catholicity in Hinduism

I was trying to translate and present a famous Vedic Mantram.. where the importance of offerings to gods and the gods getting satisfied with such offerings and blessing the one who made offerings is dealt with

Some query was raised as to whether there is inherent contradiction in this because Gita and other philosophical texts would not approve of such offerings in expectation of returns.. as indicated in the Vedic mantram..

My reply to that query is just reproduced here.

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"Bhagavat Gita is a text on philosophy... and a part of epic Mahabharatham.. And Mahabharatham is a work. a story subservient and subordinate to Vedas..

I think you presume that Gita or what is said in Gita is the final word in Hinduism.. It is not so.. Definitely not so.

And even the principles or Saguna Upasana, Nirguna Upasana, Manifest Deity, Unmanifest Deity are all part of Hinduism that run together.. These various modes are dealt with approval even in Gita.

Of course the Hindu religion is so catholic and permissive that diametrically opposite viewpoints can be maintained by the people belonging to the same religion..and all of them can come under the umbrella of Sanatana Dharma

I was quoting a mantram from Veda.. here Krishna Yajurvedam.. and this mantram is accepted by millions of Vedic believers..

And even in Gita it is said in one place..devan bhavayatanena te deva bhavayantu vah parasparam bhavayantah sreyah param avapsyatha. Bagavat gita chapter 3 sloka 11..

देवान भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वह परस्परम भावयांतः श्रेयः परम अवाप्स्यथ (गीता ३.११ )

Meaning..You pay offerings to Devas through Yajnas and then those devas or gods will look after your welfare.. And this mutual allegiance and assistance would lead to the welfare of all..

And the various chapters of Gita give stress to Karma, Bhakthi, Jnaana, esoteric, mysterious and so on.. often with no real connection or justification of other concepts..

Though scholars and some staunch integrators attempt to find some uniformity or unity of purpose. in the eighteen chapters of Gita . the explanations are rather belaboured..

In fact, even Gita is a multi spectrum .. and often disjointed treatise..

So raising logical issues quoting one part of Gita or Upanishads and contradicting some other philosophy contained elsewhere is not of much use..

Even the much acclaimed six systems of Hindu philosophy.. Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Mimasa and Vedanta ( or purva Meemaamsa and Uttara Meemaamsa ) often define and deal with issues in contradictory manners

The acceptance of diversities and catholicity and tolerance in viewpoints is the noble hallmark of Hinduism..

Of course, we can accept all viewpoints graciously.. follow ideas which appeal to us and our society in the best way, and live happily.."