Evolution: Daughters of Daksha

Mankind has always been curious to know about its inception/origin. No matter how much progress modern science has made, it still has gotta lot to find, a lot to learn and a lot to know. Even though science postulates to know a lot, but, it continues to disregard itself with Dharm and Vaidas calling it baseless and that's where it falls behind.

I say so as various Vaidic streams for instance, Ayurvaid has always been of significance. And this is the reason that in spite of plethora of theories viz. Darwin’s and others, we look forward to our legends for answers as to how it all started, irrespective to our beliefs and faith. 

Obviously we need to keep our minds rational while we seek knowledge from them as it is only when we question, only then we get the answers.

Talking about ancient legends; in India, creation story changes a bit with the sects, i.e. in the Vaishnav sect, Bhagwan Vishnu is the supreme and he initiated the creation; in the Shaiv sect, Bhagwan Shiv is the supreme and likewise in the Shakt sect, Bhagwati is supreme. But one truth remains constant, there is only one supreme entity, for some its Vishnu, for some its Shiv and for some its Bhagwati. See, this is the choice or flexibility we get, worship anyone, your prayers will get answered, provided, they are true. 

We will discuss about the creation thing some other time; today, let’s talk about evolution. Though sage Valmiki created Ramayan with a clear view, to make the world aware of Shri Ram’s legend that will guide the mankind towards an ideal lifestyle where he can believe in himself as no human is inferior and if they wish, they can even challenge the mightiest with Dharm on their side. Still, during the exile, when Shri Ram met Jatayu and asked for his introduction, the latter acquainted them about him through the story of evolution of beings, as how after the creation, beings got in this world.

When Brahmm dev started this creation, he created several prajapatees/progenitors whom he commanded to contribute by elaborating the creation; among these progenitors, sage Kashyap was the youngest. Kashyap was married to the daughters of Daksh, one of the early progenitor and son of Brahmm Dev. Kashyap engendered many species with the union of the daughters of Daksh. These woman played the crucial part in the process of evolution of various species; let's know about those divine mothers, The Dakshayanis:

• Aditi - She gave birth to 33 sons; they being- twelve ‘Adityas’, eight ‘Vasus’, eleven ‘Rudras’ and two ‘Ashwini Kumars’. These divine sons later achieved dev-hood due to their noble deeds and were known as the thity three devtas.

{Image Courtesy: deviant art}

 Diti - Gave birth to reputable sons known as Daityas who used to rule whole earth along with the sea.

{Image Courtesy: Vahini}

• Danu - Her children were known as Daanavs; she gave birth to ‘Ashwagreeve’.  

{Image Courtesy: deviant art}

• Kalka -  She gave birth to ‘Narak’ and ‘Kalak’.

{Image Courtesy: deviant art}

We will halt in here and comprehend what we just read above one by one. Though Aditi and all others were daughters of Daksh; yet, there traits varied, individually and intellectually. Aditi was a serene woman who was calm and composed by nature, her sons were known as Adityas basically. Indra, Surya and other devtas were her sons only. Here I would like to bring a myth into your focus, we heard most of the times that there are thirty-three crores devi and devtas in Hinduism. Sheer rubbish, these sons of Aditi are described as prime 33 devtas, the rest are secondary. The confusion arose from the term - 33 koti devtas; now koti means distinctive and on the other hand it also means a crore. That's where the confusion arose and drew such outlook. 

Diti, though Aditi's real sister, played an antagonist. Arrogant and unruly and insecure for her sons. The Daityas, gradually turned hostile towards the Adityas. Some famous Daityas - Hiranyaksh, Hiranyakashyap, Bali etc. 

Danu and kalka were the mothers of Daanavs; though they were not as mighty as the sons of Aditi and Diti. Still they were extremely powerful and dominant. For instance, Vidyujjihv, husband of Shurpnakha and Raavarn's brother-in-law was a Daanav king. He ruled the kaalkeya daanavs, a sub-group of daanavs in the Ashm kingdom that was situated in Pataal-lok. These kaalkeya daanavs are the same that we have seen in the famous 'Bahubali' movie.

We will learn about the other daughters of Daksh in the next post. Be prepared for more eye-openers. 

"When  a logical mind is applied, myths shatter and actual beliefs reborn"

'सियाराम'

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