The Deva (デーヴァ Dēva?)[1] are a group of twelve Ultimate-level Holy Beast Digimon that are derived from the Buddhist myth of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, deities who protected the Bhaiṣajyaguru. The Twelve Heavenly Generals were eventually conflated with the animals of the Chinese zodiac in Japanese Buddhism, and so the Deva are also representative of those figures. The Deva are followers of the Digimon Sovereigns, and each Sovereign has three Deva subordinates.[2]
The Deva share many similarities beyond their basis. Nearly all of the Deva have three horns and red eyes, and each wears Chinese-styled armor with a red or purple scarf. Each of the Deva wields a signature weapon which is named in Chinese, with the form "Bǎo X" (宝X? lit. "Treasure X"), where "X" is a generic type of weapon. Although the Twelve Heavenly Generals of Buddhist mythology were each armed with a specific weapon, some of these are switched around for the Deva Digimon. For example, the generals Śaṇḍilya and Indra wield a shell and a lance, respectively, while Sandiramon and Indramon wield a lance and a shell, respectively. Finally, each Deva's Special Move is named after one of the Naraka mentioned in the Vishnu Purana, which usually has some relation either to the Deva's zodiac animal or weapon.
Members
| Digimon | Deva | Animal | Weapon | Special Move | Sovereign |
 Mihiramon |
Mihira | Tiger | Stick | Vimohana[3] |  Azulongmon |
| Aṇḍīra | Rabbit | Axe | Asipatravana[4] | ||
 Majiramon |
Anila | Dragon | Arrow | Vedhaka[5] | |
 Sandiramon |
Śaṇḍilya | Snake | Lance | Krishńa[6] |  Zhuqiaomon |
 Indramon |
Indra | Horse | Shell | Adhomukha[7] | |
 Pajiramon |
Pajra | Sheep | Bow | Vahnijwála[8] | |
 Makuramon |
Mahoraga | Monkey | Ball | Raurava[9] |  Baihumon |
 Sinduramon |
Kinnara | Rooster | Pestle | Púyaváha[10] | |
 Caturamon |
Catura | Dog | Hammer | Śwabhojana[11] | |
 Vikaralamon |
Vikarāla | Pig | Wheel | Súkara[12] |  Ebonwumon |
 Kumbhiramon |
Kumbhīra | Rat | Pestle | Krimíśa[13] | |
 Vajramon |
Vajra | Ox | Sword | Rodha[14] |
Fiction
Digimon Tamers
Using the data of deleted Digimon, the Sovereign Zhuqiaomon created the Deva to be his servants. Lionheart Some time after the "Catalyst" was disguised as Calumon and hidden in the Real World by Azulongmon, Zhuqiaomon sent the Deva to search for the lost entity, as well as to conquer the world of humans he so loathed. They were at first unable to enter the human world, but when Yamaki activated the Juggernaut against the various Digimon invading the town, it unintentionally damaged the boundary between the worlds, creating a warp which allowed nine of the Devas, Mihiramon, Sandiramon, Sinduramon, Pajiramon, Vajramon, Indramon, Makuramon, Kumbhiramon and Vikaralamon, to make their way into the region surrounding Tokyo, causing untold devastation to the city. Eight of the nine Deva are destroyed, but Makuramon manages to discover and abduct Calumon after going undercover disguised as a human child and, with the intervention of his master, he survives and successfully escapes the Real World, returning to the Digital World as the worlds once again stabilize.
To rescue their friend, the Tamers are forced to pursue him to the Digital World, which also brings them into contact with the four surviving Deva. While three of these four, Makuramon, Majiramon and Caturamon, maneuver to bring Calumon to Zhuqiaomon while also eliminating the human threat, Antylamon befriends the human child Suzie Wong and is stripped of her powers as punishment, leading her to become Suzie's partner. Ironically, the conflict between the Tamers and Beelzemon, who had been elevated from Impmon to destroy the humans, claims the lives of the other remaining Deva, leaving the disgraced Lopmon as their only survivor.
