Depiction the Asurs

Why are the Asur's always depicted looking ugly, malformed with wierd harido's (aka Shumbh Nishumbh).

In the case of Narkasur I understand that it might be to show that he has been 'tapasya mein leen' for aeons, so long finger nails, unkempt etc - this is okay. Hopefully, they will give him a better look.

In the other show which shall not be named, they had really handsome looking Asurs and it did not take away ... but added some more dimension. The fearsome negative qualities had to come through with good acting.

Even in Mahakali, as much as I did not like the Bhandasur episode, the actor depicting Bhandasur was good looking, no overt ha ha ha etc, but you sort of felt the negative aspect with his performance. It was creepy ... and that is what was required.


So what is your opinion?

Originally posted by: rsnarula67

Why are the Asur's always depicted looking ugly, malformed with wierd harido's (aka Shumbh Nishumbh).

In the case of Narkasur I understand that it might be to show that he has been 'tapasya mein leen' for aeons, so long finger nails, unkempt etc - this is okay. Hopefully, they will give him a better look.

In the other show which shall not be named, they had really handsome looking Asurs and it did not take away ... but added some more dimension. The fearsome negative qualities had to come through with good acting.

Even in Mahakali, as much as I did not like the Bhandasur episode, the actor depicting Bhandasur was good looking, no overt ha ha ha etc, but you sort of felt the negative aspect with his performance. It was creepy ... and that is what was required.


So what is your opinion?

To some extent yes you are right. Our epics vividly described prominent asuras while ordinary asuras are generally perceived as ugly and fearsome. If we take Ravan he is a Brahmin though he belonged to asura tribe. So he need not look terrible. Skandh Puran described asuras during their war with devas as ferocious looking. Likewise Ravana's army as described by Valmiki looked ugly and odd.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but most Asuras were ugly looking as explained in Vishnu Purana. Having diseased skin or deformed limbs was common. They were demons for a reason.

May be it is show that what we are on the inside will reflect on the outside .

Nivi, you are right in a perspective.

Originally posted by: KalyaniPanchali

Nivi, you are right in a perspective.

But, we shouldn't judge a person by their outer looks. One maybe so fair, beautiful and hygienic, but still their minds might be evil. That's why I said some were ugly and some were handsome as well.

I am not well versed in the texts, but do read up on a lot of stuff (so basically someone else's perspective on the texts) to get an idea and to understand. And some of it I have read English translations - which again would have a bias of the translator.

In whatever I have read so far, it is not explicitly stated that the Asurs are ugly, diseased etc.

One of the things that is always put forth is that nobody is all good and nobody is all bad. Like for example we have Indra acting out with petty jealousies, sleeping with another man's wife etc But he is always depicted as handsome.😕 He get's punished and then is back to his usual.

It makes sense that they portray the Asurs as "hardy", but the use of deformity, ugliness etc for the Asurs is, I feel, sending a very disturbing message.

After all it should be not about looks but deeds.

Maybe as someone commented this is how it is presented in the Purana, but if the CVs are trying to put a "naari shakti" & feminism spin (okay it is a rather convoluted spin😆), maybe the Asurs could be treated better too ...

Another thing, I was recently watching a show Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik (Meenakshi, I hope I am not in the wrong for stating it here).

Mr.Pattanaik was saying that nowadays we always say Asur for all the villains, which is not correct.

He gives very good description of the various - Asur, Rakshashas, Yakshas etc
It was very enlightening.

Although due to limited knowledge it takes me longer to imbibe all the nuances.

Originally posted by: rsnarula67

Another thing, I was recently watching a show Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik (Meenakshi, I hope I am not in the wrong for stating it here).

Mr.Pattanaik was saying that nowadays we always say Asur for all the villains, which is not correct.

He gives very good description of the various - Asur, Rakshashas, Yakshas etc
It was very enlightening.

Although due to limited knowledge it takes me longer to imbibe all the nuances.