Many are led to believe that the multiplicity of Deities makes Hindu religion polytheistic. Such a belief is nothing short of mistaking the wood for the tree. What the multiplicity of deities [Gods?] does indicate is Hinduism's spiritual hospitality as evidenced by two characteristically Hindu doctrines: The Doctrine of Spiritual Competence (Adhikãra) and The Doctrine of the Chosen Deity (Ishhta Devata). The doctrine of spiritual competence requires that the spiritual practices prescribed to a person should correspond to his (or her) spiritual competence. It is counter-productive to teach abstract philosophical concepts to a person whose heart hungers for faith in a higher power and vice versa.

The doctrine of the chosen deity, or Ishta-devata gives a person the freedom to choose one form of Parabrahmam that satisfies his spiritual cravings and to make It the object of his worship. Notice that both doctrines are consistent with the assertion by Hindu religion that the unchanging Immanent reality is present in everything, even in the transcendent. Most Hindus with their limitations in their knowledge are given the option to offer their prayers to any one aspect of the Supreme. Often a person is expected to concentrate on one of such manifestations as the Ishta-devata or a personal God to offer all their devotion and prayers.

Vaishnavite Saints like Sri Rãmãnuja, Sri Mãdhva, Sri Vallabha and Sri Chaitanya gave us the paths of devotion, love and surrender to various forms. The devotional part of the Religious practice is offered at four levels depending on the educational level of the person and the depth of knowledge and understanding of their faith. From a blind faith of prayers to the Moorthis and visit to the Holy places at the lowest level of Bhaya-bhakti, a devotee gets elevated to a level of exclusive devotion in Anyãya-bhakti and then to a higher level where every thing appears as a part of this Divine glory of his Ishta-devata in Ekãnta-bhakti. The highest educated Yogi who is able to comprehend the philosophy with Parã-bhakti can go beyond the manifestations or Avathãrãs and consider God as He is, without any problem. Why should the pathway to spirituality be exceptionally homogeneous? The subtlety in Hinduism is that worship of a deity of one's own choosing and more importantly, steadfastness in individual faith is key to realizing the Supreme Truth in its splendor.