In Hinduism, the concept of the 33 Koti Devtas (types of God) revolves around the recognition of a single Supreme God existing at two different levels of reality. Referred to as “Brahman,” “Parabrahma,” or “Paramatma” in the Vedas, this Supreme God is worshipped both in personal and impersonal forms.
The Vedas predominantly emphasize the impersonal aspect of God, known as Brahman, which represents the ultimate true reality and the original nature of God from an absolute standpoint (Paramarthika Satya). Conversely, the Puranas focus on the Trimurti, which comprises three personal manifestations of Brahman (Cosmic spirit/space consciousness) and represents the empirical truth (Vyavaharika or Samvriti-Satya).
Brahman serves as the ever-present root and real consciousness of the Trimurtis, and through the infinite Brahman consciousness, the Trimurti manifests, sustains, and eventually dissolves the world of illusion. As the source consciousness, Brahman encompasses all aspects of existence and non-existence, manifest and hidden.
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Table of Contents
Discovering the 33 Koti Devtas
Main Supreme God
The primary deity in Hinduism is the Supreme Brahman/Para Brahman/Paramatma. The Trinity, consisting of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, along with their divine incarnations, are manifestations of this one Supreme Brahman. Although the Trinity and their Avatars possess distinct divine bodies, they share the same singular Atman/Soul, representing the innermost core and essence that is Supreme Brahman. The Trinity and their Avatars are not separate entities but rather unified manifestations.
Despite their oneness, they have taken different divine forms. Ordinary humans often perceive the divine bodies as the Supreme God, mistakenly identifying the divine bodies of the Trinity and their Avatars with the spiritual body/space consciousness of Supreme Brahman, which pervades and resides within the divine bodies of the Trinity as Atman/Soul.
Hinduism comprises four main denominations
1) Vaishnavism: Lord Vishnu is regarded as the Supreme Brahman. Devotees of Vaishnavism worship Vishnu and his ten incarnations, with Krishna and Rama being the most revered ones.
2) Shaivism: Shaivas or Shaivites primarily worship Shiva as the Supreme Brahman, recognizing both his immanent and transcendent aspects.
3) Shaktism: Shaktas worship the goddess as Mother Shakti. Mother Shakti is considered the Supreme Brahman as well as the Prakriti (Maya/illusory energy) of Brahman, inseparable from Brahman itself. In Shaktism, the goddess is presented as both Brahman and Prakriti, with forms like Durga, Kali, Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
4) Smartism: Smartas regard all deities as equal, and their temples include five deities (Pancopasana) or Panchadevata. Smartism is nonsectarian, promoting the worship of any personal god alongside others, such as Ganesha, Shiva, Devi (Shakti), Vishnu, and Surya.
Minor gods/Devas in Hinduism and the Misconception of 33 Crore/330 Million gods
Contrary to the misconception of 330 million gods, Hinduism does not encompass such a belief. Instead, there are only 33 Koti/types (where “Koti” means “types”) of gods/Devas (33 Koti Devtas) whose primary function is to sustain the world. Each living being is said to embody a fraction of these Devas. However, they do not possess the power to grant Moksha/Nirvana (freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth), and thus, they are not objects of worship. Instead, they are creations of the Supreme Brahman.
In the Vedic period, Devas were worshipped with the intention of attaining temporary heaven or Swarg. However, those seeking liberation and freedom from the cycle of birth and death should refrain from worshipping them. Instead, Devas should be revered by recognizing the presence of the Supreme Brahman within them, manifesting as Atman/soul/Root consciousness.
As stated in the Bhagavad-Gita (7.23), “Those who devote themselves to the Devas have limited intelligence and obtain fruits that are temporary and subject to destruction. The worshipers of the Devas go to the abode of the Devas, but my devotees come to me (My eternal spiritual abode).”
Similarly, in the Bhagavad-Gita (7.20), it is mentioned, “Persons whose conscience is stolen by material desires worship other devas (gods other than Myself) and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship that correspond to the ends they desire, being governed by their own conditioned natures.“
With the influence of the Supreme God, these thirty-three supporting Devatas sustain the world (Atharva Veda 10-7-13). According to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (3:9:2), there are only thirty-three devas/demigods. This fact is elucidated in the Shatpath Brahman and other scriptures with utmost clarity.
The verse ‘YASYA TRAYASTRINSHAD DEVAA ANGE SARVE SAMAAHITAA, SKAMMA TAM BRUHI KATAMAH SWIDEVA SAH‘ (Atharva Veda 10-7-13) conveys the meaning that with God’s influence, these thirty-three supporting devatas sustain the world.
During a discussion on Brahman in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, Yajnavalkya is asked about the number of gods. Initially, he responds with three hundred and three and three thousand and three gods. However, when the question is repeated, he settles on the number thirty-three. Upon further repetition, he finally declares the ultimate truth as ONE (Chapter I, hymn 9, verse 1).
The number 33 koti arises from Yajnavalkya’s explanation in the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, where he enumerates the Vedic gods, including the eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, twelve Adityas, Indra, and Prajapati (Chapter I, hymn 9, verse 2). These divine entities symbolize various facets of the cosmic order and play essential roles in the universe’s functioning.
Read also: Vedic Perspectives on the Age of the Universe: Exploring Timeless Cycles and Eternal DimensionsList of 33 Koti Devtas (types of God)
In Hinduism, the 33 Koti Devtas (types of God) are classified as follows
List of 33 Koti Devtas are as
8 Vasus: They are named Vasus because they represent the abode of all that lives, moves, or exists. The Vasus include (also mentioned in Mahabharat, 1/66/18)
- Earth
- Water
- Fire
- Air
- Ether
- Moon
- Sun, and
- Stars
Read also: Exploring the 8 Vasus: Children of Kasyapa and Aditi11 Rudras: The Rudras consist of 10 Pranas (nervauric forces) that reside within the human body, along with one human soul. They are called “Rudras” because when they depart from the body, it leads to death, causing sorrow to the deceased’s relatives. (also mentioned in Harivansha 13/51-52)
- Prana
- Apana
- Vyana
- Samana
- Udana
- Nag
- Kurma
- Krikal
- Devadutta
- Dhananjay
- Human Soul
Read also: Rudras: The Manifestations of Prana – A Journey to Wholeness12 Adityas: The Adityas are associated with the twelve months of the year and contribute to the existence of every object and being. (also mentioned in Mahabharat 1/65/15-16)
Read also: The Twelve Adityas: Roles in Sustaining the Universe1 Indra: Known as the (all-pervading) electricity, Indra embodies great force.
1 Prajapati: Also referred to as “Yajna,” Prajapati benefits humanity by purifying air, water, rain, and vegetables. It also aids in the development of various arts, honoring the learned and wise.
The master of these 33 Koti Devatas is Mahadeva or Ishwar, who alone is to be worshipped, as stated in the 14th Kanda of the Shatpath Brahman.
These 33 Koti Devatas represent different aspects of divinity and cosmic forces within Hinduism. Mahadeva or Ishwar, the supreme deity, is the ultimate focal point of worship among these divine entities.