asura

Thân thiện

An asura stands defiantly in a celestial realm.

Definition

Noun 1. A type of supernatural being in Hindu mythology: In early Vedic texts, an asura is a divine being, a god or lord. In later Hindu mythology, the term evolves to mean a demon or power-seeking deity, often in opposition to the devas (gods). 2. A demon, titan, or anti-god: A powerful, often malevolent being that represents power, chaos, or materialism, contrasting with the benevolent, orderly devas.

Usage Examples

• In early Vedic hymns, asura was a title of respect for powerful gods like Varuna.
• The most famous asura in later epics is Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.
• The battle between the devas and the asuras is a recurring theme in Puranic stories.

Advanced Usage

• The Asura Realm: In Buddhist cosmology, it refers to one of the six realms of rebirth, the realm of the demigods or titans, characterized by jealousy and strife.
• Asuric nature: Used descriptively to denote qualities like arrogance, wrath, materialism, and egoism, in contrast to "daivic" (divine) nature.

Variants and Related Words

• Asuric (adjective): Pertaining to or having the qualities of an asura (e.g., asuric tendencies).
• Deva (noun): The benevolent gods who are often in conflict with the asuras.

Synonyms

• Demon
• Titan
• Anti-god
• Daitya (a specific class of asuras)

Notes on Different Meanings

The meaning of asura underwent a complete reversal. Its etymology links it to the Iranian Ahura (as in Ahura Mazda), where it retained its divine meaning. In India, the term was progressively demonized in post-Vedic literature, while the devas became the primary gods.

Học thuật

Noun

1. earlier a god; later a demon; counterpart of Zoroastrian Ahura

Từ đồng nghĩa

• asura