What About the Gods?

In this video we explore some of the principle the gods and goddesses of Hinduism -- Brahma, Vishnu, (and his avatars), Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Pavarti, Mahadevi, Shakti, and let's not forget Ganesh, everyone's favorite elephant-headed deity. How can Hinduism say that "All is One," and still have thousands of gods? We solve this mystery with panentheism.

[@kosmicwizard]

So far this is my favourite video that Ive watched of yours! But all of them are awesome. :)

[@brentboyles158]

I feel like you try to make the videos short an have so much more to share. But, you shouldn't. The information is captivating an people would watch you teach for hours. Your the Jordan Peterson of theology.

[@PeterBolland]

Brent, you're right, I'm struggling to keep them under 30 minutes. My goal was 20 and I almost always fail miserably. Viewership REALLY falls after 15 minutes. Sure, some folks watch the longer videos, but there's only so much one can absorb. Still, I may experiment with a few long-form lectures just to see what happens. Thanks!

[@kray9438]

@@PeterBolland hi Peter, I for one would certainly value a longer, deeper series on these subjects. These short form videos have been excellent as a starter - perfectly balanced in terms of content and time but I’m sure I’m not alone in craving to learn more to help continue on our path of growth and development. All the best, a jnana yogi 🧘‍♂️

[@PeterBolland]

@@kray9438 Thanks for the request for longer videos. I may work up to that. But as I said earlier, viewership REALLY drops off after five or ten minutes. By the time we get to 20 minutes most viewers have checked out. But you're right, there is an audience for long-form videos, just not a very big one. But I agree with you -- my whole life I've run 90 minute class sessions, and often lectured the whole time. But a 90 minute lecture video? I wonder how many people would bother sitting through that?

[@AnishAbraham]

Hi Peter, a great recounting of the primary Hindu Trimurti. Can you perhaps share some of your insight into the older Vedic gods such Indra, Aruna and Agni, whose role seems to have diminished since the ancient times. I have been watching quite a few people in the possible dating of these books using beyond just linguistics.

[@PeterBolland]

Anish, wonderful question, and a rich, fruitful line of inquiry indeed. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer. We see, as in all civilizations, an evolution of religion in Hinduism. Rudra of the Vedas becomes Shiva of the Upanishads, etc. In the end, all of the names of god fade in the bewildering light of realization.

[@travellingtechno]

Beautiful!

[@PeterBolland]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@nijinskihind]

It is crazily beautiful how wonder and information filled this series has been for me. Thank you. A thought I have had that I will share with you is about the image of Ganesha as he hugs a lingham (Shiva) stone. He forgave his daddy for cutting off his head, right? Well, what removes more obstacles than forgiveness? Thanks again.

[@PeterBolland]

You are so welcome!

[@rajb1468]

There is only one temple of Brahma at Pushkar, Rajasthan

[@PeterBolland]

Thank you!

[@shreyas2517]

Shakti literally means power or energy. So the 3 God's power is represented in the form of their female partners. God of creation has goddesses or intelligence, creativity. Preserver God has goddesses of prosperity, wealth. And the God of destruction has the destroyer of evil kali herself. So that's why they are not separate they cannot be without each other. Btw thank u sooo much for this video. It's truly amazing listening to you!!

[@PeterBolland]

Thank you Shreya! 🙏🏼

[@FunnyBlueLake-mo4ub]

Well gods in Hindusim are aspects of brahman . There are gods like Vishnu , Krishna , Shiva , Shakti , Mahaganpati are consider to be the full incarnation of brahman . So you have different sects like Vaishnavism , Shaivism , Shaktism which considers Vishnu , Shiva , Shakti to be the ultimate truth respectively . That's why Krishna in Bhagvad Gita says he's the ultimate supreme being . He says to Arjuna that there is no truth Superior to him and Brahman is just unmanifestation of Krishna . Krishna says worshipping him in form and shape is superior to worshipping the formless and shapeless Brahman .

[@PeterBolland]

That’s right. 🙏🏼

[@sasankabanerjee3340]

There is just one temple in Pushkar.... The reason for not worshipping is fascinating

[@PeterBolland]

Thank you for that information. Here's the Wiki link if anyone else is interested. Fascinating! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma_Temple,_Pushkar

[@johnnydrydenjr]

I enjoy your videos. Slight correction in you comparison with Christianity. Jesus, on the orthodox Christian view, is an incarnation of God the Son, who is co-eternal with the Father. He is not an incarnation or avatar of God the Father.

[@darknesstolight3345]

We in India has a prayer, " anaayasena maranam, vinaa dainye na jeevitam, prayaccha prayachha prabho Deva Deva." Please let me die without trouble and let me live a life without poverty, o God, fulfill us these wishes.