Why are there 33 million gods in Hindu religion?
Most people don’t understand why Hindus worship such a large number of gods and goddesses. The idea of polytheism in the West, where the vast majority of people adhere to the Abrahamic religious tradition with one God, is nothing more than fanciful or fantastical tales fit for comic books. It’s interesting how one culture can dismiss this as fiction but the majority of Hindus can enter a temple that houses several gods, bow down, and offer prayers and adoration without hesitation, treating each god as if they were real people like you and I.
Look at this passage from the Vedas (One of the religious texts which inform the religion of Hinduism.)
“Yasya Trayastrinshad Devaa Ange Sarve Samaahitaa, Skamma Tam Bruhi Katamah Swideva Sah”. ~ Atharva Veda, 10-7-13
Translation: with God’s influence, these thirty-three (supporting devtas) sustain the world.
The Vedic texts translate “Trayastrimsati Koti Devatas” as 33 supreme/preeminent deities rather of the common interpretation of 33 Crore (330 Million). The Yajur-veda, Atharva-veda, Satapatha-brahmana, and other later Vedic scriptures all make reference to these 33 deities. The Avesta, the Parsi texts, also mention the number 33 in relation to divinities.
It is significant to remember that the Sanskrit word “koti” has two meanings: ultimate and crore. There is no such thing as a “thirty-three crore” in the phrase “trayastrimsati koti.” Here, koti refers to the 33 “supreme” divinities and denotes “supreme,” “preeminent,” and “good.” As a result, we somehow lost sight of the fundamental fact that Hinduism has 33 Supreme Gods, not 33 Crore Gods.
Yajavalkya said that there are only 33 Gods and Goddesses in actuality in the third chapter of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
There are 8 of these, as well as 11 Vasus, 12 Adityas, Indra, and Prajapati.
8 Vasus (deities of material elements) are –
Dyaus “Sky”,
Prthivi “Earth”,
Vāyu “Wind”,
Agni “Fire”,
Nakşatra “Stars”,
Varuņa “Water”,
Surya “Sun”,
Chandra “Moon”
They are known as Vasus because they house everything that moves, lives, and exists.
A Rudra:
Rudras are the guiding principles of life, serving as a bridge between the intellect and unconscious material forces. Thus, they stand for the mind as the eleventh of the ten life breaths (pras).
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad contains:
The ten life energies (rudra-prana) in the body, with the 11th being the “tman,” represent the 11 Rudras (the soul)
The eleventh Prana is the “human soul,” which is one of the ten Pranas (Prana, Apaana, Vyaana, Samaana, Udaana, Naag, Kurma, Krikal, Devadutta, and Dhananjaya), which are the nervous energies that reside in the human body.
These are referred known as “Rudras” because when they abandon the body, it turns into a corpse and the mourning relatives start to cry. Rudra is a term for someone who causes people to cry.
The twelve Adityas are
• Vishnu
• Sakra
• Aryaman
• Dhaataa
• Vidhaataa
• Twashtaa
• Pooshaa
• Vivaswaan
• Savitaa
• Mitraavarun
• Ansa and
• Bhaga
(This list occasionally alters in the specifics)
The Rig Veda describes the 12 Adityas as solar religions.
They result in the end of each thing or being’s period of existence.
1. Indra, who is also referred to as the (all-pervading) electricity because of its tremendous power.
1. Prajaapati, also known as the “Yajna,” is a practice that serves humanity by purifying the air, water, rain, and vegetables. It also helps to advance numerous artistic disciplines and accords honor to the wise and knowledgeable.
According to the 14th Kanda of Shatpath Brahman, the “Mahadev” or “Ishwar” alone is to be worshipped as the Master of these 33 Devatas.
In conclusion, it is untrue that there are 33 million gods in Hinduism, contrary to popular belief. The Shatpath Brahman and other scriptures provide an explanation of the 33 varieties of Devatas that are mentioned in the Vedas. Eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Indra, and Prajapati make up the 33 Devatas. The Mahadeva or Ishwar, who should be worshipped alone, is the master of these 33 Devatas
