Lord Brahma’s Lineage: The Birth of Devas and Asuras

by [email protected] January 11, 2025

After learning about the birth story of Krishna-Dwaipayana, King Janamejaya was eager to know more about the origins of his other ancestors. He was particularly keen on understanding why the Devas took birth on Earth and with this we come to know the fascinating history of Lord Brahma’s lineage

The Mystery of Devas Birth

Vaisampayana shared that this was a mystery even to the gods themselves. However, after the son of Jamadagni, Parshurama, destroyed 21 generations of Kshatriyas, he retired to Mount Mahendra. During this period, Kshatriya women, desiring offspring, sought Brahmanas to father children.

Parshurama with his battle axe at the Samanta-Panchaya destorying the 21 generations of Kshatriyas — Lord Brahma's Lineage: The Birth of Devas and Asuras 3

This practice was accepted as a norm due to the significant decline of Kshatriya men. These unions occurred only during the women’s fertile periods and were devoid of lust. Over time, thousands of Kshatriya women gave birth to powerful offspring, thus re-establishing the Kshatriya lineage, though now fathered by Brahmanas.

The Rise of the Asuras

With fewer Kshatriya men, peace endured on Earth for a long period. However, during this time, many Asuras (sons of Diti), who had been deprived of sovereignty and a place in heaven due to the Devas, began incarnating on Earth as monarchs, animals, and Rakshasas. With their immense power, they started oppressing those who opposed them, including the Brahmanas.

The Celestials’ Intervention

As the balance of power tipped towards the Asuras, the Brahmanas and Devas grew worried. The Earth trembled under the oppression of the Asuras. In response, the Brahmanas and all oppressed beings approached Lord Brahma, the creator, and urged him to send Devas to Earth to restore balance. Lord Brahma agreed and commanded the Devas, the children of Aditi, to be born on Earth to counter the wrath of the Asuras.

Lord Vishnu reclining on the cosmic ocean atop Ananta Shesha, surrounded by gods and Brahmans pleading for his descent to Earth.

Having received this command, all the Devas approached Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha and requested him to incarnate on Earth for the welfare of its people. Lord Vishnu agreed to this divine mission.

Lord Brahma’s Lineage: The Birth of Devas, Rakshasas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, and Yakshas

King Janamejaya, eager to learn more, asked Vaisampayana about the birth of the Devas, Rakshasas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, and Yakshas. Vaisampayana began by sharing that Lord Brahma had six spiritual sons: Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, and Kratu. Marichi bore a son named Kashyapa, who fathered numerous beings through his different spouses, thus earning the title “Father of the Worlds.”

The Lineage of Kashyapa

Rishi Daksha was born from Lord Brahma’s right toe, while his wife emerged from the left toe. Daksha became one of the Prajapatis and had 50 daughters. Since he had no sons, he designated his daughters as “Putrikas,” ensuring that their sons would belong to both him and their husbands.

Dharma’s Wives: Kirti, Lakshmi, Dhriti, Medha, Pushti, Sraddha, Kria, Buddhi, Lajja, and Mali.
Soma’s (Moon’s) Wives: 27 Nakshatras, who assist in setting the courses of the world.
Kashyapa’s Wives: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kala, Danayu, Sinhika, Krodha, Pradha, Viswa, Vinata, Kapila, Muni, and Kadru.

