Demigods (Devata)

Since Krishna is busily engaged in loving pastimes with His pure devotees, He doesn’t personally supervise the workings of the material cosmos. To this end, He has subordinate controllers (demigods) whom He empowers to manage various departments of universal affairs. Pleased by their devotion and good qualities, Krishna rewards them with these responsible posts. Indra controls the rain, Vayu controls the air, Varuna the water, Vivasvan the sun, and so on. These demigods are undoubtedly powerful living beings, but they are nonetheless subordinate to Krishna: “Lord Krishna alone is the supreme controller, and all others are His servants. They dance as He makes them do so” (CC Adi 5.142).

Although Lord Krishna can expand Himself into unlimited forms that possess His full potency, the demigods are not such expansions. Rather, the demigods, although undoubtedly powerful, belong to the category of the infinitesimal living entities, called jivas.