Maharshi Mareechi is one of the ten Maanas Putra (brainchildren) of Brahmaa Jee - Angiraa, Atri, Bhrigu, Kashyap, Kratu, Mareechi, Naarad, Pulah, Pulastya, and Vashishth. He had a son named Maharshi Kashyap. Kashyap Jee was married to 13 daughters of Prajaapati Daksh. Their names were - Diti, Aditi, Danu, Vinataa, Kadroo, Taamraa, Khasaa, Arishtaa, Iraa, Surabhi, Krodhvashaa, Surasaa, and Muni.

Diti had two sons - Hiranyaaksh and Hiranyakashyap and a daughter Sinhikaa who was married to Viprachitti - Danu's son. When Vishnu killed her two sons - Hiranyaaksh and Hranyakashyap by His incarnations of Varaah and Nrasinh respectively, she got very bereaved. She served Kashyap Jee and asked for a Var that she should have a son that can kill Indra. Kashyap Jee told her a special fast to get such a son.

She kept the fast diligently but once she made a mistake and as Indra was looking for an opportunity to destroy that child, he entered her stomach and cut her embryo into seven pieces. But that embryo did not die, rather it was divided in seven children. Seeing this Indra again each piece in seven. Still those seven pieces did not die rather they now became 49. Then they said to Indra - "Why are you killing us, we are your brothers?" So they joined Indra and they became 50.

When Diti woke up, she found that her 49 sons were with Indra. She got very happy to see them and asked Indra - "I wanted a son who could kill you, but how this son became 49. Tell me if you know it." Indra also told her everything and asked for her forgiveness. These 49 sons of Diti were called Marut Gan. Later she had Vaaman Avataar.

Danu gave birth to many great Daanav like Andhakaasur, Viprachitti, Vrishparvaa, Raahu etc. Vinataa was the mother of Arun (Soorya's thighless charioteer) and Garud (Vishnu's ride).