Kashyap was one of the seven ancient sages (rishis), the Saptarishi. He was the son of Marichi and thus a grandson of Brahma. He married thirteen daughters of Daksha, another of Brahma's sons, amongst them Aditi (by whom he fathered Surya, Indra, Agni and Varuna) and Diti, ancestress of asuras by him; including Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu.