Asura

[ uhs-oo-ruh ]

noun

1. (in Indian mythology) a god or demon.
2. Zoroastrianism. Ahura.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Asura¹

< Sanskrit: mighty Lord; later (by reanalysis as a- + -sura ) taken to mean “demon,” as opposed to sura (by back formation) “god”

Example Sentences

And endued with power of illusion the angry Asura transformed his brother into a ram.

From Project Gutenberg

And that other great Asura also, Vali by name, was incapable of being slain by any one.

From Project Gutenberg

The negative force you call the Rkshasa or Asura; his face, it seems, is turned away from God.

From Project Gutenberg

This Asura, who is acquainted with all things, has propped up these heavens, he has fixed the boundaries of the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

He is called asura, the living or life-giving god, a name peculiar to the oldest and the greatest gods.

From Project Gutenberg