Daksha

Daksha (able) In Hindu mythology, a Prajapati, one of the sons of the god Brahma; he sprang from his father’s right thumb. Daksha’s first attempt at populating the world was unsuccessful. A thousand sons were born to him by his wife, Asikni, but they did not produce any offspring. Another thousand sons, by the same wife, also did not produce any offspring. In all, 5,000 children were born, called Haryaswas. With Asikni he also had 24, 50, or 60 daughters. He gave 13 to Kasyapa, who then became the mother of the gods, demons, men, birds, serpents, and all living things. In Indian art Daksha is portrayed with a goat head. One day, according to one account, he insulted the god Shiva, who was his son-inlaw. Shiva, in anger, changed Daksha’s head to that of a goat, a perpetual sign of stupidity. Ironically, Daksha’s name means “able,” “competent,” or “intelligent.”

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Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante