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Home Preface 5 Planes of Existence Introduction Five Planes of Manifestation A to Z Contact Related Information BIBLE VERSES |
ASURA (LOWER ASPECT)A symbol of the reflected Divine energy on the lower planes, expressed in desire which is the opponent of the higher energy. "A new change appears in the later Sanskrit literature. Here the Asuras, instead of fighting with the Devas, are represented as fighting against the Suras; that is to say, by a mere mistake, the 'A' of Asura has been taken as a negative a,' whereas it is the radical of asu, breath, and a new name has been formed, Sura."-MAX MÜLLER, Theosophy, etc., p. 187. “By the breath of his mouth Pragâpati created the gods: the gods (deva) were created on entering the sky. Having created them, there was, as it were, daylight for him. And by the downward breathing he created the asuras: they were created on entering this earth. Having created them there was, as it were, darkness for him." - Sata. Bráh., XI. 1, 6, 7-8. The Divine out-breath of the Life produced the higher qualities (the gods) on the buddhic plane (the sky), and these served to express the nature of the Self (daylight). The Divine down-breath produced the lower qualities, the desires (asuras) which were reflected from the lower nature (earth) in opposition to the higher qualities, hence the Self was obscured by evil and ignorance (darkness), and rendered unapparent to the lower consciousness. The double signification of " is only an instance of the double meanings of symbols, whereby the higher and the lower conditions of the same origin are indicated. It is likely enough that a new symbol “sura” originated in the manner stated, and was used to better distinguish the higher from the lower in the inspired communications of a later date. Of course, no mistake has been made. The Spirit of Truth knows everything, and cannot possibly be in error about anything. The truth is set down in the scriptures if the lower mind does not interfere and insert its own opinions. |
See Also
BREATH (divine)
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