How the Daityas Became Materialists

The Vishnu Purana recounts a fascinating narrative about how the Daityas (demons) were led away from spirituality to adopt materialistic beliefs. This shift was orchestrated by the Great Deceiver (Mayamoha), who used illusion and cunning arguments to delude the Daityas. 

The Great Deceiver

The Great Deceiver, also referred to as Mayamoha, is a figure of illusion who uses cunning reasoning to mislead others. According to the Vishnu Purana, he played a pivotal role in turning the Daityas away from their faith in the Vedas and leading them towards materialism.

Abandonment of the Vedic Path

Under the influence of the Great Deceiver, the Daityas abandoned their adherence to the Vedic traditions - rituals that include worshiping the gods, performing yajnas, and respecting the Brahmanas. This abandonment marked the first step in their shift towards materialism.

Ridicule of Sacrificial Practices

The Deceiver employed clever arguments to undermine the Vedic rituals. For instance, he questioned the value of animal sacrifices and mocked the notion that offerings could lead to spiritual rewards. Key arguments included:

• If sacrifices to gods lead to heaven, why not sacrifice one’s own father to gain even greater rewards?
• If consuming food already eaten by others (prasada)  is considered a spiritual act, then why wouldn’t people simply rely on others' leftovers?

These arguments, though fallacious, sowed seeds of doubt among the Daityas regarding the efficacy of traditional Vedic practices.

Promotion of Material Reasoning

The Great Deceiver encouraged the Daityas to reject unseen spiritual rewards and instead focus on tangible, material satisfaction. By claiming that the promises of spiritual benefits were baseless, he appealed to their reasoning and led them to prioritize physical reality over faith.

Rejection of the Vedas

As a result of the Deceiver’s influence, the Daityas abandoned their reverence for the Vedas. They no longer saw value in worshiping the gods or performing rituals, and they turned their focus toward visible and immediate gains, rejecting the unseen spiritual dimensions of life.

Adoption of Materialist Views

The Daityas ultimately embraced the Materialist philosophy, which denies the existence of an afterlife or spiritual dimensions. Materialism emphasizes material reality as the only truth, rejecting metaphysical or divine concepts. This philosophy resonated with the Daityas, who had already been disenchanted with spiritual practices.

Consequences of Their Shift

The shift from spirituality to materialism led the Daityas to lose favor with the divine. Their rejection of the Vedas and their faith in visible, tangible gains distanced them from the gods, making them more vulnerable in their battles against the Devas (gods).

Material gains may seem appealing, true prosperity and protection ultimately flow from faith in divine principles. Through the Great Deceiver’s cunning, the Daityas were led astray, showcasing the transformative power of belief - both for better and for worse.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi