Questions tagged [asuras]
The asuras are a group of deities that often do battle with the [devas].
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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 ...
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1answer
266 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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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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1answer
40 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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1answer
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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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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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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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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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483 views
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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1answer
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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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1answer
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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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Can Asuras or Rakshasas be summoned by any ritual?
In Pagan religions 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 purposes?
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Is caste system only for humans?
Is caste system only for humans? What about animals, Asuras, Devas etc. Does caste system also apply to them?
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What is the story of the Asura Dhanvi attaining the position of Indra?
As I discuss in this question, by far the most popular school of Hindu philosophy is the Vedanta school. But there are five other Astika or orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy: Purva Mimamsa, Samkhya,...
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About Devas and Asuras
I have read an article saying that the Asuras are historically referring to the people of Assyria and so Devas may also be refer to some kind of people historically. What are your thoughts about this. ...
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What is the difference between Devas and Asuras? [duplicate]
Devas are the benevolent and asuras are manevolent. Asuras used to take captive of Devas. Other than this, any historical comparison to devas and asuras?
What are the meanings of these terms?
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1answer
321 views
Why did Indra marry Shachi, the daughter of an Asura?
Shachi is daughter of an Asura Puloma, and is thus an Asuri. Shakra fights always with the Asuras, yet He married Shachi. And Shachi is now become a Goddess. Why did Maghavat marry daughter of an ...
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1answer
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Who is Kalakanja?
Today I learn something about a monster Kalakanja . All I know right now is that he is the son of sage Kashyapa and Kalaka. I try to search some more information about his life time and achievement ...
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1answer
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Did Indra kill his step-mother Danu, the mother of Danavs?
Like Aditi, the mother of Adityas (including Indra), Danu is one of the wives of Kashyap Rishi who is the mother of Danavs. This Rigvedic Verse that describes the killing of the dragon Vritra by Indra ...
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Which scriptures describe Vritra as an Asura?
As per my understanding, Vritra was a great ascetic and knew all the Shastras. He was the excellent son of Tvashtar, the divine artisan of Gods born of the divine fire of Vishwakarma's Yagya.
So why ...
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2answers
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Was it really Indra who killed Trishiras or was it someone called Trita?
Indra is described as having killed Trishiras and in revenge Tvastar created Vritra who was also slayed by Indra. But few verse from the Vedas mention someone else as the slayer of Trisiras:
Rig Ved ...
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1answer
348 views
How could Asuras get boons from God? [duplicate]
I think one need to have the purest heart to get a Darshana of God, let alone a boon from God.
But how Mahisasura, Hiranyakashipu and many more Asuras got boons from God with all their evil ...
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2answers
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How did Vishnu help Indra in killing Vritra?
The Verse 6.20.2 of Rigved says that Indra 'leagued' with Vishnu to destroy Vritra:
2 Even as the power of Dyaus, to thee, O Indra, all Asura sway was by the Gods entrusted,
When thou, Impetuous! ...
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Do any scripture tell us of Lord Vishnu giving boon to asuras?
In puranas, we frequently see Lord Shiva or Lord Brahma giving boon to some danava or daitya for their austerities which usually causes some problem in future which needs to be solved in some ...
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Where is the exact location of Patala-Loka?
Patala-Loka, as we know, is home to Asuras (Daityas) & Nagas. However, where is Patala-Loka actually located? Many say that Patala-Loka is situated under the Earth's crust while others say it is ...
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What is the story of Prahlada being held hostage by the gods?
Most people only know the childhood of Prahlada, who was rescued from his from Hiranyakashipu by Vishnu's incarnation. What is less well-known, however, Prahlada's adulthood. As king of the Asuras, ...
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What is the story of Kapila son of Prahlada?
It is well-known that there are four Ashramas or stages of life in Hinduism: Brahmacharis or celibates, Grihastis or householder, Vanaprasthis or forest-dwellers, and Sanyasis or ascetics. What is ...
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During what Yugas did Hiranyakashipu, Mahabali, and Ravana rule?
This excerpt from the Prabhasa Kanda of the Skanda Purana describes how long different demons ruled the three worlds for:
Hiranyakashipu shone as the king for one hundred seven million two hundred ...
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Who was Kohlaasura? How did Mother Lakshmi kill him?
What is story behind him? Is the story written in some Scriptures? How did Mother kill him?
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1answer
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Why are there so many similarities between Zoroastrianism and Hinduism? [closed]
As far as I know, Zoroastrian is the closest among all to the Vedic religion.
There are many similarities like:
Both have fire and fire rituals as its core.
Deities like Soma, Mitra, Varuna etc ...
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Question about Swami Ayyappa and Mahishi's time period
I have few confusions about Swami Ayyappa story - In movies it is shown that when Ayyappa goes to forest to bring Tiger milk that is the time he kills Mahishi. But King of Pandalam is of this yuga (...
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When did Vibhishana stop being king of Lanka?
In this chapter of the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana, after Ravana's death his brother Vibhishana is coronated as the king of Lanka:
Hearing the words of the great soled Rama, Lakshmana replied, 'so ...
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Who is the current Asurapati
The Leader of Asuras, also known as Asurapati. Since the only one alive is Raja Bali who is now under protection of Shriman Narayana in the form of Vamana avtar.
If he is in some other place and not ...
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1answer
509 views
What happened to the asuras?
I have this doubt from the time I started reading Hindu Purana. In Hindu Purana there are many stories about interaction between Asuras, Monks, Devas and common people. According to my knowledge ...
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1answer
220 views
Are demons (asuras) a manifestation of the supreme being?
Hinduism acknowledges god as omnipresent - he is present everywhere and in every soul. He is said to have created the cosmos. Then, why did he create demons and does he manifests in demons too?
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What is the story of Indra living in disguise in the Ashram of Giriprastha?
In this chapter of the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira is in grief because of the year in hiding the Pandavas are about to start. So the sage Dhaumya cheers him up by reminding him that ...
