devatas

Devatas are celestial beings in Hinduism and related Indian traditions. The term is the plural of deva, from Sanskrit deva- meaning "divine" or "shining one." The feminine form is devi, typically used for goddesses; devata refers to a deity or divine being, which may be male or female. In Hinduism, devatas are often viewed as inhabitants of the heavens who preside over natural forces, cosmic functions, or specific aspects of life, and they are usually invoked in rituals and offerings.

In the Vedic corpus, devatas constitute a central pantheon. They are depicted as powerful beings who sustain order (rita) and respond to humans through ritual reciprocity. Notable devatas include Indra (king of the gods), Agni (fire), Varuna (cosmic law), Surya (sun), Soma (the sacred drink), Ushas (dawn), and Vayu (wind). The myths describe many devatas as working under a broader, sometimes hierarchical, cosmic order, and yajnas and sacrificial offerings frame the relationship between humans and the divine.

In later Hindu practice, devotion often centers on a handful of principal deities (such as Vishnu, Shiva, or Shakti) while a vast retinue of devatas is worshiped as aspects or attendants of the supreme. Some devatas are viewed as independent powers; others are regarded as manifestations of Brahman or as guardians of natural forces, places, or communities. Temples, festivals, and daily puja commonly include offerings to multiple devatas across regional traditions.

Outside Hinduism, the term and concept of devatas appear in Buddhist and Jain literature as celestial beings inhabiting higher realms, though their roles and reverence differ across traditions. In scholarly usage, devata remains a broad label for divine beings across Indian religions.