Diti, Dīti: 21 definitions
Introduction:
Diti means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Śāktism1) Diti (दिति, “generous, liberal”):—Name of one of the sixty-four mātṛs to be worshipped during Āvaraṇapūjā (“Worship of the Circuit of Goddesses”, or “Durgā’s Retinue”), according to the Durgāpūjātattva. They should be worshipped with either the five upācāras or perfume and flowers.
Her mantra is as follows:
ॐ दित्यै नमः
oṃ dityai namaḥ.
2) Diti (दिति) refers to one of the 53 gods to be worshipped in the northern quarter and given pāyasa (rice boiled in milk) according to the Vāstuyāga rite in Śaktism (cf. Śāradātilaka-tantra III-V). The worship of these 53 gods happens after assigning them to one of the 64 compartment while constructing a Balimaṇḍapa. Vāstu is the name of a prodigious demon, who was killed by 53 gods (e.g., Diti).
Source: Kamakoti Mandali: The Yoginis of Narasimha VyuhaDiti (दिति) is the name of a Mātṛkā-Śakti created by Mahārudra in order to control the plague of demons created by Andhakāsura.—Accordingly, Andhaka-Asura tried to kidnap Umā (Devī Pārvatī), and was fiercely attacked by Mahārudra who shot arrows at him from his mahāpināka. when the arrows pierced the body of Andhakāsura, drops of blood fell to earth and from those drops, thousands of Andhakas arose. To control this plague of demons, Mahārudra created Mātṛkā-Śaktis [viz., Diti] and ordered them to drink the blood of the demons and drain them dry.
Source: Kamakoti Mandali: Nrisimha matrika-mandalaDiti (दिति) refers to one of the various Mātṛkā-Śaktis created by Rudra in order to destroy the clones that spawned from Andhaka’s body.—Accordingly, [...] Andhakāsura attempted to abduct Girājanandinī (Pārvatī) and thus ensued a fierce battle between Andhakāsura and the great Rudra, the Lord of Umā. Like raktabīja, every drop of blood that fell from the body of Andhaka created another Asura like him and in no time, the entire world was filled with Andhakas. To destroy the growing number of Andhakas, Rudra created innumerable Mātṛkā-Śaktis [viz., Diti]. These Śaktis of immense power at once began to drink every drop of blood that flowed from the body of Andhaka, but they could still not effectively contain the emergence of more and more demons.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Wisdom Library: The Matsya-purāṇaDiti (दिति) is the name of a mind-born ‘divine mother’ (mātṛ), created for the purpose of drinking the blood of the Andhaka demons, according to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.8. The Andhaka demons spawned out of every drop of blood spilled from the original Andhakāsura (Andhaka-demon). According to the Matsya-purāṇa 179.35, “Most terrible they (e.g., Diti) all drank the blood of those Andhakas and become exceedingly satiated.”
The Matsyapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 20,000 metrical verses, dating from the 1st-millennium BCE. The narrator is Matsya, one of the ten major avatars of Viṣṇu.
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaDiti (दिति).—General. A daughter of Dakṣa Prajāpati. She was married to Kaśyapa, grandson of Brahmā and son of Marīci. She had many sisters, chief among whom were Aditi, Kālā, Danāyus, Danu, Siṃhikā, Krodhā, Pṛthā, Viśvā, Vinatā, Kapilā, Muni and Kadrū. Kaśyapa’s sons by Aditi became Devas (Āditeyas) and his sons by Diti became Asuras (Daityas). (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 65). (See full article at Story of Diti from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationDiti (दिति) refers to one of the thirteen daughters of Dakṣa, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.14 (“The Birth of Tāraka and Vajrāṅga”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] My son Marīci begot Kaśyapa who married thirteen daughters of Dakṣa. The eldest of them Diti bore two sons: Hiraṇyakaśipu the elder and Hiraṇyākṣa the younger. When these two began to harass the gods, Viṣṇu assumed the forms of Man-lion and Boar and killed them. Then the gods became fearless and happy”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index1a) Diti (दिति).—A daughter of Dakṣa, and wife of Kaśyapa.1 Her sons generally known as Daityas. Mother of Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu.2 Mother of Dantavaktra by the sage's curse.3 Her sons Prahlāda and Hari were devotees of Hari.4 Always set her mind on truth;5 daughter Simhikā;5 (Ādity, Vāyu-purāṇa). Finding her sons slain by Hari to help Indra, she became enraged, and asked her husband to bless her with a child to kill Indra. The unwilling husband offered it on condition of her observing certain vows for 100 years. So she observed them and Indra came to assist her. One day he found her sleeping in an unorthodox posture and entering her womb cut the embryo into seven and then into 49 pieces; but at her request he gave all of them the status of gods, known as Maruts.6 Impelled by passion and desire for children she approached her husband one evening for sexual intercourse. Kaśyapa said that it was the hour when Śivagaṇas moved about and for him, to offer the śandhya-prayer. But she persisted and gained her object. She however requested to be redeemed of the sin. Kaśyapa remarked that since she approached him at the wrong time, her sons would have paiśāca-character and would be killed by Hari. For her penitence she was blessed with a righteous child among her grandsons.7 Held the tejas in embryo for a hundred years when darkness enveloped all directions. The two door-keepers of Vaikuṇṭha cursed by seers for preventing them from having darsan of Hari were born as her two sons, when there were evil omens.8 Prayed for another son. This was Vajrānga who on his birth according to her orders bound Indra. The latter was released on the mediation of Brahmā and Kaśyapa.9 Mother of Daityas; a Mother Goddess to be worshipped in house and palace buildings10 Yoganidrā addressed as;11 sons of, in the seventh tala or Pātālam.12
- 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 14. 7; Vāyu-purāṇa 66. 54; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 15. 124, 140.
- 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 6. 25; 18. 11; VII. 1. 39; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa III. 3. 56; Matsya-purāṇa 6. 1-8; Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 49.
- 3) Bhāgavata-purāṇa IX. 24. 37.
- 4) Ib. VI. 18. 10.
- 5) Ib. VII. 2. 61.
- 6) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VI. 18. 23-77; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 1. 112; ch. 5 (whole); 7. 465; IV. 9. 3; Matsya-purāṇa 6. 47; ch. 7 (whole); Vāyu-purāṇa 67. 86, 135; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 21. 30-41.
- 7) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 14 (whole).
- 8) Ib. VI. 15. 1-10; 16. 35; 17. 2-15.
- 9) Matsya-purāṇa 146. 18-55; 171. 29.
- 10) Ib. 171. 58; 179. 15; 251. 29; 253. 27; 268. 19.
- 11) Vi V. 2. 9.
- 12) Vāyu-purāṇa 50. 43.
1b) A Mauneya.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 2.
Diti (दिति) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.59.12, I.65, I.61.5). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Diti) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical studyDiti (दिति) refers to one of thirteen of Dakṣa’s sixty daughters given to Kaśyapa in marriage, according to one account of Vaṃśa (‘genealogical description’) of the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—Accordingly, Dakṣa gets married to Asikni, the daughter of Prajāpati Viraṇa and begot sixty daughters. [He gave thirteen daughters to Kaśyapa]. Kaśyapa’s thirteen wives are Aditi, Diti, Danu, Ariṣṭā, Surasā, Svadhā, Surabhi, Vinatā, Tamrā, Krodhavasā, Irā and Muni.
Diti gives birth to two demons Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa. Hiraṇyakaśipu has four sons—Prahlāda, Anuhlāda, Saṃhlāda and Hlāda. Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed by Narasiṃha. Hiraṇyākṣa ascended the throne and he got a son named Antaka. Viṣṇu having the form of a boar killed Hiraṇyākṣa.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)Diti (दिति) refers to one of the deities to be installed in the ground plan for the construction of houses, according to the Bṛhatkālottara, chapter 112 (the vāstuyāga-paṭala).—The plan for the construction is always in the form of a square. That square is divided into a grid of cells (padas). [...] Once these padas have been laid out, deities [e.g., Diti] are installed in them. In the most common pattern 45 deities are installed.
Diti as a doorway deity is associated with the Nakṣatra called Uttarabhadrā and the consequence is hrāsa. [...] The Mayasaṃgraha (verse 5.156-187) describes a design for a 9-by-9-part pura, a residential complex for a community and its lead figure. [...] This record lists a place for a school (vidyādhāma) at Aditi and Diti (aditidvaye).
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraDiti (दिति) is the wife of Ayodhana (king from Cāraṇayugala), according , according to the Jain Ramayana and chapter 7.2 [Rāvaṇa’s expedition of conquest] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly, as Muni Nārada said to Rāvaṇa: “There is a city here, Cāraṇayugala. Its king was Ayodhana and his wife’s name was Diti, and they had a beautiful daughter, Sulasā. Summoned by her father to her svayaṃvara, all the kings came and King Sagara was first among them. At Sagara’s command a woman door-keeper, named Mandodarī, went to King Ayodhana’s palace every day. One day Diti went into a plantain-house in the palace-garden with Sulasā and Mandodarī went also. [...]”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryditi (दिति).—f S The mother of the daitya or infernal race: opp. to aditi the mother of the gods.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryDiti (दिति).—f.
