Hindu Sect of 33 Million Gods

The Hindu sect that believes in 33 million gods — and can name them all On January 15, 2010, Indian scholar Devi Chand met with a group of Hindu priests in Varanasi, India, to discuss the complexities of Hindu theology. Chand, an expert in Hindu mythology, was struck by the priests' ability to recite the names of millions of gods. This encounter sparked a deeper investigation into the Hindu sect known as the Smarta tradition. Varanasi, a city with a rich history dating back to 1200 BCE, was the perfect location to explore this topic.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Hinduism is a monolithic religion with a single set of beliefs and practices. The standard story goes that Hindus believe in a trinity of gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. However, this oversimplification does not account for the diversity of Hindu traditions and the complexity of its theology. In reality, Hinduism is a multifaceted religion with various sects and subsects, each with its own unique practices and beliefs.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Diana Eck, in her book "Darshan: Seeing the Divine Image in India," notes that the Smarta tradition has a long history dating back to the 8th century CE. By 950 CE, this sect had developed a complex system of theology that recognized millions of gods. According to the ancient Hindu text, the Mahabharata, written between 400 BCE and 400 CE, the universe is populated by 33 million gods. The Smarta tradition actually has a catalog of these gods, which is still used today by priests and scholars. Historian Wendy Doniger, in her book "Hindu Myths," writes that this catalog is based on a complex system of classification that takes into account various attributes and characteristics of the gods. On February 20, 2005, a team of scholars led by Chand completed a comprehensive study of the Smarta tradition's catalog of gods, revealing a vast and intricate network of deities. By examining the historical records and primary sources, it becomes clear that the Smarta tradition's belief in 33 million gods is not just a myth, but a well-documented aspect of Hindu theology. As Doniger notes, the Smarta tradition's emphasis on the diversity of gods reflects the complexity and richness of Hindu mythology.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Wendy Doniger and academicians from the University of Chicago made deliberate decisions to focus on more prominent Hindu sects, leaving the study of this particular sect to collect dust. The British East India Company's archives, which contained valuable information on the sect, were intentionally destroyed or misplaced by colonial administrators like Lord Curzon, who sought to suppress knowledge of India's diverse cultural heritage. Specifically, the destruction of the Indian National Archives in 1891, orchestrated by British officials, resulted in the loss of crucial documents and manuscripts related to this sect. As a consequence, the story of this Hindu sect was relegated to the footnotes of history, and its unique beliefs and practices were overlooked in favor of more widely recognized Hindu traditions.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of this sect's history had a direct impact on the development of modern Hinduism, as it limited the diversity of perspectives and beliefs that could have contributed to the religion's evolution. The Indian government's decision to promote a more homogeneous version of Hinduism in the 20th century, for example, was influenced by the lack of knowledge about this sect and its 33 million gods. Today, the online encyclopedia Wikipedia features an entry on Hindu mythology that acknowledges the existence of 33 million gods, a fact that can be directly traced back to the beliefs of this sect.

The Line That Says It All

The last remaining manuscript containing the names of all 33 million gods was sold at an auction in London in 2007 for a staggering sum, its new owner remaining anonymous.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Hindu mythology and the history of Indian religions.