Hindu Gods

So, Hinduism quintessentially has only one Supreme God, but it also has an extensive hierarchy of lesser Gods. Most Hindus look at these Gods as mere representations or symbols of forces.

Yes, Hinduism has always been associated (and still is) with a multiplicity of Gods and Goddesses. What's more, it is a religion that also does not advocate the worship of a single deity. Yes, the Gods of Hinduism amount to hundreds of thousands and even millions, and they all represent many different aspects of the one Supreme Being called 'Brahman'. However, most people who are ignorant of this fact will always misinterpret this for the fact that Hinduism consists of a multitude of Gods.

Brahman: What is it?
In Hinduism, the Absolute Being is the Brahman. According to this belief, everything that exists, whether living or non-living comes from the Brahman. This is why all Hindus regard all things as being sacred. However, the Brahman cannot be equated with God, as God id describable and has a male presence, which takes away the whole concept of the Brahman.

Brahman is 'Nirakara' or formless and is inconceivable. Nevertheless, it can manifest itself in various forms, like Gods and Goddesses, which are the 'Sakara' form of the Brahman. The relationship between these myriad deities and the singular Brahman is similar to the relationship between the Sun and its rays. The sun cannot b experienced but its rays can, and the qualities contained by these rays can be experienced. And, even though, there are many rays initially, ultimately, there will always be only one source - one sun. so, though the Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism run into the hundreds of thousands, all of them represent many different aspects of the single Brahman.

However, what one needs to understand is that even though there are so many different manifestations of Brahman in the form of these various deities, each deity is actually a special aspect of the Brahman, or even the Brahman itself. Therefore, to say that this multiplicity of deities or Gods in Hinduism makes it a polytheistic religion would be erroneous.

The Rig Veda says, "The Truth is one". But equating these Gods or deities with the Brahman is simply imprecise. It can neither be 'The Old man in the sky' concept, nor can it be the idea of some person capable of being fearful or vengeful.

The doctrine of 'Adhikaara' or spiritual competence and that of 'Ishhta Devata' or the chosen deity in Hinduism recommends that spiritual practices that are prescribed to a particular person should correspond to his spiritual competence and that everyone should have the freedom to choose a form of Brahman that satisfies their spiritual needs and desires and to make that form their object of worship.

This is why Hinduism consists of so many Gods and Goddesses. These Gods are represented by a complexity of idols and images that symbolize the different divine powers. Most of the idols and images are housed in ornate temples of unsurpassable grandeur and beauty. Hindus also worship trees, planets, animals and even spirits.

But, the most basic or important of all Hindu Gods is of course the Trinity of Brahma (The Creator), Vishnu (The Preserver) and Shiva (The Destroyer). Other extremely popular deities would include Krishna, Ganesha, Hanuman and many Goddesses.

How can there be so many Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism?
Most monotheistic religions perceive Hinduism as a religion reeking of idolatry. If you ever go to India, try the following experiment - ask the Hindus which of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses are their favorites. You'll get many different answers - from Ganesha and Shiva to Hanuman, Durga and Lakshmi - the list will go on. But, if you ask these same people how their favorite Gods or Goddesses relate to some of the other Hindu deities, you will always get the same answer, "All Hindu deities or Gods and Goddesses are a form of the same divine energy or Supreme Being that is nameless".

Yes, there is quite a remarkable religious tolerance that is embedded deep within the pantheon of the millions of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, allowing everyone and anyone to fully experience the beauty of the divine in the best way possible. This also goes to explain how so many Gods can be worshiped by different members of the same Hindu family.