Diti

Diti is a figure in Hindu mythology, described as a daughter of Daksha and the wife of the sage Kashyapa. In many traditions she is the sister of Aditi, and together their lineages represent rival factions of cosmic beings. Diti’s name and role appear in various Puranic and epic texts, where she is associated with the birth of the Daityas or Asuras, a class of demons who oppose the Devas.

Diti’s offspring are among the most prominent demons in Hindu myth. Notable sons include Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, who figure in stories about divine intervention by Vishnu in his boar and man-lion avatars, respectively. Hiranyakashipu is slain by Narasimha after terrorizing the devotee Prahlada, while Hiranyaksha is defeated by Varaha. Several other Daitya families are attributed to Diti in different texts, contributing to the recurring cycle of conflict between the gods and the demons that underpins much of the mythic narrative.

In the broader Weaving of Hindu myth, Diti is often contrasted with her sister Aditi, the mother of the Devas. This dichotomy frames themes of order versus chaos and the periodic need for divine intervention to restore balance. The tale of Diti and her sons emphasizes the struggle between mortal, demonic forces and the divine realm, a central motif in many Hindu stories.

Etymologically, the name Diti is rooted in Sanskrit and is generally linked to her role as a progenitor of many beings in the demon lineage, though precise derivations vary across sources. In modern times, Diti is also used as a female given name in India.