Pantheon
Though a large number of devas are named in the Rig Veda only 33 devas are counted, eleven each of earth, space and heaven. The Vedic pantheon knows two classes, Devas and Asuras. The Devas (Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Bhaga, Amsa, etc.) are deities of cosmic and social order, from the universe and kingdoms down to the individual. The Rigveda is a collection of hymns to various deities, most notably heroic Indra, Agni the sacrificial fire and messenger of the gods, and Soma, the deified sacred drink of the Indo-Iranians. Also prominent is Varuna (often paired with Mitra) and the group of "All-gods", the Vishvadevas.
Read more about this topic: Historical Vedic Religion
Famous quotes containing the word pantheon:
“Revolution calls my name. I will soon dwell in nothingness, and my name will be in the Pantheon of history.”
—Georg Büchner (1813–1837)