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List of Daksha's daughters

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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

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Daughters of Prasuti

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The 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

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According 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]

  1. 10 daughters married to Dharma
  2. 13 daughters married to the sage Kashyapa
  3. 27 daughters married to Chandra
  4. 4 daughters married to Arishtanemi
  5. 2 daughters married to the sons of the sage Bhrigu
  6. 2 daughters married to the sage Angiras
  7. 2 daughters married to Krisasva

Wives of Dharma

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The 10 daughters married to Dharma are:[9][11]

  1. Maruvati
  2. Vasu
  3. Jami
  4. Lamba
  5. Bhanu
  6. Urjja
  7. Sankalpa
  8. Muhurta
  9. Sadhya
  10. Vishva

Wives of Kashyapa

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The 13 daughters married to the sage Kashyapa are:[12][13]

  1. Aditi
  2. Diti
  3. Danu
  4. Arishta
  5. Surasa
  6. Surabhi
  7. Vinata
  8. Tamra
  9. Krodhavasha
  10. Ira
  11. Kadru
  12. Vishva
  13. Muni

Wives of Chandra

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The 27 daughters married to Chandra who became the nakshastras (lunar mansions) are:[14]

  1. Ashvinī,
  2. Bharanī,
  3. Kṛttikā
  4. Rohinī,
  5. Mrigashīra
  6. Ārdrā
  7. Punarvasu
  8. Pushya
  9. Ashlesha
  10. Maghā
  11. Pūrvaphalgunī
  12. Uttaraphalgunī
  13. Hasta
  14. Chitrā
  15. Svātī
  16. Vishākhā
  17. Anurādhā or Rādha
  18. Jyeshtha
  19. Mūla
  20. Pūrvashādhā
  21. Uttarashara
  22. Shravana or Abhijita
  23. Dhanistha
  24. Shatabhisha
  25. Pūrva Bhādrapadā
  26. Uttarbhadrapada
  27. Revatī

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Williams, George Mason (2003). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. ABC-CLIO. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-57607-106-9.
  3. ^ Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2013-07-04). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-135-96390-3.
  4. ^ Chawla, Janet (2006). Birth and Birthgivers: The Power Behind the Shame. ISBN 9788124109380.
  5. ^ Sen, Ramendra Kumar (1966). "Aesthetic Enjoyment; Its Background in Philosophy and Medicine".
  6. ^ Debroy, Bibek (2022-06-30). Vishnu Purana. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. p. 40. ISBN 978-93-5492-661-7.
  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.
  8. ^ Wilkins, W.J. (2003). Hindu Mythology. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld (P) Limited. p. 373. ISBN 81-246-0234-4.
  9. ^ a b The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #5, Page 17
  10. ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #5, Sloka 10-12
  11. ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #5, Sloka 15-16
  12. ^ The Matsya Puranam P-I (B.D. Basu) English Translation Ch #5, Page 18
  13. ^ Matsya Purana (Sanskrit) Ch #6, Sloka 1-2
  14. ^ 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.