Hinduism - Unity in diversity

India is one of the most religiously diverse nations in this world. Majority of the Indian population (over 80%) are Hindus thus giving India the name ‘Hindustan'. Recently one of my friends told me that there are over 300 million deities in Hindu religion alone and since she does not know who is real she would not prefer to worship anyone or go to any temple. After some talk with her I convinced her that though the deities of Hindu religion appear to be several, they are really facets of the same Supreme God. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are not three independent entities, but three different aspects of the Supreme Being and perform three different cosmic tasks, i.e. creation, preservation and destruction. This oneness of the three gods is brought out by the mystic symbol AUM where 'A' represents Lord Vishnu, 'U' Lord Shiva and 'M' represents Lord Brahma. Just as the sunlight cannot have a separate and independent existence from the sun, this deity's also do not have a separate or independent existence. For those who have seen the ICICI Life Insurance advertisement, just because a person acts as successful employee, husband and pillow for his daughter does not mean that he is three different persons. In the same manner, Lordess Saraswati represents the learning and knowledge aspect of the Supreme Being and anyone who wishes to acquire this may prey to her .Lordess Lakshmi represent wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Hindu's believe that living beings are not separate from God and that he is anywhere and everywhere. For that matter, be it Christians, Hindu's or Muslims, all believe that there is only one supreme power.

Lord Brahma the Creator of the universe. Brahma grew in a lotus out of the navel of the sleeping Vishnu. Brahma's mind born sons are the seers Marici, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratuj, Pracetas, Vashishta, Bhrgu and Narada. His nine sons Daksa, Dharma, Kama, Anger, Greed, Delusion (Maya), Lust, Joy, Death and Bharata and one daughter called Angaja came from his body. In order to create the world and produce the human race, Brahma made a goddess out of himself. Brahma called the woman Gayatri (popularly known as Saraswati).

Brahma has four heads, but used to have five. One head was lost later when Brahma lied to Vishnu and thus caused Shiva to become very angry. The four Veda's (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda) are said to have sprung from his heads. Brahma is picturised as carrying a rosary in the upper right hand, a book in the upper left hand, a kamandalu (water pot) in the lower left hand, and bestows grace with his lower right hand and sitting on a swan.

Lord Mahavishnu is the preserver of the Universe. He is normally picturised as a human body with four arms. In His hands He carries a conch (shankha), a mace (gada), and discus (chakra). His body is blue in color and he wears yellow clothes. Lord Vishnu is shown standing on a thousand-headed snake (Shesha Nag). The ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu described in Hindu mythology and are to even a non-hindu. A strong relation to the evolution theory of Darwin can be noted in these incarnations. The incarnations of Lord Vishnu are

• Matsya (fish) which saves Manu (the first man) from floods and recovers the Vedas from demons.
• Kurma (tortoise) which sustains the earth on his back.
• Varaha (boar)-which brings the earth back from the bottom of the ocean where it was dragged down by demon Hiranyaksha.
• Narasimha (man-lion) who kills the demon King Hiranyakashyap, who was planning to kill his own son Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
• Vamana (dwarf) the first human incarnation of the Lord kills the Demon King Mahabali.
• Parasurama who saves Brahmins from the tyranny of the arrogant Kshatriyas.
• Rama
• Sri Krishna
• Buddha-Hindus consider Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and accept his teachings.
• Kalki (a man on a white horse)-this incarnation is yet to come and will mark the end of all evil in the world.

Lord Shiva, the third member of the Hindu is said to be the Lord of great mercy and compassion. He protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, and anger. He grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in His devotees. Lord Shiva's destruction is not negative but nourishing and constructive. His destruction builds and transforms life and energy for the welfare of the world. He is normally picturised along with Parvati. He is mostly seen as having three eyes, a snake (Vasuki naga) around the neck , unclad body covered with ashes, matted locks, ganges on head, a cresent moon as ornament, wearing rudraksha, holding trishul and dhamaru and sitting on tiger skin.