Gods, Avatars, and Worship
Hinduism is famous for its bewildering array of deities—tradition speaks of 330 million gods! Yet Hinduism is not simply polytheism. The relationship between the many gods and ultimate reality is complex, and Hindus themselves understand this relationship in different ways. Some see the many gods as different forms of one Brahman; others as distinct beings in a hierarchical cosmos; others focus on one supreme God while acknowledging other deities exist.
Understanding Hindu deities and worship helps us appreciate what Hindus are seeking through their religious practice and find meaningful ways to point them toward the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ.
Is Hinduism monotheistic, polytheistic, or something else? The answer depends on which Hindu you ask. A philosopher might say all gods are forms of impersonal Brahman. A devotee of Krishna might say Krishna is the one supreme God. A village worshiper might treat local deities as distinct powers. Hinduism contains all these perspectives.
The Trimurti: Three Primary Forms
Hindu theology often speaks of three great gods—the Trimurti—who represent different aspects of the divine:
Brahma: The Creator
Brahma (not to be confused with Brahman, the impersonal absolute) is the creator god who brings the universe into being at the beginning of each cosmic cycle. Paradoxically, Brahma is rarely worshiped today—there are only a handful of temples dedicated to him in all of India. According to myth, he was cursed for various transgressions.
Brahma is depicted with four heads (representing the four Vedas) and four arms, often holding the Vedas, prayer beads, and a water vessel.
Vishnu: The Preserver
Vishnu is the preserver and protector of the universe, maintaining cosmic order (dharma). When evil threatens to overwhelm good, Vishnu descends to earth in an avatar (incarnation) to restore balance. Vishnu is worshiped by approximately 70% of Hindus (Vaishnavas).
Vishnu is depicted with blue skin, four arms holding a conch shell, discus (chakra), mace, and lotus. He reclines on the cosmic serpent Shesha, and his vehicle (vahana) is the eagle Garuda. His consort is Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and fortune.
Shiva: The Destroyer
Shiva is the destroyer—but destruction in Hinduism is necessary for regeneration and transformation. Shiva is also the great yogi, the lord of ascetics, and the source of sacred knowledge. He is worshiped by approximately 25% of Hindus (Shaivas).
Shiva has many forms: the meditating ascetic smeared with ash; Nataraja, the cosmic dancer whose dance sustains and destroys the universe; the fearsome Bhairava; the family man with his wife Parvati and sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. He is often worshiped in aniconic form as the lingam (phallic symbol representing creative power). His vehicle is the bull Nandi.
The Trimurti may superficially resemble the Christian Trinity, but the concepts are fundamentally different. The Trinity is three persons in one God; the Trimurti is three gods with different functions who are sometimes seen as forms of impersonal Brahman. The Father, Son, and Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal; Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are not.
Avatars: Divine Incarnations
An avatar (from avatara, "descent") is a deliberate incarnation of a deity—usually Vishnu—who takes bodily form to accomplish a specific purpose, typically restoring cosmic order when it is threatened.
The Ten Avatars of Vishnu
Tradition recognizes ten primary avatars of Vishnu (the Dashavatara):
- Matsya (fish): Saved the first man from a great flood
- Kurma (tortoise): Supported a mountain during the churning of the cosmic ocean
- Varaha (boar): Rescued the earth from a demon who had dragged it underwater
- Narasimha (man-lion): Killed a demon who could not be killed by man or beast
- Vamana (dwarf): Defeated a demon king through a clever request
- Parashurama (Rama with an axe): A warrior sage who destroyed corrupt kings
- Rama: The ideal king, hero of the Ramayana
- Krishna: The most beloved avatar, teacher of the Bhagavad Gita
- Buddha: Interestingly, Hinduism incorporated the Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu
- Kalki: A future avatar who will appear at the end of the present age to destroy evil and restore dharma
Rama
Rama is the hero of the Ramayana, the ideal king who embodies dharma in all his actions. His willingness to accept exile to honor his father's promise, his faithfulness to his wife Sita, his defeat of the demon Ravana—all present models of righteous living. The annual festival of Diwali celebrates his return from exile. "Ram" is invoked as a name for God even by those who are not specifically Vaishnavas.
Krishna
Krishna is the most popular and complex Hindu deity, worshiped in many forms:
- Baby Krishna (Bal Krishna): The mischievous child who steals butter and charms everyone with his playfulness
- Cowherd Krishna (Gopala): The youth who plays his flute and dances with the village girls (gopis), symbolizing the soul's love for God
- Warrior Krishna: The charioteer of Arjuna who reveals divine wisdom in the Bhagavad Gita
- Cosmic Krishna: The supreme God who contains the entire universe within himself
The ISKCON (Hare Krishna) movement worships Krishna as the supreme personality of Godhead—not merely an avatar but the source from which even Vishnu emanates.
