Family Tree of the Hindu Gods: Complete Hindu God Genealogy, Deities, Dynasties & Divine Relationships

1. How to Understand a Hindu Gods Family Tree

The phrase “family tree of Hindu gods” is convenient for modern readers, but it can be misleading. Hindu sacred literature does not provide a single universally authoritative genealogy comparable to a modern family register.

Different texts and traditions organize divine relationships differently. The Vishnu Purana, for example, presents detailed genealogies of Prajapatis, sages, Devas, and royal dynasties. The Bhagavata Purana gives extensive accounts of creation and the descendants of Kashyapa. The Ramayana emphasizes the Solar Dynasty surrounding Rama, while the Mahabharata and Harivamsha preserve extensive Lunar and Yadu genealogies.

Seven relationship types

2. Master Family Tree of the Hindu Gods

The following is a simplified synthesis designed for orientation. It combines major Puranic genealogical branches while avoiding the false impression that every tradition uses one identical tree.

SUPREME REALITY / BRAHMAN
│
├── COSMIC POWER (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) / SHAKTI / PRAKRITI
│   │
│   ├── Divine Feminine traditions
│   │   ├── Devi / Mahashakti
│   │   ├── Durga
│   │   ├── Kali
│   │   ├── Parvati
│   │   ├── Lakshmi
│   │   └── Sarasvati
│   │
│   └── Cosmic manifestation
│
├── BRAHMA
│   │
│   ├── Sarasvati (consort in widely known traditions)
│   │
│   └── Prajapatis / mind-born or otherwise manifested progenitors
│       ├── Marichi
│       │   └── Kashyapa
│       │       ├── Aditi → Adityas / Devas
│       │       │          └── Vivasvat / Surya → Vaivasvata Manu
│       │       │                            └── Ikshvaku → Solar Dynasty → Rama
│       │       ├── Diti → Daityas
│       │       │          ├── Hiranyakashipu
│       │       │          │      └── Prahlada
│       │       │          └── other Daitya branches
│       │       ├── Danu → Danavas
│       │       ├── Vinata → Garuda, Aruna
│       │       ├── Kadru → Nagas
│       │       └── other wives/branches → many classes of beings
│       │
│       └── Other Prajapati/sage branches
│
├── VISHNU / NARAYANA
│   │
│   ├── Lakshmi / Shri
│   │
│   └── Avatar traditions
│       ├── Matsya
│       ├── Kurma
│       ├── Varaha
│       ├── Narasimha
│       ├── Vamana
│       ├── Parashurama
│       ├── Rama
│       ├── Krishna
│       ├── Buddha (in traditions that include him)
│       └── Kalki
│
└── SHIVA / RUDRA
    │
    ├── Parvati / Uma / Shakti
    │   ├── Ganesha
    │   └── Kartikeya / Skanda / Murugan
    ├── Parvati
    │   ├── Lakshmi
    │   └── Saraswati 
    │
    └── Shiva's many forms and Rudra traditions

3. Cosmic Origins: Brahman, Prakriti, Purusha and Creation

At the philosophical level, the word Brahman refers to ultimate reality in several Vedantic traditions. It should not automatically be equated with Brahma, the creator deity. The similarity of the English spellings often causes confusion.

Because Hindu traditions operate simultaneously through philosophy, mythology, ritual and theology, a “family tree” must keep these levels separate.

4. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva: The Trimurti

The Trimurti is a well-known Puranic conceptual grouping of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They are commonly associated with creation, preservation and dissolution/transformation. However, the theological meaning of the Trimurti varies, and not every Hindu tradition treats these three deities as equal members of one divine “nuclear family.”

In Vaishnava traditions, Vishnu or Narayana may be understood as Supreme; in Shaiva traditions, Shiva may occupy that position; in Shakta traditions, Devi/Shakti may be Supreme. Smarta traditions can emphasize multiple deities as manifestations of one ultimate reality. Therefore, a good family-tree article should present these perspectives without declaring one sectarian interpretation to be the only Hindu answer.

5. Brahma’s Creation and the Prajapatis

Puranic literature describes Brahma as a creator figure and gives multiple accounts of the emergence of sages and Prajapatis. A Prajapati is broadly a progenitor or lord of creatures. Different texts preserve different lists and mechanisms of creation.

Important Prajapati and sage names

These sages should not be imagined merely as ordinary human ancestors. In Puranic cosmology they can function as cosmic progenitors, sages, divine beings and lineage founders.

6. Daksha and His Daughters: One of the Most Important Branching Points

Daksha is central to the Puranic family-tree concept. The traditions give him daughters who marry major progenitor figures, especially Kashyapa. Through these marriages, the genealogy branches into Devas, Daityas, Danavas, Nagas, birds and other beings.

The Vishnu Purana gives a list of thirteen daughters of Daksha married to Kashyapa: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha, Ida, Khasa, Kadru and Muni. Lists vary among texts. Vishnu Purana, Book I, Chapter XV.

7. Kashyapa: The Great Branching Ancestor

Kashyapa is one of the most important names in Hindu genealogical literature. The Vishnu Purana describes him as the son of Marichi and gives him marriages to daughters of Daksha. Through different wives, he becomes an ancestor of multiple classes of beings.

The result is a genealogical “hub”:

MARICHI
  │
  └── KASHYAPA
      │
      ├── Aditi ──► Adityas / Devas
      │
      ├── Diti ──► Daityas
      │
      ├── Danu ──► Danavas
      │
      ├── Vinata ──► Garuda and Aruna
      │
      ├── Kadru ──► Nagas
      │
      ├── Surabhi ──► cattle/divine animal traditions
      │
      ├── Tamra ──► bird lineages
      │
      └── other wives ──► numerous classes of beings

This structure is one of the strongest reasons a Hindu “god family tree” becomes much larger than the familiar list of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Parvati.

8. Aditi, the Adityas and the Devas

Aditi is a major mother figure in Vedic and Puranic traditions. The Vishnu Purana states that the twelve Adityas were born from Kashyapa and Aditi and lists their names as Vishnu, Shakra, Aryaman, Dhuti, Tvastri, Pushan, Vivasvat, Savitri, Mitra, Varuna, Ansha and Bhaga. Vishnu Purana, Book I, Chapter XV.

Are all Devas children of Aditi?

No. “Deva” is a broad category, and Hindu texts contain many divine beings whose genealogies are different. Aditi’s sons are specifically the Adityas. Indra, Agni, Vayu, the Ashvins, Rudras, Vasus and other divine groups have their own textual histories and classifications.

9. Diti, Danu and the Asura Lineages

Diti and Danu are major mothers in Puranic genealogy. Their descendants are associated with the Daityas and Danavas, respectively.

Diti → Daityas

The Daitya lineage includes famous figures such as Hiranyakashipu and his son Prahlada. Prahlada is especially important because he becomes a celebrated devotee of Vishnu despite being born in an Asura family.

KASHYAPA + DITI
      │
      ├── DAITYA LINEAGES
      │     │
      │     ├── Hiranyakashipu
      │     │      │
      │     │      └── Prahlada
      │     │
       |     ├──  Raktabija
       |      | 
      │     └── other Daityas (Hiranyaksha, Vajranaka, Arunasura, and Surapadman)
      │
      └── (Other traditions preserve additional branches and names)

Danu → Danavas

The Danavas are associated with Danu. The term “Asura” is broader than “Daitya” or “Danava”; therefore, these labels should not always be treated as exact synonyms.

10. Vinata, Kadru, Garuda and the Nagas

The wider Kashyapa genealogy includes famous non-human divine beings.

These relationships show why a complete Hindu family tree cannot stop with the “main gods.” Divine genealogies frequently include animals, celestial beings, sages, kings, serpents and other supernatural classes.

11. Surya and the Solar Dynasty

Surya, or Vivasvan/Vivasvat, is one of the most important solar deities. In Puranic genealogy, Vivasvan is associated with Aditi and Kashyapa. His son Vaivasvata Manu is the Manu of the current manvantara in the traditional cosmological framework.

