Personal Article 4: One God, or Many Gods??

Why are there so many Gods in Hinduism?

Different forms of God in Hinduism

First of all, there are not many Gods, but many manifestations of the same God (energy). And second, if there can be different caretakers in the society (like doctor, policeman, firefighters, teachers, etc.), why can't there be different caretakers in the Universe! Do we ever question the existence of doctor? or pilot? No. Then why in case of God?

Human intelligence is limited and thus a person is usually specialized in only one profession. But the intelligence of God is unlimited (beyond measurement and comprehension by mortal being), and He is expert in everything. That’s why He alone does everything. He alone does creation, He alone does preservation, and He alone does destruction. However, as human wears specific cloth to perform specific task (even though they are same human being from inside), so does God take specific manifestation to perform specific task (even though it's the same energy from inside). For example, He takes the form of Brahma to create, Vishnu to preserve, and Shiva to destroy. He takes the form of Sarasvati to bestow knowledge, Lakshmi to bestow happiness, and Parvati to bestow protection. He takes the form of Ganesha to provide all-round protection, and Hanuman to provide valor, strength and protection. The names like Ganesha, Hanuman, Shiva, Hari, etc. isn't the name of random imagination, but was given (by their devotees) as per their form, attributes and deeds in that particular manifestation. And it is not necessary that the devotee should always be a human. Even one form of God is the devotee of another.

But unlike human, these forms are not limited only to mentioned particular tasks (and blessings). Any form can bestow any kind of blessing (upto any limit). However, God has made a rule (out of His own will) that whatever blessings a devotee desires for his devotion, He fulfils that desire in the form of His particular manifestation embodied for that particular blessing. For example, God never battle with the demons in the form of Sarasvati because Sarasvati form is to bless the devotee with knowledge. But rather, He takes the form of Durga, Kali and other dreadful forms to fight with those evil beings/energies. But one should know that it’s the same God from inside, only the appearance is different. Whether it be Kali, Bhairavi, or Durga in appearance, She's the same loving Mother (Parvati). Whether it be Virabhadra, Bhairava, Rudra, or Mahakala in appearance, He is the same loving Father (Shiva). Narasimha form was a dreadful and catastrophic form for Hiranyakashipu, but He was the same loving father and Supreme God (Vishnu) and the only One refuge for Prahlada. So, forms are only the means to perform different tasks, they do not represent multiple Gods.

That's why, I always say:
      Truth is One, Paths are many,
      God is One, Manifestations are many,
      Mission is One, Leelas are many,
      Knowledge is One, Scriptures are many.

Om Namah Shivaya.
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

Composed On: July 3, 2021