She is a daughter of Daksha, one of the many progeny born to the ancient progenitor, and is married to the great sage Kashyapa, who plays a vital role in Hindu mythology as the father of various races of beings. The Pishachas, flesh-eating demons, are her children. The union between Kashyapa and his many wives gave birth to diverse beings, and her offspring, the Pishachas, embody a dark and terrifying force in the cosmic order.
Kashyapa, being one of the Saptarishis (seven great sages), is known for his numerous wives, each representing a distinct cosmic force. These wives include the daughters of Daksha, such as Aditi, the mother of the Devas (gods), Diti, the mother of the Daityas (demons), and others like Kadru, Vinata, and this daughter, who became the mother of the Pishachas. These different lineages reflect the diversity of beings in Hindu cosmology, from celestial Devas to human classes such as the Vaishyas, who represent prosperity and commerce in society.”
The Pishachas are infamous in Hindu lore as night-dwelling, flesh-eating spirits, often associated with darkness, death, and chaos. They are said to haunt graveyards, battlefields, and other places where death lingers, feasting on the dead and the dying. According to some myths, the Pishachas can also possess human beings, driving them mad, causing illness, or filling their minds with dark thoughts.
This relationship between Kashyapa and his wife, the mother of the Pishachas, highlights the dual nature of creation in Hindu mythology. On the one hand, Kashyapa’s other wives give birth to luminous beings like the Devas, who uphold the cosmic order, while on the other hand, his union with this particular daughter of Daksha brings forth the Pishachas, who represent chaos and destruction.
Their presence is a necessary aspect of the balance between good and evil, light and dark. While the Devas fight to maintain cosmic order, the Pishachas, along with other dark forces like the Asuras and Rakshasas, challenge this balance, representing the inevitable forces of decay and death that are a part of the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. This cosmic duality is central to the understanding of life in Hinduism, where the universe operates through the constant interplay of opposites—good and evil, creation and destruction, light and darkness.
In some versions of the mythology, it is said that the Pishachas, though fearsome, could be pacified or warded off through certain rituals and mantras. They symbolize the uncontrollable aspects of nature and human life, reminding devotees that not all forces can be subdued through force alone, but often through understanding, ritual, and respect for the balance of the universe.