Like Letters in the Alphabet: Why So Many Gods in Hinduism

SPEAKING TREE
By Pravin Pai

We have to clearly understand the concept of the numerous Gods that Hindus have. They are only forms or representations like the alphabets. In English we have 26 of these forms. At an early age we struggle to draw these forms, then we make words from it and then sentences. So, in English language by juggling 26 forms we are able (or think we are able to) represent the entire panorama of the external world; while in Chinese you require close to a 1000 of such forms to represent the external world. So a graduate or a doctor (PhD) in US gets the same knowledge-content with 26 forms as a graduate or doctor in China with 1000 of such forms. So, similarly in Hinduism, as we internalize the forms of God and spiritually evolve ourselves, automatically (without our personal intention to do so) we loose our focus on the forms or Gods and understand the 'larger' reality that encompasses the world and the Universe. [link]

Comments

It finally makes sense. I understand that the truth is deeper than this, but from this point forward the Alphabet analogy will help me to place Hindu gods in context.