Traditional
66-521: Naraka , also known as Narakasura , and Bhaumasura was an asura king, the legendary progenitor of all three dynasties of Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa , and the founding ruler of the legendary Bhauma dynasty of Pragjyotisha . Though the myths about Naraka are first mentioned in the Mahabharata, later texts embellish them. According to later post-Vedic texts such as the Brahma Purana and Vishnu Purana , he
132-514: A Rakshasi in Indian texts. The powers of an Asuri are projected into plants offering a remedy against leprosy . First, before all, the strong-winged Bird was born, thou wast the gall thereof. Conquered in fight, the Asuri took then the shape and form of plants. The Asuri made, first of all, this medicine for leprosy, this banisher of leprosy. She banished leprosy, and gave one general colour to
198-541: A class of beings in Indian religions . They are described as power-seeking beings related to the more benevolent Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism . In its Buddhist context, the word is translated as " titan " or " antigod ". According to Hindu texts , the asuras are in constant fear of the devas. Asuras are described in Indian texts as powerful superhuman demigods with good or bad qualities. In early Vedic literature,
264-556: A count of the word use for every Vedic deity: Asura is used as an adjective meaning "powerful" or "mighty". In the Rig Veda , two generous kings – as well as some priests – have been described as asuras . One hymn requests a son who is an asura . In nine hymns, Indra is described as asura . He is said to possess asurya 5 times, and once he is said to possess asuratva . Agni has total of 12 asura descriptions, Varuna has 10, Mitra has 8, and Rudra has 6. Book 1 of
330-468: A great battle. The Yadu princes and their army besieged his kingdom with 12 akshauhinis , surrounding it completely. Banasura staged a fierce counterattack. During the war, Shiva appeared on the battlefield, riding on Nandi , to protect his devotee, Banasura. Balarama fought against Banasura's commander, while Samba fought against Banasura's son. To bear witness, the leaders of the godly souls headed by Brahma came in their celestial vehicles, as also did
396-399: A host of parallels such as Inmar-Indra, Sampas-Stambha and many other elements of respective mythologies. In the earliest Vedic literature, all supernatural beings are called Devas and Asuras. A much-studied hymn of the Rig Veda states Devav asura (Asuras who have become Devas), and contrasts it with Asura adevah (Asuras who are not Devas). Each Asura and Deva emerges from
462-463: A king with 16,000 daughters. Vishnu visited the palace of this king in the guise of a hermit, and all of these damsels surrounded the man. Their father, the king, grew angry with them, and issued a curse upon them all. When his daughters wept and begged their father to be relieved from the curse, he relented and allowed them the prospect of being the wives of the deity in their next birth. It was this king who would become Narakasura in his next birth, and
528-581: A much more pleasurable life than humans, but they are plagued by envy for the devas, whom they can see just as animals perceive humans. Edelmann and other scholars state that the dualistic concept of Asura and Deva in Hinduism is a form of symbolism found throughout its ancient and medieval literature. In the Upanishads , for example, Devas and Asuras go to Prajāpati to understand what is Self (Atman, soul) and how to realize it. The first answer that Prajāpati gives
594-537: A special group of gods in one of major Vedic theories of creation of the universe. Their role changes only during and after the earth, sky and living beings have been created. The sky world becomes that of Devas , the underworld becomes that of Asuras . The god Indra is the embodiment of good and represents the Devas, while the dragon Vrtra is the embodiment of evil and an Asura. During this battle between good and evil, creation and destruction, some powerful Asuras side with
660-513: A type of supernatural beings (antigods, demigods, or titans) in traditional Buddhist cosmology and a realm of rebirth based on one's karma in current or past lives. They are described in Buddhist texts as creatures who live in lower levels of mount Sumeru, obsessed with sensuous aspects of existence, living with jealousy, and endlessly engaged in wars against the creatures who are Devas (gods). As Buddhism spread into East Asia and Southeast Asia,
