asura
Asura,[Vedic asura in more comprehensive meaning; connected with Av.ahurō Lord,ahurō mazdā°; perhaps to Av.anhuš & Lat.erus master] a fallen angel,a Titan; pl.asurā the Titans,a class of mythological beings.Dhpāla at PvA.272 & the C.on J.V,186 define them as kāḷakañjaka-bhedā asurā.The are classed with other similar inferior deities,e.g.with garuḷā,nāgā,yakkhā at Miln.117; with supaṇṇā,gandhabbā,yakkhā at DA.I,51.‹-› The fight between Gods & Titans is also reflected in the oldest books of the Pāli Canon and occurs in identical description at the foll.passages under the title of devâsura-saṅgāma: D.II,285; S.I,222 (cp.216 sq.),IV.201 sq.,V.447; M.I,253; A.IV,432.-- Rebirth as an Asura is considered as one of the four unhappy rebirths or evil fates after death (apāyā; viz.niraya,tiracchāna-yoni,petā or pettivisaya,asurā),e.g.at It.93; J.V,186; Pv IV.111,see also apāya.-- Other passages in general:S.I,216 sq.(fight of Devas & Asuras); IV,203; A.II,91; IV,198 sq.,206; Sn.681; Nd1 89,92,448; DhA.I,264 (°kaññā); Sdhp.366,436.
--inda Chief or king of the Titans.Several Asuras are accredited with the rôle of leaders,most commonly Vepacitti (S.I,222; IV,201 sq.) and Rāhu (A.II,17,53; III,243).Besides these we find Pahārāda (gloss Mahābhadda) at A.IV,197.--kāya the body or assembly of the asuras A.I,143; J.V,186; ThA.285.--parivāra a retinue of Asuras A.II,91.--rakkhasā Asuras and Rakkhasas (Rakṣasas) Sn.310 (defined by Bdhgh at SnA 323 as pabbata-pāda-nivāsino dānava-yakkha-saññitā).(Page 89)