Asuras (Hinduism)

Asura of Vedic and Hindu myth are a class of powerful, supernatural being that have influence on the creation of the world and humanity.

Asuras are a class of divine beings within Indian religion. Especially within Hinduism, and its ancient roots in the Vedas of Vedic Religion.

Evolution of the Asuras — The Vedas to Hinduism

In the earliest layer of Vedic texts gods like Varuna, Agni, and Indra are all referred to as Asuras. Varuna, Agni, and Indra are among the most significant of gods in the Vedas. Indra especially, as he was the most-mentioned god in the Rig Veda by far. These were the highest deities of Vedic Religion, out of which Hinduism flourished.

Indra, Varuna, and Agni were equivalent in knowledge, abilities, and heritage, and are also “lords” of respective domains. [1] In the oldest verses of the Samhita layers of Vedic texts the Asuras are any spiritual, divine beings, including those with good or bad intentions, constructive or destructive inclinations, benevolent or malicious nature. [1]

As religious traditions evolved within themselves over the centuries and millennia, the role of the Asuras changed from their original form found in the ancient Vedas. The term “asura” itself changed with time. The Asuras become more polarized with the Devas (at least in deed, if not entirely in their description).

In later Vedic and post-Vedic writings the benevolent gods are called Devas while malevolent gods are called Asuras. [1] In this form the Asuras compete against the Devas and are considered as the “enemy of the gods”. [1] In this phase of Hindu scriptures (persisting to this day) the Asuras are said to live in constant fear of the Devas. [1]

In Indian texts they are described as powerful, superhuman demigods who could possess either good or bad qualities. [10] In early Vedic literature good Asuras are called the Adityas (the children of the Aditi, who in some contexts is the goddess of the Earth) who are led by Varuna. [10] The malevolent Asuras are called the Danavas and are led by Vitra. [1]

Today the Asuras are an essential element of Hinduism along with Devas, Yakshas (nature spirits), Rakshasas (fierce man-eating beings or demons), Bhutas (ghosts) and many other type of being.

The Asuras of Buddhism

In its Buddhist context the term Asura is translated as “titan”, “demigod”, or “antigod”. [1]

In both Hinduism and Buddhism they have been featured in many cosmological theories and legends. [1]

In Buddhism the Asuras have fully taken the “antigod” role and are engaged in constant wars against the Devas. Buddhist texts describe them as being who live in lower levels of Mount Sumeru. [10] They are obsessed with sensual aspects of existence and pleasure, are embroiled in jealously, and endlessly conflict with the deva gods. [10]

In Buddhist tradition it is said that they were stripped of their state in Trāyastriṃśa because they became drunk. The bodhisatta threw them down Mount Sumeru (as mentioned in Jatakas) which is what initiated the ever-lasting war between the Asuras and Devas of Tavatimsa. [10]

The Identity of the Asuras

Whether the Asuras are good or evil, it is not always easy to say. We often translate the asuras of Hinduism to demons of the Abrahamic Religions. This translation is excellent for a number of reasons. The asuras are the “evil” counterparts of the devas, like the demons oppose the angels in the Bible, for one.

However this translation is not complete, nor is it precisely accurate. We have a similar situation as with the Jotnar as “giants” of Norse Religion.) The powers of the Asuras and Devas are the same, and they are not evil through and through — and many are not evil at all.

Relations Among Ancient Religions (and the Indo-European Connection)

The term Asura is directly related (linguistically, conceptually, mythologically, and culturally) to the Ahuras of the Indo-Aryan people in the pre-Zoroastrianism era. In both religions in their oldest layers, deities and classifications like Asura (Ahura), Vouruna (Varuna) and Daeva (Deva) are all found but roles are on opposite sides. [1]

The Asuras are the beings that seem to align with the darkness in the Vedas, more distinctly in Hinduism. However the Ahuras are the benevolent, good deities.

What this tells us is that there is a close connection between Vedic Religion and Zoroastrianism, which is not fully understood. For example, why were the same features of a religion interpreted in opposite ways?

This is a further similarity between the Vedic religion, later Hinduism, Norse Religion and Zoroastrian Religion. They all share a term that remains almost the same to this day: Asura in India, Ashura in Zoroastrianism of Iran, Aesir in Norse tradition, and perhaps the Anuna of Sumer and later Anunnaki of the Babylonians, which translates to the Olympians of Greece — however it is used with opposing meaning once you get to India.

The Asura–Ashura–Aesir connection makes sense, because these are all Indo-European languages. However it is confusing that Anuna is so similar, and seems to fit this pattern, because Sumerian language was an unrelated language isolate.

Notes

Resources

1. Wikipedia Editors. Asuras. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asura. Accessed 9 June 2024.