13 Nov 2011 - QA 6

Guruji, you have visited many countries around the world. All these counties have many different cultures and many different Gods. Why do we need these many Gods? Isn’t one God enough?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: When I went to Pakistan for the first time, they asked me the same thing. They said, ‘we believe in one God but in India you people believe in 33 million Gods. What is this?’
I said, 'In Islam there is one God, but ninety nine names. In India we have one thousand and eight names and for each name we attached a form also.'
Then I asked them one question, 'do you make samosa here?'
They said, 'Yes.'
‘And you make paratha, kulcha, halwa and pasta. Why do you make so many different types of dishes from one wheat?
It is just to have a personal connection.
The ancient people in India said, ‘any name, any form, but know that there is only one. One divinity, one Paramatma (Supreme Being).’
There are many Devatas (Gods); many aspects of the one Paramatma - female aspect, male aspect but it is one Brahman and know that the whole creation is one organism, one unit.

Today scientists say, even if one animal species becomes extinct on the planet, the planet cannot survive. This is what our ancient people also said. Each animal brings down a particular type of cosmic rays into the planet, and they manifest particular vibrations.
A peacock manifest a particular vibration, elephants brings in a particular energy, a crow brings in a particular energy, dogs brings in a particular energy. So every animal is connected to the macrocosm and the microcosm.
So they are called 'vahana', means they bring down a certain type of energy into the planet. So honor them all.
Honor does not mean you go and fall at the feet of the crow. Respect every animal and every creature on the planet because God is present in every atom of creation.
The whole creation is filled with consciousness, filled with knowledge.

Do you know what the word Vishnu means? That which is present in every 'anu' (atom). The omnipresent, the omnipotent is Vishnu. ‘Anu’ (atom) has come from Vishnu and 'Vi' means special way. That which is present in a special manner in every particle of creation is Vishnu.
Narayan means one who exhibits in the nervous system of every human being; one who is housed in the nervous system. So the whole knowledge brings you to a point of union, oneness with the divinity, and that is what is love.