Beyond Myth: Embracing the “Asura Marga” for Modern Living

In the midst of the chaos prevailing in our time, the Asura Marga – the Asura way of living – emerges as a guiding light, illuminating a path for individuals to lead bold and purposeful lives.

Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆

The Asura Way: The Contrarian Path to Success by Anand Neelakantan was released earlier this year.

Rarely do I feel compelled to write down my reflections after reading a book, but The Asura Way, penned by Anand Neelakantan and released earlier this year, is different.

I discovered The Asura Way at the Delhi Airport earlier this month before departing from India. Unfamiliar with the term “Asura” at first, I found myself intrigued by the book’s subtitle, “The Contrarian Path to Success.”

“In Hindu mythology, Asuras are beings who are in opposition to the devas or suras (gods). “

Despite my initial impression leaning towards it being another self-help book, a quick scan through the book revealed that Anand Neelakantan had incorporated traditional Indian religious texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, alongside myths and folklores, as case studies to substantiate his argument.

While I didn’t expect finding a definitive path to “success” by the book’s end, I thought I could at least gain insights into Indian culture and, perhaps, the “Indian way” of thinking. I’m pleased to say that my experience surpassed expectations, prompting me to share some of the valuable lessons and takeaways from this book.

This miniature painting depicts a battle scene between armies of Devas (celestial beings associated with divine qualities) and Asuras (demons or anti-gods). The eternal struggle between Devas and Asuras symbolises the cosmic balance between positive and negative forces. Image courtesy of the Ashmolean Museum.

In Hindu mythology, Asuras are beings who are in opposition to the devas or suras (gods). While commonly perceived as embodiments of evil and dark forces, Neelakantan argues that they covet “immortality, immense power, ruling over others, material wealth, and happiness,” having once ruled the universe for thousands of years before being vanquished by gods like Vishnu and Shiva.

In the book’s opening, the author contextualises the narrative by referencing the sage Ved Vyasa, the esteemed author of the influential Srimad Bhagavatam and Mahabharata. Vyasa foresaw the impending bleakness of the earth over the next 5,000 years, particularly in the age of Kali, the era we currently inhabit, where wealth alone is deemed a measure of one’s birth, conduct, and virtues. The sage predicted a future marked by political power attained through social strength, citizens enduring harsh environmental conditions, and a society plagued by conflicts, hunger, disease, and moral decline. Astonishingly, these age-old prophecies resonate today.

In Kali Yuga, or the era of Kali, marked by darkness, conflict, and sin, Neelakantan suggests that embracing the path of Kali might be more sensible, challenging the perspectives presented in the Purana — a body of ancient Indian texts containing mythological and historical narratives — belonging to different eras (although he did cite a number of examples from these texts).

Krishna and Balarama are seen engaged in a wrestling with Canura and Mushthika, the wrestlers sent by the evil king Kamsa. Described as “mountain-like” with limbs as strong as lightning, this scene mirrors the perpetual wrestling we, as humans, engage in along our life path. Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Hindu religion delves into the concept of the “six enemies” of the mind, or shadu ripu, which form the foundations of the Kali Yuga. Many, if not all, of these qualities — krodha (anger), kama (passion, sensual desire), lobha (greed), moha (delusion or infatuation), mada (arrogance or pride), and matsarya (competitive spirit) — are also discussed in other Indian religions. For instance, Sikhism refers to them as the “five thieves who steal a person’s virtues,” Jainism recognises them as the four kashayas or “four bitter concoctions,” whereas Buddhism identifies them as dasa klesha or “ten defilements.”

While most spiritual leaders and gurus advise us to avoid these qualities, the Asura Marga — or Asura Way — scrutinises each of the qualities and counter-proposes how these advices were given to ascetics and individuals aiming to break free from the cycle of birth and death, ultimately reaching moksha (liberation). Setting aside the debate on whether we’re trapped in the web of life and birth or if an afterlife exists, the truth is that we’re all living in the here and now. The Asura Way, divided into nine chapters, ingeniously challenges the misconceptions or “false advice,” as Neelakantan terms it, ingrained in our upbringing.

