Asuras of Today: The Bloodline of Mahishasura

Introduction

Navratri commemorates the nine day battle between Goddess Durga and the Asuras led by Mahishasura. This victory of good over evil is celebrated in different parts of the country with religious fervour. But I told you, that there are Asuras living amongst us, who consider themselves to be descendants of Mahishasura and consider Navratri as a period of deep mourning, what would your reaction be? You would say “Oh yes, you mean the corrupt politicians and businessmen are the real Asuras today, right?”

No, an amazing fact is that there is a tribe of people who call themselves “Asuras” , consider themselves to be the descendants of Mahishasura, hate “Devas” for defeating him and consider Navratri as a period of mourning to remember the defeat of “Asuras” by “Devas”. A fascinating fact, which is truly a great example of the great anthropological diversity of India. Before we look at the Asuras of today, let us look at the Asuras in mythology, the historical origins and references to the Asuras, as well as the legend of Mahishasura.

Asuras in Mythology

In the popular culture today, Asuras are often confused with “Rakshas” (Demons). However, this was not always so. Once upon a time, Asuras were not considered demons but in fact power seeking deities. In the early Hinduism, there were two classes of deities, Devas and Asuras. Infact, in those times, Indra and Varun were considered to be Asuras. Asuras were powerful deities who were opposed to gods. Sometimes, they were more powerful than the Devas and sometimes worked with them together to achieve a common goal. As per the Hindu Puranas, Asuras and Devas are step sons of Rishi Kashyap. Curiously, it is only in the later stages of Hinduism that the Asuras began to be portrayed at demons or evil being. So what happened? Why did the Asuras go from being a kind of a deity to becoming demons or rakshas?

The historical theory behind the split of Asuras and Devas

The answer to this question lies in time far back in millennia, when wandering hordes of Aryans travelled through large parts of Asia. It is believed that Aryans came to India through Central Asia in the Bronze Age. There is a theory among historians explaining the Asuras and Devas divide to the split between the Indian Aryans and the Iranian Aryans.  This theory is corroborated by the fact that in old-Iranian religion as well as Zoroastrianism, the term Asura corresponds to the Zoroastrian word “Ahura”. In Zoroastrianism, Asuras or “Ahuras” are supreme godly beings while Devas or “Daevas” are demonic. Prophet Zoroaster propagated the worship of Ahura Mazda while the first Zoroastrian Gatha condemns Daevas for their ill treatment of cows.

Based on this opposing definitions of Devas and Asuras in Indian and Iranian religions, Historian theorise that following may have happened. At a date lost in history, the single tribe of Aryans of Central Asia split into two parts. One tribe settled down in Iran and the other tribe of Aryans came to India. Then, after some time differences arose between them and they had a fight.  As a result, on one hand, the Iranians demonised the Devas and considered Ahuras godly, while on other hand, the Indians demonised the Asuras and considered Devas godly.

Another hypothesis is that the opposition between Asuras and Devas is rooted in Indo-Iranian Aryans social structure. At important festivals, it is postulated that two clans or sub-tribes would compete in making the most perfect ritual offering to the gods, seeking to outdo their peers in beauty of hymns sung, richness of offerings, and minute observance of traditional formulae. One clan would sacrifice to Devas, the other to the Asuras. When Aryan society grew and split between Indian Aryans and Iranian Aryans, the two resulting societies slowly forgot the old agonistic context, and eventually chose one set of deities over the other. Thus, what we now know is that for Indian Aryans, it was Devas = good and Asuras = Bad while for Iranian Aryans, it was the other way round. Now let us look at the legend of Mahishasura.

Legend of Mahishasura

The legend of Mahishasura is believed to have been emerged in the later part of Vedic religion when the Asuras were demonised. The story of Mahishasura is as follows. Mahishasura was an Asura. His father Rambha was the king of Asuras who fell in love with a water buffalo. Mahishasura was a product of this union. As a result, he was able to change between human and buffalo form at will. He was a great disciple of Brahma and after great penance was granted a boon that neither men nor gods would be able to defeat him.

After this, he started terrorising heaven and earth.  He invaded Heaven and drove Indra and all the Devas away from Heaven. Devas went into a conclave to decide what is to be done as neither men nor gods could defeat him. They created his nemesis in a form of a young woman called Durga. She combined the power of all gods in a beautiful form of “Shakti”. The goddess then attacked Mahishasura's empire, and after nine days of fighting, during which Mahishasura's army was decimated, she finally killed him on the tenth day of the waxing moon. Durga is therefore called Mahishasuramardini the destroyer of Mahishasura. The event is celebrated in various versions as Durga Puja in Bengal and Orissa, and as Dussehra and Navratri in other parts of India, celebrating this victory of good over evil. But not by everyone though!

The Asuras of Today

It may amaze most people to know that there is a tribe called the Asur Tribe who consider themselves to be kinsmen of Mahishasura and do not worship Devas as they conspired to defeat him. For them, Navratri is a period of Mourning and a very sad time. The Asur Tribe is mainly predominant in the Chhota Nagpur plateau of Jharkhand state.  They are found in the districts of Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu and Latehar of the Jharkhand state. The modern Asur tribe is divided into three sub-tribal divisions, namely Bir (Kol) Asur, Birjia Asur and Agaria Asur. By profession, Asurs are traditionally Iron smelters.

For the followers of the bloodline of Mahishasura, Dusshera is the darkest period of the year. The Asur tribes do not believe in Devas as they feel that Devas conspired to defeat Mahishasura. To this day, they resent the Devas. They believe that Devas are power hungry and can do no good to anyone. The Asurs worship their ancestors or nature offering them haria (rice beer) and chicken on a sacred day. While rest of the country celebrates Durga Puja and Navratri, the Asurs spread across North Bengal and Jharkhand go into a deep period of mourning. During this time, the elders stay even away from sunlight. Windows are barred and all activities done only after sunset.

Asurs possess very strong and powerful body structure as well great physical strength. This helps them in their traditional occupation of Iron smelting. The decorative objects of Iron made by them are in a great demand by tourists. They follow peculiar food habits, eating eat all kinds of flesh, including that of snakes, dogs, cats, crows and vultures. But they live in clean and hygienic houses lined with cow dung without the traditional rice paste motifs found in most villages in north India. The Asur tribe has tried to preserve their traditions in this rapidly changing and assimilating world.

As the process of Globalization gathers pace, the iron smelting, the traditional occupation of the Asurs has become unviable thereby forcing them to migrate to cities. Also, more educated Asurs are giving up their traditions to integrate into the mainstream. The Asurs or Asuras have preserved their traditions for millennia, but will they be able to do the same for the next millennia? Only time will tell. All I can say is that the survival of this unique tribe, still true to their beliefs after thousands of years, is truly a tribute to the cultural diversity of India. So next time when you think that Asuras are Demons or Rakshas, found only in Mythology, think again! Some of them could be standing right next to you.