Monad

In Hinduism, a “monad” is a term used to describe a fundamental unit of oneness, singularity, or the divine. It can symbolize the Supreme Being as the indivisible source of all existence, sometimes represented by the bindu dot or the sacred syllable $Om. This concept reflects the philosophy of monism or nondualism, where ultimate reality is seen as a single, unified whole.

Supreme Being: The monad represents the Supreme Being as the central point of the universe, from which everything originates.

Om and the bindu: The bindu (dot) within the circular shape of the ‘O’ in Om is a visual representation of the monad, symbolizing a partless point from which all of creation expands.

Unity of Godhead: The concept emphasizes the unity of the divine, as seen in Vedic texts and the Upanishads.

Atman: The term is also used to describe the atman (the individual soul) as a fundamental, undifferentiated unit of consciousness that is ultimately one with the divine.