Is there one God or many in Hinduism?

one supreme reality, worshipped in many forms and names — “Truth is one; the wise call it by many names.”

The Ṛg Veda says, “ekaṃ sad viprā bahudhā vadanti” — Truth is one; the wise speak of it in many ways. Across Hindu traditions there is a shared sense of one supreme reality, called Brahman in the Upaniṣads and known in devotion as Bhagavān, Īśvara, Śiva, Viṣṇu or the Devī.

The many devas and devīs are understood in different ways: as forms or aspects of the one God, as divine powers serving the cosmic order, or as beloved personal forms to whom a devotee is drawn. A Vaiṣṇava sees Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa as supreme, a Śaiva sees Śiva, a Śākta sees the Mother, and the Smārta tradition worships five forms as equal paths to one Brahman.

So Hindus may visit many shrines without any contradiction. Your iṣṭa-devatā, the form of God closest to your heart, is your doorway — and every sincere door opens into the same home.

Source: Ṛg Veda 1.164.46 · Iṣṭa-devatā: your chosen form

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