Kashyapa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kashyapa
Member of Saptarishi
Statue of Kashyapa in Andhra Pradesh, India
Devanagari	कश्यप
Affiliation	Maharishis
Personal information
Spouse	Aditi, Diti, Kadru, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha, Ira, Vishva and Muni
Children	Adityas, Rudras & Vasus; Daityas & Maruts; Danavas; Birds; Krodhavasas; Nāgas, Manasa, Iravati; Cows & Bulls; Gandharvas
Parents	Marichi (father) Kalā (mother)

Kashyapa (Sanskrit: कश्यप, romanized: IAST: Kaśyapa) is a very respected Vedic sage in Hinduism. He is one of the Saptarishis, who are the seven ancient sages mentioned in the Rigveda. You can find him in many other Sanskrit texts and Indian religious books too. He is the oldest Rishi listed in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

The name Kashyapa was common in ancient times. It refers to many different people in old Hindu and Buddhist stories.

What Does the Name Kashyapa Mean?

The name Kāshyap, sometimes spelled Kashup, means "turtle" in the ancient language of Sanskrit. Some experts like Michael Witzel think it's connected to similar words in other old languages. These words also mean "tortoise" or "brainpan."

However, other scholars like Frits Staal agree that Kaśyapa means tortoise. But they believe it might be a word that didn't come from the Indo-European language family.

Who Was Kashyapa in History?

Kashyapa is one of the Saptarishi, or seven famous sages. These sages are believed to have written many hymns and verses in the Rigveda. This ancient text dates back to around 1500-1200 BCE. For example, Kashyapa and his students wrote parts of the eighth and ninth sections of the Rigveda.

He is also mentioned in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. This is one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. It lists him alongside other important sages like Atri and Vishvamitra. Kashyapa is even called the earliest rishi in one part of this Upanishad.

You can find Kashyapa's name in other Vedas and many more Vedic texts. For instance, the Atharvaveda mentions him in a poem about the creation of the universe. It says that "Kala" (Time) created Kashyapa.

Kashyapa in Buddhist Texts

Kashyapa is also mentioned in old Buddhist texts. In the Digha Nikaya, the Buddha talks with Vedic scholars. He names ten rishis, calling them "early sages." These sages created ancient verses that were still used in the Buddha's time. Kassapa, which is the Pali spelling for Kashyapa, is one of these ten sages.

Kashyapa and the Kashmir Region

The region of Kashmir might have gotten its name from Kashyapa Rishi. Some believe "Kashmir" could be a shorter way of saying "Kashyapa Mir." This means "the lake of the sage Kashyapa." Another idea is that it comes from a word meaning "to dry up water." It could also mean "Kashyapa Meru," referring to Kashyapa's sacred mountains.

Ancient Greek texts, from the time of Alexander the Great, called this land "Kasperia." This might be a shorter version of "Kasyapamira." The name "Kaspatyros" appears in texts by Greek geographers like Hekataois and Herodotus. This name might refer to "Kasyapa-pur," which means "city of Kashyapa."

What Texts Are Attributed to Kashyapa?

Kashyapa is highly respected in Hindu traditions. Many ancient texts are believed to have been written by him or named after him. Here are a few examples:

• Kashyapa Samhita: This is an important book on Ayurvedic pediatrics. It also covers women's health and childbirth. The book is written like a lesson between Kashyapa and his student. It mainly focuses on caring for babies and children's diseases.
• Kashyapa Jnanakandah: This is a book of wisdom from the 9th century. It belongs to the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.
• Kaśyapa dharmasutra: This was likely an ancient text, but it is now thought to be lost. We know it existed because other medieval Indian scholars quoted from it.
• Kaśyapa sangita: This was probably another ancient text about music that is now lost. Scholars like Abhinavagupta quoted Kashyapa's ideas on music.
• Kasyapasilpa: Also known as Amsumad agama, this is a Sanskrit book on architecture and art. It was probably finished around the 11th century.

Legends and Stories About Kashyapa

Kashyapa appears in many Hindu texts, like the Puranas and the Hindu Epics. These stories sometimes differ. Many are seen as allegories, meaning they have a deeper symbolic meaning. For example, in the Ramayana, he is married to eight daughters of Daksha. But in the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana, he is married to thirteen daughters.

Some stories say Kashyapa drained the Kashmir valley to make it a place where people could live. This legend is similar to the Buddhist story of Manjushri draining Nepal and Tibet. In these stories, "draining" can mean teaching new ideas. It suggests removing ignorance and bringing learning and civilization to a place.

The city of Multan (now in Pakistan) was sometimes called Kashyapapura in some stories. This was believed to be named after Kashyapa. Another idea connects Kashyapa to the River Indus in the Sindh region. However, these connections have been questioned by some.

According to ancient legends, Kashyapa made the land of Kashmir livable by draining a large lake. His school was located there, and the land was named after him.

Kashyapa's Family: Wives and Children

The Puranas and Hindu Epics often mention Kashyapa and his family tree. In the Vishnu Purana, Kashyapa marries thirteen daughters of Daksha. These include Aditi, Diti, Kadru, and Danu. The Mahabharata lists slightly different names for these wives.

Some scholars believe Kashyapa might have married as many as 21 women. Thirteen of these were Daksha's daughters.

In the Vishnu Purana and Vayu Purana, Kashyapa is said to be the father of many important groups. These include the Devas (gods), Danavas, Yakshas, and Daityas. He is also considered the father of all living creatures through Daksha's daughters.

With his wife Aditi, he fathered Surya (the sun god) and the Adityas. In some stories, Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu, is also the child of Aditi and Kashyapa.

See also

In Spanish: Kashiapa para niños