The Scriptures.

Let us begin with :

"The description is not the described".

A Scripture is nevertheless always a description.

The Ancient texts of yore and lore, are chiefly of the following 5 kinds :

Descriptive,

Instructive,

Narrative, 

Cryptic,

Mystic.

Philosophical,

"The description is not the described" 

suggests and avers :

It is very important to understand, Why and how a scripture is really of worth and is of use in terms of importantance as :

Descriptive, Instructive, Narrative, Cryptic, Mystic, or the kind of a Philosophical only.

There is yet another aspect of a scripture, that is the Literary.

Broadly speaking, the scriptures of the Sanatana Dharma have yet another categorization :

Nigama (निगम) Which are kind of affirmative.

Agama (आगम) Which are kind of deductive.

Affirmative Speak of the Supreme Reality either in terms of Ishwara or without dealing with such a concept.

Again, these scriptures don't insist that Ishwara or the Supreme Reality is ONE or MANY, but they do point out that the Supreme Reality is simply indescribable and Unique at the same time.

There is also a category of the divine entities that help in managing the functioning of the world, the law and order that is essential for the life of each and every individual.

These are verily the Devata (देवता) who have the power to control and regulate the life of all the individuals and their world.

This implies each and every individual has his own individual world and all these worlds are a compact whole universe (Brahmanda / ब्रह्माण्ड).

That is the whole framework of the scriptures of the Sanatana Dharma.

An individual can not only approach, but even more, attain also the Ultimate Reality, call it Ishwara or by any name of your choice.

This is how every Devata (देवता) is addressed in this way as the परमेश्वर / Lord Supreme.

A follower of Sanatana Dharma has no doubt or  confusion what-so-ever about this.

This means "Devotion" or "Bhakti" (भक्ति).

This is how every-one can practice the 

Sanatana Dharma

Accordingly. 

For an intellectual, -a man of words or concepts however, there are scriptures that elaborate in much details the system and the methodology of performing the activities that could possibly help him approach and even more, attain the same Supreme Reality that a man of devotion (भक्ति) could reach with his pure heart and Love for his IshTa Devata (इष्ट देवता) in one or another form of his inclination.

In principle, the Sanatana Dharma enumerates 5 essential Devata (देवता) गणेश, शिव, शक्ति (देवी), विष्णु and सूर्य .

The rituals or yajna (यज्ञ) however describes and needs many a forms of the same 5 as above, in their individual capacity and power. This implies that by propitiating these Devata (देवता) through performing a yajna (यज्ञ) one can acquire all worldly wealth, prosperity, health and  pleasure.

The Vedanta however points out that all these things are transitory and the only lasting peace is found when one realizes the Self / the Atman.

A Devata (देवता) is only a concept and may be, though very powerful, could never be more or even as much powerful as the one who thinks of this Devata (देवता).

As a fact, one who is devoted to such a Devata (देवता) is at the best, a vehicle of the same.

The Devata (देवता) is the one, who inspires his intellect (बुद्धि) and he merely serves the same Devata (देवता) all the times. May also believe that after his death would go to his place / abode and enjoy there all the pleasures of heaven.

The scriptures warn that all the worldly and all  the heavenly pleasures are transient and only the peace and bliss that is found in the Self / Atman is eternal and ceases never.

This is how the Sanatana Dharma is a way of life inclusive of different sects, traditions, faiths and beliefs.

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