Surasura, Surāsurā, Sura-asura: 14 definitions
Introduction:
Surasura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Surasur.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Surāsura (सुरासुर) refers to the “gods and demons”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.41 (“Description of the Altar-Structure”).—Accordingly, as mount Himavat (Himācala) said to Nārada: “[...] Showing kindness to me you take your food and rest for a while. Then gladly accompany Maināka and others to Śiva’s presence. Accompanied by these mountains you request Śiva along with the gods, and the great sages, Śiva whose sproutlike feet are worshipped by gods and demons (surāsura). Bring them here”.
Surāsurā (सुरासुरा) refers to the name of a Lady mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.33). Note: The Mahābhārata (mentioning Surāsurā) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 ślokas (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.
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.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Surāsura (सुरासुर):—Group of gods and demons who gathered for churning the sea to get ambrosia, in the quest of immortality .
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Surāsura (सुरासुर) refers to “gods or demons”, according to the Kālī teachings of Abhinava’s Jayadrathayāmala.—Accordingly, “That energy (called) Kuṇḍalinī resides in the Secret Wheel (in the genitals). O fair lady, that place which fulfils all desires should always be kept secret. Then (it is called) Guhyā (the Hidden One) and is always more secret than the secret. The nectar that comes out of this is hard to acquire by gods or demons [i.e., surāsura]. A thousand rebirths are destroyed in the Ocean of Kula of one who possesses it. [...] Amā, the energy of the (New) Moon is located in the Door of Brahmā. Pure water falls (from) there and, having fallen into the heart of Kuṇḍalī, the nectar which is the juice of Kuṇḍalī comes out of his body. By just eating this, (Yogis) become immortal and free of old age, wrinkles, white hair and all diseases.”.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Surāsura (सुरासुर) refers to the “Gods and Asuras”, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 21.9cd-14]—“[...] The Gods and Asuras (surāsura) view mantras are seen as powerful and invincible. [mantras] confer benefits [because they are] all-favoring, all-bestowing, all-pervading, and Śiva. Briefly, O Mahadeva, speak to my question. There is not anyone higher than yourself, O Lord of the World. Please tell all, O Great Śiva, if I please you, O Lord”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
surasura (सुरसुर) [or रां, rāṃ].—ad Imit. of the whizzing or hissing sound of gunpowder under explosion.
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surasura (सुरसुर).—f The tingling, or the pricking and creeping sensation of a limb or member asleep, formication. 2 The whizzing or hissing of rockets or powder on being discharged.
surasura (सुरसुर).—f A whizzing or hissing sound, emitting such a sound.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Surāsura (सुरासुर).—[masculine] [plural] the gods and the Asuras.
Surāsura (सुरासुर):—[from sura > sur] m. [plural] or ([probably] n.) sg. gods and Asuras, [Mahābhārata; Harivaṃśa; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.
[Sanskrit to German]
Surasura (सुरसुर) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Surasura.
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.
Hindi dictionary
Surāsura (सुरासुर) [Also spelled surasur]:—(nm) the gods and demons; -[yuddha/saṃgrāma] mythological battle of the gods and demons.
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Prakrit-English dictionary
1) Surasura (सुरसुर) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Surasura.
2) Surasura (सुरसुर) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Surasurāya.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Nepali dictionary
1) Surasura (सुरसुर):—adv. 1. to sip; 2. to crawl slowly; 3. to pull thread slowly;
2) Surāsura (सुरासुर):—n. gods and demons;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Curacura, Curacurappu, Surasuracarya, Surasuraguru, Surasurake, Surasuralike, Surasuramaya, Surasurana, Surasurane, Surasuranem, Surasurati, Surasuravimarda, Surasuraya.
Full-text: Curacura, Surasuramaya, Surasuraguru, Surasuravimarda, Surasur, Atirar, Surasurati, Pratyanika, Surasuraya, Surasuracarya, Curacurappu, Jayin, Taka, Galanem, Bhos.
Relevant text
Search found 20 books and stories containing Surasura, Sura-asura, Surāsurā, Surāsura; (plurals include: Surasuras, asuras, Surāsurās, Surāsuras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dictionaries of Indian languages (Kosha)
Page 385 < [Hindi-English-Nepali (1 volume)]
Page 595 < [Bengali-Hindi-English, Volume 2]
Page 552 < [Hindi-Assamese-English Volume 1]
List of Mahabharata people and places (by Laxman Burdak)
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 5.24.99 < [Chapter 24 - The Killing of the Kola Demon]
Verse 2.9.15 < [Chapter 9 - Brahmā’s Prayers]
Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study) (by A. Yamuna Devi)
The Divine Attendants < [Chapter 4 - Cultural Aspects]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4 (by Vihari-Lala Mitra)
Chapter XLIX - Description of daivastras or supernatural weapons < [Book III - Utpatti khanda (utpatti khanda)]