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In Hindu mythology, Asikni (), also known as Panchajani and Virani, is a consort of Daksha in the Puranic pantheon. Most Puranas mention her as the mother of 6000 sons and 60 daughters.
She is also known by the patronymic "Panchajani" and "Virani".
Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Kalika Purana, Garuda Purana, and Brahma Purana (1989). 9783447029605, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 9783447029605 note Asikni to have been born of Brahma left thumb. According to the Bhagavata Purana and Shiva Purana, she was the daughter of Prajapati Panchajana.
Brahma Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Vayu Purana, Kalika Purana, Kurma Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, and Shiva Purana note her to be the daughter of Prajapati Virana.
Daksha was delegated by Brahma to create beings to populate the cosmos; he went on to create gods, sages, asuras, yaskhas and rakhashas from his mind, but failed to be further successful. Upon a successful penance, Vishnu granted Asikni as his wife and urged him to engage in sexual union.
Daksha and Asikni initially produced five thousand sons, who were known as Haryashvas. They were interested in populating the Earth but upon the advice of Narada, took to discovering worldly affairs instead and never returned back. Daksha and Asikni again produced another thousand sons (Shabalashvas), who had similar intentions but were persuaded by Narada to the same results. An angry Daksha cursed Narada to be a perpetual wanderer. This time, he birthed sixty daughters from Asikni. They were married off to different sages and deities, and went on to give birth to various species.
The Shiva Purana notes that thereafter Shiva had himself reincarnated within Asikni's womb; Asikni was widely respected and eulogized by all the deities during this span. In the tenth month, Asikni gave birth to Sati; she and Daksa went on to take good care of her.
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