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An attempt to depict the creative activities of Prajapati, a steel engraving from the 1850s

In Hinduism, Prajapati (Sanskrit: प्रजापति (IAST: prajā-pati); Gurmukhi: ਪ੍ਰਜਾਪਤੀ, ਪਰਜਾਪਤ; ) "lord of creatures" is a Hindu deity presiding over procreation, and protector of life. He appears as a creator deity or supreme God Viswakarma Vedic deities in RV 10 and in Brahmana literature. Vedic commentators also identify him with the creator referred to in the ^[1] Nasadiya Sukta.

Prajapati as per Veda

1. Viśvákarma^[2]

In later times, he is identified with Vishnu, Shiva, with the personifications of Time, Fire, the Sun, etc. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 8.8.16 cites Viśvákarma is one of the prajāpatis, the sons of Lord Brahmā who generate progeny^[3]. He is also identified with various mythical progenitors, especially (Manu Smrti 1.34) the ten lords of created beings first created by Brahmā, which are the

Prajapatis:

1. Marichi,
2. Atri,
3. Angiras,
4. Pulastya,
5. Pulaha,
6. Kratu,
7. Vasishtha,
8. Prachetas or Daksha,
9. Bhrigu,
10. Nārada.

The Mahabharata mentions, in the words of celestial sage Narada, 14 Prajapatis (lit:caretakers of the Praja), namely:

1. Daksha,
2. Prachetas,
3. Pulaha,
4. Marichi,
5. Kasyapa,
6. Bhrigu,
7. Atri,
8. Vasistha,
9. Gautama,
10. Angiras,
11. Pulastya,
12. Kratu,
13. Prahlada and
14. Kardama who are the caretakers of the fourteen worlds - seven lokas and seven talas.^[4]

The Kumhars, a potter caste, are descendant from Prajapati,.

The Lord Vishnu, Shiv & Maharaj Manu are also considered Prajapaties. Prajapati also means protector/preserver(King).

In South India, the Santhalian(a famous King)/Wodeyar(Lord or Owner) Rao, Nair (means soldier) surnames are also used by Kumhar Community members. In the east mainly in west Bengal, Pal or Paul(means protector), Surnames are used by Kumhar Community Members. The verma/verman/Choudhary/Rana surnames are also used by Kumhar community members. However, the Kumhars are from Kshatriya origion in Hindu Verna Hearachy and are Swarna.

Daksha,^[5] and therefore are known as Prajapati.^[6]

Possible equivalent[link]

The name of /PRA-JĀ[N]-pati/ ('progeny-potentate') is etymologically equivalent to that of the oracular god at Kolophōn (according to Makrobios^[7]), namely /PRŌto-GONos/. According to Damaskios, Prōtogonos (also known as Phanēs) had four heads, those of "a Serpent (Drakōn)... and a bull; a man, and a god",^[8] while Prajā-pati is likewise reckoned as 4-headed [one head each having produced deva-s (gods), ṛṣi-s (sages), pitṛ-s (ancestors), and nara-s (humans), according to the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa^[9]].

See also[link]

• Nasadiya sukta
• Hiranyagarbha sukta
• Hinduism and monotheism
• List of Hindu deities
• Creation myth
• Vāc

References[link]

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola

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