APPENDIX FIVE

Names of Demons (Asuras)

Andhaka	Blind son of the demon Hiranyaksha
Balahaka	Seven brothers in Bhanda’s army
Bhanda	Asura born out of the ashes of Kama
Chanda	General of Shumbha’s army
Dhumralochana	General of Mahisha’s army
Durgama	Asura killed by Durga
Durmada	General in Bhanda’s army
Hayagriva	Demon who stole the Vedas; upon killing him, Vishnu in a horse-headed incarnation took his name
Hiranyaksha	Elder brother of Hiranyakashipu, Vishnu took the incarnation of the boar in order to kill him
Hiranyakashipu	Famed king of the demons; father of Prahlada, famous devotee of Vishnu
Kaitabha	One of the two demons born out of Vishnu’s ears, whom he killed with the help of the goddess
Kamsa	Evil uncle of Krishna
Karambha	Demon who practiced austerities in order to get sons
Kuranda	Bhanda’s best general
Madhu	One of the two demons born out of Vishnu’s ears, whom he killed with the help of the goddess
Mahabali	Great demon who was slain by Vishnu in his incarnation as Vamana
Mahisha	Buffalo demon killed by Durga
Munda	One of the generals of Shumbha’s army
Naraka	A demon who incarcerated many princesses in his dungeon; Krishna killed him and released the princesses
Nishumbha	One of the two asuric brothers killed by Durga in the Devi Mahatmyam
Raktabija	Friend and ally of Shumbha; every drop of his blood that fell onto the ground turned into a clone of himself
Rambha	Asura who became Raktabija in another life
Ravana	King of Lanka; he abducted Sita, wife of Rama
Shankachuda	Demon who married Tulasi
Shumbha	One of the two asuric brothers killed by Durga in the Devi Mahatmyam
Sugriva	Shumbha’s minister
Taraka	Fierce demon to kill whom Kartikeya, son of Shiva, was born
Visunga	General of Bhanda’s army