THE ASURA
Asura was not the name of a specific clan or offspring that originated from Rishi Kashyapa.
The word Asura was used as an adjective or form of address, for various clans other than the Deva or Sura clan.
Asura was not the name of a specific clan or offspring that originated from Rishi Kashyapa.
The word Asura was used as an adjective or form of address, for various clans other than the Deva or Sura clan.
Literary scholars studying the Veda have identified that in the older verses of the Veda, the word”Asura” was used in the context of “lording” or “lordship”, i.e. “master of ”. Even the Deva such as Indra, Varuna & others were referred to be Asuratva, lordly or having control of.
The word Asura actually comes from the root “Asu”, meaning “Prana”, “with life”, “with spirit” and suffix “Ra” meaning “to glow with”, “to possess”. Thus Asura meant, “to glow with spirit”, “spirited”.
This word is found to have taken on a negative connotation only in the later verses of the Veda, where the term Asura has been used to portray enormous strength, vigour and also aggressiveness.
It is post this implication of the term Asura, that the word Sura was coined in the language to denote qualities opposite to that of the later implication of “Asura”. Thus Sura came to stand for “the good” and Asura for “the bad”.
The later term Asura started getting connected with those who used their enormous strength to push their views & wants through. Due to this trait, in later legends & further later in the European translations of Indian literature, 'Asura' came to be loosely referred to as demons.
If we look back deeply into most of the texts, the Asura were not demons, as the word demon is understood today, but in fact were strong, capable people with self focus. They were spirited people.
It is in the Purana, the allegorical legends that highlight the achievements of some of the great kings of the land and the lessons worth learning from their lives, that Asura have been depicted at war constantly with the Deva or Sura.
Even in these legends, there were exceptions within the Asura such as Prahlada, Bali, Mayasura, etc. who were revered and loved by all groups alike.
As per the Puranic legends in India, when the Deva overcame the Asura in the battles, the Asura were forced to migrate to the Pathala Loka, meaning the world below.
One of the most popular legend discussing this migration is that of the noble Asura king called Maha Bali.
One of the most popular legend discussing this migration is that of the noble Asura king called Maha Bali.
