Questions for Polytheistic Hindu's

[Poeticus]

33 Gods?

No. Seventy billion, trillion, quintillion, centillion Gods.​

Yes, Philomath. 33 Shri Gods. . But, it is
not imperative that I keep "track" of Them.​

 

[Philomath]

No. Seventy billion, trillion, quintillion, centillion Gods.​

:thud:How do you manage them all?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Twelve Ādityas + Eleven Rudras + Eight Vasus + Two Aśvins = 33

But the numbers have always kept changing. At one time there were only 8 Adityas and later 10. RigVeda mentions many more Gods and Goddesses (Rigvedic deities - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). After coming of Aryans in India, the number increased manifold since in India, nearly every village had its own Grama Devata or Grama Devi. Wikipedia has listed some at List of Hindu deities - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Goddesses are listed at Category:Hindu goddesses - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Folk deities are listed at Category:Hindu goddesses - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, but I think the list is totally inadequate.

:thud:How do you manage them all?

One does not need to worship all. One will generally worship an 'ishta' (chosen, personal) deity, or the major Gods and Goddesses, some 15 or so. But when one comes across other deities, then one bows to them also. Unless the person is very particular about some God or Goddess. But that also is accepted. Sage Tulsi Das said when he went to a Krishna temple that he would bow only if the deity assumes the form of Rama. The deity had to oblige Tulsi. 'Tulsi mastak tab nave, dhanush baan lo haath'. Luckily, there was no problem as both were avataras of Lord Vishnu, so the deity abandoned the flute and cook the bow in hand.

 

[Vinayaka]

What is the basis for polytheistic Hinduism?

Why are you a polytheist?

What do you mean by polytheism? Does your definition include inclusive monotheism? By that, I mean, God and gods. Exclusive monotheism means one God, no others. So inclusive monotheism is sort of half way. (I'm one of those.) But if your definition excludes me, then I won't respond.

 

[Sees]

What do you mean by polytheism? Does your definition include inclusive monotheism? By that, I mean, God and gods. Exclusive monotheism means one God, no others. So inclusive monotheism is sort of half way. (I'm one of those.) Burt if your definition excludes me, then I won't respond.

I think this is also what some people call soft-polytheism brother. So you may fit?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

What is Brahman to you??

 

[Vinayaka]

What is Brahman to you??

To whom?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I'm interested in how a polytheistic Hindu may see Brahman

 

[Poeticus]

I'm interested in how a polytheistic Hindu may see Brahman

The concept is irrelevant in my sect. And, the
word, "brahman"*, means something else in my sect as
well: prayer, chant, eulogy.​

________________
* The word comes from bráhma; which in Vedic Sanskrit
means prayer. It differs from brahmá (notice the positioning
of the diatric mark above the "a"), which implies priest(s).
For example, let's take a look at R.V.2.12.6: yó brahmáṇo
nā́dhamānasya kīréḥ; i.e., "the priestly suppliant that sings
Indra's praises". Here, the diatric is above the second "a".
But, in R.V.2.12.14, the diatric is above the first "a": yásya
bráhma várdhanaṃ; i.e., "He whom [even] prayer exalts".​