Shloka 125
Pracetās, Māriṣā, Dakṣa’s Re-manifestation, and the Brahma-parastava; Cyclic Creation and Genealogies
अदितिर् दितिर् दनुश् चैव अरिष्टा सुरसा स्वसा सुरभिर् विनता चैव ताम्रा क्रोधवशा इरा कद्रुर् मुनिश् च धर्मज्ञ तदपत्यानि मे शृणु
aditir ditir danuś caiva ariṣṭā surasā svasā surabhir vinatā caiva tāmrā krodhavaśā irā kadrur muniś ca dharmajña tadapatyāni me śṛṇu
Aditi, Diti, Danu; and also Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Svasā, Surabhi, Vinatā, Tām्रā, Krodhavaśā, Irā, Kadrū, and Muni—O knower of dharma, now hear from me the offspring born of them.
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Genealogy of Dakṣa/Kāśyapa line through Aditi and other mothers; forthcoming offspring lists (Devas, Dānavas, Nāgas, birds, etc.)
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: revealing
Creation Stage: Secondary
Concept: The cosmos unfolds through ordered progeny-lines: distinct classes of beings arise from specific mothers, showing patterned diversity within creation.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Recognize interrelatedness of life-forms and cultivate dhārmic responsibility toward all beings as members of one cosmic family.
Vishishtadvaita: Real plurality of beings emerges through divine ordinance, yet all remain dependent on the Supreme cause who sustains them as their inner support.
Vishnu Form: Narayana
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Lakshmi Presence: Sri
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
This verse sets up the foundational cosmic genealogies: Aditi is associated with the Adityas (deva line), while Diti and Danu are linked with major asura and daitya/dānava lineages—framing later conflicts and cosmic balance.
Parāśara presents creation as an ordered unfolding of beings through named mothers; the narrative proceeds by tracing offspring, showing how diversity of life arises within a structured dharmic cosmos.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Vishnu Purana’s genealogies function as a map of the universe sustained by Vishnu’s sovereignty—creation’s multiplicity remains grounded in a single supreme sustaining reality.