The Tamers bring Lopmon with them as a go-between when they enter Zhuqiaomon's palace to retrieve Calumon, but the Sovereign has no intention of releasing their friend. He offers to forgive Lopmon if she comes back to his side, but when she refuses, he attempts to slay her and the battle begins in earnest. No Mon is an Island
Antylamon
Caturamon
- Japanese: Koji Ishii
- English: Tom Wyner ([15])
After Impmon is defeated by Indramon, Caturamon contacts him from the Digital World and continues to sow the seeds of Impmon's resentment at his weakness. A World Apart In the Digital World, Caturamon promises him the power he did not have in exchange for destroying the Tamers. Though at first reluctant, Impmon finally agrees, and Caturamon brings him to the Digital World. Zhuqiaomon gives him the power to digivolve to Beelzemon. Motorcycle Madness After Beelzemon defeats Infermon, Caturamon requests him to fulfill his end of the bargain. When Beelzemon is forced to leave the battlefield, he then makes himself known to the Tamers, destroying Taomon's barrier and kidnapping Calumon. The Imperfect Storm After returning Calumon, Caturamon is then ordered by Zhuqiaomon to deal with the traitorous Antylamon. Lionheart While Gallantmon and Beelzemon clash, he attempts to take out Lopmon, but Terriermon takes the blow and sustains a lasting injury. Gallantmon then destroys Caturamon as the Deva gives its last acclamations to the Sovereign, but lacking any sentiment for his benefactor, Beelzemon loads Caturamon's data while gloating over his execution. The Battle Within
Attacks
- Howl of the Heavens: Releases a supersonic howl that can shatter barriers.
Indramon
- Japanese: Kenyu Horiuchi
- English: Neil Kaplan ([15])
Indramon bio-emerges in the Real World. He first speaks to Impmon after laughing at the smaller Digimon, and he points out Impmon has "the stench of humans", a "Digimon that has been kept by humans has no self-respect" and tells Impmon he should abandon his dreams of Digivolving. Renamon arrives, causing Indramon to tell Impmon once more he is pathetic. He then disappears but later returns and battles Impmon, despite telling Renamon he would gladly fight her as well. Indramon plays around with Impmon for a while before dealing crushing blows. He then fights Growlmon, Gargomon and Kyubimon, easily beating them all with one attack. Impmon's Last Stand Indramon leaves thanks to Mitsuo Yamaki and the Juggernaut program. He returns later with a much larger size. Again, Growlmon, Gargomon and Kyubimon fight and lose to him. However, Takato is able to digivolve Growlmon into WarGrowlmon using Kazu Shioda's Blue Card, and Indramon proves no match for him. He destroys Indramon's horned shell and destroys him by blasting him with his "Atomic Blaster". Out of the Blue
Attacks
- Horn of Desolation (Adhomukha): Uses his tremendous lung capacity to blow the Bǎo Bèi, generating ultrasonic waves.
Kumbhiramon
- Japanese: Miyata Kouki
- English: Joshua Seth ([15])
Kumbhiramon bio-emerges in a sewage system. Jeri Katou and Calumon encounter him and, after asking if he is her partner, are chased by him until Leomon bio-emerges in the Real World and fights him. Kumbhiramon later returns and uses his Deva Clone to fight, but Gargomon helps Leomon destroy his clones and Leomon easily destroys the original with a single slash of his sword. In battle, Kumbhiramon proves to be the weakest among the Devas. Jeri's Quest
Attacks
- Deva Clone (六分身 Rokubunshin?, lit. "Six Clones"): Splits himself into six bodies which he positions in a hexagram barrier, sealing the opponent inside, then smashes them with the Bǎo Chǔ, deleting them completely.
