Devatā

devatā (T. lha ལྷ་; C. tianshen 天神). In Sanskrit and Pali, devatā is an abstract noun referring to divine beings, or “the state of being a deity.” Any being who is worshiped or to whom offerings are made may be called a devatā. Therefore, it can encompass not only the divine beings (deva) of the higher heavenly realms (devaloka), but also any earthly forces, spirits, animals, or any beings, including religious mendicants, who are the objects of worship. Often it refers simply to the devas of the higher realms.