Danu (Asura)

Danu
In-universe information
Family	Daksha — father Panchajani — mother
Spouse	Kashyapa
Children	Viprachitti, Hayagriva, Samvara, Namuchi, Poloman, Kapata, Kupata, Asiloman, Kesi, Durjaya, Ayassiras, Aswasiras, Aswasanku, Gaganamrdhan, Vegavat, Ketumat, Swarbhanu, Aswa, Aswapati, Vrishaparvan, Ajaka, Aswagriva, Sukshama, Tuhunda, Ekapada, Ekachakra, Virupaksha, Mahodara, Nichandra, Nikumbha, Sarabha, Sulabha, Surya, Chandramas (not the celestial sun and moon) and six others.

Danu, a Hindu primordial goddess, is mentioned in the Rigveda, mother of the Danavas. The word Danu described the primeval waters which this deity perhaps embodied. In the Rigveda (I.32.9), she is identified as the mother of Vritra, the demonic serpent slain by Indra. In later Hinduism, she becomes the daughter of the god Daksha and his spouse Panchajani, and the consort of the sage Kashyapa.

Name

As a word for "rain" or "liquid", dānu is compared to Avestan dānu, "river", and further to river names like Don, Danube, Dnieper, Dniestr, etc. There is also a Danu river in Nepal. The "liquid" word is mostly neutral, but appears as feminine in RV 1.54.

See also

• Danu (Irish goddess)
• Dewi Danu, a Balinese Hindu goddess
• Gaia
• Tiamat