23 February 2014 - QA 20

Why do we have so many gods in Hinduism?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Why don’t you ask me, ‘Why are there so many vegetables, so many flora and fauna, so many types of birds, so many types of people’.
The Divinity that loves diversity can appear in diverse forms as well. Do you see what I am saying?
The one who loves diversity in the creation can be adored in many different forms. So there is only one God but in many forms and with many names. That is the beauty of India. That is the beauty of Hinduism - all accommodating, all encompassing. There is freedom of worship, freedom of expression, and freedom of concepts. It is so diverse I tell you. But remember, it all adds up to one truth, one reality. One God in many forms.