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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