Daitya

In Hinduism, the Daityas (Sanskrit: दैत्य) are a clan or race of Asura along with the Dānavas.

Image of Daitya army

They were the children of Diti and the sage Kashyapa. The Devas were their half-brothers with whom they fought against as a result of their jealousy. The Manusmṛti classifies the Daityas as good, while placing them at a lower level than the Devas:

Tāpasā yatayo viprā ye ca vaimānikā gaṇāḥ Nakṣatrāṇi ca daityāśca prathamā sāttvikī gatiḥ

Ascetics and hermits, Brāhmaṇas, celestial beings,[note 1] lunar asterisms, and Daityas represent the first state partaking of ‘Sattva.’

— Manusmṛti 12.48[1]

List of Daityas

Some of the notable Daityas mentioned in Indian mythology include:

See also

References
  1. Jha, Ganganatha (1920). Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi. ISBN 8120811550.

Notes
  1. "Vaimānikā gaṇa" literally refers to those who ride in Vimanas, generally referring to the gods.


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