Annihilationism (Indian philosophy)

Annihilationism, as the belief in the total destruction of a soul or entity after death, is generally not a core belief in mainstream Hinduism, which emphasizes the eternal nature of the atman (soul) and its continuous reincarnation. While specific concepts like Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) involve annihilation of the universe, they are cyclical events and not the permanent cessation of individual souls. Concepts of annihilation may arise in specific contexts, such as the destruction of evil beings or, more broadly, the idea of the annihilation of self-identity for liberation.

Why Annihilationism is Not a Core Concept

Eternal Atman: Hinduism teaches that the atman is an eternal and indestructible part of the divine, which transmigrates to a new body after death.Reincarnation (Samsara): The soul’s journey continues through cycles of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara), which is incompatible with annihilationism. Contexts Where “Annihilation” Might Apply

Annihilation of the Wicked: This refers to the divine destruction of evil beings to restore righteousness, like Krishna destroying demons.Annihilation of the Universe (Pralaya): Hinduism conceives of the universe undergoing cycles of creation and dissolution (Pralaya). However, this is a cyclical event that happens at vast cosmic scales and does not mean the permanent destruction of individual souls.”Annihilation” of Self-Identity in Liberation: The ultimate goal of spiritual practice (moksha) is the liberation of the soul from the cycle of reincarnation. This can sometimes be understood as an “absolute annihilation” of the ego or limited self, which allows the soul to merge with the supreme consciousness, rather than a destruction of the soul itself.Annihilation of Caste: This term is used in a socio-political context to describe the dismantling of the oppressive caste system, a completely different meaning from theological annihilation.