How does Hinduism present thousands of forms for the same god?

Answer 1

followers are able to better related to brahma

HINDUISM AND THE INFINITE GODS:

Brahman is the supreme Hindu god. However, it is meant for people who lead an ideal life, in whom it would oppose deterioration of that ideal life.

THE SEVEN SUBORDINATE GODS OF BRAHMAN:

Brahman has seven subordinate gods (Manu Smriti - 1.19).

They are,

1. Indra - god of dreaming

2. Shakti - god of illusion

3. Brahma - god of creativity

4. Vishnu - god of stabilization

5. Shiva - god of determination

6. Shani - god of status alteration

7. Yama - god of compulsion.

These are specialist gods suited for a specific purpose only. These gods are the Hindu equivalent of code of conduct. Thus, a Hindu has to use any of the seven gods, depending on the situation.

INCARNATIONS OF VISHNU:

Vishnu, the default Hindu god, is very complicated and has ten major incarnations, each suited for a specific purpose. Rama and Krishna are the most important incarnations.

SECONDARY HINDU GODS:

Use of the seven basic Hindu gods need a thorough knowledge of them and also of the situation they are being used in. Therefore, to simplify worship of god, secondary gods have evolved, which have features of many gods. Aiyappan, Durga are examples.

THE GODDESSES:

The gods are facilitating forces. The goddesses represent the retarding forces and thus enables us to have control over the god we are worshiping. Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati and Shakti goddesses are the important ones.

CHILDREN OF GODS:

These are parts of the facilitating force, which symbolize gods. The elephant headed Ganesha, son of Shiva, which transfers power of unwanted activities into the task we are performing is the best example.

THE SHAKTI GODS:

Shakti gods are local gods of villages. Thus, though there is just one Shakti god, it manifests in infinite forms.

THE 330 MILLION HINDU GODS:

Hinduism is so flexible that every Hindu can have a tailor made Hindu god. It is for this reason that Hindus believe that there are 330 million Hindu gods. The population at that time was supposed to be 330 million.

Thus, there are infinite Hindu gods because,

1. The supreme Hindu god Brahman is beyond the reach of an ordinary Hindu.

2. Hinduism doesn't have a code of conduct

Answer 2

Hinduism is a religion, which enables us to lead a original human life in spite of so many beliefs. This is possible because Hinduism associates each of the basic forces with a god.

The Basic gods:

The basic forces and the associated Hindu gods are,

1. Dreaming force - Indra

2. Illusory force - Shakti

3. Voluntary force - Brahma

4. Semi voluntary force - Vishnu

5. Involuntary force - Shiva

6. Status altering force - Shani

7. Compulsive force - Yama

Brahman - The supreme god

Above these seven forces is the basic force selector called Brahman, whom we call the supreme god. Thus, use of Brahman gives us a feeling that there is just one god.

The principle of Hindu gods:

The basic forces are associated with the opposite element in nature. Thus, Compulsive or Yama force is associated with death. Brahma, the transient for is associated with creation of eternal universe.

The Incarnations of Vishnu:

Vishnu force is our default force and thus our first choice force. This force generates a sinusoidal or wave like graph. Each part of the wave generated by this force is associated with an Incarnation of Vishnu. Thus, Vishnu has ten popular Incarnations and many other not so famous incarnations. In each incarnation Parvati too incarnates thus increasing the number of gods. In Ramavatara, there is the popular god Hanuman who is a Shakti god.

The central three basic forces viz. Voluntary, Semi voluntary and Involuntary forces are very difficult to use in pure form. Therefore, we have an intermediate stage called consort. Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati are consorts of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively.

Using the Involuntary Shiva force is difficult in spite of having an intermediary state or consort, Parvati. Thus, we have two two children Ganesha and Subramani.

The Illusory or Shakti force gives an illusion of strength. Thus, gods based on this force are common in villages all over India. This greatly adds to the number of Hindu gods.

Thus, Hinduism needs many gods to enable a Hindu to lead a original human life in spite of so many beliefs.

Another View:

Actually many people in ignorance of Vedas say that Hinduism has many gods while Hinduism is a monotheist religion.

Vedas says:

Na dvitityo Na triyaschthurtho naapyuchyate|

N a panchamo Na shshtah sapthmo naapyuchyate|

Nashtamo Na navamo dashamo naapyuchyate|

Yagna yetham devamekavritham veda

Sa sarvassai vi pashyathi yachha praanathi yachhana|

Tamidam nigatam sah sa yesha yeka yekavrideka yeva|

Ya yetham devamekavritham veda

Atharva 13.4[2]19-20

There is no second God, nor a third, nor is even a fourth spoken of

There is no fifth God or a sixth nor is even a seventh mentioned.

There is no eighth God, nor a ninth. Nothing is spoken about a tenth even.

This unique power is in itself. That Lord is only one, the only omnipresent. It is one and the only one.

Answer 3

Hinduism only has one true god. hindus worship different aspects of one God. it is a mistake to say that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. just like catholics pray to saints hindus pray to these aspects of God.

Answer 4

If you mean the Buddha, he isn't really regarded as a God by most Buddhists, he is thought of as being a mortal human like you or I who has achieved full realisation.

Dependent on the Buddhist tradition there are two explanations. The Buddha is portrayed in different forms in order to draw out his different aspects for our benefit, thus inspiring different qualities in ourselves.

Some Buddhist traditions maintain that a new Buddha appears in this realm every 10,000 years and so each of these different Buddhas may be depicted in different ways, they may also be represented in different forms to illustrate their different qualities.

Answer 5

Essentially Hinduism presents many forms of the same God to let the believer have his/her own choice.

God is compassionate par-excellence and should not God provide choice? - God does.

Answer 6

Pictures were used to develop images which were used to personify ideas as well as their emotions.So that there may be an emotional drive in people.