Asura

Asura are a class of powerful beings found in Indian religions. They are related to the Deva, who are often seen as more kind and helpful. In Hinduism, Asura are described as seeking power and sometimes seen as enemies of the gods. They are powerful and can have both good and bad qualities.

In early Hindu texts, some Asura, called Aditya, are good and led by Varuna. Others, called Danava and led by Vritra, are seen as bad or harmful. In the earliest Vedic texts, even gods like Agni and Indra were sometimes called Asura because they were lords of their domains.

Asura appear in many stories and ideas in Hinduism and Buddhism. They are part of a rich world that includes other beings like Yaksha, Rakshasa, and Bhuta, each with their own roles and characteristics in these ancient beliefs.

Etymology

The word Asura comes from old stories and languages. In some tales, the Deva (another name for gods) gave this name to certain beings because it means "not-sura", with "sura" being another name for Deva.

An old Buddhist story says the Asura lost their home because they became drunk and were thrown down from a mountain. After this, they promised never to drink again. In some Buddhist writings, they are called "ancient gods".

Scholars today think the word Asura is related to an old Iranian word for kind and helpful supernatural beings. Both the Sanskrit word for Asura and the old Iranian word come from a common ancient root meaning "lord". This word also connects to old Norse stories about gods. Some experts believe the word Asura also means "life of the spiritual world" or "departed spirits" in very old Hindu texts. In the earliest parts of these texts, Asura were any divine beings, but later they were described as powerful beings who oppose the sky gods.

In Hindu literature

In Hindu stories, Asura are powerful beings. They are connected to the Deva, who are kind and helpful. Sometimes Asura are shown as good and wise, but other times they are shown as proud and causing trouble.

In old Hindu texts like the Rig Veda, the word Asura appears many times. It was used to describe strong leaders and gods like Indra, Agni, and Varuna. One hymn even calls Savitr, a sun god, an Asura who leads with kindness.

Later stories, such as the Bhagavad Gita, explain that all people have both good and bad qualities. When bad qualities like anger, greed, or cruelty become too strong, a person may act in harmful ways, which is sometimes described using the word Asura.

Different legends give various reasons why Asura are sometimes seen as opponents of the Deva. Some stories say the Asura did not accept Varuni, the goddess of wine, while the Deva did. Other tales describe the Asura as becoming vain and breaking sacred rules, which led to conflicts with the gods.

Context

Scholars have different ideas about what the asura means in old Indian stories. Some think asura are a special group of powerful beings who appear after the world, sky, and living things are made. In these stories, the god Indra stands for good, while a powerful being named Vrtra stands for evil.

Others see asura as leaders with special powers who can choose to help or harm. In Hindu stories, the powerful beings who help are called deva, while those who choose to harm are called asura.

Ananda Coomaraswamy compared deva and asura to the heroes and giants in Greek myths. In these stories, the deva stand for light and good, while the asura stand for darkness and evil.

Indo-Aryan context

In the 1800s, some scholars thought the word asura is connected to the word Ahura from old Indo-Aryan people before Zoroastrianism. In early times, Ahura meant good, while asura later came to mean bad. This change might show differences between groups of people a long time ago.

Relation to Germanic deities

Main article: Æsir

Some scholars think the word asura might be linked to old words from Uralic and Germanic languages. They suggest that asura and words like Æsir all mean "lord" or "powerful spirit." They also see similarities between other characters in these old stories.

Characteristics

In early stories, both Asura and Deva were called supernatural beings. They came from the same father, lived in the same place, and shared the same food and drinks. The difference between them comes from their choices and actions.

Some Asura choose to act with kindness and become like Deva. Others remain focused on power, anger, and taking what they want. This leads to many stories and legends, including famous tales like the story of Ravana and Rama. In Buddhist stories, Asura are known for their strong emotions like envy and pride, but they also enjoy a pleasant life.

Symbolism

In Hinduism, the idea of Asura and Deva is used as a way to show deep meanings in stories. In old texts called the Upanishads, both Deva and Asura ask a wise teacher about the true self. The Asura take the first simple answer and leave, but the Deva, led by Indra, keep asking questions to understand more deeply. This shows that learning takes effort and thinking deeply helps us grow.

This idea of Deva and Asura appears in many stories, like in the Puranas. Here, a god named Indra and an antigod named Virocana both ask a wise person questions. Virocana takes the first answer and leaves, thinking he can use it for power. Indra keeps asking more, trying to learn about true happiness and strength. This shows that our choices and actions, not just where we are born, decide who we become. Even some good people are born into families of Asura, like Mahabali and Prahlada, reminding us that it’s our hearts and decisions that matter most.

Asuri

Asuri is a word that means "related to powerful beings" and is the feminine form of a word from asura. In early texts, it included all goddesses and later came to mean something connected to demons and spirits. An Asuri is also a special type of being called a Rakshasi.

These powerful beings were believed to have special powers that could be found in plants. One story tells how an Asuri used plants to help cure a disease called leprosy. In old writings, Asuri is shown as a strong woman who knows a lot about herbs. She uses this knowledge in stories, like one where she uses her skills to attract a god named Indra. People used poems and charms inspired by Asuri to wish for love or to bring back friends. These charms and remedies were thought to come from the special powers of Asuri found in nature.

Buddhism

Asura are special supernatural beings in traditional Buddhist beliefs. They are often called titans, demigods, or antigods. In Buddhist stories, these beings live in lower parts of a holy mountain called Sumeru. They are known for being very interested in beautiful and exciting things and for feeling jealous. They are always fighting against another group of beings called deva, or gods.

As the teachings of Buddhism spread to East Asia and Southeast Asia, the idea of Asura grew to include many local spirits and gods. In Buddhist beliefs, where a person is born after they die depends on their actions in life, called karma. The Asura live in one of these possible worlds, which is part of the places where people can be reborn. Their leaders are called asurendra, and there are several of them leading different groups of Asura.