This is one of the most common misconceptions about Hinduism. While Hindus worship various deities, authentic Hindu philosophy teaches that there is one supreme consciousness (Brahman) that manifests in different forms. The Upanishads clearly state 'Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti' - Truth is one, but sages call it by various names.
According to the Bhagavad Gita (10.8), all creation emanates from the one supreme source. Different deities represent various aspects and functions of this ultimate reality, similar to how sunlight manifests in different colors through a prism.
This concept is called 'saguna brahman' (the divine with attributes) versus 'nirguna brahman' (the attributeless absolute). The multiple deities provide focused points of meditation and worship while acknowledging the underlying unity.
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