Difference between Daityas, Asuras, Danavas and Rakshasa

Difference between Daityas, Asuras, Danavas and Rakshasa 

1. Daityas:- Daityas are race of demons living in Sutala Loka. Lord Vamana had transferred Bali to Sutala where he lives as the king of all Daityas.


Below Vitala is Sutala. It is reckoned as of some special importance. O Muni! The highly meritorious Bali, the son of Virochana lives here. The Bhagavân Vâsudeva, brought down this Bali into Sutala, for the welfare of Indra. He assumed the body of Trivikrama and gave to Bali all the wealth of the three Lokas, all the Laksmî went to him and installed him in the position of the Lord of the Daityas.

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk08ch19.htm

All the sons of Diti were called Daityas. 

And, O bull of the Bharata race, when such was the blessed state of the terrestrial world, the Asuras, O lord of men, began to be born in kingly lines. And the sons of Diti (Daityas) being repeatedly defeated in war by the sons of Aditi (celestials) and deprived also of sovereignty and heaven, began to be incarnated on the earth. And, O king, the Asuras being possessed of great powers, and desirous of sovereignty began to be born on earth amongst various creatures, such as kine, horses, asses, camels, buffaloes, among creatures such as Rakshasas and others, and among elephants and deer. And, O protector of the earth, owing to those already born and to those that were being born, the earth became incapable of supporting herself.                                     

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01065.htm


2. Asuras:- Asuras are Daityas itself. According to Vishnu Purana, during the churning of the ocean, the daityas came to be known as Asuras because they rejected Varuni, the goddess of wine, while the devas accepted her and came to be known as Suras. Qualities of Asuras is described by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita as follows:-

The demoniac person thinks: "So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him; and my other enemy will also be killed. I am the lord of everything, I am the enjoyer, I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice." In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance. 

https://prabhupadabooks.com/bg/16/13-15

3. Danvas:- Danavas were a race descending from sage Kashyapa and Danu. Asuras and Danvas were half brothers of Devtas. Greek mythology also has a similar story where the demonic brothers of gods were called as Titans.


The highly-blessed Soma became the husband of them all. The other wives of Kasyapa gave birth to Gandharvas, horses, birds, kine, Kimpurushas, fishes, and trees and plants. Aditi gave birth to the Adityas. the foremost ones among the gods, and possessed of great strength. Amongst them Vishnu took birth in the form of a dwarf. Otherwise called Govinda, he became the foremost of them all. Through his prowess, the prosperity of the gods increased. The Danavas were vanquished. The offspring of Diti were the Asuras. Danu gave birth to the Danavas having Viprachitti for their foremost. Diti gave birth to all the Asuras of great strength

https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b034.htm


4. Rakshasa:- According to Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayan, Rakshasas originated from Lord Brahma. Later they grew in large number as the sons of Pulastya (Grandfather of Ravana). 

“Formerly Prajapati created the waters, choosing that element as his source and, thereafter, in order to protect it, that lotus-born One generated all creatures.Then those beings, tormented by hunger and thirst, humbly presented themselves before their author and enquired saying: “‘What shall we do?’ “Whereupon Prajapati, smiling, gave this answer to them all: ‘Protect the waters carefully, O Sons of Manu!’ Then some said:—‘Rakshami’ (we will protect) and others ‘Yakshami’ (we will sacrifice). Thus addressed by those afflicted by hunger and thirst, the Creator said “‘Those among you who have said “Rakshami” shall be Rakshasas and those among you who have said “Yakshami” shall be Yakshas

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-ramayana-of-valmiki/d/doc424765.html


Source:- Wikipedia 









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