Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Deva (Hinduism)" in English language version.
The Hindu deva is not God—at the most deva could be loosely translated as a "divine being." Etymologically it means "god", "shiny," "exalted"; and thus we find that the term deva covers everything that has to do with the supernatural: all figures, forms, processes and emotions, melodies, books, and verse meters—whatever needs the explanation of a transcendent origin or status—are called devas or devatā. The functions of different parts of the body, symbols, and syllabes are explained as deva. In Vedic religion we find the term used in a relatively restricted way; but even there we are not entitled to equate it with god, but rather with supernatural powers in general.
The Hindu deva is not God—at the most deva could be loosely translated as a "divine being." Etymologically it means "god", "shiny," "exalted"; and thus we find that the term deva covers everything that has to do with the supernatural: all figures, forms, processes and emotions, melodies, books, and verse meters—whatever needs the explanation of a transcendent origin or status—are called devas or devatā. The functions of different parts of the body, symbols, and syllabes are explained as deva. In Vedic religion we find the term used in a relatively restricted way; but even there we are not entitled to equate it with god, but rather with supernatural powers in general.
