Beginner's questions

[arpankhandelwal]

Hello,
I have lots of questions about Hinduism. I've started reading about it recently but much of what I have found has been written in a very opaque style, clearly not meant for beginners such as myself.

1. Am I correct in understanding that all the major branches have in common the idea that all deities are the manifestation of a larger divine force and facets of it? Or are there branches where deities are seen as distinct?

2. How many deities do you worship? From what I understand, it's common for people to select only a few deities and worship those, depending on what they identify with most about those deities but don't worship all, since they see worshipping the ones they do as worshipping facets of the divine ultimately so it's not offensive to not worship other deities they don't feel called to. Is this a correct understanding?

3. How did you know which deities to worship if what I said above was correct? Did you choose which ones you felt most drawn to? I've seen people say that it depends on what you want to achieve and gain, what does that mean?

4. How did you know which path to choose? Was it handed down to you by your family? How is it regarded for someone to choose a path that is not predominant where they are from, for example, Shaktism seems to be most common in Northern India from what I've read, so it closed to outsiders like people from other parts of India, non-Indians, etc.?

Another thing, does anyone know of any good resources for beginners about Shaktism? That seems to be the one I'm most interested in, I've read a small guide I found online (linked from here or an Hindu forum, can't remember, I did a lot of research on that day) that explained the basic differences between paths and Shaktism and Shaivism seemed the ones I felt most interested in.

Thank you for your help. I've been reading this forum a lot but a lot of the concepts and discussion are a bit opaque for a beginner, so apologies in advance if my questions sound obvious.

Since many have replied very nicely so I don't have much to answer.

Indeed Hinduism is not a religion of doing the works (e.g. worship) forcefully. So even if you worship one single deity, it does Not mean that other deities get offended. I worship many deities and it's worshiping of Brahman whether you worship one deity or many.
__________________

Jai Shree Krishna. Acquire Spiritual Knowledge -

1. Even if someone is the most sinful of all sinners, he can also cross the ocean of sins by situating in the boat of transcendental knowledge. (Bhagwad Gita - 4.36)

2. As the blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of transcendental knowledge burn to ashes all activities for the material desire.(Bhagwad Gita - 4.37)

3. Truly there is in this world nothing so purifying as transcendental knowledge.-(Bhagwad Gita [4.38])

4. But the man who is without knowledge, who is ignorant, who is faithless and of a doubting nature perishes. For him there is neither this world, nor next, nor happiness either. -(Bhagwad Gita [4.40])

5. Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the sword of transcendental knowledge and taking shelter in Yog, stand up, O Bharat.-(Bhagwad Gita [4.42]

 

[Aupmanyav]

I have a question about your second paragraph, does it mean divination is forbidden then?

I see tarrot card readers on TV, feng shui experts, as well as Hindu astrologers, telling people how their day will go accordiing to their birth signs and advising people how they should spend their day. 'Be careful in your business transactions', 'keep your anger under control', etc. I do not know what kind of prophecy is this. Everybody should do this even without advice. The best fortune teller was one who said for some people 'today is good for romance'. I miss him. I do not know how many people he encouraged to take the wrong step and try their hand at romance with wrong individuals. Hinduism does say that we should not try to deceive people. In that case prophesy is wrong. It is reported that a famous newspaper wanted to add an astrology column but did not have an astrologer. So, they copied old material from another site and reported it as their own. Nobody was wiser for that. Said simply, it is a lot of **** and superstition and should be banned.

 

[Aupmanyav]

You see, Planets and the Sun, Hinduism has two kinds of astronomy/astrology (Jyotisha). Ganit Jyotisha (Mathematical astronomy) and Phalit Jyotisha (Predictive astrology - effects of asterisms, planets, and zodiac - Nakshatras, grahas, and rashis). Ganit Jyotisha is OK and perhaps at one time we were leaders in it, but we went wrong by taking up Phalit Jyotisha. That was pay-dirt for brahmins, telling people that they were in problem due to stars and then suggesting ways to overcome that.