On Hinduism

Seeing is believing. But seeing is not the only confirmation of existence. Time cannot be seen. Gravity cannot be seen. And yet, no one can deny the presence or effects of either time or gravity.

To see God, we have to go beyond ordinary perception. For Hindus, yes, God can be seen. All-seeing is the seeing of God.

When you dip a straw into water, it bends due to refraction. Is the straw really bent? No, of course not. But it appears bent. Its broken-ness is an illusion. For Hindus similarly, God himself has separated a part of Himself (not gendered) into the material world and the individual selves. The fact that we see the world and yet don’t see God, is the success of this magician’s illusion. Just like the straw that seems to bend inside water, God has obscured himself in this illusory world, and the Hindus refer to this magic act as Maya (“it is not there”). And just the way you can learn a magic trick with persistence and patience, you can see through this illusion and see God directly through the practices in the Hindu traditions of yoga (meditation and devotion).

Hinduism’s core principle is the recognition of the Brahman – the primary source of energy and creation, all-pervasive and eternal. We are a result and a part of this Brahman – often also referred to as the “Truth”. 

The premise of the question that there is a God, is not a valid interpretation of the “Truth” for Hindus. It is all energy (the Truth) and its creation (Maya).  The question, therefore, for Hindus is not, “Can God be seen?” Rather the question is, “How can I get closer to the Truth?”, and “How can I learn to get detached from Maya?”

But in simpler terms, this universe is a creation of the Brahman. Therefore, yes, it can be said that God is in everything that exists in this creation. God is everywhere.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand1, Swami Nikhil Anand2

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (1a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/can-god-be-seen/

Hinduism’s core principle is the recognition of the Brahman–the primary source of energy and creation, all pervasive and eternal. We are a result and a part of this Brahman–often also referred to as the “Truth”. Hindus, therefore, often say, “Aham Brahmasmi”, or, “I am the Universe”. This view of our world, including us, as Brahman (God) asserts an identity that is not separate from God. It will rather generate a good debate from a Hindu.

Other reading material:
Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (1b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-are-we-separate-from-god/

Hinduism emphasizes righteous, dharmic actions, performed with the purity of intention.  When we act thus, focusing on the quality and sincerity of the action, rather than worrying about past actions or future results, the action is considered fruitful.  The best actions are those that are surrendered unto the Divine; whatever may be the act, when done with an attitude of surrender and devotion, it gains extra momentum and x-factor; this is what some refer to as “grace”. 

Lord Krishna advises in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18, Verse 62:

 tam eva śharaṇaṁ gachchha sarva-bhāvena bhārata

 tat-prasādāt parāṁ śhāntiṁ sthānaṁ prāpsyasi śhāśhvatam

Surrender and take refuge exclusively unto Him with your whole being, O Bharata; 

by His grace, you will attain supreme peace and the eternal abode.

Depending on the practitioner, the grace of God will be experienced in different ways; while some may see signs of God’s grace in every daily activity, others may feel it on a deeper level, terming it as inner fulfillment. 

God’s grace is experienced by a devotee as different forms of blessings or favorable circumstances. The great 19th-century saint Sri Ramakrishna said, “The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you who must raise your sails.”  This is the essence of how Hindu tradition views the concept of grace.  Devotees chant specific prayers, visit famed pilgrimage sites, and engage in austere spiritual practices in order to seek God’s grace.  These are tools that enable the spiritual aspirant to face life with courage and humility, exercising dynamic action as well as accepting Divine will, such that the grace of God freely flows through them.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is God’s Grace

Contributor: Lakshmi Subramanian

Location of this post (1d): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-gods-grace/

Hindus believe in the one all-pervasive God who energizes the entire universe.  However, Hinduism does not deny God concepts in other religions.

There is the Godhead (The Divine Nature – Impersonal),  there is God (personification of the abstract Divine Nature – Personal) and there are deities known as Devas and Devatās often translated as “gods”.  

Everything in the universe moving and stationary is nothing but a manifestation of Brahman (The Supreme Divine Consciousness).  One can think of quantum energy as God.

