The Birth of the Devas, Asuras, and Nagas: A Look at Kashyapa's Lineage

Sage Kashyapa, a revered figure in Hindu scriptures, is not only known for his profound wisdom and role as one of the Saptarshis but also for his significant contributions to the cosmic order, Ayurveda, and the creation of the beautiful Kashmir Valley.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Sage Kashyapa
2. The Lineage and Family of Kashyapa
3. Kashyapa’s Role in the Birth of the Devas, Asuras, and Nagas
4. The Vamana Avatar: Connection to Lord Vishnu
5. Kashyapa's Influence on Ayurveda and Its Impact on Medicine
6. The Creation of Kashmir Valley According to Legend
7. Kashyapa and His Role in the Saptarshi Tradition
8.The Children of Kashyapa: From the Adityas to the Danavas
9. The Legacy of Kashyapa in Hindu scriptures and Cosmology
10. The Timeless Influence of Sage Kashyapa

1. Introduction to Sage Kashyapa

Kashyapa (Sanskrit कश्यप kaśyapa) was an ancient sage and one of the Saptarshis in the current Manvantara, alongside Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadwaja. Vamana avatar, Rishi Kashyapa's son with Aditi, lived in King Bali's court. He was the father of the Devas, Asuras, Nagas, and all humans. He married Aditi, with whom he had Agni, the Adityas, and, most importantly, Lord Vishnu took his fifth incarnation as Vamana, Aditi's son, in the seventh manvantara. The Daityas were born from his second marriage to Diti. Diti and Aditi were the daughters of King Daksha Prajapati and sisters of Sati, Shiva's wife. Kashyapa received the earth, obtained by Parashurama's victory over King Kartavirya Arjuna, and so earth began to be known as “Kashyapi.”

2. The Lineage and Family of Kashyapa

He was also the creator of the treatise Kashyap Samhita, or Braddha Jivakiya Tantra, which is regarded as a classic reference work on Ayurveda, particularly in the subjects of Ayurvedic Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Obstetrics. It is safe to believe that there were numerous Kashyapas, and the name refers to a status rather than a single individual. Strabo, a Greek historian, also believes that the term 'Caspian' and the Caspian Sea are derived from his name, as do Hindus in India.

3. Kashyapa’s Role in the Birth of the Devas, Asuras, and Nagas

Kashyapa is Marichi's son, and one of Brahma's 10 sons (Maanasa-putras). The Prajapati Daksha gifted his thirteen daughters (Aditi, Diti, Kadru, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasa, Ida, and Khasa Muni) to Kashyapa.

4. The Vamana Avatar: Connection to Lord Vishnu

His sons from Aditi or Adityas (Sons of Aditi) were Aṃśa, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhūti, Mitra, Pūṣan, Śakra, Savitṛ, Tvaṣṭṛ, Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, and Vivasvat or Vivasvan, who went on to start the Solar Dynasty (Suryavansha), later known as the Ikshvaku dynasty, after his great grandson, King.

5. Kashyapa's Influence on Ayurveda and Its Impact on Medicine

His sons from Diti were Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, and he had a daughter named Sinhika, who later married Viprachitti. Hiranyakashipu had four sons, Anuhlada, Hlada, Prahlada, and Sanhlada, who further expanded the Daityas.

6. The Creation of Kashmir Valley According to Legend

Garuda Kashyapa's sons from Vinata include Garuda and Aroona, while his sons from Kadru are the Nāgas (serpents). The Danavas are his sons from Danu. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Kashyapa and Muni gave birth to the Apsaras. Kashyapa's familial line includes two other Mantra discoverers, his sons Avatsara and Asita. Avatsara's two sons, Nidhruva and Rebha, are also mantra-seers. Asita had a son named Shandila, from whom the legendary Shandilya family line (Gotra) originated.

7. Kashyapa and His Role in the Saptarshi Tradition

Kashyapa was one of seven Sages during the Manvantara period known as 'Svarochisha'. The Indian valley of Kashmir in the Himalayas is named for him. Legend says that the valley of Kashmir was a great high-altitude lake that was drained by Kashyapa rishi, from which the beautiful valley of Kashmir developed, hence the name Kashyap Mira, which corrupted over time to become Kashmir.

8. The Children of Kashyapa: From the Adityas to the Danavas

Kashyapa was one of seven Sages during the Manvantara period known as 'Svarochisha'. The Indian valley of Kashmir in the Himalayas is named for him. Legend says that the valley of Kashmir was a great high-altitude lake that was drained by Kashyapa rishi, from which the beautiful valley of Kashmir developed, hence the name Kashyap Mira, which corrupted over time to become Kashmir.
Kashyapa's sons from Aditi or Adityas (Sons of Aditi) were Aṃśa, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhūti, Mitra, Pūṣan, Śakra, Savitṛ, Tvaṣṭṛ, Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, and Vivasvat or Vivasvan, who went on to start the Solar Dynasty (Suryavansha), later known as the Ikshvaku dynasty, after his great grandson, King.

9. The Legacy of Kashyapa in Hindu Scriptures and Cosmology

Kashyapa’s familial line includes two other Mantra discoverers, his sons Avatsara and Asita. Avatsara's two sons, Nidhruva and Rebha, are also mantra-seers. Asita had a son named Shandila, from whom the legendary Shandilya family line (Gotra) originated.

10. The Timeless Influence of Sage Kashyapa

Kashyapa was one of seven Sages during the Manvantara period known as 'Svarochisha'. The Indian valley of Kashmir in the Himalayas is named for him. Legend says that the valley of Kashmir was a great high-altitude lake that was drained by Kashyapa rishi, from which the beautiful valley of Kashmir developed, hence the name Kashyap Mira, which corrupted over time to become Kashmir.