deva

In Sanskrit, a resplendent deity. A celestial being, whether good, bad or indifferent. Opposed to them are the asuras.

A deva is a rather stupid plantlike faerie. They are not quite sentient, but they do have a life force and a will, and often manifest as an amorphous light around healthy plants. It is said that they will sometimes point the way to plants with healing properties by glowing brightly around plants that can save lives and act as remedies, but most are too dull to do anything like that on purpose; they mostly just cling to strong life.

In Hindu mythology, the Sanskrit word deva means "god", cognate to the Latin deus. They are opposed by the asura, or "demons".

In Buddhist mythology, deva is better translated as "spirit, supernatural being", as while they're god-like beings, they are not considered the creators of the world or worthy of worship. They must also strive for enlightenment, like humans.

Curiously, the word daeva in Zoroastrian mythology means "demon" and ahura means "god"!

Dev (?), ∨ De"va (), n. [Skr. dva. Cf. Deity.] Hind. Myth.

A god; a deity; a divine being; an idol; a king.

© Webster 1913.