Hinduism
is often labeled as a religion
of 330 million gods. This misunderstanding arises when
people fail to grasp the symbolism of the Hindu pantheon.
Hindus worship the nameless and formless Supreme Reality
(Brahman) by various names and forms. These different
aspects of one reality are symbolized by the many gods
and goddesses of Hinduism. For example, Brahma (not to
be confused with the over-arching Brahman) is that reality
in its role as creator of the universe; in Vishnu it is
seen as the preserver and the upholder of the universe;
and Shiva is that same reality viewed as the principle
of transcendence which will one day 'destroy' the universe.
These are the Trimurti, the ' three forms,' and they are
not so much different gods as different ways of looking
at the same God. Each emphasizes a particular aspect or
function of the one reality. The forms are many, the reality
is one; the principle is very deeply rooted in Hindu thought,
and was stated at the very outset in the Rg Veda:
They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, And he is heavenly
nobly-winged Garutman.To what is One, sages give many
a title:They call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.
It is the same with
all the gods and goddesses: they are not rivals but
aspects of a single principle. Hindus have represented
God in innumerable forms. Each is but a symbol that
points to something beyond; and as none exhausts God's
actual nature, the entire array is needed to complete
the picture of God's aspects and manifestations. The
Hindu devotee, while he will generally have one particular
form of god - his or her ishta deva, or chosen deity
- on whom his devotion centers, moves easily between
one god and another. The same idea carries over into
the human sphere. Krishna and Rama are not strictly
speaking gods, but avatars, 'descents' - human incarnation
of Vishnu - since he is the 'upholder' of the world.
This idea is brought forth clearly in the following
doctrine of the Arthava Veda:
" He is the one, the one alone,
in Him all deities become One alone."
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