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There was another question on the following topic. However, my question is different.

Which shloka or scripture states that there are 33 crores of Hindu gods?


Rig Veda III.20.5

dadahikrāmaghnimuṣasaṃ ca devīṃ bṛhaspatiṃ savitāraṃ cadevam | aśvinā mitrāvaruṇā bhaghaṃ ca vasūn rudrānādityāniha huve ||

I call on Savitar the God, on Morning, Bṛhaspati, and Dadhikrās, and Agni, On Varuṇa and Mitra, on the Aśvins, Bhaga, the Vasus, Rudras and Ādityas.


The 33 Gods were mentioned here, as Vasus, Rudras and Ādityas and 2 Aswins.


In Rig Veda IV.1.2 Varuna was mentioned as the brother of AGNI and thus he was an Aditya.

As such, O Agni, bring with favour to the Gods thy Brother Varuṇa who loveth sacrifice, True to the Law, the Āditya who supporteth men, the King, supporter of mankind.


In the mantra Rig Veda III.20.5, apart from 33 Gods, Agni, Varuṇa and Mitra, who were already included in the list, were mentioned.

Why?

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  • may because of diferent ststus agni belongs 15th step in devatha latter whereas all other 7 vasus are in 19th step, similarly for varuna and mitra.. mitra is different in taratamya
    – Prasanna R
    Dec 30, 2019 at 18:10
  • @PrasannaR: you can write answer. Dec 30, 2019 at 20:07
  • Because in reality, there are 8 Vasus and overlap with 8 of 12 Adityas(mentioned as sons of Aditi in Rig Veda X.72.8) and rulers/guardians of 8 directions or 8 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pahar. Overlapping 8 Adityas with 8 Vasus are Western Varuna, Mitra, Savitar, Tvastar, Eastern Indra, Bhaga, Aryaman and Martanda en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasu
    – user22687
    May 11, 2021 at 16:27

1 Answer 1

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In the post Vedic literature Adityas were numbered as 12.

Rig Veda X.72.8 says as follows:

Eight are the Sons of Aditi who from her body sprang to life. With seven she went to meet the Gods she cast Martanda far away.

As per Rig Veda Adityas, sons of aditi, are only 8 in number.

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  • rig veda also mentions 33 devas but it seems the above instance occurred before the birth of other Adityas...
    – YDS
    Dec 30, 2019 at 16:47

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