1) Cutting, splitting, dividing.
2) Liberality.
3) Name of a daughter of Dakṣa, wife of Kaśyapa and mother of the demons or daityas. -m. A king.
Derivable forms: ditiḥ (दितिः).
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Dīti (दीति).—f. Splendour, lustre.
Derivable forms: dītiḥ (दीतिः).
See also (synonyms): dīditi.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryDiti (दिति).—f.
(-tiḥ) 1. One of the wives of Kasyapa, and mother of the Daityas or infernal race, oppossed of the gods. 2. Cutting, splitting, dividing. m.
(-tiḥ) A king, a prince. E. do to cut, affix ktic .
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryDiti (दिति).—f. One of the wives of Kaśyapa and mother of the Daityas, Mahābhārata 1, 2520.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryDiti (दिति).—1. [feminine] distribution, liberality.
--- OR ---
Diti (दिति).—2. [feminine] [Name] of a goddess (cf. aditi).
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Dīti (दीति).—v. sudīti.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Diti (दिति):—[from dita] 1. diti f. Name of a deity answering to A-diti (q.v.) as Sura to A-sura and without any distinct character, [Atharva-veda vii, 7, 1 etc.; Vājasaneyi-saṃhitā xviii, 22]
2) [v.s. ...] in [Epic] daughter of Dakṣa and wife of Kaśyapa and mother of the Daityas (See sub voce), [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Purāṇa]
3) [v.s. ...] (the Maruts are also described as her progeny or derived from the embryo in her womb divided into pieces by Indra), [Harivaṃśa 239; Rāmāyaṇa i, 46, i]
4) [v.s. ...] cf. [Pañcatantra ii, 40.]
5) [from dita] 2. diti f. cutting, splitting, dividing, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] distributing, liberality (also personified cf. 1. diti), [Ṛg-veda]
7) [v.s. ...] m. Name of a king, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
8) [v.s. ...] a king, [Horace H. Wilson]
9) Dīti (दीति):—[from dī] f. splendour, brightness (See su-).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryDiti (दिति):—(tiḥ) 2. f. Mother of the demons; cutting. m. A king.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusDiti (ದಿತಿ):—[noun] (myth.) the mother of demon race.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Diti bati, Ditia, Ditibati, Ditija, Ditijadhisha, Ditijakula, Ditijarati, Ditinandana, Ditinge, Ditiputra, Ditishava, Ditisuta, Ditisutaguru, Dititanaya.
Ends with (+24): Accagannaditi, Aditi, Alditi, Atidavaditi, Aupoditi, Baditi, Baiditi, Bediti, Cataccaditi, Cataditi, Davaditi, Devaditi, Diditi, Gauditi, Gavuditi, Gavumditi, Haditi, Heggaditi, Hemditi, Hergaditi.
Full-text (+138): Ditija, Aditi, Daiteya, Ditisuta, Daitya, Diditi, Dititanaya, Hiranyaksha, Ditinandana, Marut, Hiranyakashipu, Kushaplavana, Ditya, Anuhlada, Suditi, Daityamatri, Vajranga, Dhiti, Ditisutaguru, Aditinandana.
Relevant text
Search found 61 books and stories containing Diti, Dīti; (plurals include: Ditis, Dītis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Ramayana of Valmiki (by Hari Prasad Shastri)
Chapter 46 - Diti undergoes severe austerities for the birth of a son < [Book 1 - Bala-kanda]
Chapter 47 - The holy sage and the princes arrive at Vishala < [Book 1 - Bala-kanda]
Chapter 14 - Jatayu reveals his Lineage to Rama < [Book 3 - Aranya-kanda]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
The Devi Bhagavata Purana (by Swami Vijñanananda)
Chapter 3 - On the former curse of Vasudeva and Devakī < [Book 4]
Chapter 22 - On the Part Incarnations of the Several Devas < [Book 4]
Chapter 18 - On the union of Śaṅkhacūḍa with Tulasī < [Book 9]
Ramayana (by Manmatha Nath Dutt)
Chapter XLVI < [Book 1 - Bāla-kāṇḍa]
Chapter XLV < [Book 1 - Bāla-kāṇḍa]
Chapter XLVII < [Book 1 - Bāla-kāṇḍa]
The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)
Chapter 6 - Diti’s Wailing < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
Chapter 26 - The Origin of Maruts < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
Chapter 23 - The Slaying of the Demon Bala < [Section 2 - Bhūmi-khaṇḍa (section on the earth)]
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