726-708: A young man in her dream, made love to him, and fell in love with him. Chitralekha , a friend of Usha and a talented artist, helped Usha to identify the young man seen in her dream by sketching various portraits of the Vrishnis . Usha realised that she had dreamt of Aniruddha , the grandson of Krishna . Chitralekha, through her yogic powers, abducted Aniruddha from the palace of Krishna and brought him to Śoṇitapura. Usha worshipped her lover and furnished him with priceless garments, garlands, fragrances, lamps, and with beverages, dishes, and words. Breaking her vow of chastity with him, she kept him hidden in her maiden quarters, and
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#1732858405211792-688: Is a presumption of Kuiper. Many scholars describe Asuras to be "lords" with different specialized knowledge, magical powers and special abilities, which only later choose to deploy these for good, constructive reasons or for evil, destructive reasons. The former become known as Asura in the sense of Devas , the later as Asura in the sense of demons. Kuiper, Brown, Otto and others are in this school; however, none of them provide an explanation and how, when and why Asura came ultimately to mean demon. Asuras are non-believers of God and believe in their own powers. Ananda Coomaraswamy suggested that Devas and Asuras can be best understood as being similar in concept to
858-492: Is believed in some traditions that before Narakasura's death, he requested a boon from Satyabhama (incarnation of Bhudevi), that everyone should celebrate his death with colourful lights. Thus, this day is celebrated as ' Naraka Chaturdashi ' - the beginning day of Deepavali . Krishna's and Satyabhama's victory on Narakasura and Narakasura's death is venerated as the occasion of freedom for all his prisoners, and in honour of Aditi. Asura Asuras ( Sanskrit : असुर ) are
924-572: Is cited as the progenitor of all three dynasties that ruled Kamarupa in historical times. A hill, to the south of Guwahati is named after him. He is also associated with the Hindu belief of the shakti goddess and place of worship Kamakhya . Naraka and his kingdom, Pragjyotisha, find mention in both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana , in the sections which were written not before the first century, where he
990-640: Is not depicted as the son of Bhudevi (earth) and Varaha incarnation of Vishnu. His son, Bhagadatta , is said to have fought for the Kauravas in the Mahabharata battle. Though the boar Prajapati finds mention as early as the Satapatha Brahmana and the Taittriya Aranyaka from the mid-first millennium BCE, the avatars were associated with Vishnu later, and became popular in the Gupta period (320-550 CE) and that
1056-695: Is only when they turn to lust, hate, cravings, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, hypocrisy, cruelty and such negativity- and destruction-inclined that natural human inclinations metamorphose into something demonic (Asura). In the Brahmanda Purana , it is stated the term 'Asura' was used for the Daityas due to their rejection of Varuni (Goddess of Wine) after she emerged from the Ocean of Milk (i.e. 'a-sura', meaning 'those who do not have Sura' , that is, 'wine' or more generally 'liquor'). However, in other legends,
1122-536: Is simplistic, which the Asuras accept and leave with, but the Devas led by Indra do not accept and question because Indra finds that he hasn't grasped its full significance and the given answer has inconsistencies. Edelmann states that this symbolism embedded in the Upanishads is a reminder that one must struggle with presented ideas, learning is a process, and Deva nature emerges with effort. Similar dichotomies are present in
1188-470: The Assyrian deity Ashur . Some scholars such as Asko Parpola suggest that the word Asura may be related to proto-Uralic and proto-Germanic history. The Aesir-Asura correspondence is the relation between Vedic Sanskrit Asura and Old Norse Æsir and Proto-Uralic * asera , all of which mean 'lord, powerful spirit, god'. Parpola states that the correspondence extends beyond Asera / Asura, and extends to
1254-510: The Asuras are "evil spirits, demons and opponents of the gods". Asuras connote the chaos-creating evil, in Indo-Iranian mythology about the battle between good and evil. According to Finnish Indologist Asko Parpola , the word Asura was borrowed from Proto-Indo-Aryan into Proto-Uralic during an early period of contact, in the form *asera-, showing a meaning "lord, prince". Bhargava states
