Hinduism is considered the third most popular religion in the world and unlike most of Earth’s existing faiths, it is not in favor of the worship of one particular deity.
The total number of Hindu deities comprises divine beings numbering in hundreds. Their numbers are because these heavenly spirits are believed to be reincarnated manifestations of the god Brahman.
Hinduism Is a Henotheistic and Monotheistic Religion
Like other religions, Hindus share a common belief in a supreme all-pervasive god responsible for creating living beings and the entire universe. This one supreme being is known as Brahman and he is also believed to exist within the hearts of man and not some remote heaven.
Many believe that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion however some might argue against this because Hindus worship one particular spiritual being even though he has been given various names by the different cultures and regions in India.
The Misconception Of The 33 Million Hindu gods
Many people think that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion and Hindus worship an unfathomable 33 million different gods and goddesses. The reason for this common misapprehension is due to the “33 Koti” Devi-Devta in the Vedas holy scriptures of Hindu spirituality.
The word “koti” doesn’t mean million in this case, rather it means “type”. So basically, it’s referring to the 33 highly advanced beings, in connection to their various capabilities.
The Reason For The Numerous Hindu Deities
The main reason why Hindus worship numerous gods stems from the ancient wisdom and ultimate reality that an all-pervasive God had to be present in anything that nurtures life and every soul.
Hindus of the olden times had an early god realization and they also understood that the source of their sustenance came from nature and the elements and that they had to pay respect to the supreme being in control of both.
The 8 Most Popular Hindu gods
Hinduism is renowned for its many equal gods and their unique roles. Below are some of the most famous Hindu deities and some Indian concepts and unique understandings concerning the creation and the natural universe.
1. The One Supreme God Brahman
Prajapati, commonly referred to as Brahman is worshiped by Hindus as the first Trinity god. He is the most revered of all Hindu deities and is believed to have lived several lifetimes same as the gods Shiva and Vishnu.
Unlike the various gods in Hinduism, the sages of the Vedas speak of him as the one supreme being originating from the golden egg. He is worshiped by Hindus in general, although not as a result of blind faith, which is why some choose to worship him in their own distinct way.
2. Vishnu
Vishnu is the second most famous Hindu deity among the other gods. Since Brahman is regarded by Hindus as the one who created the world, Vishnu is believed to be the one appointed by him to preserve it and maintain an absolute balance between right and wrong.
As mentioned earlier, he is one of the Hindu divinities with the power of rebirth. The god Vishnu is believed to have reincarnated nine different times and many predict a final reincarnation during the apocalypse.
3. Shiva
The gods Vishnu and Brahman are known to be creators and procurers of peace and balance. Shiva, on the other hand, is known for his actions which are protection and destruction, when warranted of course.
Shiva’s role is a bit more complex than any of the other gods in Hindu belief because of his split role as a protector and master of malevolent spirits.
4. Hanuman
Hanuman is known as the husband of the goddess Rama and is also considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu. He is depicted as a hybrid of a human and a monkey and has dominion over the wind element. This is one of the many profound ways Hindus perceive divinity.
5. Ganesha
Ganesha is one of the most commonly worshiped Hindu deities. He is revered as the destroyer of obstacles and the one who ushers new beginnings. He is believed to be the offspring of the god Shiva and the goddess Parvati.
6. Indra
Indra is known as the mischievous and cunning god of the skies. According to the different languages and cultures, he has dominion over thunder and rain, hence the reason why he was given the title “The Supreme Lord Of The Skies”.
7. Krishna
According to the different languages and cultures of Hindu tradition, Krishna had a liberal smarta perspective of things and was the first being in the material world who understood modern science in an intimate and experiential way. He is also believed to be one of the many past lives of Lord Vishnu.
8. Surya
He is regarded as the god of light, the sun, and warmth. He is also capable of giving life shining perspective to each and every soul on their spiritual journey and those looking for their own pathway to enlightenment in the formless absolute reality.
Hindu Goddesses
Below are the most commonly worshiped highly advanced spiritual beings known as goddesses. Every Hindu denomination worships them in their own distinct way and is profoundly tolerant of other sects as well as all the religions in existence.
1. Durga
The goddess Durga is a highly revered and widely worshiped Hindu deity. She is usually associated with fertility, protection, and even wars according to regional tradition.
2. Saraswati
Hindus regard her as Brahma’s companion. She bears the title of the goddess of art, knowledge, and wisdom and is sometimes called Sharada in various sects and regions. Her name means “elegant” or “flowing” and many consider her to be the founder of the arts patron.
3. Parvati
Same as her companion Shiva, the goddess Parvati is considered to be quite benevolent to her subjects and has long been associated with qualities such as beauty, power, renewal, transformation, harmony, and devotion. The goddess is sometimes referred to as Uma and is capable of taking any form she pleases.
4. Bhumi
The goddess Bhumi is often referred to as Prithvi and is considered the symbol of prosperity in the Hindu religion. Besides this, there is a prevailing Hindu view that she is also the earth’s mother and a divine protector of the entire universe.
5. Sita
Sita or Devi-Sita is widely renowned across India for her incredible bravery, dedication, and purity. Besides being a commonly worshiped Hindu goddess, many look up to her as a role model, the same as the goddess Shakti.
Conclusion
Hinduism is comprised of different sects who worship their own pantheon of deities in their own distinct ways. However, all believers of this faith have the highest regard for the Hindu Trinity which consists of the three prominent gods Brahman, Shiva, and Vishnu.
