In Hindu mythological stories narrated in the Puranas, Brahma's son Kashyapa has two wives. One called Aditi, the other called Diti. Aditi's children are called Adityas or Devas, and they reside in the celestial realms above the sky. Diti's sons are called Daityas, and they reside in the subterranean realms known as Patal, or realms under (tala) the feet (pa). Sometimes Diti is identified as Danu and her children are called 'Danavas'. Daityas and Danavas are collectively called Asuras.

Aditi and Diti are always competing for Kashyapa's attention and their rivalry extends to their children. So Devas and Asuras keep fighting with each other. They are primal rivals, the quarrelling brothers since the dawn of time. There is never a clear reason why the two are fighting.