Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IAS, our mission, and how you can be part of this spiritual movement.
According to Hindu mythology, Surya Dev and some demons have the same father, Sage Kashyapa, but different mothers. - Surya Dev: Son of Sage Kashyapa and Goddess Aditi. Aditi's children are known as the Devas (gods). - Demons (Daityas): Many are sons of Sage Kashyapa and Goddess Diti. - Why are they different? Hindu mythology describes them as different groups with different qualities, roles, and conflicts. Demons are not necessarily evil simply because of their birth; their actions and choices also matter.
According to Hindu mythology, Surya Dev and some demons share the same father, Sage Kashyapa, but have different mothers. This is why they belong to different lineages. Why are they different? - Surya Dev: Son of Kashyapa and Aditi, who belongs to the Deva lineage. - Daityas (a group of demons): Sons of Kashyapa and Diti. - Danavas: Descendants of Kashyapa and Danu. What is the difference? Surya Dev / Devas Asuras / Demonic beings Associated with light, order, and divine duties. Often associated with power, ambition, and opposition to the Devas. Support cosmic order (Dharma). Sometimes challenge the cosmic order. Represent divine qualities in many stories. Can possess both positive and negative qualities. Important: Not every Asura is evil, and not every Deva is portrayed as perfect. Hindu stories often emphasize that a person's actions, qualities, and choices matter—not just their birth.
This is a very interesting question about Surya Dev, Goddess Aditi, and the conflict between the Devas and Asuras in Hindu mythology. 1. Did Surya Dev know about the conflict beforehand? It depends on which Hindu story we are discussing. In some traditions, Surya is regarded as a divine being with great knowledge, but not every scripture says that Surya Dev knew every future event before it happened. 2. Why didn't Surya Dev stop the conflict? There are three ways to understand this in Hindu mythology: - Divine order (Dharma): The conflict between Devas and Asuras is often portrayed as part of the larger struggle to maintain cosmic order. - Free will and actions: The characters act according to their desires, decisions, and qualities. Knowing what might happen does not necessarily mean controlling everyone's actions. - The role of divine intervention: In many stories, the gods intervene when the cosmic balance is seriously threatened, rather than preventing every disagreement in advance. 3. What about Aditi's penance? In the Bhagavata Purana, Aditi performs penance to seek the restoration of her sons' position after the Devas have been defeated by the Asuras. In that account, her penance is a response to an existing conflict, not something that happens before the conflict.
According to Hindu mythology, the answer is yes, in some stories the Asuras ruled Svarga (heaven) before Surya Dev's birth or during a later period of conflict, but this depends on the particular story. 1. Where did the gods live when demons ruled heaven? - Svarga Loka: The Devas' heavenly kingdom, traditionally ruled by Indra. When Asuras conquered it, the Devas could lose control of their kingdom. - Earth (Prithvi Loka): Some gods could stay on Earth or visit sages and devotees. - Other divine realms: Different deities have their own abodes, such as Brahmaloka for Brahma and Vaikuntha for Vishnu. 2. Were the gods homeless when the Asuras ruled heaven? Not necessarily. In many Puranic stories, the Devas are defeated and driven out of Svarga, but they continue to exist. They seek help from Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva to restore cosmic order. 3. Did the demons rule heaven before Surya was born? We must distinguish between two things: - Surya's birth: Surya is described as the son of Kashyapa and Aditi. - The conflict between Devas and Asuras: This occurs repeatedly across different mythological stories, so not every conflict happened before Surya's birth.
According to Hindu mythology and Vedic astrology, Shani Dev (Saturn) and Surya Dev (the Sun) are father and son, but their relationship is traditionally described as strained. - Reason for enmity: In a popular story, Shani's mother, Chhaya, felt neglected by Surya Dev. Shani grew up with resentment toward his father. - Astrological meaning: Surya represents authority, the soul, and the father, while Shani represents discipline, karma, hard work, and justice. Their contrasting qualities symbolize tension. - Are they always enemies? No. Despite their astrological opposition, Shani remains Surya's son in Hindu mythology.
Scientific reasons behind Chhath Puja: 1. Sunlight: Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which supports bone health. 2. Morning and evening worship: These times provide opportunities to enjoy sunlight when it is generally less intense than at midday. 3. Fasting: Some people experience a sense of discipline, but fasting is not suitable for everyone and does not automatically detoxify the body. 4. River worship: Gathering near rivers connects people with nature, but river water is not necessarily safe to drink or touch. 5. Community bonding: Chhath Puja strengthens family relationships, cooperation, and cultural traditions.