1320-522: The Asuri drew Indra downward from the Gods, With this same Herb I draw thee close that I may be most dear to thee. Thou art the peer of Soma, yea, thou art the equal of the Sun, The peer of all the Gods art thou: therefore we call thee hitherward. I am the speaker here, not thou: speak thou where the assembly meets. Thou shalt be mine and only mine, and never mention other dames. If thou art far away beyond
1386-448: The Puranas literature of Hinduism, where god Indra (a Deva) and the antigod Virocana (an Asura) question a sage for insights into the knowledge of the self. Virocana leaves with the first given answer, believing now he can use the knowledge as a weapon. In contrast, Indra keeps pressing the sage, churning the ideas, and learning about means to inner happiness and power. Edelmann suggests that
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#17328584052111452-620: The Rig Veda describes Savitr (Vedic solar deity) as an asura who is a "kind leader". हिरण्यहस्तो असुरः सुनीथः सुमृळीकः स्ववाँ यात्वर्वाङ् । अपसेधन्रक्षसो यातुधानानस्थाद्देवः प्रतिदोषं गृणानः ॥१०॥ May he, gold-handed Asura , kind leader, come hither to us with his help and favour. Driving off Raksasas and Yatudhanas , [he] the god is present, praised in hymns at evening. – Translated by Ralph Griffith The golden-handed lord of good guidance, of good grace, of good help—let him drive in our direction. Repelling demons and sorcerers,
1518-484: The Twelve Olympians and the titans of Greek mythology: Both are powerful, but have different orientations and inclinations – in Hindu mythology the Devas represent the powers of light and the Asuras represent the powers of darkness. According to Coomaraswamy (1935) , p. 374 "the titan [Asura] is potentially an angel [Deva], the angel still by nature a titan" in Hinduism. In the 19th century, Haug pioneered
1584-479: The devas , led by Indra , went to Vishnu to ask him to deliver them from Narakasura. Vishnu promised them that he would attend to this matter, when he would be incarnated as Krishna . As promised to the earth goddess, Naraka was allowed to enjoy a long reign. At last, Vishnu was born as Krishna. Aditi, who was a relative of Krishna's wife Satyabhama (believed to be an avatar of Bhudevi - Narakasura's mother), approached Satyabhama for help. When Satyabhama heard of
1650-427: The "Asuras who remain Asuras" question, challenge, and attack the "Asuras who became Devas" to loot or extract a portion of what the Devas have and the Asuras do not. The hostility between the two groups is the source of extensive legends, tales, and literature in Hinduism; however, many texts discuss their hostility in neutral terms – without explicit moral connotations or condemnation. Some of these tales constitute
1716-405: The 16,000 daughters would be the princesses he abducted. The birth of Naraka is narrated in various texts. In Kalika Purana and other texts, Varaha is mentioned as Naraka's father. The pious Naraka became evil due to his association with an asura named Banasura , and hence the suffix 'asura' (demon) was added to his name. In Assamese tradition, Naraka, motivated by his desire, wanted to marry
1782-469: The Asura concept of Indian Buddhism expanded and integrated local pre-existing deities as a part of regional Buddhist pantheon. The asura realm is one of the realms in which one can be reborn as a result of experiencing the fruits of wholesome karma, while engaging in unwholesome karma. Generally, the desire realm is recognized as consisting of five realms and the realm of the asuras tends to be included among
1848-761: The Asuras accept Varuni (see Kurma ). According to the Vishnu Purana, during the Samudra Manthana or the "churning of the ocean", the daityas came to be known as asuras because they rejected Varuni , the goddess of sura "wine", while the devas accepted her and came to be known as suras. Alain Daniélou states that Asuras were initially good, virtuous and powerful in Indian mythology. However, their nature gradually changed and they came to represent evil, vice and abuse of power. In Shiva Purana, they evolved into anti-gods and had to be destroyed because they threatened
1914-593: The Buddha after hearing his sermon. Banasura Bana , also referred to as Banasura ( Sanskrit : बाणासुर , romanized : Bāṇāsura ) , is an asura king in Hindu mythology , ruling from the city of Śoṇitapura. He is described to be the son of Mahabali . His tale of battling Krishna is described in the Bhagavata Purana . A mighty asura , Bana once ruled over a large kingdom, Śoṇitapura. His influence
