As a deity name
Name 685 of the Gopal Sahasranāma — Sammohana Tantra, as taught by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati
As a Hindi name
No reading on this path — this spelling has no entry in our Hindi sources, and no near neighbour is attested there either. We say so rather than invent one.
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
an attendant upon an idol (who subsists on the offerings made to it; oftener ˚laka, )
Scripturally attested Verified split — attested membersMultiple readings (3)Why this matches what you typed
M1 · same meaning "devalāya" is the dative of "devala" — the same word in a different grammatical case.
M3 · meaning shifts "devala" is derived from "de" with the valac suffix — a related word whose meaning shifts, so both meanings are shown.
de cl. 1. Ā. dayate, Dhātup. xxii, 66; pf. digye, Pāṇ. vii, 4, 9, to protect, defend: Desid. ditsate, 54. [cf. 1. datta; 4. 5. dā.]
de 1 A. (dayate, dāta, desid. ditsate) To protect, cherish.
1. devala m. an attendant upon an idol (who subsists on the offerings made to it; oftener ˚laka, Mn. iii, 152; 180; MBh.)
a virtuous or pious man, Uṇ. i, 108, Sch.
Related forms
Dictionary citations
1. devala m. an attendant upon an idol (who subsists on the offerings made to it; oftener ˚laka, Mn. iii, 152; 180; MBh.)
a virtuous or pious man, Uṇ. i, 108, Sch.
de cl. 1. Ā. dayate, Dhātup. xxii, 66; pf. digye, Pāṇ. vii, 4, 9, to protect, defend: Desid. ditsate, 54. [cf. 1. datta; 4. 5. dā.]
de 1 A. (dayate, dāta, desid. ditsate) To protect, cherish.
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
Sources contain errors and engines have limits; every claim above carries its citation so you can verify it. This is guidance about names and their sources — not religious or astrological consultation. How we work · Our sources