Raktasura, Rakta-asura, Raktāsura: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Raktasura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: Shodhganga: The saurapurana - a critical studyRaktāsura (रक्तासुर) is the son of demon Mahiṣāsura, according to the 10th century Saurapurāṇa: one of the various Upapurāṇas depicting Śaivism.—The killing of Raktāsura by the goddess Pārvatī in a terrific form is narrated in chapter 49 of the Saurapurāṇa.
Accordingly:—
“The son of the demon Mahiṣa was Raktāsura, who became very powerful and possessed great power of illusion (mahāmāya). He won victory over the gods and dethroned Indra from the kingdom of heaven. He issued orders, that no body should worship any god, with a threatening of death. The people were compelled to give up dāna, yajña, vrata etc.
As a result of loss of dharma Indra rushed to Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the gods. He expressed his desire to fight with the demon but Bṛhaspati dissuaded him from battle. In the mean time Brahmā arrived there and told Indra not to feel dejected and advised him to take refuge in Pārvatī, who killed Mahiṣāsura, Ruru and Citrāsura. Then Indra with other gods went to Himālayas and worshipped Pārvatī with jayamālā stotra.
The goddess was pleased and promised to kill Raktāsura. Thereafter Pārvatī became three eyed (trinetrā) and having moon on her forehead (candraśekhara). He mounted on a lion (Siṃharuḍhā). She became possessed of twenty hands holding various weapons. Then the goddess made fearful sounds with very loud laughter again and again. Raktāsura with all his dreadful army reached there. A battle ensued between the Goddess and the demon and finally Ambikā pierced the demon with the trident (triśūla).”
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Raktasura, Rakta-asura, Raktāsura; (plurals include: Raktasuras, asuras, Raktāsuras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 37 - The Importance of Aṅgārikī Caturthī < [Section 1 - Avantīkṣetra-māhātmya]
Chapter 119 - Greatness of Balātibaladaityaghnī (Bala-Atibala-daitya-ghnī) < [Section 1 - Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya]