Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of Monster of the week.
Tonights monster: The Asura.
Asuras are spirits found in Buddhist and Hindu cosmology. They are usually portrayed as power-hungry and lusty. Even the best of the Asura can be unpredictable and prone to mood swings, which makes them risky friends and dangerous enemies!
Asuras are sometimes classified as demons, and they have the appearance to match! Their skin is deep red or blue-green, and their hair is inky black. Four to six arms sprout from their bodies, as well as three heads, with faces pointing in opposite directions. They are fond of fine clothing: silk skirts with golden sashes and fringes, gold bands around their arms, bejeweled collars and elaborate helmets.
Although they are more powerful than humans, the Asura are the least powerful—and least noble—of the deities. Their low rank means that they are envious of the other gods and, at the same time, easily insulted if they are not praised for the powers that they do have.
Above all else, the Asura are moody and unpredictable. For example, when Sakra became ruler of the earth, the Asura celebrated his rise to power by drinking huge quantities of potent liquor. While they were drunk, Sakra ordered that they be removed from his presence, and when the Asura sobered up, they were so offended that they declared war against the new ruler.
Still, the Asura are not all bad. On one hand, they experience pleasure as deeply as negative emotions, which makes them highly romantic lovers and fun friends. Many Asura have poured their passionate emotions into religion as well, becoming loyal practitioners and even priests. They make sacrifices, perform cleansing rituals, build temples, and make holy pilgrimages with great enthusiasm.
Hindus have divided the Asura into two groups: the good adityas and the evil danavas. Hindu texts also explain that an Asura who practices good acts can reach the next level among the gods, transforming into a asura-deva.
Because of their volatile emotions, Buddhists consider the Asura to be one of the “four unhappy births,” meaning that being reincarnated as an Asura is as bad as being reincarnated as an animal.
As gods—and highly individualist gods at that—the Asura’s powers are almost as unpredictable as their emotions. They are known for performing wondrous miracles as well as waging nasty battles. They can fly, shapeshift, cast spells and charms, turn wild animals into slaves, and much more.
Female Asura, known as Asuri, are especially famous for the charms they can work with plants. One legend explains that the Asuri created a plant which could cure leprosy, another that they created powerful love potions with herbs.