Thread by @SonofShriKrishn

⭐️Who was the forefather of Asuras in Hindu Vedic literature
#thread
#Sanatan #Ved #Ramayan #Mahabharat #Puran #Hindu

1. Asuras are a class of beings fathered by Kashyapa Rishi and mothered by Diti and Danu. Asuras born of Diti are called Daitya (meaning sons of Diti) and those born of Danu are called Danava (meaning sons of Danu).
#Sanatan #Ved #Ramayan #Mahabharat #Puran #Hindu

2. Asuras are the opposite of Suras. Asura means those without light, those without spiritual knowledge or spiritual inclination. The devanagari letter अ (A) in (A)sura means ‘without’.
#Sanatan #Ved #Ramayan #Mahabharat #Puran #Hindu

3. In Hindu mythology, the forefather of Rakshasas is said to be Kashyapa. Kashyapa is one of the ancient sages or rishis and is considered to be the father of many beings, including Devas, Asuras, Nagas, and Rakshasas.
#Sanatan #Ved #Ramayan #Mahabharat #Puran #Hindu

4. He had many wives, including Aditi, Diti, and Kadru, among others, who gave birth to various divine and demonic creatures.
#Sanatan #Ved #Ramayan #Mahabharat #Puran #Hindu

5. Sura are also known as the Devas. Deva is derived from the word Divya which means ‘light’. Sura means those who are effulgent with the knowledge of the spirit and God. It also means those who are pure and sattvic (good).

6. Suras, or the Devas, are also fathered by Kashyapa Rishi but mothered by the virtuous Aditi. Suras (Devas) are also called Adityas which means sons of Aditi. Diti, Aditi and Danu are daughters of Daksha the Prajapati.

7. Aditi's sons were the twelve Gods known as the Adityas.
Their names are Vishnu, Shakra, Aryama, Dhata, Vidhata, Tvashta, Pusha, Vivasvana, Savita, Mitra Varuna, Amsha, and Bhaga.

8. Diti gave birth to the Rakshasas, while Aditi gave birth to the Devas. Diti was jealous of Aditi's sons and wanted to have powerful sons of her own. She performed a rigorous penance to please Lord Brahma and asked for a son who could defeat Indra, the king of Devas.

9. Lord Brahma granted her wish, and she gave birth to the Rakshasas. Therefore, Diti is considered the mother of the Rakshas, while Kashyapa is their forefather.

10. In Hindu Vedic literature, Rakshasas are depicted as malevolent beings who can take on various forms, such as humans, animals, and demons. They are often portrayed as evil spirits that cause harm and destruction to humans and other creatures.

11. The Rakshasas are said to have been created by Brahma, the creator of the universe, and are described as being powerful, cunning, and fearsome. They are often associated with darkness and the night and are believed to have the ability to shape-shift and become invisible.

12. While Deva were created by Lord Vishnu by blessing the wife of Rishi Kashyapa, Aditi.

13. Danu had a hundred sons and they came to be known as Danavas. The Danavas were thus cousins to the Daityas and also to the Adityas.

14. Maya Danava, the chief architect and engineer of the Asuras is described to surpass Vishwakarma, the chief architect and the engineer of the devas, in both skills and in knowledge. Asuras dwell in Bila Svarga which means subterranean heavens below Bhumandala (Earth).

15. They are called “heavens” because these realms are filled with an abundance of material luxuries of unimaginable magnitude. The material opulence in Bila Svarga surpasses that of Svarga (heavens, abode of the devas).

16. Bila Svargas are divided into seven different parts namely Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala, and Patiala. Subclasses of Asuras live in each region according to their inclination and desire.

17. Bila Svargas are not hell but regions devoid of the knowledge of God where Asuras dwell. Beneath Patala lies Naraka which is the hell proper.

18. Shukracharya is considered as the guru, disciplinarian, and guide of demons or asuras. Among demons, Shankaracharya was one of the cleverest and the wisest person, who was already blinded by envy from devatas.

19. 4th Wife of Maharishi Kashyap, Arishta :
Her sons were the Gandharvas (Singers and dancers of Svarga Loka / Heaven). They were cousins of Asuras, Danvas, and Rakshas.
Gandharvas were reborn as Duryodhana’s 99 brothers.

20. 5th Wife of Maharishi Kashyap, Sursa gave birth to the snakes (Sarpas).

21. 6th Wife of Maharishi Kashyap, Surabhi:
Her descendants were cows and buffaloes.
Surabhi is known to exist in five different forms: Nandini, Sunanda, Kamadhenu, Sumana, and Susheela. Other names are Sabala and Matrika.

Kamadhenu is regarded as the divine mother in Hinduism of all cows. Like Kamadhenu’s daughter Nandini, Kamadhenu could grant a wish to any true seeker.

22. 7th Wife Vinata: She had two sons named Aruna and Garuda. Garuda became the king of the birds and the mount of Lord Vishnu. Aruna became the charioteer (Sarathi) of Lord Surya Deva.

23. 8th Wife Tamara : She had six daughters.
These six daughters gave birth to owls, eagles, vultures, crows, water-fowl, horses, camels and donkeys.

24. 9th Wife Ila: She gave birth to trees, creepers, shrubs, and bushes.
10th Wife Kadru: Her sons were also known as Nagas or snakes. Among the more important of Kadru’s sons were Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, and Nahusha.

25. 11th Wife Muni : She gave birth to the Apsaras.
They were the divine dancers of Svarga Loka / heaven.

26. 12th Wife Khasa : Her children were the Yakshas.
(Demi-gods who were the companions of Kubera, the god of wealth).

27. Krodhavasha: She had fourteen thousand children who were also known as Asuras. As she was very short-tempered, the children born to her had the following features: Violent animals, birds, and fish, all monster species with sharp teeth.