Kashyapa
Father of Gods and Demons
One of the greatest of the ancient sages. Through his many wives he became the father of devas, asuras, nagas, and birds - almost every family in creation.
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: కశ్యపుడు
- Also known as: Kashyapa Maharshi, Marichi's son
- Symbols: Rishi's staff, Tortoise
Story
Kashyapa Maharshi is one of the seven great rishis, and in many tellings nearly every kind of being in the universe traces back to him. He married several of Daksha's daughters, and each wife's children became a different branch of creation. With Aditi, his sons were the shining devas - Indra the king of the gods, Surya the sun, and Varuna the lord of the waters. With Diti, his sons were the mighty Daityas. Other wives, the puranas say, gave birth to the nagas (serpents), the gandharvas (celestial musicians), and even Garuda, the great eagle who carries Vishnu. That means devas and asuras are half-brothers with the same father - which explains why their quarrels feel like the world's biggest family fight! Sages in his line still use "Kashyapa gotra" today, and many Telugu families hear his name recited by the priest at every puja and wedding.
Fun fact
Some say the beautiful valley of Kashmir is named after sage Kashyapa - legend says he drained a giant lake there to make it livable.