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In Hinduism, the Daityas (Sanskrit: दैत्य) are a clan or race of Asura along with the Dānavas.[1]

They were the children of Diti and the sage Kashyapa. The Devas were their half-brothers with whom they fought against as a result of their jealousy. The Manusmṛti classifies the Daityas as good, while placing them at a lower level than the Devas:

Tāpasā yatayo viprā ye ca vaimānikā gaṇāḥ

Nakṣatrāṇi ca daityāśca prathamā sāttvikī gatiḥ

Ascetics and hermits, Brāhmaṇas, celestial beings,[note 1]

lunar asterisms, and Daityas represent the first state partaking of ‘Sattva.’

— Manusmṛti 12.48 [2]

List of Daityas[edit]

Some of the notable Daityas mentioned in Indian mythology include:

See also[edit]


  2. ^ Jha, Ganganatha (1920). Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi. ISBN 8120811550.


  1. ^ "Vaimānikā gaṇa" literally refers to those who ride in Vimanas, generally referring to the gods.

External links[edit]