Majiramon
- Japanese: Masahiko Tanaka
- English: Bob Papenbrook ([15])
Makuramon enlists Majiramon's help in searching for Calumon. Brave New Digital World Majiramon and Makuramon search the Digital World until they are drawn by the light of digivolution when Calumon causes Woodmon to digivolve into Cherrymon. Cyberdramon attacks them, and Majiramon attempts to deal with the Tamers. He is close to winning when Ryo Akiyama uses the Goliath card to enlarge Cyberdramon, giving him enough strength to crush Majiramon's head, killing him. Majiramon is likely the most powerful Deva, taking no damage from the Tamers' Champion Digimon whatsoever and besting the experienced also Ultimate-leveled Cyberdramon, brushing off his best attacks until the Goliath card is used to match his opponent's size. Goliath
Attacks
- Flaming Arrowheads (Vedhaka): Disappears into the center of a swirl of light summoned in the sky, then fires 108 shining Bǎo Shǐ, burying a horde of opponents in just an instant. This technique possesses ¥540,000 worth of destructive power.
Makuramon
- Japanese: Ryo Horikawa
- English: Joe Ochman ([15])
Makuramon is a Deva who can take on a human form named Makura (マクラ?).[16]
After bio-emerging at the same time as Indramon, Makuramon first appears in the guise of a human and spies on the Tamers, being noticeably interested in Calumon. Impmon's Last Stand When he watches the battle between Leomon and Kumbhiramon, he finally realizes that Calumon is the Shining Digivolution. Jeri's Quest When Vikaralamon bio-emerges, he reveals his true form and tells the Tamers about their goals: to get more power so that they can defeat their enemies. He attacks the portal created by Juggernaut and destroys it. When Vikaralamon is defeated, he kidnaps Calumon. Though Leomon attempts to stop him, his master, the Sovereign Zhuqiaomon, guards him and guarantees his escape. A World Apart
Makuramon flees to the Digital World, but during his reentry he loses Calumon and has to search for him, enlisting Majiramon's help. Brave New Digital World He is drawn by the light of digivolution when Calumon causes Woodmon to digivolve into Cherrymon. Cyberdramon attacks them, and Makuramon lets Majiramon deal with the Tamers. When it becomes clear that Majiramon would lose, Makuramon bids a hasty retreat. Goliath He stumbles across Suzie Wong who is being guarded by Antylamon and tries to bring her back to Zhuqiaomon as tribute to avoid punishment. Antylamon fends him off, however. Rabbit Transit
Makuramon meets his end when he attempts to scold Beelzemon about the damage he is inflicting on the Digital World. Beelzemon attacks him and loads his data. Beelzemon uses Makuramon's Primal Orb attack in battle afterward. Give a Little Bit
Attacks
- Primal Orb (宝玉 Bǎo Yù?, lit. "Treasure Jewel"): Throws the "Primal Orb" as a controllable projectile.
- Primal Orb (Raurava) Entraps his opponent in the "Primal Orb".
Mihiramon
- Japanese: Masahiko Tanaka
- English: Bob Papenbrook ([15])
When Mitsuo Yamaki activates the Juggernaut Program to eliminate all Digimon on Earth, an anomaly infiltrates the vortex and Bio-Emerges on top of the Hypnos Tower, in the form of Mihiramon. Mihiramon torments Yamaki's foolery to the brink of insanity. Renamon and Terriermon both attempt to battle him in their Champion levels but fail miserably. Guilmon digivolves into Growlmon but is mortally wounded by the tiger, and Takato, also feeling his Digimon's pain, falls unconscious. After Takato and Growlmon have a heart-to-heart moment in a dream world, Takato uses a Blue Card to matrix digivolve Growlmon to WarGrowlmon who battles Mihiramon. Mihiramon is unable to comprehend how WarGrowlmon digivolved to his level and strikes him with a spiked blade. WarGrowlmon seizes Mihiramon by his tail and destroys him at point-blank range with his "Atomic Blaster". Grow Mon Grow
Attacks
- Samurai Tiger Tail (宝棒 Bǎo Bàng?, lit. "Treasure Stick"): Strikes the opponent with the Tiger Rod.
