feminine equivalent is devi. Etymologically, Devi is cognate with Latin dea. When capitalized, Devi or Mata refers to a divine mother goddess in Hinduism. Deva is also referred to as Devatā, and Devi as Devika. The word Deva is also a proper name or part of a name in Indian culture, where it refers to "one who wishes to excel, overcome" or the "seeker of, master of or a best among". Vedic literature Samhitas and Brahmanas The Samhitas, which are the oldest layer of text in Vedas enumerate 33 devas, either 11 each for the three worlds, or as 12 Adityas, 11 Rudras, 8 Vasus and 2 Asvins in the Brahmanas layer of Vedic texts. The Rigveda states in hymn 1.139.11, Some devas represent the forces of nature and some represent moral values (such as the Adityas, Varuna, and Mitra), each symbolizing the epitome of a specialized knowledge, creative energy, exalted and magical powers (Siddhis). The most referred to Devas in the Rig Veda are Indra, Agni (fire) and Soma, with "fire deity" called the friend of all humanity, it and Soma being the two celebrated in a yajna fire ritual that marks major Hindu ceremonies. Savitr, Vishnu, Rudra (later given the exclusive epithet of Shiva), and Prajapati (later Brahma) are gods and hence Devas. Parvati (power and love) and Durga (victory) are some Devis or goddesses. Many of the deities taken together are worshiped as the Vishvedevas. Important Devas Brahma the deity of creation Vishnu the deity of preservation Shiva the deity of destruction and time; associated with fertility and regeneration Ganesha the deity of new beginnings, wisdom, and luck Hanuman the deity associateded to courage, reverence and strength/avatar of Shiva Kartikeya the deity of victory and war Vishwakarma the deity of architecture Dhanvantari the deity of doctors and Ayurveda/avatar of Vishnu Dyaus the deity of the aether (or sky) Vayu the deity of air, wind and breath Varuna the deity of water and rain Agni the deity of fire Yama the deity of death and justice Samudra the deity of the seas/form of Varuna Kubera the deity of opulence and wealth Kamadeva the deity of love Indra the king of deities and deity of weather, storms and sky Ashwini Kumara the deity of health and medicine Surya the deity of the sun, light and day Chandra the deity of the moon and night Mangala the deity of Mars