Not exactly. For some yes but that’s the polytheistic part. Different from (early) Judaism, monotheistic Hinduism isn’t “my God is the only one” but more like “the god we already agreed to be one of the main gods is actually the only one and the others are expressions of this one or lesser beings”. There are 2 or 3 candidates for that but all are very canonically important in all of Hinduism. There is still a lot of diversity and it’s more about which school you belong to. I think some have a more abstract way where it’s not a specific god but more the dualistic idea of a Big Other if that makes sense. There are also non dualistic schools which fit more into pantheism (god=universe). I simply a lot and I’m already no expert. Let’s Talk Religion has a good series on YouTube about Hinduism.
I’ve never heard that. I’ve always heard that Brahman = God, the Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) are the three main “aspects”, and every other “god” is a further “subdivision” thereof.
I finally took the time to rewatch this video and Vishnu and Shiva have their cults who worship them as main god next to other lesser gods. I think what you are referring to is within vendata hinduism which isn’t explained in the linked video but the video is still worth watching.
Hinduism is a very diverse religion. There are polytheistic, monotheistic, pantheism and many more under that umbrella
Choose your own deity kinda situation
Not exactly. For some yes but that’s the polytheistic part. Different from (early) Judaism, monotheistic Hinduism isn’t “my God is the only one” but more like “the god we already agreed to be one of the main gods is actually the only one and the others are expressions of this one or lesser beings”. There are 2 or 3 candidates for that but all are very canonically important in all of Hinduism. There is still a lot of diversity and it’s more about which school you belong to. I think some have a more abstract way where it’s not a specific god but more the dualistic idea of a Big Other if that makes sense. There are also non dualistic schools which fit more into pantheism (god=universe). I simply a lot and I’m already no expert. Let’s Talk Religion has a good series on YouTube about Hinduism.
I’ve never heard that. I’ve always heard that Brahman = God, the Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) are the three main “aspects”, and every other “god” is a further “subdivision” thereof.
I finally took the time to rewatch this video and Vishnu and Shiva have their cults who worship them as main god next to other lesser gods. I think what you are referring to is within vendata hinduism which isn’t explained in the linked video but the video is still worth watching.
But if you choose wrong you get beaten. Religion is cool like that.