1980-605: The Deva-Asura dichotomies in Hindu mythology may be seen as "narrative depictions of tendencies within our selves". The god (Deva) and antigod (Asura), states Edelmann, are also symbolically the contradictory forces that motivate each individual and people, and thus Deva-Asura dichotomy is a spiritual concept rather than mere genealogical category or species of being. In the Bhāgavata Purana, saints and gods are born in families of Asuras, such as Mahabali and Prahlada , conveying
2046-653: The Narakasura's ill-treatment of women and his behaviour with Aditi, she was enraged. Satyabhama approached Krishna for permission to wage a war against Narakasura. As promised to the devas and Aditi, Krishna attacked the great fortress of Narakasura, riding his mount Garuda with wife Satyabhama. Krishna used the Narayanastra and the Agneyastra against the army of Narakasura. The battle was furiously fought. Narakasura possessed 11 Akshauhinis that he unleashed on Krishna. However,
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2112-785: The Varunastra, dismaying Narakasura. Narakasura hurled the Nagapasha against Krishna, but Krishna negated it with the Garudastra. In desperation, Narakasura launched the Vaishnavastra on Krishna, but Krishna met it with another Vaishnavastra. At last, when Narakasura tried to kill Krishna with a trident, Krishna pretended to swoon, because of a boon that Narakasura could be killed only by the one who gave birth to him. Outraged, Satyabhama attacked Narakasura and Krishna killed him with his Sudarshana Chakra (discus) by splitting Narakasura into two halves. It
2178-588: The background of major Hindu Epics and annual festivals, such as the story of Asura Ravana and Deva Rama in the Ramayana , and the legend of Asura Hiranyakashipu and Deva Vishnu as Narasimha , the latter celebrated with the Hindu spring festival of Holika and Holi . In Buddhist mythology, while all the gods of the Kāmadhātu are subject to passions to some degree, the asuras above all are addicted to them, especially wrath, pride, envy, insincerity, falseness, boasting, and bellicosity. The asuras are said to experience
2244-636: The bad in Vedic religion; where Daeva evolves to represent the bad in pre- Zoroastrianism , while Deva evolves to represent the good in Vedic religion. These contrary roles have led some scholars to infer that there may have been wars between proto-Indo-European communities, and that adapted their gods and demons to reflect their social differences. This idea was thoroughly researched and reviewed by Peter von Bradke in 1885. The relationship between ahura s / asura s and daeva s / deva s in Indo-Aryan times,
2310-427: The battlefield on his peacock. After duelling with Satyaki , Bana took up arms against Krishna . However, Krishna blew his conch and instantly, Banasura's charioteer was killed and his chariot broken and shattered. When Shiva's forces had been defeated, Jvara , the embodiment of Shiva's fever, bearing three heads and three feet, attacked Krishna with scorching heat. Krishna produced his own Jvara of frigid coldness, and
2376-600: The contact with Bhumi engendered a son is first mentioned in the Book II of the Harivamsa which is assigned to the fifth century. This theme, that of the son Naraka, is further expanded in the later Vishnu Purana (5th-9th century). In the 7th-century Nidhanpur copperplate inscription , Naraka is claimed as the originator of the Varman dynasty and that he lived three thousand years earlier. The Bhagavata Purana (8th-10th century), which
2442-495: The deity slew them all with little effort. Krishna also killed Mura , Narakasura's general. Thus, Krishna is called 'Murāri' (the killer of Mura). Narakasura used several divine weapons against Krishna, but the latter easily countered all those weapons. Narakasura employed the Brahmastra against Krishna, but Krishna neutralised it with his own Brahmastra. Narakasura used the Agneyastra against Krishna, but Krishna nullified it with
2508-1036: The demons, spirits, and ghosts worshipped by the enemies of Vedic people, and this created the myths of the malevolent asuras and the rakshasa . The allusions to the disastrous wars between the asuras and the suras , found in the Puranas and the epics, may be the conflict faced by people and migrants into ancient India. Scholars have disagreed on the nature and evolution of the Asura concept in ancient Indian literature. The most widely studied scholarly views on Asura concept are those of F.B.J. Kuiper , W. Norman Brown, Haug, von Bradke, Otto, Benveniste, Konow, Rajwade, Dandekar, Darmesteter, Bhandarkar, and Raja, Banerji-Sastri, Padmanabhayya, Skoeld, S.C. Roy, Kumaraswamy, Shamasastry , Przyluski, Schroeder, Burrows, Hillebrandt, Taraporewala, Lommel, Fausboll, Segerstedt, Thieme, Gerschevitch, Boyce, Macdonnell, Hermann Oldenberg , Geldner, Venkatesvaran, and Jan Gonda . Kuiper calls Asuras
2574-617: The deva realms, but the addition of the asuras in the six-world bhavacakra was created in Tibet at the authority of Je Tsongkhapa . The asuras were dispossessed of their state in Trāyastriṃśa because they became drunk and were thrown down Mount Sumeru by the bodhisatta, as mentioned in Jatakas . This led to ever lasting war between the Devas of Tavatimsa and Asuras, which still continues. In Buddhism,
2640-513: The etymological roots of asura ( असुर ) to asu ( असु ), which means 'life of the spiritual world' or 'departed spirits'. In the oldest verses of the Samhita layer of Vedic texts, the Asuras are any spiritual, divine beings including those with good or bad intentions, and constructive or destructive inclinations or nature. In later verses of the Samhita layer of Vedic texts, Monier Williams states
2706-405: The glories of Krishna , requested him not to kill Banasura, whom he had bestowed with fearlessness. Obliging, Krishna replied that he had never intended to kill Banasura, since he was the son of Bali and the great-grandson of the devout Prahlada . Vishnu had promised Bali not to kill any member of his family, and therefore would not slay him. However, Krishna severed Banasura's extra arms to destroy
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2772-593: The god has taken his place facing evening, while being hymned. – Translated by Stephanie W. Jamison, Joel P. Brereton In the Jaiminya (3.35.3), one of three recensions of the SamaVeda , the term 'Asura' is stated to be derived from 'rests' (√ram) in the vital airs (asu), i.e. 'Asu' + 'ram' = 'Asuram' (Asura); this is in reference to the mind being 'asura[-like]'. According to the Bhagavad Gita (16.6-16.7), all beings in
2838-469: The goddess Kamakhya . When he proposed, the goddess playfully placed a condition before him that if he would be able to build a staircase from the bottom of the Nilachal Hill to the temple within one night before the cock crows to indicate dawn, then she would surely marry him. Naraka took it as a challenge and tried all with his might to do this huge task. He was almost about to accomplish the job before it
2904-489: The gods". Asuras are part of Hinduism along with Yakshas (nature spirits), Rakshasas (fierce man-eating beings or demons), Bhutas (ghosts) and many more . Asuras have been featured in many cosmological theories and legends in Hinduism and Buddhism . Asura is a given name by Devas to other races collectively as Asura means not-sura , where sura is another name for Devas. The 5th century Buddhist philosopher, Buddhaghosa explains that their name derives from
2970-458: The gods. The asuras (anti-gods) were depicted to have become proud, vain, to have stopped performing sacrifices, to violate sacred laws, not visit holy places, not cleanse themselves from sin, to be envious of devas, torturous of living beings, creating confusion in everything and challenging the devas. Alain Daniélou states that the concept of asuras evolved with changing socio-political dynamics in ancient India. Asuras gradually assimilated
3036-517: The good Asuras are called Adityas and are led by Varuna , while the malevolent ones are called Danavas and are led by Vritra . In the earliest layer of Vedic texts, Agni , Indra and other gods are also called Asuras, in the sense of their being "lords" of their respective domains, knowledge and abilities. In later Vedic and post-Vedic texts, the benevolent gods are called Devas , while malevolent Asuras compete against these Devas and are considered "enemy of
3102-592: The good and are called Devas, other powerful Asuras side with the evil and thereafter called Asuras. This is the first major dualism to emerge in the nature of everything in the Universe. Hale (1999) , in his review, states that Kuiper's theory on Asura is plausible, but weak, because the Vedas never call Vrtra (the central character) an Asura , as the texts describe many other powerful beings. Secondly, Rig Veda never classifies Asura as "group of gods" states Hale, and this
