Page "Henotheism" Paragraph 5

Contemporary Hinduism is mostly monistic, or in some instances monotheistic ( see Hindu views on monotheism ).

The concept of Brahman implies a transcendent and immanent reality, which different schools of thought variously interpret as personal, impersonal or transpersonal.

With the rise of Shaivism and Vaishnavism in the early centuries of the Common era, Hinduism is generally monistic and henotheistic: there is practically a consensus that there is a supreme, absolute, and omnipresent divine entity.

Of the four major sects, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism each regard only one specific Indic deity ( Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti ) as the supreme being and principal object of worship, whereas all other divinities are considered merely " sub-gods " or manifestations of it.

Smartism is also monistic, but does not single out one specific Indic deity but a pentad of gods-the " Panchayatana ", which includes Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Devi, and Ganesha.