The Progeny of Kashyapa

Aditi gave birth to the 12 Adityas: Dhatri, Mitra, Aryaman, Sakra, Varuna, Ansa, Vaga, Vivaswat, Usha, Savitri, Tvashtri, and Vishnu. Vishnu, the youngest, was superior to all.
Diti had a son named Hiranyakashipu, who had five sons: Prahlada, Sahradha, Anuradha, Sivi, and Vashkala. Prahlada’s lineage included Virochana, Kumbha, Nikumbha, and the great Asuras Bali and Vana.
Danu had forty sons, here are their names according to their order of birth, Viprachitti, Samvara, Namuchi, Pauloman, Asiloman, Kesi, Durjaya, Ayahsiras, Aswasiras, Aswasanku, Gaganamardhan, Vegavat, Ketumat, Swarbhanu, Aswa, Aswapati, Vrishaparvan, Ajaka, Aswagriva, Sukshama, Tuhunda, Ekapada, Ekachakra, Virupaksha, Mahodra, Nichandra, Nikumbha, Kupata, Kapata, Sarabha, Sulabha, Surya and Chandramas (not go be confused by actual son and moon, they are celestials and someone elses child). From the race of Danu, these ten were of great valor and strength, their names were Ekaksha, Amritapa, Pralamva, Naraka, Vatrapi, Satrutapana, Satha, the great asura Gavishtha and Vanayu, also a danava called Dirghajiva. There are countless more sons and grandsons of Danu.
Sinhika gave birth to Rahu, Suchandra, Chandrahantri, and Chandrapramardana. Rahu harbored eternal enmity towards the Sun and Moon for their role in his beheading during the Samudra Manthan.
Krura (Krodha) had countless wicked sons.
Danayu had four sons: Vikshara, Vala, Vira, and Vritra.
Kala’s sons were Vinasana, Krodhantari, Krodhasatru, and Krodha.
Vinata’s Sons: Tarkhya, Arishtanemi, Garuda, Aruna, Aruni, and Varuni.
Kadru’s Sons: Shesha, Vasuki, Takshaka, Kumara, Kulika, Ananta, and countless serpents, who thrived due to her boon and perished due to her curse.
Muni’s Sons: Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Suparna, Varuna, Gopati, Dhritarashtra, Suryavarchas, Satyavachas, Arkaparna, Prayuta, Bhima, Chitraratha, Kalisiras, Parjanya, Kali, and Narada.
Pradha’s Sons and Daughters: Gandharvas and Apsaras, including Anavadya, Vansa, Marganapria, Alamvusha, Misrakesi, Vidyutparna, Tilottama, Aruna, Rambha, Manorama, Kesini, Suvahu, Surata, and Supriya.

The Birth of the Rudras

Apart from the six spiritual sons of Lord Brahma, there was another son named Sthanu. Sthanu had eleven sons: Mrigavayadha, Sarpa, Nitri, Ajaikapat, Ahivradhna, Pinaki, Dahana, Ishwara, Kapali, Sthanu, and Bharga. These sons came to be known as the eleven Rudras, embodying the fierce and powerful aspects of divinity.

The Lineage of Angiras and Other Rishis

Among the sons of Lord Brahma, Angiras was the second son. He had three sons: Vrihaspati, Utathya, and Samvarta. Each of them became renowned for their wisdom and knowledge of the Vedas.

The other divine sons of Brahma also had unique progeny:

Atri’s sons were numerous and became powerful Rishis.
Pulastya’s lineage included Rakshasas, monkeys, Kinnaras (half-men, half-horses), and Yakshas.
Pulaha’s sons were Salabhas (winged insects), lions, Kimpurushas (half-lions, half-men), tigers, bears, and wolves.
Kratu’s sons were Valikhilya Rishis, who became the companions of the Sun God, Surya.

The Birth of the Vasus

Lord Brahma had another son named Manu, who later became a Prajapati (progenitor of mankind). Manu had eight sons, collectively known as the Vasus:

Dhara and Dhruva were born to Dhumra.
Soma and Swasana (Anila) were born to Swasa.
Aha was the son of Rata.
Anala was the son of Sandilya.
Pratyusha and Prabhasa were sons of Prabhata.

The Progeny of the Vasus

Dhara had two sons: Dravina and Huta-havyavaha.
Dhruva had a son named Kala (Time), the destroyer of worlds.
Soma’s son was Varchas, who had three sons: Manohara, Sisira, and Ramana.
Aha’s sons were Jyotih, Sama, Santa, and Muni.
Agni (Anala)’s son was the handsome Kartikeya, also known as Kumara, who was raised by the Krittikas. Kartikeya had three younger brothers: Sakha, Visakha, and Naigameya.
Anila’s wife, Siva, gave birth to Manojava and Avijnataagati.
Pratyusha had a famous son named Devala, a great Rishi.

Viswakarma: The Divine Architect

Prabhasa, the eighth Vasu, was married to the sister of Vrihaspati. Their son was Viswakarma, the celestial architect of the gods. He was the master of thousands of arts, the creator of ornaments, and the engineer of divine structures. It was Viswakarma who built the celestial chariots and granted them their divine powers. Due to his unparalleled craftsmanship, he is worshipped by artisans and craftsmen to this day.