- Armored Tiger Tail: Adds spikes to the Tiger Rod.
Pajiramon
- Japanese: Masako Katsuki
- English: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn ([15])
Pajiramon and Vajramon appear downtown in the real world and rampage about, eating digital goods in order to stabilize themselves. Gargomon has a hard time fighting her, and she takes offense at his attempts at resistance. Henry Wong then uses the Blue Card to matrix digivolve Gargomon to Rapidmon, who destroys Pajiramon and temporarily disassembles Vajramon's data. Duel with the Deva
Attacks
- Thunder Stomp: Stomps hard enough to generate a localized quake.
Sandiramon
- Japanese: Ikkei Seta
- English: Lex Lang ([15])
Sandiramon bio-emerges into the subway tunnels of Shinjuku. He is briefly encountered by an ill man but a guard believes him to be hallucinating. Later, Sandiramon returns to attack the trains. Coincidentally, Rika and her grandmother are in the tunnels. Rika and Renamon battle the snake and then pursue him down a tunnel. Henry and Terriermon are on a train that Sandiramon disintegrates easily, though Henry protects what passengers are left. Henry and Terriermon then rush off to find Takato but fail to locate him. Sandiramon battles Kyubimon and Gargomon until Takato and Guilmon appears from above and Guilmon digivolves to Growlmon. Kyubimon and Gargomon manage to distract Sandiramon with their attacks, allowing Growlmon, using a Power Modify Card given to Takato by Kazu to hit him with an extra-powerful Pyro Blaster. Sandiramon dies due to the accumulated damage of the battle but mentions he is one of the Deva and that the rest will avenge him. Snakes, Trains, and Digimon
Attacks
- Venom Axe (Krishńa): Impales the opponent by thrashing his body and then powerfully vomiting up a Bǎo Kuí.
Sinduramon
- Japanese: Issei Futamata
- English: Richard Epcar ([15])
Takato Matsuki, Guilmon, Henry Wong, Terriermon, and Calumon encounter Sinduramon while on a camping field trip. Initially, he is very small, but he absorbs the nearby city's electricity, causing him to grow to Growlmon's size. He also possesses an owl, who speaks for him. Takato and Henry notice the blackout caused by Sinduramon, and chase him to the dam, where Guilmon and Terriermon digivolve to Growlmon and Gargomon in order to fight him. Sinduramon meets his demise when Growlmon's Pyro Blaster attack knocks him into the water, destroying him with the very electricity he had absorbed. After Sinduramon is destroyed, the possessed owl turns back to normal and flies away. Back to Nature, Back to Battle
Attacks
- Positron Pulse (Púyaváha): Unleashes an intense lightning blast from the Bǎo Chǔ.
Vajramon
- Japanese: Unshou Ishizuka
- English: Michael McConnohie ([15])
Vajramon and Pajiramon appear downtown in the Real World and rampage about, eating digital goods in order to stabilize themselves. Renamon takes him on, and he takes enjoyment in their fight. Henry Wong uses the Blue Card to digivolve Gargomon to Rapidmon, who destroys Pajiramon and appears to destroy Vajramon. Duel with the Deva
Unfortunately, Vajramon survives. He attempts to convince Renamon to come to his side, but she reveals that she was only using him for information and digivolves to Taomon with her partner's help. Feeling betrayed, Vajramon was bent on killing Taomon, only to die by her power. Digital Beauty
Attacks
- Terra Blade (Rodha): Uses his forefeet and upper body to strike the ground with his twin Deva Blades, generating fissures that extend up to 50 meters ahead of him and hurl out rocks as the shock waves erupt from underground, which inflicts damage on those nearby.
- Deva Blade (宝劍 Bǎo Jiàn?, lit. "Treasure Sword")[17]: Crosses the Deva Blades and fires an energy beam at the opponent.
