Technically, an Asur is not demonic. The word Asur actually means someone who is not Sur (civilised, pure, blah blah blah). Mythology, more often than not, equates stupidity with evil. And it always overdoes it. Not only does evil cause you to act dumb (why else would giant oafs under evil influence laugh in the face of a sword-bearing hero with divine connections), it also IS dumb.

Almost all Asurs of note in Hindu mythology had their careers shaped in the same mould. They rise to power, they reach the top and then they go out with a bang. No quiet retirements for them. Here’s how it usually goes. Starting of course with Shukracharya, the Asurs’ Guru and the one sane voice in Asurlok (the Asur world).

Shukracharya notices a young Asur’s rise to power in Asurlok. He sees hope for the Asurs yet. He smiles his sage smile. The Asur fights like a rabid dog and soon his much injured opponents accept him as master and lord of their respective dominions (or are clobbered till they do). The Asur laughs. Shukracharya appears in the court. The Asur stops laughing and greets the Guru.

One afternoon, boredom brought back memories of watching B R Chopra’s Mahabharat on Doordarshan long ago. I remember hearing one story about the son of Hanuman. Yes! I know how it sounds. I told someone the same story some time ago and got, “Yeah sure! And I am Queen Elizabeth…” kind of responses. Whatever that might have been, here is the story - or what I remember of it.