A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.409

c5.409

According to the Mahā-bhārata, Daksha sprang from the right thumb of Brahmā, and his wife from that deity’s left thumb. The Purānas adopt this view of his origin, but state that he married Prasūti, daughter of Priya-vrata, and grand-daughter of Manu. By her he had, according to various statements, twenty-four, fifty, or sixty daughters. The Rāmāyana and Mahā-bhārata agree in the larger number; and according to Manu and the Mahā-bhārata he gave ten of his daughters to Dharma and thirteen to Kasyapa, who became the mothers of gods and demons, men, birds, serpents, and all living things. Twenty-seven were given in marriage to Soma, the moon, and these became the twenty-seven Nakshatras or lunar mansions. One of the daughters, named Satī, married Siva, and killed herself in consequence of a quarrel between her husband and father. The Kāsī Khanda represents that she became a satī and burnt herself.