Asura

Published on 4th October, 2019, in Economic Times Everyone needs, and wants Lakshmi in Hindu mythology: Devas, Asuras, Rakshasas, Yakshas. But each one’s relationship with wealth is different. Some like Ram and Duryodhana are lucky, they are born in rich families. Ram is a positive, divine character, in the Ramayana but Duryodhana is a villain, a negative character, in the Mahabharata. Why does Lakshmi favour them? Is it good karma of past lives? That makes sense with Ram, but not Duryodhan. Ram, for no fault of his, loses his royal fortune and is forced to live in poverty in the forest. Pandavas, on the other ..

Published on 4th August, 2019, in Mid-day Varuna is known today as the god of the sea and Indra as the god of the rain. Varuna is associated with saltwater, located on the ground, and Indra is associated with freshwater, which comes from the sky. Varuna is the guardian of the western horizon, and Indra, the guardian of the eastern horizon. Thus, we see a tension between the two deities in the Puranas. It is further amplified when we hear that Varuna is Lakshmi's father while Indra's wife, Sachi, is a form of Lakshmi. This tension between Varuna and Indra is an ancient one. In ..

Published on 8th July, 2018, in Mid-day. In Hindu mythological stories narrated in the Puranas, Brahma's son Kashyapa has two wives. One called Aditi, the other called Diti. Aditi's children are called Adityas or Devas, and they reside in the celestial realms above the sky. Diti's sons are called Daityas, and they reside in the subterranean realms known as Patal, or realms under (tala) the feet (pa). Sometimes Diti is identified as Danu and her children are called 'Danavas'. Daityas and Danavas are collectively called Asuras. Aditi and Diti are always competing for Kashyapa's attention and their rivalry extends to their children. So Devas and ..