Deva (देव in Devanagari script, pronounced as "dévə") is the Sanskrit word for "god, deity". It can be variously interpreted as a spirit, demi-god, angel, deity or any supernatural being of high excellence. In Hindu mythology, the devas are opposed to the demonic Asuras. Deva Hinduism - Etymology. The word is from PIE *deiwos, originally an adjective meaning "celestial" or "shining", a PIE (not synchronic Sanskrit) vrddhi derivative from a root *diw "to shine", especially ...

Including:

• Deva Hinduism - Etymology
• Deva Hinduism - Vedic religion
• Deva Hinduism - Classical Hinduism

Read more here: » Deva Hinduism: Encyclopedia - Deva Hinduism

See also:

Deva Hinduism, Deva Hinduism - Etymology, Deva Hinduism - Vedic religion, Deva Hinduism - Classical Hinduism

Read more here: » Deva Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - Deva Hinduism - Classical Hinduism

Deva, devas:

god(s). Shining ones.

(See also: Deva, devas, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

There are five great daily sacrifices that are to be performed by every householder. They are: Brahma Yajna, called also Veda Yajna, sacrifice to Brahman or the Vedas or the sages; Deva Yajna, sacrifice to the celestials; (iii) Pitri Yajna, sacrifice to the manes; Bhuta Yajna, sacrifice to all the creatures; and Manushya Yajna, sacrifice to men.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Pancha Mahayajnas: The Hindu Ritual Pancha Mahayajnas

God and Gods of Hinduism

Devotion to God and the Gods of Hinduism is known as Bhakti. It is an entire realm of knowledge and practice unto itself, ranging from the childlike wonder of the unknown and the mysterious to the deep reverence which comes with understanding of esoteric interworkings of the three worlds. Hinduism views existence as composed of three worlds. The First World is the physical universe; the Second World is the subtle astral or mental plane of existence in which the devas, angels and spirits live; and the Third World is the spiritual universe of the Mahadevas, "great shining beings," our Hindu Gods. Hinduism is the harmonious working together of these three worlds.

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In Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism, an Ishta-deva or Ishta devata or Ishta-devatha is a term meaning "the god one prays most." It is derived from the Sanskrit roots for good and god. Traditionally it alludes to the particular god (from among 330 millions as believed by Hindus) who is the saviour of the family (akin to a Patron Saint, chosen by a devotee. In such a concept held by Smartas, di ...

Including:

• Ishta-deva - Murti
• Ishta-deva - Misunderstanding from outsiders
• Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism
• Ishta-deva - ISKCON and new religious movements

Read more here: » Ishta-deva: Encyclopedia - Ishta-deva

In Hinduism, Yajna or Yagya यज्ञ(Sanskrit yajñá "worship, prayer, praise; offering, oblation, sacrifice") is a Vedic ritual of sacrifice performed to please the Devas, or sometimes to the Supreme Spirit Brahman. It involves pouring oblations into the divine Agni (the sacrificial fire). Everything that is offered in the divine Agni is believed to reach the Devas. A yajna is typically performed by a hotar, with a number of additional priests playing a supporting role, chanting Vedic verses. Often there will be a ...

Read more here: » Yajna: Encyclopedia - Yajna

In Hinduism and Buddhism, a devaloka or deva loka is a plane of existence where gods and devas exist. The deva lokas are usually described as places of eternal light and goodness, similar to the concept of Heaven. Teachers of different Hindu denominations and Buddhist schools may call such homes of the gods by other names, including Svarga, each differing in non-fundamental aspects. To Hindus, Devaloka is a plane of blissful existence that can be reached as soon as one is sufficiently attuned to light and good. However, ...

Read more here: » Devaloka: Encyclopedia - Devaloka

In Hinduism, Kamadeva (Kama - carnal pleasure, deva - god), also known just as Kama("The love") and Ananga (the bodyless), is the god of love and a son of Lakshmi. He is called Kama Ananga ("Kama the bodiless") as well. He is a young, winged man who uses a bow and arrows made of flowers. He is also called as Manmadha or Manmatha("God of lust or desire") or Madhana or Madana("God of love") or Kandarpa("God of amour ...

Read more here: » Kamadeva: Encyclopedia - Kamadeva

The Ashwini Gods in Hinduism are twin Devas who are exceptionally beautiful, skilled and attractive. In the epic Mahabharata, Pandu's second wife Madri asks the Ashwini Gods for a child. As they are twins, so Madri bears twin brothers, the youngest of the Pandavas, Nakula and Sahadeva. They are the extension of the Ashwini twins, extremely beautiful and attractive, and skilled warriors. Shruti (primary scriptures): Vedas | Upanishads | Bhagavad Git

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This article is about the Hindu sage Kashyapa or Kasyapa. See also Mahakasyapa information on the Buddhist monk. In Hinduism, Kashyapa ("tortoise") is an ancient sage (one of the rishis), father of the devas, asuras, nagas and all of humanity. He is married to Aditi, with whom he is the father of Agni and the Adityas. He received the spoils of Parasurama's conquest of King Kaartaveerya-arjuna. See also. List of Buddhist topics ...