Now let’s dive into this treasure trove of wisdom together! I’ve picked out stories featuring an array of beings — saints, kings, laymen, and ascetics. Join me in exploring these narratives, packed with insights that’ll inspire you to think and reflect.

Even deities and saints can get angry

In the first chapter, Neelakatan delves into the origins of anger in Hindu mythology, challenging the conventional wisdom that advocates avoiding anger (krodha) at all cost. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna himself acknowledges that passion serves as a catalyst for the rise to anger. He warns Arjuna how anger will eventually lead to confusion, loss of reason, and ultimately complete destruction. But even Krishna, a deity, deviates from his own counsel.

The Mahabharata narrates a significant incident where Krishna visibly expresses anger towards Bhishma during the Kurukshetra War. As Bhishma leads the Kaurava army, wreaking havoc on the battlefield, Krishna seizes a chariot wheel as a weapon and charges towards Bhishma, manifesting his fury at Bhishma’s actions. This moment not only highlights the intensity of the conflict but also underscores the pivotal role that anger plays in shaping the events of the Mahabharata.

The exploration of anger extends to other deities in the Hindu pantheon. Goddess Parvati, while bathing, creates Ganesha from turmeric paste and breathes life into him. Upon Shiva’s return, he is denied entry by Ganesha. In a fit of anger, Shiva beheads Ganesha. In a divine act of redemption, Shiva transforms anger into compassion, leading to the replacement of Ganesha’s head with that of an elephant. This incident gives rise to the beloved and widely worshipped form of Lord Ganesha in Hindu culture and beyond.

Moreover, Neelakantan recounts a renowned Puranic tale in which Sage Durvasa presents a garland to Indra. Indra, in a careless act, places it on his celestial elephant. Offended by this disrespect, Durvasa’s anger flares, resulting in a curse on Indra and triggering events that weaken the king of gods.

Through these tales, Neelakantan portrays anger as a natural emotion, often born of passion. He reassures us that we all have the right to feel angry as a way of expressing care. Rather than avoiding it entirely, Neelakantan suggests the key is to control and channel anger, recognising its power to either destroy us or propel us towards achieving our goals.

On the outer walls of the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebidu, a scene from the Ramayana is carved into stone: the 10-headed Ravana (at the bottom) is shown lifting Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva, who is seated atop the mountain alongside his consort Parvati. Image courtesy of Venkygrams.

Embracing ambition: illuminating Ravana’s saga in a new light

In the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, Ravana — the ten-headed demon king — sought to showcase his strength to Lord Shiva. Driven by arrogance and a desire to prove his superiority, Ravana attempted the audacious feat of lifting Mount Kailash, the sacred abode of Shiva. As he undertook this daring act, Lord Shiva, not wanting to undermine Ravana’s strength yet intolerant of his pride, gently pressed down on the mountain with his toe. This act instantly subdued Ravana, trapping him beneath the colossal weight and compelling him to seek forgiveness from Shiva. This story is often recounted as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition and pride, and the importance of humility in the face of divine powers. But the story doesn’t end here.

After realising his folly and seeking forgiveness, Lord Shiva, appreciating Ravana's penance, bestowed upon him the divine sword known as Chandrahasa. When questioned about his choice of a sword, Ravana simply replied, “I want to conquer the world with my efforts and not as a favour.” Empowered by this celestial weapon, Ravana went on to govern the world for an impressive span of 120,000 years.

In this perspective, Ravana emerges as a complex character, transcending the conventional portrayal of a mere antagonist. Within the broader narrative, Ravana’s dominion over the earthly realm evolves from a mere reign of malevolence into a manifestation of his prowess. Had it not been for a clear sense of purpose and an insatiable passion for power, Ravana would not have endeavoured to lift Mount Kailash, seek divine favor, and subsequently claim control over the world through his own efforts. As pointed out by Neelakantan, Ravana’s ego played a pivotal role in bringing him success, prosperity, and fame.

