Kashyapa

Kashyapa is one of the seven great sages (Saptarishi) and a Prajapati, a progenitor of many beings in Hindu cosmology. His name appears in the Rigveda (e.g., Rigveda 9.114.2) where he is associated with the creation of hymns and the cosmic order. In the Puranas, especially the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, Kashyapa is described as the son of Marichi, who is a mind-born son of Brahma. He married thirteen daughters of Daksha, including Aditi, Diti, Kadru, and Vinata. Through Aditi, he fathered the twelve Adityas, including Indra, Surya, and Vamana, who are the devas (gods).

Through Diti, he fathered the Daityas (asuras), such as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Through Kadru, he fathered the nagas (serpents), and through Vinata, he fathered Garuda and Aruna. This lineage is detailed in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva, chapters 14–16) and the Ramayana (Balakanda, sarga 45). Kashyapa is also considered the father of the Rudras, Vasus, and other celestial beings, making him a central figure in the genealogy of the universe. In iconography, he is depicted as a bearded sage with a staff and japa mala, often surrounded by his consorts and offspring.

He is associated with the Kashmir region, which tradition holds was named after him (Kashyapa-mira, or the lake of Kashyapa). The Skanda Purana mentions that Kashyapa performed a great sacrifice in Kashmir, and the land was formed from the waters of a lake drained by his son, the sage Narada. Regional worship includes temples in Kashmir, such as the Kashyapa temple in Mattan, and he is revered in Pan-India as a progenitor and sage. His role in Hindu cosmology is that of a creator and sustainer of diverse life forms, embodying the principle of cosmic diversity arising from a single source. The mantra 'Om Kaśyapāya Namaḥ' is used in worship to honor him as the ancestor of all beings.

Depicted as a sage with a beard. Often shown with his many consorts and offspring.