If you scratch the surface of Hinduism you will see Vaishnavism.Vaishnav means a bhakta or devotee of Vishnu(Krsna).Vaishnavism is also called 'Sanatana dharma' or 'Eternal religion'.Dharma(does not mean religion) means 'intrinsic nature' or 'swabhav'.The dharma of 'atma'that is to worship the 'Param atma' or Lord Sri Krsna.Therefore Krsna states in Bhag.Gita,'to abandon all varieties of religion since the extant religions are merely extensions of our bodily designation.But we are not this body.We are spirit souls.Therefore He states 'Mam ekam saranam braja',that is, simply take My shelter.Therefore true dharma(religion) defined as 'dharmam tu saksad bhagvat pranitam'(Bhagvatam), means,true religion is to follow the instructions of Lord Sri Krsna.Therefore dharma is something very specific not speculative.Non violence and vegetarinism are the effects not causes of dharma. Gita is also called Gitopnaishad,therefore Upanishads are part and parcel of Vedic literature.There can only be one God.The 'gods' you mention are demigods and demigodesses (devi,devta).The devi,devtas are not independent,but like us they are completely dependent on Lord Krsna,for their existence.Even the topmost demigod,Lord Shiva,is created by Krsna.Lord Shiva, is also the topmost Vaishnav,'vaishnavanam yatha Shambhu'. deepak sarkar
