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List of Asuras

{{Short description|List of a class of evil beings in Hinduism}}

File:Kali - National Museum, New Delhi.jpg]]

Asuras ({{langx|sa|असुर}}) are a class of beings or power-seeking clans, related to the more benevolent devas (also known as suras) in Hinduism.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2008-06-01 |title=Asura, Asūra, Āsura, Asurā: 37 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/asura |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}

Clans

{{Main|Daitya|Danava (Hinduism)}}

The two major clans of the Asuras are the Daityas and the Danavas.

  • Daitya - a clan of asuras born from the demonic Diti and Kashyapa.
  • Dānava - a clan of asuras born from the primordial sea Danu (Known as Dānaveghasā in Buddhism) and Kashyapa.
  • Rakshasa - a class of beings sometimes categorised as synonymous with asuras{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-24 |title=Rakshasa, Rākṣasa, Rakṣasa: 38 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rakshasa |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}

Legend

  • ॐ - mentioned in Hindu scriptures
  • ☸ - mentioned in Buddhist scriptures

A

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G

  • Gajāsura - The name of several asuras who take the form of an elephant ॐ
  • Gayāsura ॐ

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List of asuras slain by Krishna

In the Puranas and other texts of Hindu literature, the deity Krishna is attacked by asuras and rakshasas sent by his uncle Kamsa, as well as others he encounters and slays in his legends.

  • Putana - A rakshasi who was sent by Kamsa to appear in the form of a beautiful woman to kill baby Krishna by breastfeeding his poison, but who was killed by the deity when he sucked her life force out and was granted liberation.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-06-28 |title=Putana, Pūtanā, Pūtana, Puṭana: 23 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/putana |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Sakaṭāsura - A cart-demon sent by Kamsa to crush a three-month-old Krishna, but was reduced to pieces by the infant with a single kick.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-03-05 |title=Shakatasura, Śakaṭāsura, Shakata-asura: 2 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shakatasura |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Trinavarta - A whirl-wind demon who abducted the child Krishna and carried him to the sky, but was choked by the deity and crushed to death against a rock upon his descent.
  • Vatsasura - A calf demon who attacked a cattle-herding Krishna in Vrindavana, whose legs were whirled about and hurled to death under a kapittha tree.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2022-07-16 |title=Verse 2.4.21 [Garga Samhita] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/garga-samhita-english/d/doc1123565.html |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Bakasura - A demon who took form of a fearful heron who attempted to swallow Krishna in Gokulam, but was forced to throw up, upon which Krishna snapped his beak and slew him.
  • Aghasura - A demon who took the form of a gigantic black snake who lured Krishna's cowherd friends into his mouth, but was slain when Krishna expanded in size inside him and burst out his form.
  • Arishtasura - A bull-demon who charged against Krishna, and met his end when the deity seized his horns and kicked him with his foot.{{Cite book |last=Sundaravadanan |first=K. V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HLEcEAAAQBAJ&dq=arishtasura+krishna&pg=PT42 |title=One God Many Names: We are Children of One God |date=2021-02-14 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-63606-985-2 |pages=Verse 36.13 |language=en}}
  • Keshi - A horse-demon who dueled against Krishna and attacked him with his hooves, and perished when the deity thrusted his left arm into Keshi's mouth.
  • Vyomasura - A sky demon who abducted Krishna's friends inside caves, and was slain when Krishna hurled him against the earth and suffocated him.
  • Śaṅkhacūḍa - A jealous asura who abducted several gopis at Vrindavana, slain by Krishna in a fight.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-06-06 |title=Shankhacuda, Śaṅkhacūḍa, Śaṅkhacūḍā: 7 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shankhacuda#purana |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Cāṇūra - a pugilist asura who served Kamsa, slain by Krishna in a wrestling match.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2009-04-11 |title=Canura, Cāṇūra, Cānura: 13 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/canura#purana |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Kamsa - The tyrannical ruler of Mathura and uncle of Krishna who was slain to fulfil a prophecy, regarded as an asura by the Padma Purana.
  • Pañcajana - A conch-shaped asura slew Krishna's preceptor's son, destroyed by Krishna under the sea.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-02-21 |title=Pancajana, Pañcajana, Pancan-jana, Pamcajana: 12 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pancajana#purana |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Shishupala - the cousin of Krishna, the incarnation of Jaya, previously betrothed to the deity's chief consort Rukmini, beheaded after he insulted Krishna 101 times.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-02-26 |title=Shishupala, Sisupala, Śiśupāla, Shishu-pala, Śiṣupāla: 17 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/shishupala |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Dantavakrta - the incarnation of Vijaya slain by Krishna.{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-11-30 |title=Dantavaktra: 7 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dantavaktra |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}
  • Kalayavana - An asura king who was killed by Krishna by tricking him into waking Muchukunda.{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&dq=kalayavana+asura&pg=PA373 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2 |pages=373 |language=en}}
  • Narakasura - A powerful asura ruler slain by Krishna, and his wife Satyabhama, with the Sudarshana Chakra.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Asuras

Category:Buddhism-related lists