Who is supreme among 33 crore devi devtas ?
In the Sanskrit language, the word "koti" means "types", not "crore" (million). Therefore, there are not 33 crore gods, but 33 types of gods. When Shri Hari re-establishes creation after the cataclysm (pralaya), He incarnates Himself in three forms (Bramha ,Vishnu & Mahesh) to manage the universe. To govern the earth, He further manifests in 33 different forms, which are known as the "33 koti" gods.
The description of these 33 koti gods is also referenced in the Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures. These gods are categorized into five main groups:
- 8 Vasu
- 11 Rudras
- 12 Aditya
- 1 Indra
- 1 Prajapati
1. Agni
2. Vayu
3. Pruthvi
4. Antariksh
5. Aditya
6. Dyoh
7. Chandrama
8. Nakshatra
11 Rudra's
1. Pran
2. Apan
3. Udan
4. Saman
5. Nag
6. Kurma
7. Krukal
8. Devdatta
9. Dhananjay
10. Vayan
11. Jivatma
12 Aditya
Names of 12 Indian months.
1 Indra
1 Prajapati
yo yo yāṁ yāṁ tanuṁ bhaktaḥ śraddhayā arcitum icchatitasya tasya acalāṁ śraddhāṁ tām eva vidadhāmy aham- Bhagavad Gita 7.21
In this Verse Shree Krishna says "Whichever form (of a deity) any devotee with faith wishes to worship, I make that faith of his steady."
ye’py anya-devatā bhaktāḥ śraddhayā arcayan mām evatae ’pi māṁ eva kaunteya yajanti avidhi-pūrvakam- Bhagavad Gita 9.23
In this verse Shree Krishna says to Arjun "Even those who are devoted to other gods and worship them with faith, they too worship Me alone, but in an improper way." This indicates that all worship eventually reaches Krishna (the Supreme Being), even if the form differs.
The 33 Koti gods, along with Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, are all forms or incarnations of the Sachchidananda Lord Shri Hari. To escape this illusory world, it is most important for the soul to worship Lord Hari. In the present age, to receive the blessings of Shri Hari and to be protected from the catastrophe that will occur at the end of Kali Yuga, certain spiritual practices are essential. These include performing Trisandhya (devotional rituals at dawn, noon, and dusk), daily reading of the Shrimad Bhagavat Mahapuran, and the continuous chanting of the 'Madhav' name. These are the most important means that can elevate us from the darkness of Kali Yuga to the light of Satya Yuga.
