A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.828

c5.828

KASYAPA. A Vedic sage to whom some hymns are attributed. All authorities agree in assigning to him a large part in the work of creation. According to the Mahā-bhārata, the Rāmāyana, and the Purānas, he was the son of Marīchi, the son of Brahmā, and he was father of Vivaswat, the father of Manu, the progenitor of mankind. The Satapatha Brāhmana gives a different and not very intelligible account of his origin thus:—“Having assumed the form of a tortoise, Prajāpati created offspring. That which he created he made (akarot); hence the word kūrma (tortoise). Kasyapa means tortoise; hence men say, ‘All creatures are descendants of Kasyapa.’ This tortoise is the same as Āditya.” The Atharva-veda says, “The self-born Kasyapa sprang from Time,” and Time is often identical with Vishnu. The Mahā-bhārata and later authorities agree in representing that Kasyapa married Aditi and twelve other daughters of Daksha. Upon Aditi he begat the Ādityas, headed by Indra, and also Vivaswat, and “to Vivaswat was born the wise and mighty Manu.” The Rāmāyana and Vishnu Purāna also state that “Vishnu was born as a dwarf, the son of Aditi and Kasyapa.” By his other twelve wives he had a numerous and very diversified offspring: demons, nāgas, reptiles, birds, and all kinds of living things. He was thus the father of all, and as such is sometimes called Prajāpati. He is one of the seven great Rishis, and he appears as the priest of Parasu-rāma and Rāma-chandra.