Sage Kashyapa is engaged in evening prayers when one of his wives, Diti, approaches him for children. Kashyapa requests Diti to be patient as this is an inauspicious time for union, but she remains adamant. Kashyapa relents out of marital duty, but declares that since Diti approached him during an inauspicious hour, she shall give birth to two Daityas who shall provoke enmity with Vishnu and terrorize his devotees. Kashyapa also declares that the two Daityas shall be slain by Vishnu for their crimes. Diti gives birth to two sons, Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, who are instructed in tamasic knowledge and mystical powers under the guidance of Shukracharya. As they grow in power, the brothers wage war on the universe.
