/Shiva/Devi as being three complementary and supplementary components of a supreme whole. All their manifestations, avatars, forms are just that... forms or moods of the 3=1 supreme. Others like Ganesha, Hanuman, Murugan, Surya, Indra, Agni, et. al. are gods in their own right.

 

[Poeticus]

Come to think of it, Poeticus was some famous Greek wasn't he. Cousin to Abacus? That's why we have this thread, he's a wannabe Greek.

Narcissus poeticus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It was either Poeticus or ... Abhyavartin. In hindsight, I did a favor to many in this DIR by choosing Poeticus - something that would obviously have been easier on the tongue. The only reason I changed my screen-name from मैत्रावरुणिः to something else was so I could have an avatar that wasn't restricted to just the options provided by RF, since having a screen-name in a different script would lock the "uploading-your-own-desired-avatar" feature, or so I was told. Plus, daffodils are gorgeous.

 

[Vinayaka]

I like daffodils too. Never knew they grew almost wild where you are until our trip there a few years back. I felt like getting out and picking them. In Mauritius the government is so pro-Hindu that they planted these large yellow flowering shrubs along the highways, and anyone can pick them anytime. Needless to say, the Gods rarely go without garlands there.

 

[Kalidas]

I like daffodils too. Never knew they grew almost wild where you are until our trip there a few years back. I felt like getting out and picking them. In Mauritius the government is so pro-Hindu that they planted these large yellow flowering shrubs along the highways, and anyone can pick them anytime. Needless to say, the Gods rarely go without garlands there.

How nice! I live in California so flowers are hars to come by so I just use fruit. Fruit is easier to get here than flowers . . .

 

[Andal]

That's pretty much how I see it, but I take it a step further, I think. There is another thread about monotheism, ditheism, and what I called tritheism. In my tiny world-view tritheism is Vishnu/Shiva/Devi as being three complementary and supplementary components of a supreme whole. All their manifestations, avatars, forms are just that... forms or moods of the 3=1 supreme. Others like Ganesha, Hanuman, Murugan, Surya, Indra, Agni, et. al. are gods in their own right.

Vannakkam,

If I understood you properly you are seeing Sri Vishnu, Shivji, and Sri Devi as being different parts of the same whole.

My view is that it's all Vishnu. Shiva and Shakti are Vishnu in different expressions.

We could be saying the same thing or something different, I'm not sure. Either way, this adds to the beautiful of Sanatana Dharma. We are quite the diverse group

Aum Hari Aum!