Vikaralamon
- Japanese: Masafumi Kimura
- English: Michael Sorich ([15])
Vikaralamon is the last Deva to bio-emerge into the Real World. Thanks to his massive size, extreme durability and great strength, Vikaralamon causes great destruction in Shinjuku. Because the attacks of the Tamers' Digimon at their Champion level have no effect on Vikaralamon, they digivolve to their Ultimate level and thus Rapidmon, Taomon and WarGrowlmon engage again in battle against him. However, being one of the strongest Devas, Vikaralamon's attacks bring great problems upon the three Digimon, especially WarGrowlmon, who is trapped under an energy ball for most of the fight. In the meantime, Mitsuo Yamaki prepares to activate the Juggernaut program, but Vikaralamon opens a rip in the sky as Juggernaut is activated. The Boar Wars When Makuramon uses an attack on the Hypnos building, everyone evacuates it and Vikaralamon returns to attacking, having recovered his strength. This time, the army attacks him as well but to no avail. Takato, meanwhile, sends his strength to WarGrowlmon, who then frees himself and destroys Vikaralamon with his "Atomic Blaster". A World Apart
Attacks
- Fusion Ball (Súkara): Bores through the opponent with a red Bao Ran.
- Boar Bog: Regurgitates black sticky goo from his mouth.
Notes and references
- ↑ The Deva are also sometimes described as the "twelve gods" (十二神 Jūnishin?) or the "twelve heavenly generals" (十二神将 Jūni Shinshou?), the latter of which is generally read as "Dēva".
- ↑ Digimon Accel: Nature Genome: Andiramon
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "A thief and a contemner of prescribed observances falls into Vimohana (the place of bewildering)."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who wantonly cuts down trees goes to the Asipatravana hell (the leaves of whose trees are swords)."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "The maker of arrows is sentenced to the Vedhaka (piercing) hell."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who causes impotence, trespasses on others' lands, is impure, or who lives by fraud, is punished in the hell called (black, or) Krishńa."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who takes unlawful gifts goes to the Adhomukha (or head-inverted) hell; as does one who offers sacrifices to improper objects, and an observer of the stars (for the prediction of events)."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who is a tender on sheep, and hunter of deer, goes to the hell termed Vahnijwála (or fiery flame); as do those who apply fire to unbaked vessels (potters)."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "The man who bears false witness through partiality, or who utters any falsehood, is condemned to the Raurava (dreadful) hell."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who eats by himself sweetmeats mixed with his rice, and a Brahman who vends Lac, flesh, liquors, sesamum, or salt, or one who commits violence, fall into the hell (where matter flows, or) Púyaváha; as do they who rear cats, cocks, goats, dogs, hogs, or birds."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "The religious student who sleeps in the day, and is, though unconsciously, defiled; and they who, though mature, are instructed in sacred literature by their children, receive punishment in the hell called Śwabhojana (where they feed upon dogs)."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "The murderer of a Brahman, stealer of gold, or drinker of wine, goes to the Súkara (swine) hell; as does any one who associates with them."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who practices magic rites for the harm of others, is punished in the hell called Krimíśa (that of insects)."
- ↑ Internet Sacred Text Archive, retrieved 08/31/07; Vishnu Purana, Ch. VI: "He who causes abortion, plunders a town, kills a cow, or strangles a man, goes to the Rodha hell (or that of obstruction)."
- ↑ 15.00 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05 15.06 15.07 15.08 15.09 15.10 Digimon Encyclopedia: Digimon Tamers Cast List
- ↑ Chiaki J. Konaka's Digimon Tamers Resources: Scenario for episode 23
- ↑ The symbol used in Digimon materials is 剣 ( Tsurugi?, lit. "Sword"), but it is pronounced Jiàn, indicating that it is used as an approximation of the Chinese word 劍 ( Jiàn?, lit. "Sword") which does not exist in Japanese.