In Hinduism, Daksha is a Prajapati, and the son of the creator god Brahma. Hindu literature identifies both Asikni and Prasuti as the name of Daksha's wife.[1] Some of the notable daughters of Daksha include Aditi, the mother of the adityas, Diti, the mother of the daityas, Danu, the mother of the danavas, Svaha, the goddess of sacrifices and the wife of Agni, and Sati, the first wife of Shiva.
Daksha's daughters have an important role in creation, as they were given in marriage by their father to a number of deities in Hindu mythology.[2] In the Mahabharata, the sixteen daughters of Daksha become the mothers of all living beings, including the devas, the asuras, and humans.[3]
List
editDaughters of Prasuti
editThe number of Prasuti's daughters from Daksha varies across the Puranas. The number of their daughters range from 16 to 60. Prasuti's daughters are regarded to represent the virtues of mind and the body.[4] They are married to different deities.[5] The Vishnu Purana states that Prasuti bore Daksha 24 daughters.[6]
| Name of the daughter | Spouse |
|---|---|
| Shraddha | Dharma |
| Lakshmi | Dharma |
| Dhriti | Dharma |
| Tushti | Dharma |
| Pushti | Dharma |
| Medha | Dharma |
| Kriya | Dharma |
| Buddhi | Dharma |
| Lajja | Dharma |
| Vapus | Dharma |
| Shanti | Dharma |
| Siddhi | Dharma |
| Kirti | Dharma |
| Khyati | Bhrigu |
| Sambhuti | Marichi |
| Smriti | Angiras |
| Priti | Pulastya |
| Kshama | Pulaha |
| Sannati | Kratu |
| Anasuya | Atri |
| Urjja | Vashishtha |
| Svaha | Agni |
| Svadha | Pitrs |
| Sati | Shiva |
Daughters of Asikni
editAccording to the Padma Purana, when Daksha felt the number of women he had created were still not sufficient, he decided to have 60 more daughters from his wife, Asikni.[7] Sati was the daughter married to Shiva.[8] According to the Matsya Purana, not one of these daughters resembled their father. They are listed by their marriages to deities and sages:[9][10]
- 10 daughters married to Dharma
- 13 daughters married to the sage Kashyapa
- 27 daughters married to Chandra
- 4 daughters married to Arishtanemi
- 2 daughters married to the sons of the sage Bhrigu
- 2 daughters married to the sage Angiras
- 2 daughters married to Krisasva
Wives of Dharma
editThe 10 daughters married to Dharma are:[9][11]
- Maruvati
- Vasu
- Jami
- Lamba
- Bhanu
- Urjja
- Sankalpa
- Muhurta
- Sadhya
- Vishva
Wives of Kashyapa
editThe 13 daughters married to the sage Kashyapa are:[12][13]
Wives of Chandra
editThe 27 daughters married to Chandra who became the nakshastras (lunar mansions) are:[14]
References
edit- ^ Mani, Vettam (2015-01-01). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 193. ISBN 978-81-208-0597-2.
- ^ Williams, George Mason (2003). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. ABC-CLIO. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-57607-106-9.
- ^ Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2013-07-04). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-135-96390-3.
- ^ Chawla, Janet (2006). Birth and Birthgivers: The Power Behind the Shame. ISBN 9788124109380.
- ^ Sen, Ramendra Kumar (1966). "Aesthetic Enjoyment; Its Background in Philosophy and Medicine".
- ^ Debroy, Bibek (2022-06-30). Vishnu Purana. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. p. 40. ISBN 978-93-5492-661-7.
- ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin Books India. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-14-341517-6.
- ^ Wilkins, W.J. (2003). Hindu Mythology. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld (P) Limited. p. 373. ISBN 81-246-0234-4.
- ^ a b The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #5, Page 17
- ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #5, Sloka 10-12
- ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #5, Sloka 15-16
- ^ The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #5, Page 18
- ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #6, Sloka 1-2
- ^ Dowson, John (2013-11-05). A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History and Literature. Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-136-39029-6.