That system is a revolt from this sensuous and superficial nature-worship.

It begins with a distinct recognition of spiritual intelligences--real persons--with whom alone, and not with powers, religion is concerned.

It divides these intelligences into good and bad, pure and impure, benignant and malevolent.

To the former it applies the term _Asuras_ (_Ahuras_), "living" or "spiritual beings," in a good sense; to the latter, the term _Devas_, in a bad one.

It regards the "powers" hitherto worshipped as chiefly _Devas_; but it excepts from this unfavorable view a certain number, and, recognizing them as _Asuras_, places them above the _Izeds_, or "angels." Thus far it has made two advances, each of great importance, the substitution of real "persons" for "powers," as objects of the religious faculty, and the separation of the persons into good and bad, pure and impure, righteous and wicked.