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The asuras are a group of deities that often do battle with the [devas].

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55 views

Why was Bali Raja considered a demon?

Why was Bali Raja considered a demon? Please explain in detail and provide a link to the scriptural reference if any.
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Was erotic science revealed by the Asuras?

The Kamasutras were authored by Rishi Vatsyayana based on earlier works of Rishis, like the well known Shvetaketu, son of Uddalaka, who also wrote a treatise on erotic science. However, Yashodhara, in ...
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Durga Devi's Weapon that killed Mahishasura?

The Legend of Durga , slaying the demon Mahisha talks about that the gods combined their energies (shakti) into the female form of Durga, a fierce manifestation of the Goddess (Devi). She received all ...
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In Vedas, which Devas and Asuras are purely a Deva or an Asura but not both?

Which Devas in Vedas (mainly Rigveda) are never referred to as Asuras and similarly which Asuras in Vedas (mainly Rigveda) are never referred to as Devas? I need references only from Vedas and nothing ...
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Is Maya Dānava the first Dānava?

Maya is mentioned so often and without Dānava parents, it points to him being the first of the Dānava. Has anyone found scripture to say definitively?
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What is the story of Svarbhanu, the asura responsible for eclipse?

There is an existing question that has reference to mention of Svarbhanu in Rig Veda. But I am more interested in related stories - be it from brahmanas, ithasas or puranas. Specifically, what was his ...
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Were Asuras once good Devas?

Western Indologists say that Asuras were once good Devas that later rebelled against the Devas and became evil gods or anti-gods. For example, Michael Witzel in his paper Autochthonous Aryans says: ...
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1answer
213 views

Which Mleccha languages were revealed by the Asuras?

According to the Shatapatha Brahmana, the Mlecchas speak the languages of the Asuras of Patala. The gods then cut her off from the Asuras; and having gained possession of her and enveloped her ...
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264 views

Marriage between Rakhsasas/Asuras and Devas

What are well known instances from Hindu Mythology of marriages between groups of mythical times described as Rakhsasas/Asuras (common guru Shukracharya) versus Devas ? Have natural change of ...
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161 views

Who is the Asura in this Vedic verse?

I came across this book - The Civilized Demons - which basically makes the Harrappans to be the Asuras reviled in Vedas and even the original gods who were replaced by Devas. The writer cited the ...
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59 views

“Tvaṣṭṛ” and “Tvaṣṭā”

If I am correct, "Tvaṣṭṛ" seems to be synonymous with Viśvakarman, while "Tvaṣṭā" is the name of an Asura. It seems that both are identified as Prajāpatis, and this has me wondering: Are these two ...
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126 views

Is anti-Brahminism a quality of Asuras and Rakshasas?

Is anti-Brahminism a characteristic of Asuras and Rakshasas? Which group of created beings is the most anti-Brahmin (hatred and opposition to Brahminism and Brahminical way of life)?
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Is it a sin for Rakshasas, Pisachas, and Asuras to kill humans?

The armies of the Asuras (Daityas and Danavas), Rakshasas, and Pisachas frequently come to Earth and kill humans. It is even said in scriptures that the food for Pisachas is human flesh. Do these ...
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78 views

Asura’s interaction with Maya

According to Hindu literature, how Asuras (demons) are interacting with Maya? What are relevant passages where someone can start studying about this?
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Do demons (Asuras, Rakshasas, Pisachas, Nagas, etc) reveal false religions to humans according to Hindu scriptures?

According to the Puranas, Vishnu as Buddha revealed a false religion, which we know today as Buddhism, to deceive the Daityas who were using the Vedas to acquire power. Similarly, do Hindu scriptures ...
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160 views

Tripurasur was actually Mohammad [duplicate]

According to Shiv Puran here is as it goes: Tripura Tarakasura had three sons named Vidyunmali, Tarakaksha and Viryavana. These three began to perform tapasya. For a hundred years they meditated ...
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Do the armies of the Asuras and Rakshasas ally with the Mleccha kingdoms in their attacks on the Vedic civilization?

