Most Americans, if they have heard of Hinduism at all, automatically think of a Bindi (the red dot some Hindus put between their eyebrows), or perhaps yoga. But what they miss is that this fundamental and key concept can be associated with giving good fortune to those in the coming years of life. In the Hindu culture, Men and women will wear them to solidify marriage between one another. Formally during ceremonies like the Puja, The Bindi or Tilaka is placed on couples’ foreheads by clergymen as a blessing from God (YouTube 2018).
Polytheistic Or Monotheistic?
Many Hindus claim to be monotheistic, although there are many gods and goddesses that share the face of one central nature of reality. For instance, just like a diamond, with different faces that reflect the light of one of different ways, each of the deities of Hinduism reflect their unique aspect or face of ones “primal divine reality,” (Carroll, pg. 8). Each god or goddess is known for one’s specific capabilities and representations. Theses deities are incarnations of one another that are a definite form of one supreme being or essence of Brahman.
The Goddess Kamadhenu
In Indian culture many of the gods and goddess’s hold their own unique story or an integral part of one’s beliefs. Deities can take all forms, and some even as animals. A well-known and beloved idol takes the form of a cow. According to Early Vedic literature, “Tells of a goddess named Kamadhenu who is part human, part cow. She is the mother goddess of abundance whose very body provides nurture and nourishment,” (Carroll, pg. 5). Cows are known to be sacred animals that are protected by all. Some Hindus preferably don’t eat beef just because of the cows’ history. Kamadhenu is the mother of all cows, and she is the projected as a symbol of the earth.
The Concept of Worshipping 
Hindus worship the many gods of the divine reality as whole through one of the ways called bhakti. To show bhakti is to show devotion directly to one’s supreme idol. As stated, gods can take many forms, and it’s up to you to choose which form you wish to worship Brahman. Some recognized gods such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha are commonly prayed upon in Hinduism. Many Hindus pray to altars, photos or homemade shrines and give offerings to the deities of their choosing, or ones that they feel will fulfill their specific needs in the next life. But that doesn’t happen without the idea of karma. Karma refers to how our good or bad
actions can interpret a positive or negative future. The ultimate concept of Hinduism is to be released from Samsara or the endless life cycle and enter Moksha a transcendent state. Hindus believe by practicing dharma you can gain good karma and progress the outcome of a better next life and decrease the track of bad karma.
If atman is brahman, and brahman is atman, then both solidify an infinite consciousness of existence that coexist as one. Or a nondual consciousness called Advaita.
References
Carroll, Jill. 2021. World Religions: A Beginner’s Guide: Questions and Answers for Humanity’s 7 Oldest and Largest Faiths. Emeryville, California: Rockridge Press.
CNN. n.d. “What Hindus Really Believe – CNN Video.” Www.cnn.com. Accessed September 16, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/03/06/believer-reza-aslan-hinduism-beliefs-explained.cnn/video/playlists/believer-with-reza-aslan/.
YouTube. 2018. “What Is a Puja Ceremony? Inside Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas’ Wedding Week Rituals | Access.” Www.youtube.com. 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMguiEq2Sfo.