The secular politicians in India has the license (not used against other religions in this great nation) to belittle and insult the beliefs of Hindus. Sometimes, it is necessary, though not useful, to give this so called liberal secular politicians a lesson on the greatness of Hinduism.
So a great secular politician wanted to know -
"How many gods do Hindus believe in? Are there three crore? Why do so many exist? There is one god for those who are unmarried — Hanuman. There is another god for those who marry twice. And there is yet another god for those who drink alcohol. For hen sacrifice, there is one; for dal and rice, there is one. Each group has its own god,"
Beyond the Numbers: Understanding the Unity in Hindu Divine Diversity
The question "How many gods do Hindus believe in?" often arises from a fundamental misunderstanding of Hindu philosophical and theological foundations. The casual dismissal of Hindu divine forms as a fragmented pantheon of deities for every human need or vice represents a superficial reading that ignores the profound monotheistic core at the heart of Hindu thought.
The Foundational Unity
Hinduism, at its philosophical core, is deeply monotheistic. The Rig Veda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, declares: "Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti" (1.164.46) – "Truth is one; the wise call it by many names." This verse encapsulates the essential Hindu understanding that there is one Supreme Reality, one Ultimate Truth, which manifests and is perceived in multiple forms according to human comprehension and spiritual evolution.
The Bhagavad Gita reinforces this concept when Lord Krishna states: "In whatever way people approach Me, I reciprocate accordingly. Everyone follows My path, knowingly or unknowingly" (4.11). This is not polytheism but an acknowledgment that the infinite Divine accommodates finite human understanding through various accessible forms.
Symbolic Representation, Not Literal Division
The criticism that Hinduism has "a god for everything" – for marriage, bachelorhood, alcohol, or dietary choices – fundamentally misinterprets the nature of divine symbolism in Hindu tradition. Hindu deities are not separate supernatural beings competing for devotional attention; they are symbolic representations of different aspects, qualities, and functions of the one Supreme Consciousness.
Hanuman, for instance, is not exclusively "the god of bachelors." He represents devotion, strength, celibacy, and selfless service. His brahmacharya (celibacy) is celebrated not as a requirement for his worship but as an ideal of focused spiritual energy. Married individuals equally revere Hanuman for his unwavering devotion and strength. Similarly, different deities embody wisdom (Saraswati), prosperity (Lakshmi), removal of obstacles (Ganesha), or transformative power (Shiva) – each representing facets of the one Divine Reality.
The Mundaka Upanishad explains: "As from a blazing fire, sparks of similar form issue forth by thousands, so from the Imperishable various beings issue forth and return to It" (2.1.1). This metaphor illustrates how multiplicity emerges from unity without compromising the essential oneness.
Individual Freedom and Spiritual Democracy
One of Hinduism's greatest contributions to spiritual thought is the recognition that different individuals are at different stages of spiritual evolution and possess varying temperaments, capacities, and inclinations. The tradition honors this diversity by offering multiple pathways to the same ultimate reality – a concept known as "Ishta Devata" or chosen deity.
The Bhagavad Gita acknowledges this when it states: "Even those who worship other deities with faith, they too worship Me alone, though not in accordance with the prescribed way" (9.23). This verse demonstrates remarkable theological inclusivity, recognizing that sincere worship directed toward any form ultimately reaches the Supreme Reality.
This is not fragmentation but spiritual democracy – the understanding that a mother may be called "Ma," "Mom," "Amma," or "Mother" by different children, yet she remains one person. Similarly, the Divine accepts worship through whatever form resonates with an individual's heart and understanding.
The Misconception of Three Crore Deities
The figure "33 crore" (330 million) gods is often cited mockingly, but this represents a misunderstanding of the Sanskrit term "koti." In ancient texts, "trayastrimshat koti" can mean either 33 types/categories or 33 crores, depending on interpretation. Classical Hindu scriptures actually refer to 33 primary divine functionaries – 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras, 12 Adityas, and 2 Ashwins – representing natural forces and cosmic functions, not separate gods.
Moreover, Hindu philosophy recognizes that the Divine resides in all beings. The Chandogya Upanishad teaches "Tat tvam asi" (6.8.7) – "You are That" – indicating the divine presence within every soul. When understood correctly, the celebration of divinity in multiple forms reflects the Hindu understanding that the sacred pervades all existence.
Responding to Reductionist Criticism
The criticism that associates specific deities with behaviors like alcohol consumption or animal sacrifice misrepresents both the deities and Hindu practice. While it's true that certain folk traditions or regional practices may include offerings that seem unusual to outsiders, these represent localized customs, core Hindu theology. Mainstream Hindu philosophy, as expressed in the Bhagavad Gita, actually transcends ritualistic offerings: "If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I accept it" (9.26). The emphasis is on devotion and purity of intent, not material offerings.
Furthermore, suggesting that Hinduism promotes vice through deity worship is a profound misreading. Hindu scriptures consistently emphasize dharma (righteousness), self-discipline, and spiritual evolution. The Bhagavad Gita warns: "The faith of each person conforms to their nature" (17.3), acknowledging that individuals may approach the Divine from various levels of understanding, but the ultimate goal remains spiritual elevation, not indulgence in negative behaviors.
The Philosophical Sophistication
Hindu thought encompasses profound philosophical schools – Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism), Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism), and Dvaita (dualism) – all grappling with the relationship between the individual soul and Supreme Reality. These sophisticated philosophical systems reveal that Hindu "polytheism" is, in fact, a complex theological framework allowing for both transcendent and immanent conceptions of divinity.
The Svetasvatara Upanishad proclaims: "You are the woman, You are the man; You are the youth and the maiden too. You are the old man tottering on his staff; You are born with faces in every direction" (4.3). This verse expresses the all-pervading nature of the Divine, which manifests in infinite forms while remaining essentially one.
An Inclusive Spiritual Tradition
The diversity of divine forms in Hinduism is not theological confusion but philosophical richness. It represents an inclusive spiritual tradition that honors different paths, different temperaments, and different stages of understanding while maintaining an unshakeable foundation in the unity of Ultimate Reality. Rather than "a god for every purpose," Hinduism offers one Divine Truth accessible through infinite doorways – a profound testament to both the transcendence and immanence of the Sacred. This approach doesn't fragment divinity; it democratizes access to it, allowing each seeker to approach the Infinite through whatever form speaks most clearly to their heart.