The Hindu religion could rightly be seen as unity in diversity. A religion which claims reverence to at least 330 million gods and goddesses, is underpinned by the doctrine of Sanatana Dharma, or eternal form of worship that has existed since time immemorial. Hinduism as evolved through this doctrine does not impose religious beliefs on Hindus. Each person is free to choose his own mode of worship – he could worship God at home, in his work place, on the streets and even in temples. For that matter he could be a believer without even worshipping Hindu Gods or Goddesses.
Perhaps one of the major redeeming features of Hinduism is that even if a person believes and worships Lord Jesus Christ, Mahivira, or Buddha, he could still call himself a Hindu and not a renegade. While Hinduism does have its own religious moorings and awesome culture, it does not impose itself on its followers and allows them to practice and preach whatever they think best for themselves.
Many believe that Hinduism is essentially ritualistic and demonstrative, with a plethora of festivals and high octave religious passion. But this has not been enunciated in the Sanatana dharma nor indoctrinated in the teachings of a multitude of religious teachers and believers. The Hindu scriptures and teachers show the method of leading to God, through good thoughts, actions and beliefs, but allow the person to choose whichever path he wishes. “Sanatana Dharma comprises of spiritual laws which govern the human existence.”
Essentially the democratic framework within which Hinduism has evolved has robbed much of its uniting belief, but it has survived since there are no moral bindings, nor strict adherence to religious precepts. The binding power of Hinduism stems from the fact that a Hindu is free to choose whichever Supreme Being he wishes to rever, irrespective of his caste, creed, color, social status or cultural moorings.