The material cause of the universe, the efficient cause of the universe and the accessory causes of the universe are all ONE.  Some examples of many in one and one in many are: 1) everything made of clay is ultimately just clay, 2) all jewelry made of gold are nothing but gold and 3) all the manifestations of the ocean – water, currents, waves, icebergs, clouds, rain, etc. are in fact nothing but H2O.

Other reading material: 

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is The Definition Of God, Idol or Murti?  Intro to Hinduism by HAF,

Contributor: Nilesh Chaudhary

Location of this post (1f): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-god-concept-in-hinduism/

Absolutely Yes, and Absolutely Not, with a definitely Maybe inserted in there, I think. (laughter)
This is not a trivial question, because much depends on the intention and perspective of the person asking the question. If you are looking for a white-bearded gentleman about 60 miles in a geospatial orbit, then you are very likely to be disappointed, and many Hindus would agree with you that THAT God does not exist.
Hindus approach the idea of Divinity by exploring the true nature of reality, the same underlying motive that drives modern Physics and Biology, but the Hindu seers worked to identify events and their causes down the chain of causation. There is something, but where does it come from? That underlying Truth (capital T) must be the closest that the western mind can come to the idea of “God”.
However, if you are looking for proof that there is an order to the Universe, then you will agree with those Hindu sages who looked for Rta (Sanskrit ऋत), the cosmic order, and then inferred that the order must be maintained through some processes and an organizing principle. We can see evidence that the Universe is not random, and that laws of physics seem to be followed. That’s your indication that there is a divine order.
If you are looking for physical proof, then just open your eyes and close them. What you see with open eyes is a Universe that seems to exist materially, even though scientific microscopes seem to find only probabilities and space between. A ball that retains all colors except red, but still you will call it a red ball. This is all a play of consciousness, and we say “Jagan Mithya, Brahm Satya”…the material world is an illusion, only the knowing Self is the Truth.
So when you close your eyes, YOU still exist. When you die, your body exists, but not YOU. And if YOU exist, then surely there is SOMEONE that exists (even if it’s just you). Recognizing the self, or the Self behind all subjective experiences is the recognition of God.
Words can be limiting in experiencing the Limitless. “God” is a small word, and that which has created everyone cannot be constrained into it. The vocabulary of spiritual experiences can be broader, and the subjective experience of causeless bliss is proof of divinity to all those that have tasted it.
For Hindus, all-seeing is the Seeing of God, and all Tasting is the tasting of God. Raso-vai-Sah (“He is taste”).

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Does God Really Exist

Contributor: Gaurav Rastogi

Location of this post (1h): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/does-god-really-exist/

Hindus believe that there exists a changeless, all powerful intelligent being called the Brahman (aka God or Bhagavan), which pervades through the entire cosmos. An individual is not just the body and mind. Brahman and Atman exist within each human being. Hindus believe it is possible for the Atman in each individual to reach the Brahman at a higher state of intelligence usually achieved through karma yoga or Bhakti yoga.

Who am I?

I am the Atma (aka Jeevatma), which is different from this body, senses, mind, breath, and its cognitive abilities. The relationship between the Atma and the Body is that of Owner/Owned. When the owner (Atma) leaves the Owned (Body) it is called death. When the Owner acquires a new body it is called birth. Atma is eternal and keeps on journeying from one body to another until liberation.

How am I related to God?

God in His Antaryami (Antaratma) form, pervades everything in this universe and beyond. He pervades this lifeless body as well the life (Atma) within it. The relationship between the Antaratma and Atma is one of Owner/Owned. That is, Antaratma is the Owner and Atma is the owned. 

Overall relationship:

God owns the Atma and directs it’s decision making.

Atma owns the body, makes decisions and directs its actions.

While Atma may move from body to body, God never disowns the Atma.

Sources used:  Hindu Community Institute Course materials on Counselor of Hindu Traditions; Book: Many Many Gods of Hinduism by Swami Achuthananda. Meaning of AUM per Sri Pancharatra Agama.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos

Contributor: Seema Garg Murthy and Sudershan

Location of this post (1m): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/who-am-i-how-am-i-related-to-god/

Hinduism is a religion popular for its identity of being a theology with an ocean of gods. It is believed that Hindus worship millions of gods. What is the truth behind this claim? 

