asura, asuri, ashura

Asuras are power-seeking deities related to the more benevolent Devas (also known as Suras) in Hinduism, and in the Buddhist context "giants", "demigods", or "antigods".

Asuras are a class of beings fathered by Kashyapa Rishi and mothered by Diti and Danu. Asuras born of Diti are called Daitya (meaning sons of Diti) and those born of Danu are called Danava (meaning sons of Danu). In Hinduism, Diti (sk दिति) is a daughter of Daksha, the mother of the Asuras and supporter of Asuric attributes. She is mother of both the Marutas and the Asuras ( Daityas and Dhanavas) with the sage Kashyapa. She is said to have wanted to have a son who would be more powerful than Indra.

According to Hindu texts, the asuras are in constant fear of the devas. Asuras are described in Indian texts as powerful superhuman demigods with good or bad qualities. In early Vedic literature, the good Asuras are called Adityas and are led by Varuna, while the malevolent ones are called Danavas and are led by Vritra. In the earliest layer of Vedic texts Agni, Indra and other gods are also called Asuras, in the sense of their being "lords" of their respective domains, knowledge and abilities. In later Vedic and post-Vedic texts, the benevolent gods are called Devas, while malevolent Asuras compete against these Devas and are considered "enemy of the gods".

In the Khmer tradition, អសុរ are "monsters", "demons", "evil spirits" who roam the country at night, dwell at Asurabhupa, their place at the foot of Mount Meru and are led by Asura Reach, King Vepachit, their sovereign. Their mother is Socheata Asura Kanha (នាងសុជាតាអសុរកញ្ញា "bride of Asura"), who became the wife of Indra (ព្រះឥន្ទ Preah Int). Asura sculptures at entrance temples are a trait of Angkorean architecture, and the battle of the Devas and the Asuras is depicted on Angkor Wat bas-reliefs.