The Asuras and Rakshasas have a knack for destroying the Earth, the Vedic civilization, and the members of the 4 castes. Do the armies of the Asuras and Rakshasas form alliances with the Mleccha ...
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What are all the incidents mentioned in the scriptures where Asuras have tried to destroy the Earth?

What are all the incidents mentioned in the scriptures where Asuras have tried to destroy the Earth? I know of three: Bali's sister's attempt to annihilate the Earth, Hiranyaksha's submersion of ...
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Discrepancy in the Manusmriti regarding Devas being fond of alcohol just like the Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Pisachas?

This answer says, from the Vyasa Smriti: Milk, wine, honey, and clarified butter are the articles which the gods are fond of. The word wine is used for Sanskrit "sura." Then there is this verse ...
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Do the demons ever try to conquer Brahma loka or Shiva loka?

When Daitya Hiranyakashipu conquered the universe, he conquered up till Swarga. Text 13: O my dear King, Hiraṇyakaśipu was always drunk on strong-smelling wines and liquors, and therefore his ...
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Why are Daityas Sattvic according to the Manusmriti?

NOTE: This question is NOT a duplicate of this question. The Manusmriti has this verse about the types of bodies one can enter due to different Gunas. Here are the bodies can can be born in due to ...
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Balance of strength between Asuras and Devas

Here is an extract from a Buddhist scripture (the Caturdevarājasūtra) that directly connects the balance of strength between the Asuras and the Devas with Humanities morality: During the monthly ...
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133 views

Who was the asura Bala?

I want to know who was the asura Bala, and the reason why he was killed by an avatar of Vishnu
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60 views

Who was Parâvasu the former Hotri for Asuras?

Shatapatha Brahmana 1.5.1 mentions an interesting thing about the priests of the Devas and Asuras: He steps beside the Hotri's seat, takes one stalk of (reed) grass from the Hotri's seat and casts it ...
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326 views

Who is the 'messenger' of Asuras and what is his story?

Shatapatha Brahmana 1.4.1 mentions how Agni was chosen by the gods as their messenger: He recites [the eighth sâmidhenî]: 'Agni we choose as messenger!' Now the gods and the Asuras, both of them ...
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Have Devas like Indra, Agni, Varun ever done tapasya in order to counter attack Asuras?

We all know that asuras like Mahisasura, Hiranyakashipu, Tarakasur and many others did severe tapasya to impress either Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh in order to seek various powers/boon so that they could ...
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180 views

Who was the wife of Manu who was sacrificed by the priests of the Asuras?

I came across an interesting story while reading the Shatapatha brahmana regarding Manu's encounters with the priests of Asuras about whose identity I had asked a separate question. These two had ...
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Who were the two priests of Asuras (not Shukracharya)?

I came across an interesting story while reading the Shatapatha brahmana regarding Manu's encounters with the priests of Asuras: Manu was in possession of a bull. Into him had entered an Asura-...
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163 views

How was Vishwarupa, the son of Tvashtar related to Asuras?

Srimad Bhagvatam tells us the story about Vritra's elder brother Vishwarupa who was killed by Indra because he used to give some portion of the Yagya oblations to the Asuras to whom he was related ...
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The 100 Kauravs were incarnations of Asuras but what about their sister?

The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat gives the details of the who's who in Mahabharat and who were they the incarnations of. It has been covered at many places but my question is specific to Dhritrashtra'...
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What is the story of Kalanemi who was reborn as Kamsa?

The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat mentions that Kamsa was a rebirth of the demon Kalanemi: "There was also born on earth a mighty Asura known amongst the Danavas by the name of Kalanemi, endued with ...
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Did saraswati/savitri slay vritra or vetra according to rigveda?

According to wikipedia article of Vritra - In one verse of a Rig-Vedic hymn eulogising Sarasvati, she is portrayed as the one who slayed Vritra. Mention of this occurs nowhere else. The verse the ...
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107 views

Does yajur Veda samhita also use asura in positive context?

Asura word is used in positive context in rig vedic samhita, but do other Vedas like yajur, atharva use them in same context i.e. positively ?
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Who is Gajasura whose head is attached to Lord Ganesha?

