Demons
Demons (asuras) are living beings who oppose the will of the Supreme Lord and act under the influence of pride, envy, selfishness, and material desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that although many demons possessed extraordinary strength, intelligence, wealth, or mystic powers, they were ultimately defeated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotees. Their histories reveal the inevitable triumph of divine righteousness, the consequences of godlessness, and the Lord's causeless mercy, for many demons attained liberation through direct contact with Him.
This collection organizes his teachings about the names, histories, characteristics, activities, and destinies of the many demonic personalities described throughout the Vedic scriptures.
Demons in Vṛndāvana
Other Demons
- Bala (Son of Maya Danava)
- Balvala
- Banasura
- Bhaumasura
- Canura
- Dantavakra
- Dvivida
- Hayagriva (demon)
- Hidimba
- Hidimbi
- Hiranyakasipu
- Hiranyaksa
- Jambha
- Jarasandha
- Kalanemi
- Kalayavana
- Kamsa
- Ketu
- Kumbhakarna
- Kuvalayapida
- Madhu the Demon
- Maya Danava
- Mura
- Mustika
- Namuci
- Paka
- Pancajana
- Paundraka
- Rahu
- Ravana
- Salva
- Satadhanva
- Sisupala
- Sudaksina
- The sad-garbhas (re-born as the six sons of Devaki)
- Vipracitti
- Virabhadra (the ghostly demon)
- Vrkasura
- Vrtrasura
Q&A on Demonic Personalities
- How could Krsna manage all of those Kaliya's hoods?
- How devotees become demons?
- How could Hiranyakasipu stay alive eaten by ants?
- Did Kasyapa have both devotees and demons sons?
- Was Ravana's brother live in Brazil?
- Did Kamsa go to spiritual world?
- What is the significance of Narasimha tearing the stomach of Hiranyakasipu?
- Did Mahiravana build the subway to Brazil?
- Was Ravana a devotee of Lord Siva?
- How did Ravana make a staircase to reach the heavenly planets?
- Can one who is demonic be engaged in Krsna's service by telling a lie?
- If demons fight, should devotees stop them?
- In Goloka, is there anxiety or fear for Krsna?
- In Goloka, there are no demons?
- In the case of Jaya and Vijaya... were the same pastimes going on in other universes?
- Is it actually possible for the demons to win?
- Is it the living entity's choice to be demonic, or is it a part of Krsna's energy?
- Should the reference to Putana be taken literally or allegorically?
- Who was the demon Madhu?
- Do other living entities play the part of Ravana in other universes?
- Did Prahlada Maharaja pray to save him from bad karma?
- Can the fight between demons and devotees be prevented?
- Are all demons dehatma-buddhi?
- Are all demons like Jaya and Vijaya in a special position?
- Was Mahiravana also a demon?
- What happened to Mahiravana?
- What happens to the miscreants when they are vanquished?
- What is the mentality of the demons who attacked New Vrndavana and why did this happen?
- When Krsna destroys demons, He does so without passion or without hatred?
- When Ravana was on the earth, was the whole earth populated, like Brazil?
- Why did Lord Siva try to protect Banasura?
- Why a person with demoniac mentality does feel happy to see someone else in distress?
- Why was Lord Rama letting Ravana live in Lanka?