3168-448: The idea that the term Asura is linguistically related to the Ahuras of Indo-Aryan people and pre- Zoroastrianism era. In both religions, Ahura of pre-Zoroastrianism ( Asura of Indian religions), Vouruna (Varuna) and Daeva ( Deva ) are found, but their roles are on opposite sides. That is, Ahura evolves to represent the good in pre- Zoroastrianism , while Asura evolves to represent
3234-423: The kingdoms on earth under his control. Next, he turned his eyes towards Svargaloka . Even the mighty Indra could not withstand the assault of this son of Vishnu , and had to flee the heavens. Narakasura had become the overlord of both the heavens and earth. Addicted to power, he stole the earrings of Aditi , the heavenly mother goddess, and usurped some of her territories, while also kidnapping 16000 women . All
3300-503: The last of the Kirata kings, Ghatakasura, of the Danava dynasty . It was foretold that he would be destroyed by a later incarnation of Vishnu . His mother, the earth, sought the boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and that he should be all-powerful. Vishnu granted these boons. The legends of Naraka is important in the history of Assam , particularly Kamarupa ; since Narakasura
3366-452: The leaders of the asuras are called asurendra (Pāli: Asurinda, 阿修羅王; lit. "Asura-lord"). There are several of these, as the Asuras are broken into different tribes or factions. In Pali texts, names that are found include Vepacitti , Rāhu ( Verocana ), Pahārāda , Sambara , Bali , Sucitti , and Namucī . According to the Lotus Sutra , the four leaders of the asuras took refuge in
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#17328584052113432-578: The lovers lost track of the days. Catching wind of his daughter's activities, Banasura rushed to her chambers to find her playing dice with Aniruddha. Even as the prince fended off the guards, Banasura subdued him with the mystical ropes of Varuna . Usha was overwhelmed with sorrow due to this incident. Aniruddha was held captive by Banasura for a month, until Narada informed the Yadus in Dvaraka , who were searching for Aniruddha. The Yadus' army attacked Banasura in
3498-414: The myth of their defeat at the hands of the god Śakra . According to the story, the asura were dispossessed of their state in Trāyastriṃśa because they became drunk and were thrown down Mount Sumeru . After this incident, they vowed never to drink sura again. In some Buddhist literature, they are sometimes referred to as pūrvadeva (Pāli: pubbadeva ), meaning "ancient gods." Monier-Williams traces
3564-647: The rivers, far away from men, This Herb shall seem to bind thee fast and bring thee back my prisoner. Similarly, in the Atharva Veda, all sorts of medical remedies and charms are projected as Asuri manifested in plants and animals. Asuri Kalpa is an abhichara (craft) which contains various rites derived from special knowledge and magic of Asuri. Asuras ( Classical Tibetan : ལྷ་མིན , romanized: lha min ; simplified Chinese : 阿修罗 ; traditional Chinese : 阿修羅 ; pinyin : āxiūluó ; Japanese : 阿修羅 , romanized : ashura, asura ) are
3630-409: The sages, the perfected souls, and the venerable personalities, the singers and apsaras of heaven, and the yakshinis . Krishna and Shiva faced each other. Krishna used a brahmastra against Shiva's brahmastra , a mountain weapon against a wind weapon, a rain weapon against a fire weapon, and his narayanastra against Shiva's pashupatastra . Kartikeya , assaulted by Pradyumna 's arrows, fled
3696-660: The same father ( Prajapati ), share the same residence ( Loka ), eat together the same food and drinks ( Soma ), and have innate potential, knowledge and special powers in Hindu mythology; the only thing that distinguishes "Asura who become Deva" from "Asura who remain Asura" is intent, action and choices they make in their mythic lives. "Asuras who remain Asura" share the character of powerful beings obsessed with their craving for ill-gotten Soma , and for wealth, ego, anger, unprincipled nature, force, and violence. Further, in Hindu mythology, when they lose, miss, or don't get what they want (because they were distracted by their cravings)
