asura

An asura is a beings category in several Indian religious traditions, most prominently Hinduism and Buddhism. The term is Sanskrit, literally meaning "powerful" or "lord." In the early Vedic literature, asuras and devas are not simply good and evil; both groups personify natural and cosmic forces. Over time, Hindu mythography tends to cast asuras as the adversaries of the Devas, representing forces such as pride, tyranny, or chaos that must be overcome to preserve cosmic order (dharma).

In Hinduism, asuras include figures such as Bali, Virochana, Hiranyakashipu, and Ravana; Mahishasura is a famed asura slain by Durga. Some figures, like Bali and Prahlada, are depicted with virtuous traits though aligned with asura lineage. The dichotomy with Devas forms a recurring theme in epics and Puranas.

In Buddhist cosmology, asuras are a class of beings who live in a realm of jealous power and conflict, one of the six realms of rebirth. They are often portrayed as formidable but continually engaged in conflict with the Devas, reflecting the human tendency toward envy and competition.

In Jain texts, asuras are mentioned in some cosmological accounts as powerful beings that oppose spiritual progress toward liberation.

In modern usage, the term asura is used in popular culture to evoke demon-like figures or antagonists and to signal a sense of formidable, often malevolent power.