Why do hindus worship more than one deity?

Answer 1

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 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

In Hinduism, there is a mention about so many Gods. I believe it is a way to remember Him. The Vedas, the ancient most religious scriptures of the Universe, describe that these Names only describe the Qualities and Powers of the Almighty and that is one way to call HIM and remember HIM. When we say He is Brahma - it denotes He is the Creator & Destroyer of the Universe. By calling Him VISHNU we mean the All-Pervading and by SHIVA it is the One Who is Blissful and Benefactor of all.

He is Blissful, Almighty, Immortal, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Formless, Just, Merciful, Infinite, Unchangeable, Incomparable, All Pervading, Omniscient, Imperishable, Fearless, Eternal and Creator of the Universe -- These are some of HIS Qualities. So to remember all His Powers and Qualities, we remember Him with different Names.

In a similar manner we call these Powers "Devta". A Devta ( a Sanskrit word) is one who gives and these Gods called Agni (Fire), Inder (Power), Vayu (Air) etc. etc., only give. Similarly we call some 'Devis' like Lakshmi (Wealth) Saraswati (Infinite Knowledge of the Universe) and so on......it gets confusing for a beginner.

( But the deeper we go the more we get convinced of His Supreme Powers and His Blessings. This is achieved through Dhyan(Meditation) and Samadhi (Communion).
Each Hindu god is in charge of a diff. thing...For Ex. Ganesha is the lord of all beings, Indra is the God of War....ect------ hope that doesnt help hehehehehehhe

Answer 4

Hinduism in its pure form is monotheistic, and the many named entities are aspects of the one God, Brahman.

Answer 5

Hindus believe that GOD is one but there are many forms of that GOD.GOD Came on this Earth in different form every time to guide humanity. For More Info Go To- www.djjs.org

Answer 6

They have more than 1 god because they believe in more than 1 god.

Answer 7

Because Hindus do believe in Incarnation (avatāra) theory. One Supreme God took many Incarnation (avatāra) to serve humans thus many God.