Read more here: » Kashyapa: Encyclopedia - Kashyapa

Asura - In Hinduism. In Hindu mythology, the Asura (Sanskrit: असुर) are a group of power-seeking deities, sometimes misleadingly referred to as demons. They were opposed to the devas. Both groups are children of Kasyapa. The name is cognate to Ahura and Æsir, which implies a common Proto-Indo-European origin for the Asura and the Æsir. The negative character of the asura in Hinduism seems to have evolved over time. In general, the earliest texts have the asuras presiding over moral and soc ...

Including:

• Asura - In Hinduism
• Asura - In Buddhism
• Asura - In Fiction

Read more here: » Asura: Encyclopedia - Asura

Other denominations as well as sects of Hinduism don't strictly hold this belief. For example, Arya Samaj worships only the formless Brahman, in particular, Nirguna Brahman. Other denominations, such as the monotheistic faiths of Saivism and Vaishnavism, respectively hold Shiva and Vishnu to be the only ultimate reality, although those faiths recognize other manifestations of the singular god as emanations or lesser deities subordinate to this one supreme being. For example, Shaivities may recognize Vishnu to be a manifestation of Shiva but ...

See also:

Ishta-deva, Ishta-deva - Murti, Ishta-deva - Misunderstanding from outsiders, Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism, Ishta-deva - ISKCON and new religious movements

Read more here: » Ishta-deva: Encyclopedia II - Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism

deva: (Sanskrit) "Shining one."

A being living in the higher astral plane, in a subtle, nonphysical body. Deva is also used in scripture to mean "God or Deity."

See: Mahadeva.

(See also: Deva, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

deva:

deva - a divine being

(See also: deva, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

List of Hinduism-related articles - Smartism. Harihara Ishta-deva List of Hinduism-related articles - Shaivism. Shaivism List of Hinduism-related articles - Tamil. Ayyavazhi Thaipusam List of Hinduism-related articles - Vaishnavism. Vishnu sahasranama ...

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List of Hinduism-related articles, List of Hinduism-related articles - Major topics, List of Hinduism-related articles - History, List of Hinduism-related articles - Politics, List of Hinduism-related articles - Terms and concepts, List of Hinduism-related articles - Science medicine and Cosmology, List of Hinduism-related articles - Time, List of Hinduism-related articles - Hindu philosophy, List of Hinduism-related articles - Texts, List of Hinduism-related articles - Denominations and regional festivals, List of Hinduism-related articles - Smartism, List of Hinduism-related articles - Shaivism, List of Hinduism-related articles - Tamil, List of Hinduism-related articles - Vaishnavism, List of Hinduism-related articles - Animals people places and things in Hindu mythology, List of Hinduism-related articles - Places, List of Hinduism-related articles - Animals, List of Hinduism-related articles - Items, List of Hinduism-related articles - People, List of Hinduism-related articles - Non-human races, List of Hinduism-related articles - Teachers, List of Hinduism-related articles - Other lists

Read more here: » List of Hinduism-related articles: Encyclopedia II - List of Hinduism-related articles - Denominations and regional festivals

Angels are also a part of Zoroastrianism (called Amesha Spentas, of whom six are extremely important) and New Age beliefs. Also, angel-like beings called Tennin and Tenshi appear in Japanese mythology Angel - Hinduism. In English, the Sanskrit word Deva is exclusively translated as "god", which certainly gives a polytheistic appearance to Hinduism. Many Hindus now say that this is a poor practice, because the best word for God in Sanskrit is Ishvara (the Supreme Lord). The Devas may be better transl ...

See also:

Angel, Angel - Etymology, Angel - Angels in the Tanakh, Angel - Appearance of angels, Angel - Purpose, Angel - Jewish views, Angel - Maimonides and rationalism, Angel - Christian views, Angel - Islamic views, Angel - Latter-Day Saint views, Angel - Other religions, Angel - Hinduism, Angel - Thelema, Angel - Angels as a development step of the soul, Angel - Named angels and archangels, Angel - Bibliography

Read more here: » Angel: Encyclopedia II - Angel - Other religions

Devas:

Devas: celestial beings.

(See also: Devas, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

deva:

deva (dheva). Deity, celestial being, god.

(See also: deva, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

deva:

male deity; literally 'shining one'

(See also: deva, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)