Asura
/əˈsʊərə/noun
In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, a class of powerful supernatural beings often portrayed as rivalrous or demonic opponents of the gods.
Did you know?In the oldest Vedic texts, asura could describe revered gods such as Varuna, showing that its later meaning as “demon” developed over time rather than being original.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-Iranian (second millennium BCE or earlier)
Proto-Indo-Iranian
*hásuras
“A powerful lord or supernatural being; the exact derivation is debated.”
Vedic Sanskrit (c. 1500–500 BCE)
Sanskrit
ásura
“Lord, powerful being, or divine spirit; used honorifically for certain gods.”
Avestan (first millennium BCE)
Avestan
ahura
“Lord, especially a divine lord; the title appears in Ahura Mazda, “Wise Lord.””
Classical Sanskrit (c. 500 BCE–500 CE)
Sanskrit
asura
“A class of powerful beings increasingly contrasted with the devas, or gods.”
Pali (early centuries CE)
Pali
asura
“A class of ambitious or combative supernatural beings in Buddhist cosmology.”
19th Century
English
asura
“A borrowed term for a demon-like or antigod figure in Indian religion and mythology.”
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