The word ‘God’ itself has many names in the Indian languages, the prime language being Sanskrit. Deva, Ishvara, Prabhu, Bhagwan, Sura, Parmatman and many more are the synonyms used to denote the almighty divine power.

To get an idea about the number of gods, first we need to acquaint yourself with the fact that most religions of the world are classified into one of the three theories of religion depending on the numbers of gods they believe in; namely monotheism, polytheism and henotheism.

A religion that believes in one god is monotheistic, many gods is polytheistic and a religion that believes in the existence of many gods but it’s members may choose to worship one or two gods of their choice are known as henotheistic religions. Hinduism is one very unique religion which belongs to all of the categories that represent the three  theories in religion. Hinduism is monotheistic is one sense, polytheistic in another and henotheistic in a very general way. 

A core concept in one of the most ancient Hindu texts, Upanishads, is the concept of one ultimate underlying supreme cosmic reality residing in the universe known as “Brahman”. Brahman is the one and only indivisible eternal divine spiritual substance in the universe. If a Hindu believes ‘only’ in this highest spiritual substance ‘Brahman’ which is genderless, than he is monotheistic. This concept of god is that of an impersonal god, who has no form or physical quality.

The Brahman represents itself in millions of different ways; each representation of Brahman is named as a god which could be either feminine or masucline. These are energies that oversee every aspect of the functioning of the universe. When one experiences god in these forms, one thinks his faith in Hinduism is polytheistic. These gods could be elements from nature like the sun, moon, wind, fire, rivers, mountains, trees or they could be personal gods that existed in some time in a form of an animal or a human or a semi human. These gods do have a physical form, a name, a quality ascribed to them. Each of these gods represent some special power or symbolize a certain character trait very typical to them.

Lastly when someone chooses to worship one of the many divine forms of the Brahman, one participates in the Hindu religion in the henotheistic sense. Hindu henotheism is an attitude of worshipping one god without denying the existence of other gods. That one god could be any element from the nature of a physical god.

The number thirty three has a significance in the Hindu scriptures. The Rig Veda, a very ancient hindu text, talks about eleven gods belonging to the realm of heaven, eleven belonging to earth and eleven to the waters. Again these are the most distinctively known gods but there are more than thirty three. 

Here we have seen there is not a hierarchy of gods in Hinduism but there is a hierarchy of belief systems. No one god is higher than the others, all gods enjoy equal status in the Hindu culture. Hinduism is a kaleidoscope of beliefs and the number of gods you believe in defines your lens of looking at the divinity.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: How Many Gods Are There, 

Contributor: Mona Rawal

Location of this post (2c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/how-many-gods-hindus-have/

Hindus see the Divine present in all forms of existence. Traditionally, Hindus have worshiped every aspect of nature—elements such as dawn, fire, rain, and oceans; abstract concepts like creation, preservation, and regeneration; and living beings, including animals. Unlike some traditions that discard earlier layers of belief, Hinduism has absorbed and integrated them, so that animal worship and symbolism remain an essential part of Hindu spirituality.

Animals are revered both symbolically and ecologically. Their qualities are used to teach moral, spiritual, and practical lessons. For example:

• Horse – swiftness and energy
  
• Bull – strength and endurance
  
• Tiger – courage and fierceness
  

In anthropomorphic form, this symbolism becomes even more profound:

• Ganesha (elephant-headed) – remover of obstacles, representing memory, group cooperation, and the joy of sharing (like sweets among friends).
  
• Garuda (eagle) – speed, vision, and protection.
  
• Hanuman (monkey) – devotion, strength, and humility.
  

Applying these animal qualities—such as building strong friendships, cultivating memory, or sharing joy—helps individuals navigate life’s challenges.

On an ecological level, reverence for animals fosters respect for biodiversity. For instance, honoring elephants not only safeguards them but also ensures the preservation of vast wild habitats that protect countless other plants and animals. In this way, Hindu traditions encourage ecological balance and highlight the interdependence of all life.

