If we see the traditions of the most ancient nomadic and agricultural tribes around the world, the fear of God was the initial response at a stage, the understanding was minimal and a blind following of the words of their leader was important for the survival of the individual and their clan as also for the protection of the family in the events of calamities and sufferings. At this stage, there was ignorance and fear. The individual was dominated by the Tamasika Guna with inability to study or learn the faith or Philosophy. They saw a God of Anger, with fear. Then gradually they started praying for protection, for gifts and boons and believed in getting the benefits by prayers. Many village prayer traditions developed out of this. There are several tribal faiths around the world organized on similar beliefs. Those who could not accept or understand such a God of anger or protection became agnostic and often became Atheists.

The Rajasika Gunas evolved among men who started understanding some forms of the ethics and philosophy, while still following the paths of pleasures and material profits. This lead to elaborate rituals performed specially to appease the Gods with a desire to receive the benefits. This is the passionate form of worship of One God, excluding all other forms of prayers. Sometimes, this leads to bigotry and cruelty towards those who have other forms of beliefs. Many of the monotheistic religious faiths of the West from ancient times did not evolve beyond this stage. Hindu Dharma never accepted such practice.

Hindus prayed to the One Supreme Paramãtma in many forms while accepting and understanding the diversity and variations in other forms of worship as acceptable alternate paths. Some worshipped every one of their forms and manifestations, while others saw their choice form of God in every other form or formless way of worship. As people developed more understanding of the Divine principle and the philosophy as a Satvika Guna, they developed a true faith and attachment with prayers to the Divine as a necessary part of ones Divine Duty not out of any fear but as a regular service, without particularly looking for benefit. It is necessary to do the prayer services to maintain the social harmony.

Some worshipped an Icon or Image, a Picture or in a ritual with fire or water. They all realized that they in fact worship the Formless Supreme Truth as Paramãtma and offer prayers to that One God in the various manifested forms. These Spiritually well evolved people could understand the formless Divine Supreme for their prayers. Those reaching the highest levels of Bhakthi or Jnãna path saw God as formless or in one form of their choice as a manifestation of the Supreme for their preferred form of worship. All others needed the media of worship through one form or other as the transcendental manifestation of the same Supreme Truth.