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Indian PhilosophyOS

intermediate · 15 steps

Understanding God

A tour of how Indian traditions conceive of the Divine, beginning with the Gita and the Upanishads and moving through devotional, Vedantic, Shaiva, Shakta and Sikh understandings. Each step is presented on its own terms, without ranking.
Editorial overview
15 steps
  1. 1Gita verse · Bhagavad Gita 7.7All strung on the DivineEverything rests on the Divine like pearls on a thread.
  2. 2Gita verse · Bhagavad Gita 9.4Immanent and transcendentAll beings are in God, yet God is not confined to them.
  3. 3Gita verse · Bhagavad Gita 15.17The Supreme PersonBeyond the perishable and the imperishable.
  4. 4Text · Shvetashvatara UpanishadThe UpanishadsThe Shvetashvatara is the most theistic of the major Upanishads; others speak of Brahman.
  5. 5Concept · BrahmanBrahmanThe absolute ground of being in the Upanishads.
  6. 6Concept · Bhakti — devotionBhaktiGod known through love and devotion.
  7. 7Text · Bhagavata PuranaBhagavata PuranaThe central text of Krishna devotion.
  8. 8Tradition · Vishishtadvaita VedantaVishishtadvaitaRamanuja: one God, with world and souls as God's body.
  9. 9Tradition · Dvaita VedantaDvaitaMadhva: God eternally distinct from souls and matter.
  10. 10Tradition · ShaivismShaivismShiva as the supreme Lord; Siddhanta and Kashmir views differ.
  11. 11Concept · Pati, Pashu, Pasha — Lord, soul, bondLord, soul and bondShaiva Siddhanta's three realities.
  12. 12Tradition · ShaktismShaktismThe Goddess as supreme power.
  13. 13Text · Devi MahatmyaDevi MahatmyaThe foundational text of Goddess worship.
  14. 14Tradition · Sikh philosophy (Gurmat)Sikh philosophyOne formless God, known through the Name and grace.
  15. 15Concept · HukamHukamThe divine order in which all things move.