This talk presents an analysis of how Hinduism began with an abstract concept of the One Supreme Being and ended embracing a large number of gods and goddesses. It argues that this concept is fundamental and is still preserved, worship of multiple deities notwithstanding.

Dr. Amrutur Venkatachar “Sheenu” Srinivasan is an engineering and management consultant who has deep interests in religion and politics. He served two terms on the Glastonbury, CT, Town Council and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Connecticut Innovations. In 1979, he helped found the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society in Middletown, CT. He has functioned as a Hindu priest for four decades, performing a wide variety of Hindu religious ceremonies of worship, weddings, housewarmings, and bhajans or kirtans. His publication, “The Vedic Wedding: Origins, Tradition and Practice,” won the USA Book News 2007 Best Book Award in the category of Eastern Religions. In 2011, he published “Hinduism for Dummies.” A popular writer and speaker, Srinivasan has presented numerous papers on a variety of cultural, social and religious issues in the United States and India.