ORIGIN: Hindu (Vedic and Puranic)
TYPE: Primordial God
INFORMATION: In Vedic literature a divine demiurge and father of mankind, snake demons, Devas, etc. His name stems, arguably, from the notion of the cosmos as a giant tortoise. He has had thirteen consorts. In other texts he is the father of the god Narada who consorted with one of the daughters of Daksa. Also Prajapati.