A Bird’s Eye View on Veda

A Bird’s Eye View on Veda & Introduction – V

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

Vedic Monotheism

Both monotheism and polytheism represent two distinct pattern of thought. The claim of superiority of one over the other is based on assumptions not acceptable to all which can be seen with a close examination of the cults. The difference between them is not that of the degree of perfection but of method only as it appears from the experience.

Some salient aspects of the two patterns can be considered as follows.

In the first place, monotheism is the belief in a single divine person or a divine idol. As a partial description of the cult, this can be defined. It is the one-ness alone that matters for some and not for all. But actually it is not so. In the technical sense of the term, for instance, One who thinks of the divine as` one impersonal essence is not a monotheist.

The one being the sages call by many names Ekam SAD is the famous Rigvedic verse quoted by many. This does not sufficiently realize that there is one being only which is the Neuter standing for the divine existence and not for a divine individual. Hence it is not the same as contemplated by the well known creeds that depict themselves as monotheistic. God is not a metaphysical essence but a person to the monotheistic creeds. In any way one likes, secondly, as a person the monotheistic divinity can not be conceived. For instance, in the practical sense of the term one who accepts a single divinity as mother or maiden is not a monotheistic. The divinity is not only a single person but also a masculine person to the monotheistic. Thus the distinction between monotheism and polytheism is not one of number alone but of gender also.

Monotheistic God can not be any kind of male person, in the third place. For example, he can not be a boy or a child. He can only be a father. If one were to think of the divine as a brother or any other relation one would not be a monotheist.

In the following verse, supposing, “Agni” means the ultimate being. Because the relations in which he stands to man are more than one. He would not be the typical monotheistic God.

“Agni I deem my father, my kinsman

I deem Him my brother, my friend for ever

-------------------- Rig Veda, viii 7.3”

The monotheistic god stands in a single relationship to man and that of father, is not only a single person and a male person.

Fourthly, the monotheistic God must be believed to be a very elderly person even as father. Not only a father but a patriarch also.

The monotheistic god can not exist anywhere as a Person, in the fifth place. Heaven is his special place. He is a father who is in heaven. Though heaven is his place of residence. He may go where ever he likes or wishes.

In other words, that monotheism contemplates the divine in heaven and polytheism contemplates the divine in the universe perhaps the most essential difference between the two lies here.

In the entire conception of life and religion this makes a difference. Heaven represents God a superior order of reality and a superior plane of existence to the monotheists. In accordance with this cult while heaven is sacred, the universe is profane. While God and Angels who live in heaven are holy, man who lives on the earth is sinful. While god is great the man is small.

In the universe polytheism finds the divine. Hence there is but a thin dividing line between the sacred and profane, the divine and the human the mortal and immortal. God in nature heaven on earth and among men have been contemplated by polytheism one.

Polytheism is attached to the earth. It thinks in terms of life and joy of living. But monotheism is attached to lives for heaven. It looks down upon earthly things. This is called paganism attributed to its traits.

Sixthly, a simple being in a god in heaven who is a father is not monotheism. Its God a patriarch is a ruler. It is the emperor of heaven. He also rules over the universe as its sole monarch from heaven. Hence monotheism is termed as monarchical theism.

In other words, the ideology of a monarchy is the ideology of monotheism. Royal abode is heaven. In his throne the emperor or king is seated. He has his emissaries and plenty of servants. His vicegerents are appointed by Him. To his heavenly court he takes the best of his subjects. But the worst of them are flung in to the hell, which is known as the dark prison house.

Unstinted allegiance and homage have been claimed by him as an emperor. Regularly enough to satisfy his royal position. The subjects must offer their respects often. In dread of him they must stand by bowing their heads with honour with a view to exalt Him.

Seventhly Satan is a sort of Anti god who is the perpetual adversary of the monotheistic god. Hence for the possession of the universe there is perpetual rivalry between god and Satan.

Monotheistic God’s wrath is directed against human beings when they are suspected of having constant touch with Satan.

As monotheism centres in a monarch, who is an absolute ruler. The most important thing in this connection is for His subjects to know His will correctly.

In his conduct on the earth, the divine will is the only guide for man. But how to know the will of God? to make His will known to mankind. He sends his messengers or prophets to earth at the right time for this. For making it prevail on earth as in heaven, those men are virtuous who bow to His will. Who disobey or defy are sinners. Prophets convey periodically the will of God to mankind.

To force himself to obey the will of God, religion, here is the exercise by man of his own.

In case of monotheism, the prophets are not universally accepted. This is the difficulty. Hence there has been acute rivalry between monotheistic creeds because each claiming an exclusive relation with the ultimate Being.