In Vedic mythology the Danavas were a race of the Asuras. The Danavas were the sons of Danu, who in turn was a daughter of Daksha. Danu is connected with the waters of heavens and she is probably asocciated with the formless, primordial waters that existed prior to the creation. The name is connected with the PIE root *danu,"river" or "any flowing liquid". The Danavas revolted against the gods under the leadership of Bali and others, but were defeated. In the Rig Veda, nearly all the demons described as being defeated by the Devas are Danavas.