Ravana’s story, when viewed through this perspective, prompts contemplation on the intricate interplay of passion, power, and consequences. In his rise and fall, Ravana becomes a symbolic figure, embodying the inherent complexities of human nature, challenging us to recognise the delicate balance required to harness ambition for positive transformation while avoiding the pitfalls of pride.

In this painting, the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna takes centre stage on the battlefield. As Arjuna grapples with the query of sustaining motivation in adversity, Krishna, radiating wisdom, imparts his timeless counsel: Always look at how far you have come, rather than how far you have to go. Image courtesy of the San Diego Museum of Art.

Turning desire into destiny: layman’s path to power

Chanakya (375-283 B.C.), the brilliant strategist and political thinker of ancient India, was fueled by a profound desire for revenge and the burning ambition to establish a new empire. Legend has it that Chanakya was insulted and humiliated by the Nanda dynasty’s ruler, Dhana Nanda (circa 329-321 B.C.). Driven by a desire for retribution, Chanakya sought out a worthy candidate to overthrow the Nandas and pave the way for a new era.

In his quest, Chanakya identified a young and promising individual named Chandragupta Maurya. Chanakya mentored and groomed Chandragupta, channeling his anger into a calculated pursuit of power. Together, they devised an intricate plan that involved political alliances, military prowess, and strategic maneuvers to overthrow the oppressive Nanda regime. Through a series of tactical moves and alliances, they successfully dismantled the existing power structure, ultimately leading Chandragupta Maurya to ascend the throne as the emperor and fulfill Chanakya’s vision of a new empire.

The story of Chanakya’s transformation from a vengeful scholar to the architect of a powerful dynasty is a riveting saga of political intrigue, ambition, and unwavering determination. Instead of merely seeking a king to topple the Nanda dynasty, Chanakya dedicated his life to shaping a man to replace Dhana Nanda. Neelakantan suggests that anger, when harnessed and channeled, holds the potential for tremendous power.

An anecdote from Bhagavata Purana recounts the visit of Sudama, born into a poor Brahmin family depicted on the right, to his childhood friend Krishna. Image courtesy of the Freer Gallery of Art.

“…they devised a unique task for these gods — to sit in heaven and chant “Thathasthu,” meaning “Let it be so,” granting human desires.”

It’s all about knowing yourself

My favourite story is from Matsya Purana, a tale that paints the heavens with 33 core gods overseeing celestial realms. Shiva’s keen observation revealed that beyond the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, along with a handful of functional deities like Vayu, Agni, and Varuna, many gods were indulging in the leisure of heaven.

In a whimsical conversation between Shiva and Vishnu, they devised a unique task for these gods — to sit in heaven and chant “Thathasthu,” meaning “let it be so,” granting human desires. Picture this: whatever floats in the minds of us mere mortals, the gods respond with a resounding “Thathasthu.”

This enchanting story serves as a friendly reminder to tread carefully in the realm of wishes — whatever we seek, the gods reply the same, be it good, bad, or tinged with fear. So, let’s be mindful of the desires we cast in the universe!

While some may breeze through The Asura Way quickly, I chose to savour its content over two weeks, making it a meaningful part of my morning routine. For those intrigued by self-exploration or Indian culture, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Asura Way. Drawing insights from Indian mythology, history, and folklore, this book proves to be a valuable manual, offering guidance in navigating our lives in the material world, especially in the age of Kali, for those seeking not just success but also happiness.

The Asura Way by Neelakantan Anad serves as a personal guide, urging us to delve into self-discovery because understanding ourselves allows us to transform and channel negative emotions into something beautiful. Life, as we all know, is an ongoing wrestling match with the self.

Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. I'd love to hear what you think :)