In many ways Rita Gross's position on Western prejudices in Hinduism, which creates an andocentric position on the three primary deities of Vishnu, Siva, and Devi, venerated in the Hindu tradition, is valid. As argued by Gross, a bias towards an andocentric classification of primary deities appears within the texts of Hinduism. This classification that is continually proposed, it really is, resembles a group created with patriarchy in mind. The list is consistent, as expected, Vishnu, Siva and Devi. According to Gross's theory, the male-oriented Hindu depiction of the three main deities has not been questioned by Western scholars. In addition to the fact that the “text favor” of Western traditions would have hindered any further progress of the Hindu religion (Gross, p. 320). Excluding the rituals and symbols of the deities would only give a partial understanding of Hinduism. In my opinion, I agree with Gross on the aspect of Western tradition that influences the actual depiction of goddesses. But I think it may be important to illustrate the fact that other factors may have allowed Western prejudice to increase. Among the unquantifiable number of civilizations that have formed and dissipated over time, religion has been variously andocentric. Take the Greek and Roman religious traditions, both of which primarily supported the patriarchal tradition of rule under one man: Zeus and Jupiter. Further into the monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, there are also aspects that can be called andocentric. All three religions have validated themselves, over time, through the dogma and tradition of a male god. Although Judaism contains a matriarchal tradition of government, there remains an ideology according to which the Old and New Testaments...... middle of paper ......n are subordinate to the male deity, for example Mary Christ's mother became one of her son's main followers. Mary is still held in high regard, but not in the same esteem as her son Christ. This suggests an andocentric tendency of Westerners who attach more importance to men than to women. Faced with a polytheistic system of divinities that includes goddesses not subordinate to the gods but sometimes more powerful and fearsome characters could also increase the prejudices of Westerners. Works Cited Fuller, C. J. The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2004. Print.Gross, Rita M. “Toward a New Model of the Hindu Pantheon: A Report on Twenty-More Years of Feminist Reflection.” Academic Press 28 (1998): 319-27.Klostermaier, Klaus K. Hinduism: Beginner's Guides. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2007. Print.