Surya → Manu → Ikshvaku → Rama

KASHYAPA + ADITI
       │
       └── VIVASVAN / SURYA
              │
              └── VAIVASVATA MANU
                    │
                    ├── IKSHVAKU
                    │     │
                    │     └── SOLAR / IKSHVAKU DYNASTY
                    │            │
                    │            ├── Sagara
                    │            ├── Bhagiratha
                    │            ├── Raghu
                    │            ├── Dasharatha
                    │            └── Rama
                    │
                    └── other sons/branches

The Vishnu Purana, Book IV begins its royal genealogy with Brahma and traces the Solar Dynasty through Manu and his descendants. It explicitly identifies Ikshvaku as one of Vaivasvata Manu’s sons. Vishnu Purana, Book IV, Chapter I.

Bhagavad Gita connection

Bhagavad Gita 4.1 gives a different but complementary kind of lineage: Krishna says the imperishable Yoga was taught to Vivasvan (the Sun-god), then to Manu, and then to Ikshvaku. Bhagavad Gita.

श्रीभगवान् उवाच ।
इमम् विवस्वते योगम् प्रोक्तवान् अहम् अव्ययम् ।
विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह मनुः इक्ष्वाकवे अब्रवीत् ॥ 4.1

12. Chandra and the Lunar Dynasty

The Lunar Dynasty or Chandravamsha is another major royal genealogy. Its mythic ancestry begins with Chandra/Soma and proceeds through Budha, Pururavas and later branches including the Puru and Yadu lines.

CHANDRA / SOMA
      │
      └── BUDHA
            │
            └── PURURAVAS
                  │
                  └── AYUS
                        │
                        └── NAHUSHA
                              │
                              └── YAYATI
                                  │
                                  ├── YADU
                                  │    └── YADAVA / VRISHNI BRANCHES
                                  │          └── KRISHNA
                                  │
                                  └── PURU
                                       └── PURU DYNASTY
                                            └── KURU LINE
                                                 ├── Pandavas
                                                 └── Kauravas

The exact sequence and details vary among texts, especially around Ila, Budha, Pururavas and the branching of the dynasties. The broad distinction remains important: Rama is associated with the Solar Dynasty, while Krishna is associated with the Yadu branch of the Lunar Dynasty.

13. Shiva, Parvati and the Shiva Family

The Shiva family, often called Shiva Parivar, is one of the most recognizable divine families in Hindu devotional culture.

SHIVA / MAHADEVA
      │
      └── PARVATI / UMA / SHAKTI
            │
            ├── GANESHA
            │
            └── KARTIKEYA / SKANDA / MURUGAN
            |
           ├── Lakshmi 
           │ 
           └── Saraswati 

Parvati and the Shakti connection

Parvati is understood through several names and theological forms, including Uma, Gauri and Durga in different contexts. In Shakta traditions, Devi/Shakti can be understood not merely as Shiva’s consort but as the Supreme Divine Power itself.

Ganesha

Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles, lord of beginnings and patron of wisdom and discernment. The best-known family tradition identifies him with Shiva and Parvati, although the birth narrative varies in detail across texts and regional traditions.

Kartikeya / Skanda / Murugan

Kartikeya is known by names including Skanda, Kumara and Murugan. He is strongly associated with divine warfare, courage and spiritual power. His mythology is especially prominent in South Indian traditions, where Murugan worship is central.

14. Vishnu, Lakshmi and the Avatar Tradition

Vishnu is one of the central deities of Hinduism and the focus of Vaishnava traditions. His consort is commonly identified as Lakshmi or Shri, associated with prosperity, auspiciousness, beauty and abundance.

The concept of an avatar is crucial because it is a theological relationship, not a normal parent-child relationship. Rama and Krishna are therefore connected to Vishnu in a different sense from Ganesha being connected to Shiva and Parvati.

15. Shakti and the Divine Feminine

A conventional male-centered family tree can badly distort Hindu theology because many traditions place the Divine Feminine at the center.