There is a popular story on how Ganesha got an elephant head. There was an ardent devotee called Gajasura. He does severe penance Lord Shiva beheads Lord Ganesha who was guarding the entrance of ...
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127 views

What is the military count of the army mentioned in devI mahaAtmayam?

In devi mahaAtmayam we find details of battles between demons and goddesses. Some of the famous ones are Mahishasura Shumbha nishumbha ChanDa-munDa I think these armies were higher in number than ...
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Danu is the predecessor of the race of Danavas (demons)

In Brahmanda Purana, http://www.gloriousindia.com/scriptures/puranas/brahmananda_purana/preaching_of_bruhaspati.html Bruhaspati replied "In the distant past, Diti, the second wife of Kashyapa gave ...
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What is the story of Vishwakarma creating the Saunanda mace used by Balrama?

The Markandeya Puran Section 1.11.5 mentions the following story: There lives a highly powerful and fierce Danava in Rasatala. He makes the earth yawn and therefore he is called Kujrimbha. Whatever ...
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Is there a concept of “Satan” in Hinduism? [duplicate]

Is there a concept of Satan in Hinduism?. If so just cite the references. How do the Asuras of the Puranas compare to this concept of evil entities?
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The battle between the gods and demons led by Tarakasur

Why did the battle between the gods and the demons, led by Tarakasur, happen and how did it start?
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What does Narada mean by when he says “those Asuras…who sprang from Vishnu”?

Here dwell, O Matali, those Asuras called Kalakhanjas who sprang from Vishnu, and those Rakshasas also called Yatudhanas who sprang from the feet of Brahman.Udyoga Narada Parva
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How & Why did Shukracharya become the guru of Daityas?

We know Brihaspati is the guru of Devas and Shukra of the Asuras. Both of them are sons of Brahma's Manas Putras so would have had equal chance to lead either of the clans so how did they end up on ...
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Who is nighasa? Was he a worshiper of lord shiva?

Who is nighasa i listened he swalowed lord vishnu and he got this boon from lord bramha? Is he mentioned in any scripture? And was he a worshiper of lord shiva?
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Why deities are called asuras in rig-veda why it became a symbol of demons in post-rigvedic period?

Why deities are called asuras in rig-veda why it became a symbol of demons in post-rigvedic period? 7 He, strong of wing, hath lightened up the regions, deep-quivering Asura, the gentle Leader....
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On what basis vritra is referred to as a snake/dragon?

On what basis vritra is referred to as a snake/dragon? Is there any proof from the vedas? And if not then what was he? NOTE:— VEDIC VERSES ARE REQUIRED PROVING
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What are the big battles that took place in Hindu mythology [closed]

Like I know - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Battle of the 10 Kings and the war between Indra and the king of Asuras (Vitmitra). But there are many other battles and wars that took place which are slightly ...
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What is the meaning of Brahmarakshasa?

What is the meaning of Brahmarakshasa and how is it different from Narasura, Rakshasa, Asura etc? Is Ravana a Brahmarakshasa?
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Are Yaksa, Raksasa, Pisacas demoniac forces that manifest according to 3 planes of existance?

I have been studying the differences of Yaksa, Raksasa, Pisacas. What I understand is there are 3 aspects of the demoniac force in nature. According to 3 planes of existence i.e., Bhuloka, Bhuvaloka, ...
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What does the word 'Asura' mean in the Vedas?

The Danavas and Daityas are referred to as Asuras in the Puranas but in The Vedas many Devas are also referred as Asuras. May the golden-handed, life-bestowing, well-guiding, exhilarating and ...
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Who killed Banasura - Lord Krishna or Devi?

There seems to be some confusion between different accounts of the Banasura fight - some state that Krishna killed him while others mention that he let him live when Shiva interceded on the demon's ...
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516 views

Can Asuras or Rakshasas be summoned by any ritual?

In certain Pagan traditions in the West especially Goetia, demons are summoned by rituals mainly for material purposes. Can Asuras and Rakshasas be summoned in Hinduism by rituals? If yes, for what ...

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