Rishi Kashyap is considered the best among sages. According to Puranas, we all are his children. Sage Kashyapa, the original male of Sur-Asuras, had hermitage on the top of Mount Meru, where he used to meditate on Parabrahma Paramatma. All the gods, demons and humans obeyed the orders of sage Kashyapa. Kashyap had composed many Smriti texts.
Origin of Sage Kashyapa
Sage Kashyap was the learned son of Marichi, the manas-son of Brahma. His mother ‘Kala’ was the daughter of sage Kardam and sister of Kapil Dev. According to belief, they are also known as Anishtanemi. It is believed that the ancient name of Kashmir was in the name of sage Kashyap. Entire Kashmir was ruled by Rishi Kashyap and his sons. The history of Kashyap Rishi is considered ancient.
How Dev and Danav both sons of Kashyapa rishi ?
According to the Puranas, Lord Brahma first appeared on the earth during the creation and development of the universe. Daksh Prajapati was born from Brahma. On the request of Brahmaji, Daksh Prajapati gave birth to 66 girls from the womb of his wife Asikni. Out of these girls, 13 girls became the wives of sage Kashyap.
In this way Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kashtha, Arishta, Sursa, Ila, Muni, Krodhavasha, Tamra, Surbhi, Sursa, Timi, Vinata, Kadru, Patangi and Yamini became wives of Sage Kashyap.
One of the Saptarishi
Mainly the development of the universe took place from these girls and Kashyap. Sage Kashyap is considered to be the chief among the Sapta rishi. According to the Vishnu Puranas, the Saptarishis in the seventh Manvantar are as follows- Vasishtha, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, Vishwamitra and Bharadwaj.
13 wives of Rishi Kashyap and their children
1. Aditi
According to the Puranas, Kashyapa gave birth to twelve Adityas from the womb of his wife Aditi, including the Vamana avatar of Lord Narayana. It is believed that during the Chakshusha Manvantar period, the twelve Shresthas named Tushit were born as the twelve Adityas, which were as follows – Vivasvan, Aryama, Pusha, Tvashta, Savita, Bhaga, Dhata, Vidhata, Varuna, Mitra, Indra and Trivikram. (Lord Vamana).
Vaivaswat Manu was born to Viswan, the son of sage Kashyapa. Maharaj Manu was blessed with ten best sons named Ikshvaku, Nrig, Dhrishta, Sharyati, Narishyant, Pranshu, Nabhag, Disht, Karush and Prishadhra.
2. Diti
Kashyapa Rishi gave birth to two sons named Hiranyakashyap and Hiranyaksha and a daughter named Sinhika from the womb of Diti. According to Shrimad Bhagwat, apart from these three children, 49 other sons of Kashyap were also born from Diti’s womb, who were called Marundan. These sons of Kashyap remained childless. Whereas Hiranyakashyap had four sons – Anuhallada, Hallada, Bhakta Prahlad and Sanhallada.
3. Danu
From the womb of his wife Danu Dvimurdha, Shambar, Arishta, Hayagriva, Vibhavasu, Varun, Anutapan, Dhumrakesh, Virupaksha, Durjaya, Ayomukh, Shankushira, Kapil, Shankar, Ekachakra, Mahabahu, Taraka, Mahabal, Swarbhanu etc and 61 great sons like Vrishparva, Mahabali Pulom and Viprachiti were born.
4. Other wives
Horses etc. animals with one hoof were born from Queen Kashtha. Gandharva was born from wife Arishta. Yatudhans (demons) were born from a queen named Sursa. From Ila, trees, creepers etc. were born on the earth. Apsaras were born from the womb of wife Muni . Kashyap’s queen named Krodhavasha produced poisonous animals like snakes, scorpions etc.
Tamra gave birth to birds of prey like eagles, vultures etc. as her progeny. Surabhi originated buffalo, cow and two hoofed animals. Queen Sarsa gave birth to tigers etc. violent creatures. Timi produced aquatic animals as her progeny.
Garuda (Vishnu’s vehicle) and Aruna (Surya’s charioteer) were born from the womb of Queen Vinata. 1000 snake prince originated from Kadru’s womb, in which the main eight snakes were-Anant (Shesh), Vasuki, Takshak, Karkotak, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankha and Kulik with one daughter as Mansa.
Birds were born from Queen Patang. Shalabhas (moths) were born from Yamini’s womb. Prajapati Kashyap also married Puloma and Kalka, two daughters of Vaishwanar, by the order of Brahma. Sixty thousand Ranveer demons named Paulom and Kalkeya were born from them, who later became famous as Nivatkavach.
