ASURA

HINDU: In the early pages of the Vedas, Agni, Indra, and other gods are also called asura, in the sense of being "lords" of their respective realms, knowledge, and abilities. In Hindu literature written after the compilation of the Vedas, good gods are called "Gods" (or Dewata), while evil asuras are often identified as enemies of the gods, or giants.

In Hindu mythology compiled after the Vedic Period, especially those recorded in the Puranas, asura are often described as having a bad character, namely being hostile to the Gods, even though some of them are worshipers of one of the Trimurti. Sometimes, Asuras are equated with giants or evil beings, although Hindu literature also records that they are divided into good and evil. The good Asura is called Aditya (descendants of Aditya), led by Baruna, while the Evil ones are called Danawa (descendants of Danu), led by Wretra.

BUDDHISM According to Buddhism, asuras are a class of non-god supernatural beings, but they are not ghosts. They live life as residents of one of the planes of existence, just like humans and gods, because they are still undergoing samsara or rebirth, due to the karma they did in their previous life. They are said to be creatures who inhabit the bottom of Mount Sumeru, still cling to worldly pleasures, are envious and hostile to beings called gods. Along with the spread of Buddhism to East Asia, the concept of asuras was developed, even combined with beliefs in local gods that existed before the arrival of Buddhism, and were included as part of the Buddhist pantheon in the area concerned.