Other reading material: Short answers to real questions about Hinduism

Relevant videos:Contributor: Raman Khanna, Sandeep Tiwari

Location of this post (2h): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-are-so-many-hindu-gods-associated-with-an-animal/

Yes, God does incarnate. Hindus believe in incarnation (called avatars or descent). The incarnation of a deity in human or animal form is to counteract some particular evil in the world to establish balance. 

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यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भव- ति भारत ।

अभ्युत्थान- मधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्- ॥४-७॥

परित्राणाय- साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्- ।

धर्मसंस्था- पनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥४-८॥

Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita tells his best friend Arjun (chapter 4.17): 

Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata

Abhythanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham

Paritranaya sadhunang vinashay cha dushkritam

Dharmasangsthapanarthay sambhabami yuge yuge

Whenever there is a decline of righteousness [dharma] and rise of unrighteousness then I send forth Myself. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of righteousness, I come into being from age to age (I descend myself). 

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Lord Vishnu (lord of sustenance or protector of humanity) had 10 popular incarnations (or appearances): Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (half man, half lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (Rama with the axe), Rama (hero of the Ramayana epic, in Treta yuga/time period), Krishna (author of Bhagwad Gita, in Dvapar yuga/time period), Buddha (established Buddhism), and Kalki (the incarnation yet to come). The number of Vishnu’s avatars is sometimes extended or their identities changed, according to local preferences.

Actually, we are all God incarnate. Only in our case, we don’t remember our essential divinity.

Other reading material: https://www.britannica.com/topic/avatar-Hinduism

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Does God Incarnate

Contributor: Nilesh Chaudhary

Location of this post (15a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/does-god-incarnate/

Just as the combination of many strong and weak, visible and invisible forms of energy gives rise to waves in an ocean, the Brahman/Atma (energy, soul is not a right terminology) gives life to entities around us and including us. Why were the waves created? We don’t know. Why were Atman created? We don’t know. It just is. 

GOD didn’t create Atmans. Atmans existed in the past, exist in the present and will exist in the future

na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin

nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ

ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo

na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre

The Atman is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The Atman is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Why did God create souls?

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (16c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-did-god-create-souls/

Hindus who choose to go to temples or have a temple at home, offering food is an approach to strengthen devotion. For others it is the aspect of giving something of importance, which strengthens their material detachment. To others it is the solace of donating food that can be used for feeding the temple priests or even the poor and the hungry. Hinduism permits different vehicles of piety, practices and devotion. Offering food, with many different motivations behind it, is yet another example of the many vehicles of devotion that Hindus choose.

Hindus can offer water, leaves, fruits or flowers as an expression of their devotion. That which comes from the divine is being offered back as prasad–this is an important way to remember the source of all material opulence.

It is important to recognize that not all Hindus go to temples nor all Hindus believe in going to temples. In fact, there are schools of thought within Hinduism that do not have temples or don’t believing in offering to any deity.

Other reading material: What is prasad?

Relevant videos: 

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (18c): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-do-you-give-food-to-god-idols/

Brahman (Brahm) is limitless, eternal all pervasive energy that is in everything and powers everything and it has no beginning and no end. It is the source of this universe, the Ultimate Truth. 

Brahma: Per Hinduism, everything in the universe follows the wheel of time (kaal chakra): cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Even the universe follows this wheel of time/kaal chakra and is created- preserved – dissolved and then created again. Brahma is the God of creation, responsible for manifesting the new srishti (creation, universe) after its dissolution/recycling by Shiva.

Brahmin: Brahmis are those (human beings) who have ‘sattva’ guna (harmony, knowledge and contentment) pre-dominant in them. According to Gautama DharmaSustra, a Brahmin should possess eight virtues: truthfulness, teaching the virtuous, following the rules of rituals, studying the Vedas, gentleness and nonviolence, self control and kindness and others. Brahmin’s dharma in society is to interpret and share the knowledge of Hinduism across generations. One does not become Brahmin by birth but by gunas (qualities) and karma (action).

Other reading material:

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Swati Sugandhi

Location of this page (32b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-the-difference-between-brahman-brahma-and-brahmin/