One Becomes Many, Only to Become One Again: A Fundamental Teaching of Hinduism
Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions, is centered on the exploration of the ultimate reality, Brahman, and the individual’s relationship with this infinite truth. One of its most profound teachings, found in scriptures, sages’ insights, and spiritual narratives, is the principle that "One becomes many, only to become one again." This philosophy reflects the cyclic nature of creation, the interconnectedness of all existence, and the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.
The Oneness of Brahman
Hinduism teaches that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is infinite, eternal, and indivisible. The Chandogya Upanishad famously declares, “Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma” (All this is indeed Brahman). This singular consciousness is both the source and the essence of everything in existence.
The Ashtavakra Gita elaborates, "You pervade the universe, and this universe exists within you. Your true self is infinite, eternal, and pure consciousness" (Chapter 2, Verse 8). This teaching emphasizes that all diversity, while seemingly real, is a manifestation of one unified essence.
The Play of Maya: The One Becomes Many
The concept of maya (illusion) explains how the singular Brahman appears as the manifold universe. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad describes creation as Brahman’s playful projection: "From the Self, verily, space arose; from space, air; from air, fire; from fire, water; from water, earth." This evolutionary progression demonstrates how the one manifests as many.
Lord Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, explains this duality: “By my unmanifested form, I pervade this entire universe. All beings are in me, but I am not in them" (Bhagavad Gita 9.4). Here, Krishna illustrates the paradox of creation — the many forms are dependent on the one essence but fail to recognize it due to maya.
Lila: The Divine Play
The Hindu worldview often portrays creation as lila, or divine play. This idea suggests that Brahman manifests the universe not out of necessity but out of joy. The Srimad Bhagavata Purana recounts the creation of the cosmos as a deliberate act of God’s will, born out of the desire to experience infinite potential. "By His glance, the inert matter is energized, and the universe begins its endless cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution" (Bhagavata Purana 3.5.26).
The Ramayana and Mahabharata, while largely historical and moral epics, also reflect this principle of diversity and unity. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama represents the supreme principle embodied in human form, guiding the world back to dharma (righteousness). Similarly, in the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna’s Vishwaroopa (universal form) in the Bhagavad Gita demonstrates the cosmic interconnectedness of all beings within the one supreme reality.
Reunion Through Realization
The ultimate aim of Hindu spirituality is the return to oneness, achieved through realization of the self’s unity with Brahman. The Upanishads echo this through the aphorism Tat Tvam Asi (Thou Art That), emphasizing the identity of the individual soul (Atman) with the universal soul (Brahman).
Sri Ramana Maharshi often simplified this teaching with his inquiry into the true self: “Who am I?” He taught that by deeply contemplating this question, one transcends the ego and perceives the indivisible oneness underlying existence.
Similarly, Swami Vivekananda declared, “The soul is the same in all; there is no difference, only a manifestation in various forms. In reality, the many and the one are the same.”
Paths to Unity: Yoga and Bhakti
Hinduism prescribes various paths to transcend individuality and merge with the infinite. Yoga, broadly defined, is a discipline that harmonizes the body, mind, and soul to achieve spiritual liberation. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali state, “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind” (1.2). Through the stilling of the mind, the individual perceives the underlying unity of existence.
Bhakti (devotion) offers another route to union. The Bhagavata Purana extols the power of love and surrender to God: "He who worships me with unwavering devotion and sees me everywhere is eternally united with me" (Bhagavata Purana 11.2.55). Saints like Mirabai and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu embody this path, dissolving their individuality in the bliss of divine love.
Modern Voices on Unity
Modern Hindu thinkers and sages have echoed and elaborated on this timeless teaching. Swami Chinmayananda described the illusion of separateness as “like waves thinking they are apart from the ocean.” He emphasized self-inquiry and meditation as means to dissolve the ego and recognize unity.
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) often stresses compassion as a manifestation of oneness: “When we realize that all beings are connected like beads on the same string, love flows naturally.” Her work demonstrates the spiritual truth that service to others is service to the divine.
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev teaches that the perception of separation is a limitation of the mind: “Life is one energy, but you experience it in fragments because of the discriminatory nature of your intellect. The spiritual process is to dissolve this division.”
Stories of Unity in Diversity
Hindu scriptures abound with stories that illustrate the journey from multiplicity to unity. One such tale is the story of Prahlada from the Bhagavata Purana. Despite being born into a family of demons, Prahlada realized the omnipresence of God. When asked by his father Hiranyakashipu to show where God resided, he proclaimed, “He is everywhere!” To prove his point, Lord Vishnu emerged from a pillar, affirming the all-encompassing presence of the divine.
The story of Arjuna’s awakening in the Bhagavad Gita is another profound example. Paralyzed by doubt, Arjuna finds clarity when Krishna reveals the unity of existence and urges him to act as an instrument of the divine will.
The Cosmic Cycle: Creation, Preservation, and Dissolution
Hindu cosmology reflects this teaching in the cyclical nature of existence. The universe is created by Brahma, preserved by Vishnu, and dissolved by Shiva, only to be created anew. This eternal rhythm underscores the flow from one to many and back to one.
The Mandukya Upanishad describes this cycle through the symbolism of AUM (Om), representing creation (A), preservation (U), and dissolution (M). The silence following AUM signifies the return to the unmanifest Brahman.
Realizing the One in All
The teaching that "One becomes many, only to become one again" is at the heart of Hindu philosophy, offering a lens to understand creation, life, and the journey of the soul. It inspires individuals to see beyond apparent differences and recognize the divine essence in themselves and others.
As Swami Sivananda beautifully expressed, “The goal of life is to realize the reality of oneness. This is the essence of all religions and the eternal truth of existence.” Through study, devotion, and introspection, we are reminded of our divine origin and the eternal unity that binds all existence.
This teaching is more than metaphysical speculation; it is a call to live with compassion, understanding, and a deep awareness of the interconnectedness of all life. When we transcend the illusion of separateness, we return to the infinite — whole, complete, and one with the universe.