A Bird’s Eye View on Veda – VI

Vedic Polytheism
(Copy right protected by Dr. G.S. Tripathy)

In stead of just the one of monotheism in heaven Polytheism finds many gods. In a synod or assembly of gods it believes.
Possessing a character of his own, each being is a well- defined individual. Each is distinguished from the others by sex, special attributes and sometimes even age. The divine power is not centralized in one person so far as Polytheism is concerned. Hence in this case the divine is oligarchic in place of monarchical.

In Polytheism, the evil points in one may be counterbalanced by the good Points in another and one god or goddess may be involved against another.

By one god, a monotheist may stand or fall. But a Polytheist may change one god for another if the former fails to satisfy him as he is having several gods at his disposal. Only alternative for a monotheist to his faith is heresy or atheism. The alternative for a polytheist is not the negation of god. It is the search for a better and greater god.

In other parts of the world like Egypt, Greece and Rome there was polytheism with certain differences in comparison to Indian Puranas.

But in India there is a higher Polytheism which merges in Pantheism. Here the devotee does not think of this god or that god where the Devine being is poetically addressed.

Though in the pantheistic form there are subtleties not found in the popular type, Polytheism has some general characteristics whether anthropomorphic or losing itself in Pantheism.

In the first place poetic theism is polytheism. Through poetry is approaches the Divine idea gradually. Hence in the glory of form and colour it delights and touches the human emotions from the sublime to the tender. As an essential factor it includes the aesthetic.

Being poetical, polytheism needs the poet and also the artist in order to interpret it. Being political in structure monotheism needs the soldier to fight the battle of the Monarch of heaven. While it is a usual feature of monotheism polytheism does not know any holy war at all. This is the second feature of polytheism.

In the third place, in accordance with its innate tendencies polytheism attempts to have its hold on the masses of people by poetical and artistic abilities. By the appeal of music and song by ceremonies and rituals as well as that of architecture, painting dancing and sculpture, polytheism tries to attract the common people to its fold. On the other hand a central authority has been built by monotheism that penetrates into the life of the people in toto. It is an institution with ramifications, often to the rigid exclusion of some people, if not all.

Like that of Poetry and Art, the appeal of polytheism is spontaneous. This is also unofficial and independent. On the other hand, in the compulsion of an institution and its laws, the appeal of monotheism is Central. The attachment of its followers has been dictated by the official pressure of the institution that maintains. This is the fourth feature of polytheism.

Non-Conformity is the part of the essence of polytheism where as Conformity is the fundamental condition of the existence of Monotheism. Polytheism is marked by variety while there is uniformity in monotheism.

By individual initiative and effort, polytheistic creeds have been maintained, as a rule. But polytheism seldom became a state religion. Without the backing of a state, on the other hand monotheism is hand to put it to support itself.

By making itself constantly acceptable to the people, it will appear, that polytheism, having no authoritative institution for its support has to exist. It has changed its forms very much as styles in art and literature have changed from time to time while remaining attached to the spirit. In order to escape extinction polytheism must be perpetually creative and vital. Egyptian and Babylonian polytheism disappeared from the face of the earth because they were not creative enough. Take an example. When it was superseded by Christianity Greek and Roman polytheism, however, had not lost its creativity. Christian Religion was fertilized by this creativity possessed by Greek and Romans. Christianity reasserted itself in the Pagan form during the middle period. And at the end of that period it brought about a Renaissance of mankind.

Monotheism has derived much strength from Orthodoxy and dogmatism. It sometimes led to the ruthless Persecution and destruction of heretics and infidels while polytheism has owed its continued existence to flexibility and the capacity for change adjustment. Between Hebraism and Hellenism Mathew Arnold discovered certain difference which make by thought over.

By strictness of conscience Monotheism is Characterized which can be termed as severe conformity. But by independent perception and expression with spontaneity of conscience polytheism is expressed in thought word & deed. This is the fifth feature in the series.

To the aesthetic appeal of the universe, the reaction of the free poetic soul, makes imagination of the chief vehicle of expression. Hence in concrete imagery it deals in a way which is symbolical, suggestive and representational. But monotheism thinks in terms of facts and demands with the firm discipline of the will leading to the acceptance of definite article of faith including chiefly a belief in heaven and a God in heaven having unquestioning firm faith on them.

God's creation of the universe is an historical event that can be definitely dated according to monotheistic theology – is the example they impose.

According to monotheistic Christianity, so is the birth of the son of god. As a mere figure of speech or symbol no true Christian has attempted to interpret the birth of Christ or virgin Motherhood.

On the wings of imagination, Polytheism files while monotheism is pinned down to facts. The whole structure of monotheism falls to pieces if they disbelieve one of the facts. But by such attitude, polytheism will remain unaffected. To historicity, it makes no claim at all. With facts and dates, it has nothing to do. Just has Poetry has none, it has no quarrel with science. Take for instance, it has been found by Christian theologians that the whole doctrine of creation will fall through as given in Christian/bible and the religion itself will not have any effect on the religion if Darwinism opposes some creation / theory in some purana take for example because historically and literally the purana is not understood, symbolically and imaginatively purana is taken at hand is the reason for this. It is not the part of the Polytheistic creed to have belief in the theory of creation.