3762-445: The skin. In Book 7, Asuri is a powerful female with the special knowledge of herbs, who uses that knowledge to seduce Deva Indra in Atharva Veda. A hymn invokes this special power in Asuri , and this hymn is stipulated for a woman as a charm to win over the lover she wants. I dig this Healing Herb that makes my lover look on me and weep, That bids the parting friend return and kindly greets him as he comes. This Herb wherewith
3828-407: The symbolism that motivations, beliefs and actions rather than one's birth and family circumstances define whether one is Deva-like or Asura-like. Asuri is the feminine of an adjective from asura and in later texts means 'belonging to or having to do with demons and spirits'. Asuri parallels Asura in being "powerful beings", and in early Vedic texts includes all goddesses. The term Asuri also means
3894-445: The two fought each other. Overwhelmed by Vishnu's fever, Shiva's Jvara offered its surrender and obeisance to Krishna and departed. Krishna then put Shiva to sleep using 'Jrmbhunastra'. Meanwhile, Balarama defeated Banasura's commander. Bana rode forth upon his chariot to fight with Krishna, and the latter fought back with his Sudarshana Chakra . When Krishna started chopping Banasura's arms, Shiva returned to his senses and extolled
3960-584: The universe have both the divine qualities ( daivi sampad ) and the demonic qualities ( asuri sampad ) within each. The sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita states that pure god-like saints are rare and pure demon-like evil are rare among human beings, and the bulk of humanity is multi-charactered with a few or many faults. According to Jeaneane Fowler, the Gita states that desires, aversions, greed, needs, emotions in various forms "are facets of ordinary lives", and it
4026-515: The word, asura , including its variants, asurya and asura , occurs "88 times in the Rig Veda , 71 times in the singular number, 4 times in the dual, 10 times in the plural, and 3 times as the first member of a compound. In this, the feminine form, asuryaa , is included twice. The word, asurya , has been used 19 times as an abstract noun, while the abstract form asuratva occurs 24 times, 22 times in one hymn and twice each in two other hymns". Bhargava gives
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#17328584052114092-520: Was composed even later, expands the story even further. The Naraka myth gets the most extensive elaboration in the Upapurana called Kalika Purana (10th century), which was composed in Kamarupa itself. Here, the legend of Janaka of Videha, the father of Sita, is embellished and added to the legend of Naraka. The previous birth of Naraka is described in the Bhagavata Purana . It is stated that there once lived
4158-455: Was dawn. When Kamakhya received this news, panic-stricken, she strangled a cock and made it crow untimely to give the impression of dawn to Naraka. Duped by the trick, Naraka thought that it was a futile job and left it halfway through. Later, he chased the cock and killed it. According to regional tradition, this site is identified with the village of Kukurakata. Drunk with power, as he considered himself to be unrivaled in prowess, he brought all
4224-415: Was discussed at length by F.B.J. Kuiper. This theory and other Avesta-related hypotheses developed over the 20th century, are all now in question, particularly for lack of archaeological evidence. Asko Parpola has re-opened this debate by presenting archaeological and linguistic evidence, but notes that the links may go earlier to Uralic languages roots. The Indo-Aryan Asura may also be related to
4290-561: Was so strong and fierce that all the kings – and even some of the devas – shuddered in front of him. Banasura used to worship a rasalingam given to him by Vishvakarman , on instruction from Vishnu . As an ardent devotee of Shiva , he used his thousand arms to play the mridangam when Shiva was performing the tandavam dance. When Shiva offered Banasura a boon, the latter requested Shiva to be his city's guardian: therefore, Banasura became invincible. As time passed, he became even more cruel and arrogant. One day, Banasura's daughter, Usha, saw
4356-477: Was the son of Bhudevi , fathered either by the Varaha incarnation of Vishnu. He is claimed as one who established Pragjyotisha . He was slain by Krishna and Satyabhama . His son Bhagadatta —of Mahabharata fame—succeeded him. The 10th/11th-century Kalika Purana embellishes the myths further and he is claimed to have come from Mithila and said to have established the kingdom of Pragjyotisha after overthrowing
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