Maya is mentioned so often and without Dānava parents, it points to him being the first of the Dānava. Has anyone found scripture to say definitively?
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But, wikipedia says that Ramayana mentions Kashyap and Diti as Mayasura's parents. – Rickross Sep 05 '20 at 06:26
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4Does this answer your question? Danu is the predecessor of the race of Danavas (demons) – YDS Sep 05 '20 at 06:48
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Never heard about Maya Danava before? Which texts talk about it? – Sep 05 '20 at 07:32
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1The Dānava race came from Diti/Danu, but that does not mean Diti/Danu is a Dānava, as she could also be the same race as her father Daksha, who is definitely not a Dānava. The first Dānava would then be the first of her children so to transform into the then new Dānava race. – Formation 13 Sep 08 '20 at 15:31
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1Maya Dānava appears nearly everywhere in Hinduism. He is important at critical moments in the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa and is built Tripura, the famous flying cities. – Formation 13 Sep 08 '20 at 15:34
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No, Maya Dānava is not the first Dānava. His was son of Danu (but not the eldest). ~ Is Mayasura a Daitya or Danava? What is the important difference between these two groups?
Dānavas are descendant of Danu and Kashyapa.
The first Dānava (eldest and first king of Danavas i.e. sons of Danu) was Vipracitti:
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The highly effulgent Hiranyakashipu was appointed the king of Daityas and Hiranyaksha as the heir apparent. The highly powerful and first born Vipracitti was appointed the king of Danavas and Asuras. ~ Harivamsha Purana: Part 3: Chapter 33 - Various Kings are Appointed by Brahma
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And Danu had forty sons, O Bharata! The eldest of them all was Viprachitti of great fame... ~Mahabharata: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Chapter 65
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The sons of Danu were great Asuras well known in their race. The most important among them was Vipracitti. ~ The Brahmanda Purana: Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda: Chapter 6 - Glorification of The Race of Danu
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From Kaśyapa, Danu obtained a hundred sons proud of boons. Among them Vipracitti, of great power, was the chief. ~ Padma Purana: Section 1 - Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa: Chapter 6 - Birth of Devas, Daityas, Birds and Serpents etc.
YDS
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