This common misconception stems from a misunderstanding of the Hindu concept of Brahman and its manifestations. The Upanishads clearly state 'Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti' (Truth is One, but sages call it by many names) in Rig Veda 1.164.46.
The various deities in Hinduism represent different aspects and functions of the one Supreme Reality. Just as sunlight can be refracted into different colors, the infinite divine manifests in various forms to help devotees connect with specific divine qualities. This is explained in the Bhagavad Gita 4.11 where Krishna states that He responds to devotees in whatever way they approach Him.
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