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→Kinds of Devas: adding content
== Kinds of Devas ==
== Kinds of Devas ==
Devas or Suras are the general class of devas ruled by [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]]. Most of the Indian Devas are the sons of Kashyapa Prajapati by Aditi, the daughter of Daksa Prajapati. The Devas are classified with special reference to bhutaganas like Prthvi etc. and are, therefore, referred to as Bhudevatas, Agnidevatas, Vayudevatas, etc. The presiding spirit of Bhudevatas is Kubera, that of the Jaladevatas is Varuna, that of the Agnidevatas, Vayudevata and that of the Akashadevatas, is Indra. And, under them there are various sets of Devas in charge of different subdivisions.<ref name=":2" />
Devas or Suras are the general class of devas ruled by [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]]. Most of the Devas are the sons of Kashyapa Prajapati by Aditi, the daughter of Daksa Prajapati. The Devas are classified with special reference to bhutaganas like Prthvi etc. and are, therefore, referred to as Bhudevatas, Agnidevatas, Vayudevatas, etc. The presiding spirit of Bhudevatas is Kubera, that of the Jaladevatas is Varuna, that of the Agnidevatas, Vayudevata and that of the Akashadevatas, is Indra. And, under them there are various sets of Devas in charge of different subdivisions.<ref name=":2" />
It is this characteristic nature that is recognized by the Vedic seers and they outpoured their gratitude towards these "devas" in the form of stuti mantras with an intent to receive their benevolence for the good of all. Keeping some devatas in mind the stuti mantras were given by the seers and thus we have a particular devata for each mantra. Devas became the subject matter described by a particular sukta. Sayanacharya mentions thus,<blockquote>देवता तु मन्त्र प्रतिपाद्या । (Sayana, Rigvedabhashya Bhumika Page 114)</blockquote>The mantras throw light on the nature of a particular deity but the knowledge about them can only be obtained by tapas and sadhana. The mantras are powerful invocations and invitations to call a particular deity. This aspect is also discussed by Yaska in his Nirukta (7.1)<ref name=":6" />
It is this characteristic nature that is recognized by the Vedic seers and they outpoured their gratitude towards these "devas" in the form of stuti mantras with an intent to receive their benevolence for the good of all. Keeping some devatas in mind the stuti mantras were given by the seers and thus we have a particular devata for each mantra. Devas became the subject matter described by a particular sukta. Sayanacharya mentions thus,<blockquote>देवता तु मन्त्र प्रतिपाद्या । (Sayana, Rigvedabhashya Bhumika Page 114)</blockquote>The mantras throw light on the nature of a particular deity but the knowledge about them can only be obtained by tapas and sadhana. The mantras are powerful invocations and invitations to call a particular deity. This aspect is also discussed by Yaska in his Nirukta (7.1)<ref name=":6" />
The characteristic quality of each deva/devi depends on his/her innate nature. Some deities are human-like (manava-vat) in their activities. Like Indra, Varuna, Marut etc. Their physical description is also given in many texts distinctly in the Agamas. Yaska descri<ref name=":6" />
The characteristic quality of each deva/devi depends on his/her innate nature. Some deities are human-like (manava-vat) in their activities. Like Indra, Varuna, Marut etc. Their physical description is also given in many texts distinctly in the Agamas. Yaska mentions that some devatas are similar to humans and they are worshipped as though they are animate beings. Some other deities are not similar to the humans, such as Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra, Prthvi etc. They are worship includes an inanimate aspect.<ref name=":6" />
पुरुषविधाः स्युः, इत्येकम् । चेतनावद् हि स्तुतयो भवन्ति । अपुरुषविधाः स्युः, इत्यपरम् । (Nirukta. 7.6 and 7)
They are described as having a certain special abode in the various regions of this universe. They play a significant role in yajnas, being specially invited and receiving havishya, they help in fulfilling the yajamana's wishes.
They are described as having a certain special abode in the various regions of this universe. They play a significant role in yajnas, being specially invited and receiving havishya, they help in fulfilling the yajamana's wishes.