What is the difference between Asuras and Rakshasas?

Question

and pishachas, danavas, and daityas, etc?

Answer 1

ASURA - In the oldest parts of the Rig veda this term is used for the supreme spirit, and is the same as the Ahura of the Zoroastrians. In the sense of 'god' it was applied to several of the chief deities, as to Indra, Agni, and Varuna. It afterwards acquired an entirely opposite meaning, and came to signify, as now, a demon or enemy of the gods.

The word is found with this signification in the later parts of the Rigveda, particularly in the last book, and also in the Atharva,. veda. The Brahmanas attach the same meaning to it, and record many contests between the Asuras and the gods. According to the Taittiriya Brahmana, the breath (asu) of Prajapati became alive, and "with that breath he created me Asuras." In another part of the same work it is said that Prajapati "became pregnant. He created Asuras from his abdomen." The Satapatha Brahmana accords with the former statement, and states that "he created Asuras from his lower breath." The Taittiriya. Aranyaka represents that Prajapati created gods, men, fathers, Gandharvas, and Apsarases from water, and that the Asuras, Rakshasas, and pisachas sprang from the drops which were spilt. Manu's statement is that they were created by the Prajapatis.

According to the Vishnu Purana, they were produced from the groin of Brahma (prajapati). The account of the Vayu Purana is: "Asuras were first produced as sons from his (Prajapati's) groin. Asu is declared by Brahmana to mean breath. From it these beings were produced; hence they are Asuras." The word has long been used as a general name for the enemies of the gods, including the Daityas and Danavas and other descendants of Kasyapa, but not including the Rakshasas descended from Pulastya.

In this sense a different derivation has been found for it: the source is no longer asu, `breath,' but the initial a is taken as the negative prefix, and asura signifies 'not a god;' hence, according to some, arose the word sura, commonly used for 'a god.' - AND -

RAKSHASAS. Goblins or evil spirits. They are not all equally bad, but have been classified as of three sorts - one as a set of beings like the Yakshas, another as a sort of Titans or enemies of the gods, and lastly, in the common acceptation of the term, demons and fiends who haunt cemeteries, disturb sacrifices, harass devout men, animate dead bodies, devour human beings, and vex and afflict mankind in all sorts of ways.

These last are the Rakshasas of whom Ravana was chief, and according to some authorities, they are descended, like Ravana himself, from the sage Pulastya. According to other authorities, they sprang from Brahma's foot. The Vishnu Purana also makes them descendants of Kasyapa and Khasa, a daughter of Daksha, through their son Rakshas; and the Ramayana states that when Brahma created the waters, he formed certain beings to guard them who were called Rakshasas (from the root raksh, to guard, but the derivation from this root may have suggested the explanation), and the Vishnu Purana gives a somewhat similar derivation. It is thought that the Rakshasas of the epic poems were the rude barbarian races of India who were subdued by the Aryans. -

Answer 2

Complex topic to discuss or explain, lemme try though.

Mythologically there are different approaches to it as discussed by Copy&paste.

Historically the people who ruled the majority of India after the vedic culture was established were called the Aryas. amongst these those who were very powerful and had major influence were treated as Suras. Suras is also refered to teh conglomerate of teh Gods in Hindu panthenon. People who were outcasted by the Aryas and those from the panthenon who were not suited to the benefit of the larger masses were called Anaryas and Asuras respectively. Geographically these anaryas and asuras settled south of the vindhyachal ranges in central India.

RAKSHASas came into existance at the time of Ravana who wanted to amalgamate the entire aryavart under one name and principles of living and called it the "Raksha Sanskruti" with the slogan "Vayam Rakshamaha" meaning "we protect". His Idea was to bring together the Aryas and the exiled Anaryas under one roof and blend them all into a single community. Now is the twist. Due to his predominant Tamasi pravrutti he used force in making people join his Raksha Sanskruti thereby the term Rakshas gained a negative connotation.

Pishachas Danavas and Daityas were different categories among the Asuras and Rakshasas depending upon their habits and territory and their modes of operations. pishachas generally lived on trees and haunted the crematoriums and looted and hurt lonely travellers and people who ventured out into their territory without purpose. Danavas commanded the wilderness as in tough forests, uninhabited islands, and unapproachable areas and hunted down people who ventured out there. Daityas were more likely to be found nearer to habitations and were feared because of their abnormal size and powers. they commanded eh intermediate areas between the cities n towns and the deep forests.

In mythologies we can see multiple characters even amongst the Asuras and the Rakshasas and they depending on their good will and conscience have been seen to be helpful in many a causes to Gods and Aryas.

hope it helps

thanks

recommended book to have more insight into this is "Vayam Rakshamaha" by Acharya Chatursen in Hindi.

Answer 3

There are different category of people and nations and like the same, in the ancient social life, whose who attacked from outside the borders, were named so.
For example, the king of Heaven is Devendra, which is a position like President or Chairman in Heaven.
Asura are people of pathal, Rakshasas are people much below the civilization who used to practise cannibolism.
Pishacha is of the uncivilised, danavas are the courtiers of heaven under Lord Indra, Daitya - synonim of non-'Surah (Devas) Sura means 'liquor' and 'Sur' is who enjoys (luxury - forward in Society, etc) and Asur is those who lack luxury in life - literally greedy.
In those times, the words used with exact meaning based on the society and social obligations, which when luxury came as part of life, became with different meanings and definitions.

Answer 4

From what I understand Rakshasas are straight up demons, whereas Asuras can be good or bad, but their bad side has been emphasised as time has gone on.

Try wikipedia. :)

Answer 5

Sura X Asura.
Rakshasa, an independent word.
Both two words, one meaning

Answer 6

Asuras are small gremlin-like things with big ears and a serious attitude problem.

Rakshasas are tiger-people with reversible hands and a tendency to disguise themselves as other folks.


What precisely is the similarity between them?
(And more importantly.... why am I trying to compare Guild Wars lore to Dungeons and Dragons lore?)

Answer 7

two different species of demons. Both demons though. I try to avoid them both.

Answer 8

Don't know