From a theological perspective, these forms may be interpreted as distinct goddesses, manifestations of one Devi, or different aspects of divine power depending on the tradition.

16. Rama’s Family and the Solar Lineage

Rama is traditionally connected with the Ikshvaku / Solar Dynasty. His immediate family is central to the Ramayana.

DASHARATHA
│
├── KAUSALYA ──► RAMA ──► SITA
│
├── KAIKEYI ──► BHARATA
│
└── SUMITRA ──► LAKSHMANA & SHATRUGHNA

RAMA + SITA
│
├── LAVA
└── KUSHA

The genealogical significance of Rama goes beyond his immediate family. He represents the culmination of a long Solar Dynasty in epic storytelling. Puranic genealogies and the Ramayana preserve overlapping but not always identical king lists.

17. Krishna’s Family and the Yadu Lineage

Krishna is traditionally associated with the Yadu branch of the Lunar Dynasty. His immediate family is extensive and includes Vasudeva, Devaki, Rohini, Balarama and the Yadava/Vrishni community.

YAYATI
  │
  └── YADU
       │
       └── YADU / YADAVA BRANCHES
             │
             └── VRISHNI LINE
                   │
                   └── VASUDEVA
                        ├── DEVAKI ──► KRISHNA
                        └── ROHINI ──► BALARAMA

NANDA + YASHODA
       │
       └── Krishna's foster family in Vrindavana tradition

Krishna’s genealogy demonstrates another important principle: biological, foster, dynastic and theological relationships can all matter simultaneously. His childhood in the household of Nanda and Yashoda is central to devotional traditions even though his birth parents are Vasudeva and Devaki.

18. Major Divine Families at a Glance

19. Why Different Hindu Family Trees Look Different

1. Different Puranas emphasize different genealogies

The Puranas are not a single book. They are a large body of literature containing overlapping narratives, different theological emphases and sometimes different genealogical lists.

2. Names can represent multiple levels

For example, “Vishnu” can mean a specific deity, a cosmic principle, the Supreme Being in a Vaishnava tradition, or a member of a list of Adityas depending on context.

3. A deity can have multiple forms

Rama and Krishna can be presented as avataras of Vishnu, while in particular devotional traditions they can themselves be treated as Supreme.

4. Divine consorts are theological as well as familial

Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Parvati are not merely “wives” in the modern genealogical sense. Their identities can express divine power, knowledge, prosperity, consciousness or Shakti.

5. Regional traditions matter

South Indian Murugan traditions, Bengali Kali traditions, Vaishnava Krishna traditions, Shaiva traditions and Shakta traditions may organize divine relationships differently while remaining recognizably part of the wider Hindu religious world.

20. Frequently Asked Questions (AEO)

Suggested source hierarchy for serious research

1. Read the relevant Sanskrit passage where possible.
2. Compare at least two Puranic traditions for genealogical claims.
3. Compare the Ramayana and Mahabharata/Harivamsha for royal dynasties.
4. Use modern encyclopedias and websites as secondary guides, not as the sole authority.
5. When traditions disagree, preserve the disagreement rather than forcing one “official” family tree.

Conclusion: The Hindu Gods Family Tree Is a Cosmic Network

The most accurate way to visualize the Hindu gods is as a multi-layered cosmic network rather than a single straight family tree. Brahma’s creation narratives lead to Prajapatis and sages; Daksha’s daughters and Kashyapa create enormous branches; Aditi leads to the Adityas, Diti to the Daityas, Danu to the Danavas, Vinata to Garuda and Aruna, and Kadru to the Nagas. From Vivasvan and Manu comes the Solar Dynasty, culminating in the epic world of Rama. The Lunar tradition leads through Chandra, Yayati and Yadu to Krishna and the Yadava/Vrishni world.

Alongside these genealogies are the divine families of Shiva and Parvati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, Brahma and Sarasvati, and the vast network of Shakti forms. These relationships cannot always be reduced to biology because Hindu theology uses concepts such as avatar, manifestation, Shakti, cosmic function and divine identity.