The gods and goddesses are cosmic powers and hence they are neither confined to India nor belong to the Hindus. They had other names in other civilisations and though forgotten, they continue to act guided by the Divine Will in them. India and the Indian civilisation has however continued to keep the bond intact with them through a unique civilizational continuity thereby supporting their function through faith in their powers. But the true support to their functioning is not mere outer ritualistic worship but an inner adhesion to the powers they represent. Thus, for example, Durga and Kali can manifest through a brave, courageous, truthful Mohammedan or a Christian even as Mahalakshmi will bless someone who worships true beauty and loves harmony regardless of his beliefs. So too Mahasaraswati will bring more and more knowledge to a seeker after perfection whether he is a German Jew or an American or Japanese. One of the reasons for the downfall of India is that we forgot the true functions of the gods in the externalities of rituals and the material gifts they can bestow.
Yes, the gods known so far to mankind belong to the Apara Prakriti or the lower nature governed by ignorance. By Ignorance is meant the veil of Maya that makes us forget the One. The veil is no doubt very thin when it comes to the great Gods, the Trimurti for example but it gets denser as their consciousness and power moves down the ladder of creation to the lower planes. In the highest ranges of the lower creation the thin veil makes them forget the Absolute Eternal beyond them making them act as if they were themselves completely independent and absolute. This introduces a little deflection in their action which sometimes creates a struggle in the creature and even a mutual opposition among the gods. Lower down the slight deflection becomes a distortion resulting in all the disorder that deforms creation. These things are depicted in number of Puranic tales where we witness the partiality and egoism and jealousy even among the gods. But despite this they are endowed with great powers and are helpful to maintain the cosmic balance in the struggle against the Titans. But if man wants the ultimate Reality he needs to go beyond the gods.
Man need not depend upon the gods since he carries the Supreme within himself as several mystic traditions and the Gita itself affirms. We can, through faith, aspiration, prayer, meditation, desireless action come in contact with the Supreme Divine in our hearts and receive all the help and Grace we need and so much more than what the gods can provide.
As to Para Prakriti, it is the Glory of the Divine Mother and is not cut off from the Apara Prakriti. They are the Vidyamayi and Avidyamayi Maya and man moves from one to the other depending upon his faith, aspiration and inner development as a child moves from School to College where he receives a higher and more complete knowledge of the subjects he learnt in the School.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
