Who Was Daksha and How Can He Have Different Lineages?
Now that we know about Daksha (also known as Prajapati), it’s important to understand that Daksha wasn’t just one being, but many. While one Daksha is said to have been born from Brahma’s toe, the Daksha we’re focusing on here was the son of the Prachetas. In the vast and fluid narrative of the Puranas, multiple beings named Daksha exist, each with a different role in the cosmic cycles, ruling over various aspects of the world.
As Romaharshana explains, “There is no reason for bewilderment. Many Dakshas have been born to rule over the world. One was born from Brahma’s toe, yet another was the son of the Prachetas.” With this in mind, let us explore Daksha’s lineage and his numerous offspring, each representing different aspects of creation and cosmic order.
Daksha and His Sons:
Daksha’s wife, Asikli, gave birth to five thousand sons, who were known as the Haryashvas.
These sons were destined to rule over the world. However, the sage Narada went to them and asked,
“How can you rule over the world if you don’t even know what it looks like? First, explore the world and understand its limits.”
The Haryashvas set out to explore the world, but they never returned.
Feeling distressed, Daksha and Asikli had another thousand sons, known as the Shavalashvas.
Narada repeated his advice to them, and just like the Haryashvas, the Shavalashvas also went off to explore the world and never returned.
Daksha and Asikli were deeply upset by the disappearance of their children. Daksha blamed Narada for instigating them,
and in his anger, he decided to kill Narada. But Lord Brahma intervened and persuaded Daksha to control his anger.
Daksha agreed, but with conditions:
- Brahma must marry Daksha’s daughter, Priya.
- Narada must be born as Priya’s son.
These conditions were accepted. In fact, Daksha and Asikli had sixty daughters.
- Ten of these daughters were married to Dharma (the god of righteousness).
- Thirteen were married to the sage Kashyapa.
- Twenty-seven were married to Soma (the Moon-god).
- The remaining daughters were married to various sages such as Arishtanemi, Vahuputra, Angirasa, and Krishashva.
The Daughters of Daksha:
- The ten daughters married to Dharma were:
Arundhati, Vasu, Yami, Lamba, Bhanu, Marutvati, Sankalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya, and Vishva.
Their children included the Vasus (eight gods), Kartikeya (son of Anala and raised by the Krittikas), and Vishvakarma (the architect of the gods). - The twenty-seven daughters married to Soma (the Moon-god) became the nakshatras (stars).
- Kashyapa’s marriage to thirteen daughters of Daksha resulted in many significant children:
- Aditi gave birth to the twelve Adityas (gods).
- Diti bore the Daityas (demons), including Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, as well as Simhika, who had powerful offspring with her demon husband, Viprachitti.
- Danu’s hundred sons were known as the Danavas (demons), including the Poulamas and Kalakeyas.
- Arishta’s sons were the Gandharvas (heavenly singers).
- Surasa gave birth to the Sarpa (snakes).
- Khasa’s children were the Yakshas (wealthy demigods) and Rakshasas (demons).
- Surabhi’s descendants became cows and buffaloes.
- Vinata’s sons were Aruna and Garuda, the king of birds.
- Kadru’s sons were also Nagas (snakes), including Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, and Nahusha.
- Muni’s children became the Apsaras (celestial dancers).
Diti’s Desire for Revenge:
Diti, mother of the Daityas, sought revenge on Indra (the king of gods) after the gods defeated many of the demons.
Diti prayed to her husband, Kashyapa, asking for a son who would kill Indra.
Kashyapa agreed, but with conditions:
- Diti must carry the child for a hundred years and adhere to strict practices to fulfill her wish.
However, Diti did not follow the conditions perfectly. One day, she went to sleep without washing her feet, an unclean act, and this gave Indra the opportunity to enter her womb in the form of a small being.
Using his Vajra (thunderbolt), Indra sliced the baby into seven pieces. The baby cried in pain, and Indra said, “Ma ruda” (Don’t cry).
The seven pieces of the baby were later divided into forty-nine parts and became the Maruts, the storm gods, who would serve Indra as his companions and followers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Puranas:
1. Are the Puranas 100% logical or factual?
The Puranas are not meant to be read as literal, historical documents. They are mythological and philosophical texts that convey spiritual truths, cosmic principles, and divine narratives. While they may contain detailed stories and characters, these tales are symbolic and help explain the nature of the universe, creation, and the relationship between gods, humans, and the cosmos.
2. Why are the Puranas considered different from the Upanishads?
The Upanishads focus on the ultimate reality, spiritual knowledge, and the nature of the self. They aim to provide deeper philosophical insights and truths that transcend the physical world. The Puranas, on the other hand, are more concerned with the stories of creation, gods, and cosmic events. They provide an understanding of how the universe functions and offer moral and ethical lessons, rather than being direct philosophical treatises like the Upanishads.
3. How should we understand the numbers and events in the Puranas, such as 5000 sons?
When it’s said that Daksha had 5000 sons, this should not be taken literally. The 5000 sons are symbolic representations of divine energy and cosmic forces, not actual biological offspring. For example, in one of the stories, Daksha has numerous sons, such as the Haryashvas, who were “destined to rule the world.” Yet, they go on a journey and never return. These sons symbolize the vast energy and potential of creation, meant to shape and influence the world. Their disappearance could represent the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits or the idea that material goals are secondary to spiritual understanding.
In this way, the numbers and events in the Puranas are metaphorical tools that help us reflect on the mysteries of the universe, divine will, and the cosmic forces at play, encouraging deeper spiritual insights rather than focusing on physical details.
4. How can the Puranas help in understanding the universe?
The Puranas provide symbolic stories that help us understand the creation and workings of the universe. Through the interactions of gods, sages, and cosmic beings, we learn about the principles that govern existence, the interplay of good and evil, and the nature of time and space. These stories are not just meant for entertainment; they provide spiritual lessons that guide us toward understanding our place in the cosmos and our relationship with the divine.
5. Who is Romaharshana and what is his significance in the Hindu Puranas?
Romaharshana is a revered sage in Hindu Puranas, known for his role as a storyteller and preserver of ancient knowledge. As a disciple of Vyasa, he narrates important stories and clarifies complex concepts such as the creation of the universe, the genealogy of divine beings, and the laws of dharma (righteousness). His teachings and explanations play a significant role in preserving and transmitting the wisdom of the Vedas and Puranas, making him an essential figure in Hindu tradition.