Supreme Soul is the single Cosmic Energy in the universe that is referred by Hindus as 'Paramataman'. This Cosmic Energy is incomparable, unchangeable, final truth, fearless and Infinite (without beginning and end). This energy is believed to present in all the living and non-living things. It has the power to convert the poison into love, impure to pure, unmanageable to manageable, negativity to affirmation, hopelessness to hope.
Hindus believe that the three important works of the Supreme Soul are creation, preservation, and destruction or recreation. These three important work are handled by three main aspects of Supreme Soul, and they are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. These three Gods are also known as 'Trinity Gods'.
As per the Hindu mythology, there are 33 million aspects of Supreme Soul known as Hindu deities or Hindu Gods and Goddesses. This is a myth, and it arises when people fail to grasp the exact philosophy behind Hinduism.
There are many theories behind 33 million Hindu deities or Gods and Goddesses.
According to one theory, there are four epochs, and they are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kal Yuga. During these Yugas, it is assumed that there are 330 million pure souls. 330 million is used for a figurative expression to the real basic principle that Supreme Soul exists in all the living beings.
According to another theory, there are four sacred Hindu holy books known as Vedas.
There are four main Veda that are as follows:
- Atharva Veda
- Yajur Veda
- Rig Veda
- Sam Veda
According to the reference given in the Rig Veda, there are three main Gods one is Fire God (Agni) on Earth, Air God (Vayu) in the air, and Sun God in the Sky. Later it gave the reference that 11 Gods are said to be vested on the earth, 11 other Gods are said to be vested in the heaven, and rest 11 Gods are said to be vested in the air.
Atharva Veda and Yajur Veda referred Sanskrit word 'trayastrimsati koti Bhagwan'. This is a compound word made up 'traystrim' + 'sati' + 'bhagwan'. Here 'traystrim' means 'thirty-three' and 'koti' have two meanings, one is crore, and another means 'supreme' and 'bhagwan' means 'pure soul'. Thus, when the Rigveda is translated, 33 Gods are interpreted as 33 million Gods.
In the end, it can be concluded that there are 33 Hindu deities only, and other Hindu Gods and Goddesses are only their manifestations. These 33 Gods are the aspects of one Supreme Soul.
The ultimate truth is that there is actually one, and only one God exists in the form of 'Paramataman' whose aspect exist in everyone and everywhere in the universe known as 'ataman'. We all must strive towards our ultimate goal of life to unite our 'atman' with that of 'Paramataman'.
