Aditi is a goddess in Hindu mythology. She is the mother of the Adityas: 12 major devas. She is also the goddess of space, consciousness, past, future, and fertility. She is the wife of Kashyapa. Aditi’s name means “free of bonds”. Devaki is the incarnation of Aditi.
Family
- Father: Daksha
- Mother: Panchajani
- Husband: Kashyapa
- Sisters: Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhvasha, Ira, Kadru, Vishva, Muni, Maruvati, Vasu, Jami, Lamba, Bhanu, Urjja, Sankalpa, Mahuratha, Sadhya, Visva, Krttika, Rohini, Mrigashirsha, Ardra, Punarvasu, Purbabhadrapada, Pushya, Aslesha, Magha, Svati, Chitra, Purvaphalguni, Hasta, Radha, Vishakha, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Mula, Purbashadha, Uttarashara, Sravana, Uttaraphalguni, Satabhisha, Uttarabhadrapada, Revati, Ashwini, Bharani
- Sons: Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Indra, Amsa, Bhaga, Dhatri, Pusan, Tvastra, Parjanya, Surya, Vishnu (as Vamana)
Birth
Daksha and Panchajani had many daughters, including Aditi.
Marriage and Birth of Sons
Daksha married all of his daughters off to different people, including Aditi and 12 others to Kashyapa rishi.
When Kashyapa was living with Aditi and Diti in his ashrama, he was really pleased with Aditi’s services and told her to ask for a boon. Aditi prayed for one ideal son. Accordingly, Indra was born to Aditi. Later, Aditi gave birth to others, namely Varuna, Parjanya, Mitra, Amsa, Pusan, Dhatri, Tvastra, Aryaman, Surya, and Bhaga.
Birth of Vamana
Virochana, the son of Prahlad, had just become the king of asuras. Just like his father, Virochana did a lot of bhakti of Vishnu. This angered Indra. He took his Vajra and threw it at Virochana, who died. Virochana’s son Bali became king. Shukracharya instructed Bali to conquer swarga as revenge for his father’s death. Bali conquered swarga and became the king of the three lokas. All the devas were held captive.
Aditi started praying to Vishnu. Soon, Vishnu came in front of her.
“What is it that you seek,” Vishnu asked.
“I want my sons to be saved. They are being tormented by Bali,” Aditi said.
“I will do what I can,” Vishnu said and then disappeared.
Soon, a boy was born to Aditi. Aditi and Kashyapa named him Vamana. Vamana was a dwarf.
Vamana went to Bali’s yagna. He asked for land equal to three steps. Vamana turned huge. The first step was from Earth to swarga and his second from swarga to Patala. Vamana then asked what his third step should be. Bali told Vamana to step on him for the third step. Vamana turned into Vishnu and didn’t step on Bali, impressed by him. Bali remained the king of Patala, but Vamana gained back control of swarga and Earth.
Aditi became really happy as her sons were ruling swarga again.
Aditi’s Earrings
An asura named Narakasura was creating havoc. He had captured swarga and stolen Aditi’s earrings. Aditi again became really sad and furious. She again prayed to Vishnu, who told her that his avatar Krishna will kill Naraka. She waited and finally, Krishna went to Pragjyotisha where Naraka ruled and killed him. Krishna gave Aditi his earrings back and her sons began ruling swarga again.
You are doing great work. In today’s time, it is a dire need to teach the younger generations about religion. Religion is oxygen. Life can go on without it. But soon may will become animal. So much we need oxygen, so much we need religion. Kudos to you.
Thank you. I agree that teaching religion is extremely important. If religion isn’t taught, the younger generation will forget about it.
What are names of Daughters of Aaditi ?
Aditi did not have any daughters. She only had twelve sons (known as the Adityas): Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, Indra, Amsa, Bhaga, Dhatri, Pusan, Tvastra, Parjanya, Surya, Vishnu (as Vamana)