Question & Answer sessions with HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 2015
Why so many deities ?
Question : As per tradition, we have multiple deities. A Christian asked me: why not pray to just one deity, instead of so many, for all your desires? Many Hindus ask the same question. I beg for clarification.
Answer : It is fashionable for Hindus also to ask this question. Even if it is answered daily, they will continue to ask. They are neither interested in spiritual practices, nor interested in learning about our ancient Dharma.
Those with genuine interest would never ask this question.
If rasam and rice are served, they ask for curry. If curry, rasam and rice are served, they ask for chutney. If chutney, curry, rasam, and rice are served, they ask for dessert.
We, who demand variety, ask why so many gods? Why don’t we eat just one item to fill the stomach? Is one item not sufficient? The housewife freshly prepares an elaborate feast and yet, the dissatisfied man demands ice cream. The next time she orders ice cream also, and he demands Pan Beeda/Betel leaf.
This question never ceases. It is unfortunate. No answer will satisfy the questioners. They are ill-fated. Those who ask why so many gods, want a third child, if already they have two children.
Does anyone ask why there are so many people in this world? Is one person not enough? Why create so many beings, so many colors, so many countries, so many jobs, wars, and quarrels? No one asks this question. They only ask, why so many gods?
The question itself is wrong. One should first ask the above questions. If one understands himself, then he will understand about deities.
The proper answer to be given is: you are not aware of your own tumor. You are concerned about your neighbor’s boil. We are under no obligation to please or satisfy others. It makes no difference whether others come to us or not. Swamiji has said many times: One ‘Jaya Guru Datta’ to one who comes. Ten times ‘Jaya Guru Datta’ to those who do not come.
No power in this world can ever destroy our ancient Dharma. Remember that. No power can ever pull out even one single hair follicle from our Sanatana Dharma. Never be afraid. Nothing will happen, because we worship Nature. We worship the five elements. Has anyone ever asked why there are five elements? No. No one questions why so many, about anything else. Only about deities they ask. Who says you have to worship all the deities? Hold on to only one. Worship by identifying yourself with one chosen deity, be it Datta, Siva, or Mother Goddess. No one stops you. You may, but not everyone has reached that level.
Just because the Prime Minister is present, do you approach him for every small thing, like plumbing or electrical problems? No. You go to those technicians who can handle such problems. Although there is only one God, we do not run directly to Him for every small problem. He has delegated His responsibilities. If we tell the children to go to the same person to seek a solution for all problems, they will not believe you. It is not how life works. It is not practical. Yes, or no? Portfolios are distributed. For Kriya Yoga lessons you go to Gopalakrishna or Raja Rao; for puja tickets you go to the Puja counter.
In Krita Yuga, a child desiring education, a man seeking a job or promotion, and a sick man seeking cure, were all told to pray to Paramatma. Those people were good. They followed the advice. Not that deities did not exist then. The concept of deities should be properly understood. Our basic philosophy states that there is only one God. Whether or not different deities exist is a matter of understanding. Our Upanishads state that there is only One, and it is addressed as many. We have to grasp the clarity of that statement.
If the Prime Minister wishes to handle all the tasks, no one will object. Fearing the Sun, the five elements do their jobs, although the Sun can accomplish all tasks.
We argue with mother if she sends us to the same source for every issue. We like to approach the different departments individually. Therefore, mother says for education, go to Saraswati, to avoid obstacles, pray to Ganapati, for wealth go to Mahalakshmi, and for health, worship the Sun. Those who have faith, will follow the advice. Those who come to ridicule, will be here today and gone tomorrow. They came to our country, our home, ate our food, and now want to press their foot on top of our heads. We tolerate because we have been taught tolerance. We protest in peace. We do not cause pain and bloodshed. But our victory is guaranteed. Ours is a peaceful war without aggression. With diligent practice of our Dharma, we will win.
Initially, when they occupied our country, they mercilessly slaughtered thousands. But our people singly stood their ground, firmly and fearlessly. Such is the character of our country. There may be only one such individual for an entire town. But that is sufficient. Such courage we need. The lone man when attacked, remains calm. He does not harm the aggressor. He does not kill. He adheres to his beliefs with strong conviction. He continues his spiritual practice with the sword hanging over his head, at the point of death. This boldness puts fear in the attacker. He will come running to join us one day. There is absolutely no need to fear.
If anyone questions about the multiple deities, this is the answer you should give: You don’t question about multiple entities in other arenas; you have no right to questions about multiple deities. Starting tomorrow, for forty days, you survive on soup alone. Then you come back for an answer.
The person will never bother you again. One must practice the established traditions. One should not repeatedly ask why it is like that. It is meaningless. A question will be answered once, but not repeatedly.
Jaya Guru Datta !