asura ［阿修羅］ (, Pali;  ashura): A type of demon in Indian mythology. Contentious and belligerent, asuras fight continually with the gods. Buddhist scriptures often regard asuras as enemies of the gods, especially of Shakra, or Indra. Asuras are one of the eight kinds of nonhuman beings. The world of asuras is counted as one of the six paths, or the six lower states of existence among the Ten Worlds. See also Ten Worlds.