My thoughts on the Devas

[Eric11235]

Vannakam everybody

I have a theory, you may or may not agree with it. It is actually an amalgam of a few theories, but here it goes. The universe is a BIG place (approximately 46.5 billion lightyears and getting larger). Within the galaxy there are trillions of galaxies, each with Septillions of planets. So one might think "What does this have to do with anything?" well, if you think about it, the Supreme God has a lot on their hands, considering they control this huge expanse. So it's kind of hard for me to think that Earth is the only concern of the One god (the likeliness of aliens to me is very high) So here comes the big chunk of the theory. the devas, are all manifestations of the one supreme being, but they exist specifically for the earth, So the god can keep tabs on all planets, what if there are devas for other planets having sapient life. I hope this doesn't go against the vedas. it is just a theory of mine.

I hope I have not offended anyone with my thoughts.

Namaste

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Eric:

I agree. I believe some devas are interplanetary. No offense taken from this soul anyway.

Aum Namasivaya

[Onkara]

Namaste Eric and EM
I have been considering where we might find the Devas and likewise where are the Asuras, which play such a vital role in the Srimad Bhagavata Purana?

Perhaps they have retired to the worlds beyond our perception, to watch us play out the Lord's lila.

I wonder if it is applicable to learn from the puranas and attribute their actions and behaviours to humans? Perhaps some humans behave, if only momentarily like Asuras and other people like Devas?

I don't wish to change your thread with this topic, but I enjoy where your OP might lead.

[Surya Deva]

Namaste,

Devas are not people. Deva comes from the root div which means to shine or shining one. A synonym for the the word is senses. In other words devas are like energies or powers that govern the universe and are based in our own senses. This is why they say that the devas preside over our senses(Indra, for example, presides over our intellect) If we are to understood them more accurately they are natural principles that operate within the universal mind.

Hinduism is santana dharma, which means it is a religion of the eternal laws and principles which maintain the universe. In Vedic times, these eternal laws and principles were called "devas" There are many such principles: Agni is the principle of energy conservation; indra is the principle of discrimination; mitra-varuna is the principle of intuition; Vayu is the principle of energy transformation; Brahma/Prajapati is the creative principle; Vishnu is the preservation principle and Shiva is the dissolution principle.

If you read the Vedas properly you will learn about all these eternal principles and what functions they have. Knowing these eternal principles will educate you on on how to live in harmony with dharma and how to be prosperous materially and spiritually.

[NayaSurya]

I agree it's very possible. If we look at the word alien itself it stands to reason anything not of this gross physical reality on earth could be considered "alien".

There are many worlds with which perhaps...even our own eyes can not percieve here around us.

http://vedabase.net/sb/5/24/en

SB 5.24.9: My dear King, in the imitation heavens known as bila-svarga there is a great demon named MayaDānava, who is an expert artist and architect. He has constructed many brilliantly decorated cities. There are many wonderful houses, walls, gates, assembly houses, temples, yards and temple compounds, as well as many hotels serving as residential quarters for foreigners. The houses for the leaders of these planets are constructed with the most valuable jewels, and they are always crowded with living entities known as Nāgas and Asuras, as well as many pigeons, parrots and similar birds. All in all, these imitation heavenly cities are most beautifully situated and attractively decorated.

SB 5.24.10: The parks and gardens in the artificial heavens surpass in beauty those of the upper heavenly planets. The trees in those gardens, embraced by creepers, bend with a heavy burden of twigs with fruits and flowers, and therefore they appear extraordinarily beautiful. That beauty could attract anyone and make his mind fully blossom in the pleasure of sense gratification. There are many lakes and reservoirs with clear, transparent water, agitated by jumping fish and decorated with many flowers such as lilies, kuvalayas, kahlāras and blue and red lotuses. Pairs of cakravākas and many other water birds nest in the lakes and always enjoy in a happy mood, making sweet, pleasing vibrations that are very satisfying and conducive to enjoyment of the senses.

SB 5.24.11: Since there is no sunshine in those subterranean planets, time is not divided into days and nights, and consequently fear produced by time does not exist.

SB 5.24.12: Many great serpents reside there with gems on their hoods, and the effulgence of these gems dissipates the darkness in all directions.

SB 5.24.13: Since the residents of these planets drink and bathe in juices and elixirs made from wonderful herbs, they are freed from all anxieties and physical diseases. They have no experience of grey hair, wrinkles or invalidity, their bodily lusters do not fade, their perspiration does not cause a bad smell, and they are not troubled by fatigue or by lack of energy or enthusiasm due to old age.



This sounds so much like New York, the city that "Doesn't sleep" or perhaps Vegas.:P

[kallol]

Possibly in the highest loka, where the gods belong the attributes might be diffrent than what we can percieve.

It might be possible to be omnipresent, all knowing, etc. Like electron can be representated by a static wave or a particle.



Love and best wishes

[openyoureyes]

That is how I view Gods and Goddesses as well. Unity in diversity and all that jazz.

[saidevo]

namaste everyone.

Just as a human soul--jIva, is expressed in three forms: physical, subtle (emotional/mental) and spiritual (Self), Devas have their three forms:

• In their AdhyAtmika--spiritual, form, they are manifestations of Brahman and the administrators of the gross universe and the subtle worlds.

• In their Adhidaivika--divine, form, they have a divya-sharIram--divine, gross body, in which form they reside in the devalokas--divine worlds.

• In their Adhibautika--gross elemental, form, they are dissolved in the elements of the universe.

KAnchi ParamAchArya in his lecture on Vedic sacrifices has this to say:
http://www.kamakoti.org/hindudharma/part5/chap19.htm

"The devas, or celestials. While in this world they remain dissolved in the five elements, in the celestial world they exist in a visible form. Those who have obtained siddhi or perfection by chanting the mantras can also see them in their gross form in their celestial abode besides receiving their blessings in their subtle form. The gods emanated from the Paramatman as a result of the vibrations produced by the mantras. We may therefore describe the mantras as the 'sonic' form of the deities."

*****

As for other physical worlds with human-like residents, although Science says it is only a remote possibility, Hindu PurANas do speak of them as indicated by NayaSurya (post no.5).

Theosophy speaks of globes and chains and lifestreams involving Devas, humans and planets. According to this knowledge system, there was a Moon Chain of life on the planet Moon which on its termination migrated to the Earth and started an Earth Chain of Life. In future, the Moon which is now a satellite of the Earth will disintegrate completely and Earth will become a sattlite to the globe where the next chain of life starts (possibly Mars).

Check this book for further details:
'The Solar System' by Arthur E. Powell,
http://www.scribd.com/doc/16619974/A...e-Solar-System

[rainycity]

why would the supreme being need helpers?

[NayaSurya]

Every single thing is Beloved, all playing out their part. The helpers (Deva), the "helped" (A bird eating a fruit) and even some of the previously helped (birds sitting in the tree observing).