Editing Asura (section)

==Asuri==

Asuri is the feminine of an adjective from asura and in later texts means 'belonging to or having to do with demons and spirits'.<ref>American Oriental Society (1852). Proceedings (American Oriental Society) 1874-1893, p.xv</ref> Asuri parallels Asura in being "powerful beings", and in early Vedic texts includes all goddesses.<ref>Coburn, Thomas B. (1988). Devī-Māhātmya, p.200. Motilal Banarsidass Publications. {{ISBN|81-208-0557-7}}</ref> The term Asuri also means a [[Rakshasa|Rakshasi]] in Indian texts.<ref>[[Henk Bodewitz|Bodewitz, H. W.]] (1990). The Jyotiṣṭoma Ritual: Jaiminīya Brāhmaṇa I, 66-364, p.265. Volume 34 of Orientalia Rheno-traiectina. {{ISBN|90-04-09120-3}}</ref><ref name=Hale-1999/>{{rp|pages=&nbsp;120–133}}

The powers of an Asuri are projected into plants offering a remedy against [[leprosy]].<ref>Shende, N.J. (1967). Kavi and kāvya in the Atharvaveda, p. 22. Issue 1 of Publications of the Centre of Advanced Study in Sanskrit, Centre of Advanced Study in Sanskrit, University of Poona</ref><ref name="garg">Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World: Ar-Az, p.751. Volume 3 of Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. Concept Publishing Company. {{ISBN|81-7022-373-3}}</ref>

{{Quote|
<poem>
First, before all, the strong-winged Bird was born, thou wast the gall thereof.
Conquered in fight, the '''Asuri''' took then the shape and form of plants.
The Asuri made, first of all, this medicine for leprosy, this banisher of leprosy.
She banished leprosy, and gave one general colour to the skin.
</poem>
|A charm against leprosy, Atharva Veda, Hymn 1.24|<ref name=griffith124>[https://archive.org/stream/hymnsatharvaved00unkngoog#page/n52/mode/2up Hymns of the Atharva Veda], [[Ralph T. H. Griffith]] (Translator), Luzac and Co., London, pages 28-29</ref>}}

In Book 7, ''Asuri'' is a powerful female with the special knowledge of herbs, who uses that knowledge to seduce Deva [[Indra]] in Atharva Veda. A hymn invokes this special power in ''Asuri'', and this hymn is stipulated for a woman as a charm to win over the lover she wants.<ref name=griffith738/>

{{Quote|
<poem>
I dig this Healing Herb that makes my lover look on me and weep,
That bids the parting friend return and kindly greets him as he comes.
This Herb wherewith the '''Asuri''' drew Indra downward from the Gods,
With this same Herb I draw thee close that I may be most dear to thee.

Thou art the peer of Soma, yea, thou art the equal of the Sun,
The peer of all the Gods art thou: therefore we call thee hitherward.
I am the speaker here, not thou: speak thou where the assembly meets.
Thou shalt be mine and only mine, and never mention other dames.

If thou art far away beyond the rivers, far away from men,
This Herb shall seem to bind thee fast and bring thee back my prisoner.
</poem>
|A maiden's love-charm, [[Atharvaveda|Atharva Veda]], Hymn 7.38|<ref name=griffith738>[https://archive.org/stream/hymnsatharvaved00unkngoog#page/n368/mode/2up Hymns of the Atharva Veda], Ralph T.H. Griffith (Translator), Luzac and Co., London, page 344</ref>}}

Similarly, in the Atharva Veda, all sorts of medical remedies and charms are projected as Asuri manifested in plants and animals.<ref name=Hale-1999/>{{rp|pages=&nbsp;120–133}} Asuri Kalpa is an ''abhichara'' (craft) which contains various rites derived from special knowledge and magic of Asuri.<ref>Magoun, Herbert William (1889). The Āsurī-Kalpa: a witchcraft practice of the Atharva-Veda</ref><ref>Goudriaan, Teun & Gupta, Sanjukta (1981). Hindu Tantric and Śākta Literature, p.114. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. {{ISBN|3-447-02091-1}}</ref>