Yaska (probably the oldest commentator on the Vedas) gives the following classification of the Vedic gods: “There are three deitities, according to the expounders of the Vedas-Agni, whose place is on the earth; Vayu or indra, whose place is in the air; and Surya, whose palce is in the sky. “These deities receive severally many appellations, in consequence of their great-ness of the diversity of their functions. In the Rig-Veda itself this number is increased to thirty-three; “Agni, the wise god, lends an ear to his worshippers. God with the ruddy steeds, who lovest praise, bring hither those three and thirty. “ This is the number commonly mentioned, though it is by no means easy to decide which are the thirty-three intended, as the lists of the gods vary considerably; whilst in another verse it is said that “three hundred. Three thousand, thirty and nine gods have worshipped Agni.”