The concept of avatar provides a natural bridge to discussing Christ's incarnation. But note the differences: avatars are multiple and repetitive; Christ's incarnation is unique and once-for-all. Avatars appear to restore cosmic balance; Christ came to redeem sinners. Avatars typically accomplish their purpose through power; Christ accomplished redemption through sacrificial death. These differences are starting points for gospel conversation.
Other Major Deities
Ganesha
Ganesha (or Ganesh), the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings. He is worshiped at the start of any new venture—a business, a journey, an exam, a wedding. His image is ubiquitous in Hindu homes and businesses. The annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival features large public processions.
Hanuman
Hanuman, the monkey god, is the devoted servant of Rama. In the Ramayana, he leads the monkey army that helps Rama rescue Sita. He embodies strength, devotion, and selfless service. Hanuman is especially popular among wrestlers and soldiers.
The Goddess (Devi)
Devi ("goddess") is worshiped in many forms, collectively called Shakti (divine energy):
- Parvati/Uma: The gentle consort of Shiva, representing marital devotion
- Durga: The warrior goddess who rides a tiger and slays demons, worshiped especially during Durga Puja/Navratri
- Kali: The fierce goddess associated with death and destruction, depicted with a garland of skulls and protruding tongue
- Lakshmi: Goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity, consort of Vishnu, worshiped especially at Diwali
- Saraswati: Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts
Other Deities
The pantheon includes countless other deities: village gods and goddesses, regional deities, ancestors, and nature spirits. Many Hindus have an ishta devata (chosen deity) to whom they are particularly devoted, while acknowledging other deities exist.
Hindu Worship
Puja (Ritual Worship)
Puja is the most common form of Hindu worship— a ritual offering to a deity that may be performed at home or in a temple. Puja involves:
- Invocation: Inviting the deity to be present in the image (murti)
- Offerings: Presenting flowers, incense, light (aarti), food, water, cloth, and other items
- Prayers and mantras: Reciting sacred words and hymns
- Prasad: Receiving back blessed food that has been offered to the deity
Temple Worship
Hindu temples (mandir) house images of deities who are treated as living presences. The deity is awakened in the morning, bathed, dressed, fed, entertained, and put to rest at night. Devotees come to receive darshan—the auspicious sight of the deity—and to make offerings.
Home Worship
Most Hindu homes have a shrine or puja room where daily worship is performed. This may range from a simple offering of incense and prayer to elaborate rituals. Home worship is often the responsibility of women in the household.
Festivals
Hindu festivals (utsava) punctuate the religious year with communal celebration. Major festivals include:
- Diwali (Festival of Lights): Celebrates Rama's return and honors Lakshmi; involves lighting lamps, exchanging gifts, and fireworks
- Holi: Spring festival of colors, celebrating Krishna and the triumph of good over evil
- Durga Puja/Navratri: Nine nights honoring the Goddess
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Birthday of Ganesha
- Janmashtami: Birthday of Krishna
"For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."
— 1 Corinthians 8:5-6Engaging Hindu Worship Theologically
What Hindus Are Seeking
Through worship, Hindus seek many things Christians also value: connection with the divine, blessing, protection, guidance, community, and meaning. The impulse to worship is universal; it reflects the imago Dei in all humans. The question is whether worship is directed toward the true God.
Christian Evaluation
From a Christian perspective, Hindu worship involves both truth and error:
Truth: The recognition that humans need the divine, that worship is appropriate, that the spiritual realm is real. The devotion and sincerity of many Hindu worshipers is admirable.
Error: Worship directed toward beings other than the one true God is ultimately misdirected, however sincere. Images cannot capture the transcendent Creator. Multiple deities do not exist as Scripture reveals one God.
Gospel Invitation
Our message to Hindu friends is not "stop worshiping" but "let me introduce you to the God who made everything, who loves you personally, who became human to save you, and who invites you into relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ." The longing expressed in Hindu worship finds its true fulfillment in Christ.
Paul's approach in Athens (Acts 17:22-31) provides a model. He acknowledged the Athenians' religious devotion, found a point of contact ("the unknown god"), and then proclaimed the true God who made the world, gives life to all, is not contained in temples, and has raised Jesus from the dead. We can do the same with Hindu friends.
Discussion Questions
- How would you explain to someone that Hinduism is neither simply polytheistic nor monotheistic but contains elements of both? Why does this matter for evangelism?
- What are the similarities and differences between Hindu avatars and Christ's incarnation? How might you use the avatar concept as a bridge to discussing Jesus?
- Paul acknowledged the Athenians' religious devotion while pointing them to the true God (Acts 17). How can we similarly affirm what is genuine in Hindu worship while inviting Hindus to know Christ?