Word

Daksha Prajapati

Sanskrit

दक्ष प्रजापति

IAST

dakṣa prajāpati

In General

Daksha Prajapati is the progenitors of all the animate and inanimate beings and things created in the universe. Daksha Prajapati was born from the right thumb of Brahma and his consort Vrini(Virani) from left thumb.

Veda

Daksha is a Vedic God. The Rigveda mention both Daksha and Aditi as spring from each other.

The seed of the story regarding Daksha having an animal head is from Taittiriya Samhita. But, the Vedic symbolism is for projecting the development of vital energy during spiritual development.

Purana

Purana says Dahsha married to Prasuti, the grand daughter of Manu and to them large number of girs were born. Ten of the girls were given in marriage to Dharma. Thirteen girls got married to Kashyapa Prajapati to them Gods, Demons, birds, snakes and other living things were born; another twenty seven daughter were given in marriage to Soma and to them. All animate and inanimate beings and things were thus born to Daksha Prajapati.

Daksha yaga is a regular story in many puranas. Daksha once conducted a yaga inviting all the Gods but not his daughter Sati and her husband Siva. Sati excited to meet her parents and sister and went to Yajnasala. Daksha insulted Sati and abused Siva before the guests and this resulted in Sati’s jumping into the Sacrificial fire. Siva and his attended smashed every things and cut off Daksha’s head, threw it into the fire. Daksha being so important for the continuity of creation, the gods arranged a Goat’s head and fixed it onver the Dakshastrunk and revived him to life.