Why are there so many books, paths, prophets in Hinduism?
Swami Chinmaya was often asked by westerners, "Swamiji, Why are there so many gods, so many books, authors, paths and Prophets in hinduism?"
Swami Chinmaya asked, "you're all very scientific minded, but I'm an illiterate, Could you tell me who is the author of Physics?"
"What a question you're asking swamiji, you may be an illiterate, but don't exhibit it. There is not one author, many many scientists were trying to discover the beauties of nature, each of them discovered a part of the phenomenon, all of them put together gives me my total picture of the universe around, and therefore physics is not a one person's authorship, many many people have contributed to it."
Swami replied "In the same way, Vedas do not have one author, nor are Vedas the only book, hinduism is the science of living, the scientific exploration of the greater truth behind this phenomenal world of constant change of names and forms. Therefore all these great rishis, over 1000s of years who sat in meditation and contemplation, discovered the nature of inner-self and declared them, their collective compilations become the scriptures of Hinduism.
"If there is only higher mathematics in the University, how many students can benefit from such a course? May be 20. Suppose the only course is on music, how many will join? may be 100, because even the people who don't know music, they sing, it is a question of whether you got shame or not. Even it will not interest all students, so we need history, geography, economics, computer science... likewise, we need many paths like meditation, devotion, path of wisdom, path of right action.
There must be many paths to suit the tastes of many people. There is nobody else like you in the universe, the way you think and feel is totally unique. If there is a religion with one goal, one path, one book, one prophet, it will resonate with some people and not all will get involved though forced to follow."