Deva is usually referred to the gods, divine beings who may either reside upon earth or in a Deva Loka. Deva is also a divine epithet variously applied but rarely to the superior deities if alone. For example, Lord Shiva is often called Mahadeva.
The most frequent use of the term `Deva` is in the plural and may be translated `Celestials`. The Hindu books refer about thirty-three crores of the Devas, which means three hundred and thirty millions of celestials. But this is probably only a figurative expression to denote a great number. They are not demigods, as has been stated.
Lord Rama or Krishna is not one of the Devas but they belong to a higher order. The Devas belong to the `Swarga`, the paradise of Indra. They are usually ranged under eight divisions with a vasu as leader at the head of each division.
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