Asura

The Asura is a race of semidivine beings that can be good or bad at times.

History
The Asura are most popularly known from the story about the churning of the ocean. Once upon a time the gods were not Immortal. In order to attain the drink of immortality (amrita), they had to churn the Ocean of Milk. But they needed help, so the asuras were promised a cut of the immortality for their help. But the gods, obviously, did not want to share. Lord Vishnu, the supreme god, transformed into Mohini, an enchantress. Once the asuras and devas (divine ones) had churned the ocean, Mohini sneakily gave all the amrita to the devas. As one can imagine, the asuras were not happy.

Notable Asura

 * Brahmasura