ABSTRACT
The Common View is that Hindu philosophy is committed to one of the conceptions of the Transcendent: whether understood as Brahman (the Absolute) of Vedānta metaphysics; or as Īśvara, in one of his triune forms of Śiva, Vịṣnu, or. Brahmā of the sectarian traditions; or as Śakti, an exclusively feminine divinity, such as the terrifying Goddess Kālī of the tantric sects; or perhaps as the divinely sacred offspring, such as the elephant-headed Ganeśa and his brother Kārttikeya. And there are, of course, colorful variations to this wondrous theme, with a profusion of images in the vast pantheon of Hindu gods, goddesses, avatāras, partial divine embodiments, and so on. Understandably, then, scholars have attempted to encompass the bulk of Hindu beliefs variously under one of these categories: polytheism, organized polytheism, pantheism, panentheism, henotheism, monotheism, monism, non-dualism, or, even more puzzling, all of these somehow wrapped into one (hence the ubiquitous “Oneness”). By and large, it is assumed that Hinduism progressed from a primitive polytheism (in its pre-Aryan, earthy roots) through henotheism (In Ṛg and Atharva Vedas) and monistic idealism (of the Upaniṣads), towards a form of monotheism, which the vast majority of Hindus are apparently seen to espouse. 1 Not so well known, partly because of its neglect by Orientalists, is a contrary position that moves away from all such conceptions, and which could also be said to reject “God-talk” altogether; indeed, here we come rather close to atheism (even “a-theolo-gie”) in the Hindu tradition. This is not merely a whimsical sentiment which could be perfunctorily dismissed as an aberration within the tradition. There seems to be an argument for this contrary position, or at least arguments against those whose theological discourse might persuade them otherwise. In general terms, let us say that there is scope within Hindu philosophy for an articulated critique of all theologies, resulting in the expression of profound doubts about the reality of a supremely divine being, and about the absolutes of metaphysics.
