Hinduism does not believe that there is a God and that there is a Devil. There is only God.
The iconography and symbolism of the image of Goddess Kali has great importance. The positioning of the female form over the male form is of particular importance.
In the case of Bhagavan Narasimha, we see that Goddess Lakshmi is sitting in his lap. In the case of Bhagavan Vishnu, we see that Goddess Lakshmi is sitting at his feet. We do not see a feminine form other than Kali standing on top of a male deity. And who is that male deity? Shiva, the mendicant.
Shiva is a sadhu. Shiva is the deity of all sannyasins. His marriage too is the highest demonstration of renunciation in the world. Because he does not bother about where he stays, he does not bother about what he wears, he does not bother about what he eats, and he is ever-blissful. That is why he is the Bhagavan of the sannyasins.
In Sanatana Dharma, everything is deified. Sanatana Dharma does not have any dichotomy of divinity. What is dichotomy of divinity or duality of divinity? It is the belief that there is something divine and that there is something that is not divine. That there is a God and that there is a Devil. Sanatana Dharma does not believe in that. All the traditions of Sanatana Dharma profess that everything that we see is the manifestation of the One divine principle and so there is no problem worshipping Kali, because Sanatana Dharma has deified destruction and death.
In some regions of India, Kali worship is prohibited for the householders. However, in some other places in India, Kali is worshipped daily in several homes. Same is the case with the worship of Chinnamasta. Kali is the deification of the terrible. Even the word ‘Kali’ could denote the terrible. Kali is the terrible or terror incarnate.
Source - Prabuddha Bharata January 2016 Issue - Editorial page 12.
Additional Explanation:
Everything is Divine in Hinduism: Expanding on the Concept
In Sanatana Dharma, commonly known as Hinduism, there is a profound teaching: everything is divine. Unlike certain religious traditions that emphasize a dichotomy between divinity and the mundane or between good and evil, Hinduism embraces a non-dualistic view of the universe. There is no separation between the sacred and the profane; all is considered a manifestation of the same divine essence. This is best encapsulated in the Sanskrit phrase "Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma" from the Chandogya Upanishad (3.14.1), which means "All this is indeed Brahman," or everything is pervaded by the divine.
Symbolism of Universality
Hinduism's approach to divinity is deeply symbolic. Every aspect of life, nature, and the cosmos is seen as an expression of the divine. The five elements — earth (Prithvi), water (Apas), fire (Agni), air (Vayu), and space (Akasha) — are worshipped as manifestations of divine power. Similarly, natural forces, animals, rivers, and even abstract concepts like time, knowledge, and wealth are revered in the form of gods and goddesses. For instance, Ganga, the river, symbolizes purification and grace, while Agni, fire, represents transformation and energy.
The most powerful symbolic representation of this universal divinity is seen in the Hindu pantheon. The plethora of deities, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Durga, etc., are not separate gods but personifications of the different aspects of Brahman (the Supreme Consciousness or Reality). Shiva, who represents destruction, is worshipped with the same reverence as Vishnu, who represents preservation, because destruction and creation are seen as inseparable cycles of the same cosmic force.
Importance of Deifying Everything
This inclusive, all-encompassing view of divinity serves an essential purpose. It allows individuals to see the sacred in the ordinary, and it cultivates a sense of reverence and humility toward all of existence. This is why Hindus practice Ahimsa (non-violence), not only toward humans but also toward animals and nature, because everything is seen as an embodiment of the divine.
The act of deifying all aspects of existence also leads to a deeper understanding of unity in diversity. No form of existence is seen as lesser than another. A rock, a tree, a human, or a deity all have their place in the cosmic order. This mindset helps dissolve ego and fosters compassion and respect for all beings.
Duality vs. Non-Duality (Dichotomy of Divinity)
In many other religious traditions, especially in the Abrahamic faiths, there is a clear dualism. God represents the ultimate good, and forces like the Devil or Satan represent evil. There is a division between the sacred and the profane, the holy and the sinful, heaven and hell. This is the duality of divinity or dichotomy of divinity, where some things are considered inherently divine, while others are seen as devoid of divinity, even corrupt or demonic.
In contrast, Hinduism's philosophy, especially in its Advaita Vedanta tradition, denies this dualism. According to Advaita, the ultimate reality is non-dual (Advaita); all distinctions between good and evil, sacred and profane, are products of ignorance or Maya (illusion). There is only one ultimate truth — Brahman — which manifests as everything. The dualities we perceive are temporary and surface-level. For example, light and darkness are not inherently opposed but are interdependent; one cannot exist without the other.
The Worship of Destruction and Death
Sanatana Dharma's holistic view is why even seemingly "negative" forces like death and destruction are also deified. Kali, the goddess of destruction, is not seen as evil but as a necessary aspect of the cosmic cycle. She destroys ignorance and the ego to make way for spiritual growth and liberation. Similarly, Shiva as Mahakala, the lord of time, is both the creator and destroyer, highlighting the cyclical nature of existence.
This ability to revere forces like death and destruction is central to Hindu cosmology, where nothing is inherently good or bad. Everything has its role, and everything is part of the divine play, or Lila.
Simple Stories from Hinduism: The Story of the Weaver
There is a famous story in Hinduism that illustrates the divinity of all creation. Once, there was a weaver who made a living by selling the beautiful fabrics he created. Whenever someone complimented him on his work, he would humbly say, "The Lord did it." One day, robbers broke into his house, and when asked by the village chief who had committed the crime, the weaver simply replied, "The Lord did it." The chief, confused, asked him to explain. The weaver said that just as God works through him to weave the fabric, the divine works through others, even in acts of destruction or suffering, which are part of the larger cosmic order.
This story reflects the Hindu belief that every action, good or bad, is an expression of the divine, though we may not always understand its purpose.
Modern-Day Relevance and Practicality
In today's world, where there is a tendency to categorize people, actions, and experiences as good or bad, Hinduism's idea of universal divinity can help foster greater acceptance and understanding. If everything is seen as divine, it leads to a profound respect for all forms of life and existence, reducing judgment and conflict.
From a practical standpoint, this belief encourages a mindful approach to daily life. The actions we perform, the food we eat, the relationships we nurture — all can be seen as acts of worship. Even mundane tasks, when performed with awareness of their divine connection, become sacred. This mindset can bring peace and fulfillment, as every moment becomes an opportunity to connect with the divine.
Quotes from Hindu Scriptures
- "Isavasyam idam sarvam, yat kinca jagatyam jagat" (Isha Upanishad 1): "The whole universe is pervaded by God, whatever exists in the moving and unmoving world."
- "Tat Tvam Asi" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7): "You are That." This expresses the idea that the individual self (Atman) and the universal self (Brahman) are one and the same.
- "Brahma satyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah" (Adi Shankaracharya): "Brahman is the only truth, the world is an illusion, and the individual soul is none other than Brahman."
Additional Thoughts
The concept of universal divinity offers an antidote to the alienation and existential anxiety often felt in modern times. By embracing the idea that everything is divine, one develops a deeper connection with the universe and a sense of belonging. This approach fosters inclusivity, respect, and unity among people of different backgrounds and beliefs, which is especially relevant in today’s globalized world.
In conclusion, the philosophy that everything is divine in Hinduism invites us to embrace life in all its facets — joy and sorrow, creation and destruction — as sacred. It dissolves the boundaries between the secular and the sacred and reminds us that the divine is ever-present in every moment, every being, and every experience.