kendru

So, say God and he/she/they/it exists exactly like most of the believers have thought of it. Believers, but of what category? Monotheism or Polytheism? Say Polytheism. First what is Polytheism? It is the sole belief in multiple gods. Virtually any other religion other than Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and it Polytheism as the above mentioned one believes in one god. In other words, Polytheism says there are more than one gods. How do we understand it now? Say there is a certain place, a physical location, maybe here on Earth or somewhere else. Say a place not on Earth. After all, it's all just an assumption. So there exists a plane where there are existence of powerful, not so humanly or humane beings, say inhumane, or “gods”. So, is it just a series of hyper powerful beings? Or is there a rule being followed? Nothing exists without of rule, so there must be one, as it has been described in a few or all of these holy books provided. So, a plane of existence, ruled by super powerful beings, or so-called gods, who also co-exist alongside a set rules, set by someone who controls all? Now, if there is a set or multiple set of rules and regulations to keep an order or flow in the said plane of existence, that directly points to a hierarchy. So, again, one plane of existence, a group of powerful beings or gods, but one with higher power, one with lesser power, one that follows another maybe, and one separate from everyone, one who tries to fight for peace only, tries to keep peace, one who is bad, is not following the rules, one who keeps the order, fights alongside the rules and keep the rule breakers in place, one who does this and one who does that. So that is polytheism in a nutshell, this nut is too apparently too big. Now, en example of this hierarchy of gods is Hinduism, where all of the above mentioned do exist, with the top being a set of three beings who control the overall flow. One who creates, one who keeps order in check and one who does account the destruction, the falling. Here, we have the creator as Brahmā, the protector or the one who keeps everything as it should be as it should be is Vishnu and the one designated as destruction is Maheshvara(Bhairava), or as we all call him as Shiva. The one supreme entity, divided itself into three, to fulfill the cosmic functions of creation, preservation and destruction. So, a hierarchy of gods, and on top of the pyramid are the three to keep the cosmic scale balanced with creation, preservation and destruction. And then comes the levels below them. Other gods, devi-devatas, asuras, etc. The hierarchy is followed as: 1. Higher-Level Gods (Beyond Trimurti) – Tridevi (Consorts of Trimurti) – Saraswati – Consort of Brahma – Lakshmi – Consort of Vishnu – Parvati(Durga/Kali/Shakti) – Consort of Maheshwara/Shiva – Saptarishis (7 Great Sages) – Dikpalas or Disha Dikpalas (Gods ruling cosmic directions) – The Dikpalas, also known as the Lokapalas, are the guardians of directions in Hinduism. There are generally eight of them; Indra for the East, Agni for the Southeast, Yama for the South, Nirriti for the Southwest, Varuna for the West, Vayu for the Northwest, Kubera for the North, and Ishana for the Northeast. However, they are often augmented with two extra deities for zenith(highest point on the celestial sphere directly above a particular location) and nadir(directly opposite to the zenith and vertically downward from the observer), Brahma and Vishnu respectively. 1. Mid-Level Gods(Devas and Devis) – Devas (Gods of Natural Forces) – Indra(God of Thunder) – Agni(Fire God) – Varuna(God of Oceans and Cosmic Order) – Surya(Sun God) – Chandra(Mood God) – Vayu(Wind God) – Yama(God of Death and Justice) – Warrior Gods – Kartikeya (Murugan) – God of War – Ashwini Kumaras – Divine Healers – Goddesses 2. Lower-Level Divine and Semi-Divine Beings – Apsaras and Gandharvas – Yakshas and Yakshinis – Kinnaras and Kimpurushas – Vidyadharas – Nagas – Rakshas and Asuras – Pishachas and Bhutas 3. Divine/Semi-Divine Hybrids – Chiranjivis (Immortals) – Siddhas and Rishis – Avataras 4. Underworld and Dark Beings – Daityas and Danavas – Pretas and Vetals

So, that is the hierarchy of omnipotent and beings in Hindu mythology. A set government of gods, stating, and following a set of rules.

Here's the question about the Cosmic Bureaucracy; If Gods need rules, hierarchies, and roles to function... what does that say about their divinity? Are they gods? Or are they just entities, again bound by mere rules of human order? Chaotic menagerie or gods, or just meticulously structured cosmic government? – Trimurti managing the creations like CEOs; Indra policing the Swargalok like a warlord; Yama tallying souls like an accountant... Gods or just glorified administrators? In this hyper-rational polytheism, every god has a domain, a role, and a place in the hierarchy. This is not about the existence of gods and defying the ground, it is about questioning the absolute truth. We, as Hindus, have been told to follow Hinduism our entire life. But why? Seek answers for “Whatever we've been told, are the stories even real or Is this just humanity's attempt to make sense of the universe, projecting divinity to the unanswered questions?” Follow the rules, gods made them for us, to keep us on track, to keep us from sinning. But even gods follow some laws, who authored those laws? Question arises about “God behind the Gods”. Are they the absolute truths, or is this whole system just a metaphor for natural forces?