asura

An asura (Sanskrit: असुर, Pali: Asura) in Buddhism is a demigod or titan of the Kāmadhātu. They are described as having three heads with three faces each and either four or six arms. Origins and etymology The Buddhist asuras have a few distinctive myths than the asuras of Hinduism, which are only found in Buddhist texts. In its Buddhist context, the word is sometimes translated "titan", "demigod", or "antigod". Buddhaghosa explains that their name derives from the myth of their defeat at the hands of the god Śakra. According to the story, the asura were dispossessed of their state in Trāyastriṃśa because they became drunk and were thrown down Mount Sumeru. After this incident, they vowed never to drink sura again.