asura
/ˈɑːsʊrə/noun
उच्चारण आसुर
असुर
Core word
- 1
[C]
in Hindu mythology, one of a group of powerful beings who often fight against the gods (devas)
असुर
- The Puranas describe the battle between devas and asuras.
- Mahishasura was an asura defeated by Goddess Durga.
- The asura king was proud of his strength.
+ 2 more examples
- Durga is shown defeating the asura in the painting.
- Stories about asuras are told during Navratri.
Synonyms demon
- 2
[C] technical
in Vedic texts, a mighty divine being, not always evil
असुर (वैदिक साहित्य में शक्तिशाली दिव्य सत्ता)
- In the early Rigveda, Varuna is called an asura.
- Scholars note that the meaning of asura changed over time.
- Early hymns praise the asura as a lord of the sky.
+ 2 more examples
- The Avesta and the Vedas both use words close to asura.
- In some old verses, an asura is a great and wise ruler.
§Structures (grammar patterns) 4
asura as a countable noun
Say 'an asura' for one and 'asuras' for many; the word names a powerful being of Indian mythology, often an enemy of the gods.
एक के लिए 'an asura' और कई के लिए 'asuras' कहा जाता है; यह भारतीय पुराणों के शक्तिशाली प्राणी का नाम है, जो प्रायः देवताओं का शत्रु होता है।
- Mahishasura was an asura killed by Goddess Durga.
- The asuras and the devas churned the ocean together.
asuras and devas / gods
The word is often paired with devas or gods to show the two sides of a myth; in the story the two groups fight for control of the worlds.
यह शब्द प्रायः devas या देवताओं के साथ जोड़ा जाता है ताकि पौराणिक कथा के दो पक्ष दिखें; कथा में दोनों समूह लोकों पर अधिकार के लिए लड़ते हैं।
- In many stories the asuras fight against the devas.
asura as a proper name
Sometimes the word ends a name, as in Mahishasura or Bhasmasura, and then it is written with a capital letter.
कभी-कभी यह शब्द किसी नाम के अंत में आता है, जैसे Mahishasura या Bhasmasura, और तब capital letter से लिखा जाता है।
- Bhasmasura was tricked into burning himself.
asura in epics and Puranas
In the Puranas, asuras are usually enemies of the gods, but some, like Prahlada, are devoted to Vishnu.
पुराणों में असुर प्रायः देवताओं के शत्रु होते हैं, पर प्रह्लाद जैसे कुछ असुर विष्णु के भक्त भी हैं।
- Prahlada was born in an asura family but worshipped Vishnu.
+Collocations 5
adjective + asura
mightywickedcruelproudancient
- The mighty asura believed no god could defeat him.
verb + asura
defeatkillfightdefydestroy
- In the story, Vishnu defeated the asura king.
asura + noun
kingarmygurudemonlord
- Shukracharya was the guru of the asura king.
asura in Indian festivals
DussehraDurga PujaDiwaliNavaratri
- Durga Puja celebrates the killing of the asura Mahishasura.
asura + story words
boonpenancewardefeatcurse
- The asura received a boon after years of penance.
“More examples 6
- The play showed an asura with ten heads fighting the hero.
नाटक में दस सिरों वाला एक असुर नायक से युद्ध करता दिखाया गया।
- Radhika learnt the story of the asura Hiranyakashipu at school.
राधिका ने विद्यालय में असुर हिरण्यकश्यपु की कथा सीखी।
- In Vedic texts, an asura was not always evil.
वैदिक ग्रंथों में असुर हमेशा बुरा नहीं होता था।
- Folk dancers wore masks of asuras during the Navaratri performance.
नवरात्रि के प्रदर्शन में लोक नर्तकों ने असुरों के मुखौटे पहने।
- The temple wall shows a goddess standing over a defeated asura.
मंदिर की दीवार पर एक देवी पराजित असुर के ऊपर खड़ी दिखाई गई है।
- The asuras seized the nectar of immortality in the story of the churning of the ocean.
समुद्र मंथन की कथा में असुरों ने अमृत छीन लिया।