#asuran

this post has been made for @momo-all-the-way  who asked the question

Asuras in Hindu mythology are a group of beings who’re opposed to the Devas. Originally, the Vedas classify them as “anti-gods” - their name literally translating to Not A God, or those who rejected wine. The Vedas also specify their worship. Think of them as somewhat like Norse mythology - the Devas are sky deities, Aesir; Asuras are earth deities - Vanir. Both exist to complement and counter the other and are in fact, necessary.

Born to Kashyap and his wife Diti, Asuras are cousins to the Devas, who were born from Kashyap and Aditi. They are the highest ranking in the order of “demons”, which includes Rakshasas (born from Kashyap and Krodhavashaa - ykw really everyone was just born from him), Daityas (the inferior sons of Diti), Danavas (from Danu), Pishachas (ghosts and zombies) and Nishachar (Nightwalkers).

There is a significant shift in their status in the Puranic period. Puranic period was developed in the Indo-Gangetic plains, and is known for it’s stories and glorification of the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva - who played a minor role in the Vedic period. The Puranic asuras are inherently evil and greedy - they exist to terrorise humans and gods alike. A good example is the story of the dragon Vritra - Indra had once invited a deva called Vishwaroop to conduct a yajna. Since Vishwaroop was born from an Asura mother, he also gave some offerings to the Asuras. This angered Indra who killed him promptly. Remorseful, Vishwaroop’s father Tvashtra invoked Vritra, the dragon of drought and famine. Indra later defeated him with his fabled Vajra.

This tale brings into focus the shift in thinking. It rejects Vedic thinking to an extent by demeaning Vishwaroop’s birth and his act of offering the Asuras a part of the yajna. Also, deities like him and Tvashtir, who are exalted in the Vedas, are now demonized or merged with other deities in a rapidly developing religion.

Some famous Asuras include :

Ravana - Emperor of Lanka. The first kings of Lanka historically claim to be his descendants.

Kumbhakarna - Ravana’s brother. Cursed to sleep for six months, blessed to be invincible and immortal on the day he wakes up, doomed to die if woke up before.

Indrajit - Ravana’s son, also known as Meghanad. Captured Indra. The fiercest warrior after Ravana in the Lankan army.

Vibheeshana - Ravana’s traitor brother. Had his entire family killed by divulging their secrets to Ram. Later Emperor of Lanka.

Shurpanakha - Also known as Meenakshi. Ravana’s sister.

Banasura - Emperor of Asuras, son of Mahabali and great grandson of Prahlad. Had a hundred arms and was under the eternal protection of Lord Shiva. His daughter Usha married Krishna’s grandson, Aniruddha.

Vrishaparva - An Asura king

Sharmishtha - Vrishaparva’s daughter. Reduced to be a slave of Devayani, Shukracharya’s daughter, preceptor of the Asuras.

Jara - an Asura who joined the two halves of a baby and thus birthed Jarasandha, Krishna’s legendary enemy and Emperor of Magadha.

Bhasmasur - accidentally burnt himself to death

Mahishasur - shape-shifting buffalo demon slain by Durga

Swarbhanu - drank the Amrit duringn Amrit manthan, and was thus killed by Mohini when told by Surya and Chandra. His head became Rahu and body became Ketu, both responsible for eclipses.

Tarakasur - killed by Kartikeya, the god of war, Shiva’s son

Tarakaksh, Kamalaksh and Vidyunmali - Founders of the legendary Tripura. Slain by Shiva.

Mayasur - architect of the Asuras. Ravana’s father in law.

Mahabali - the greatest Asura ever. only immortal asura.

Prahlad - Mahabali’s grandfather. Saved from his father by Narasimha, Vishnu’s fierce half man half lion avatar.

Hiranyakashyapu - Prahlad’s father. could not be killed by any single creature, a creature born from a womb, neither in nor out, neither at day nor at night, neither up or down, neither at land nor sea, neither by any weapon nor by any magic.

Hiranyaksha - Hiranyakashyapu’s father. Abducted Bhoodevi, the earth goddess, and hid her under the sea where he raped her. Killed by Vishnu’s boar form, Varaha.

Narakasura - Bhoodevi’s son through Hiranyaksha. Cruel emperor of Asuras and King of Pragjyotish (modern day Assam). Slain by Krishna and his third wife, Satyabhama.

there are so many more but this is all i remember sorry

Indian Films Worth Watching [6/?]

↳ Asuran [2019] | dir. Vetrimaaran

67th National Awards 2019

Super Deluxe: Best Supporting Actor Vijay Sethupathi

Asuran: Best Actor Dhanush, Best Film Tamil