I shall not now speak of the knowledge of the Hindus ...of their subtle discoveries in the science of astronomy ...discoveries even more ingenious than those of the Greeks and Babylonians ...of their rational system of mathematics, or of their method of calculation which no words can praise strongly enough - I mean the system of nine symbols . if these were known by the people who think that they alone have mastered the sciences because they speak Greek they would perhaps be convinced, though a little late in the day, that other folks, not only Greeks but also men of a different tongue, know something as well as they The Syrian astroner - monk Severus Sebokit ( writing AD 662) Hinduism is the most ancient religion among all the great living religions in the world today.Hinduism has for its basis and source the timeless spiritual vision and revealed knowledge of the sacred Vedas and the lofty teachings and deep wisdom of the Saiva Siddhanta ..The ancient sages through their communion with the unseen power have realized that the source of all power is one. The Vedas, the Upanishads also agree to this premise. They have also realized that the Sanatana dharma or early men practices existed before all other religions came into being. Further they have realized that man although following various paths and religions - are still leading to the same supreme power, which is behind and beyond every religion The Supreme Power (God) does not belong to any religion. Because, God existed even before this universe and mankind were created, even before any religions have come into existence. All religions belong to God. Because, He is the source as well as the final destination of all religions that exist. What is more wonderful is that the ancient Hindu sages saw that even the different other religions besides Hinduism were all worshippers of one and the same God who was the Creator of countless universes and the Father of all mankind. This is the glory of Hinduism that discovered and declared the oneness of God or the ultimate universal Spirit. They may call Him by various names. But the Being that is called is one and the same. The various religions can be considered as so many different paths to suit different types of people, all taking them finally to that one universal divine Spirit or God. What is the justification of worshipping so many gods? First and foremost, the central truth that you must now grasp at the very outset is that all these seemingly different deities are actually varied manifestations of that One Supreme Higher Being He came out as Manu, he came out as Moses, he came as Sri Krishna, as Buddha, as Jesus, and numerous other forms all over the world and were given various names by them according to their culture, tradition... Thus even though appearing to be many and different, they are actually so many personified expressions of the One and the same Supreme Reality. They reveal aspects of His power and glory.. Take the example of water which is present in a well or a lake or a river or sea or ocean. Also, it is sometimes seen as mist and fog. Elsewhere it is seen as fast flowing stream of water or as hard solid ice. The same water also becomes cold snow and sleet. It can manifest as cool dew or freezing frost. Elsewhere it appears formless yet very powerful and hot steam through a boiler. Before the advent of electricity and diesel engines it was the power of steam that made railway trains run in all countries of the world. You perceive that behind all these different manifestations mentioned above there is only one thing namely water. Take for example the Indian Philosophy of Treyi - The Trimurti (three forms) is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer, preserver or protector and Shiva the destroyer or transformer."