Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c23.1049

v1.c23.1049

1. **Devā.**—A class of beings. As a title the word *Deva* is attributed to any being regarded, in certain respects, as being above the human level. Thus it is used for a king. In a late classification¹ there are three kinds of Devā: *sammutidevā* (conventional gods—*e.g.*, kings and princes); *visuddhidevā* (beings who are divine by the purity of their great religious merit—arahants and Buddhas); and *uppattidevā* (beings who are born divine). Under the third category various groups are enumerated, the commonest number being seven: **Cātummahārājikā, Tāvatimsā, Yāmā, Tusitā, Nimmānarati, Paranimmitavasavatti** and **Brahmakāyikā.**² The longest list is that of the Majjhima Nikāya,³ which contains the names of twenty-five groups. The popular etymology of the word connects it with the root *div* in the sense of playing, sporting, or amusing oneself, sometimes also of shining: *dibbanti ti devā, pañcahi kāmaguṇehi kīḷanti, attano vā siriyā jotanti ti attho.*⁴ The word implies possession of splendour and power of moving at will, beauty, goodness and effulgence of body, and, as such, is opposed to the dark powers of mischief and destruction—such as the Asuras, Petas and Nerayikas. The Devas are generally regarded as sharing kinship and continuity of life with humans; all Devas have been men and may again be born among men. They take interest in the doings of men, especially the Cātummahārājikā and the gods of Tāvatimsa. They come to earth to worship the Buddha and to show reverence to good men. **Sakka** (*q.v.*) is usually spoken of as chief of the gods—*devānam indo.* All Devas are themselves in *saṃsāra*, needing salvation. They are subject to death, their life-spans varying according to the merit of each individual deva. They are born in the full flower of youth and are free from illness till the moment of their death. Devas die from one of the following causes: exhaustion of life, merit or food; failing, through forgetfulness, to eat; and jealousy at the glory of another, which leads to anger.⁵ When a deva is about to die five signs appear on him: his clothes get soiled, flowers worn by him fade, sweat exudes from his armpits, his body loses its colour and he becomes restless on his seat.⁶