Devas (sanskrit meaning beings of light) are in Hinduism deities who control forces of the universe on all levels. Nature devas are responsible for things as fire, air, rain and trees. Higher devas control much more intricate tasks governing the functioning of the cosmos and the evolution of creation. Mahadevas, such as Lord Ganesa, have such tremenduous tasks under their diligence that they are sometimes called themselves gods under the Supreme One God.

Devas are not to be confused with God or His personal form, Saguna Brahman, visualized as either Vishnu or Shiva. God or Brahman is the ultimate controller. A verse from the Katha Upanishad states about God:

From fear of Him the wind blows; from fear of Him the sun rises; from fear of Him Agni and Indra and Death run.

According to Hindu mythology, the devas are opposed to the Asuras. The conflict between devas and asuras grew from earlier Vedic conceptions of natural principles to myths that examplify themes of existence and the human condition.

They are commonly equated with gods in Western media. They are functionally equivalent of angels who serve God in Judaeo-Christian tradition. There are also many other lesser celestial beings in Hinduism such as Gandharvas or celestial musicians.

Vayu or the Lord of the wind is an example of an important deva. Also, Death is personified as the deva Yama.

Devas and asuras are also cited in traditional Buddhist cosmology. For information on this subject, see six lower realms.

Oddly enough, in Zoroastrianism and the Avesta, the ahuras are supreme, while the daevas are demonic.

See also

• Hindu deities
• Mahadeva
• Vishvadevas
• Dyeus

External links

• http://www.dvaita.org/shaastra/gita/gita_sara/gs-007.html (only one God in Hinduism, #56 and see Shri Krishna is the supreme God; #57.)
• http://www.shaivam.org/shpvediy.htm
• http://www.godshiva.com/hipfaq.htm (see info on devas and one Supreme God.)
• http://members.tripod.com/~saran/shpvediy.htm