What is the difference between Rakshasa, Daitya, Danavas and Asuras? Who exactly were they?

 

What is the difference between Rakshasa, Daitya, Danavas and Asuras? Who exactly were they?

1. Daityas: Daityas are race of demons living in Sutala Loka. Lord Vamana had transferred Bali to Sutala where he lives as the king of all Daityas.

Below Vitala is Sutala. It is reckoned as of some special importance. O Muni! The highly meritorious Bali, the son of Virochana lives here. The Bhagavân Vâsudeva, brought down this Bali into Sutala, for the welfare of Indra. He assumed the body of Trivikrama and gave to Bali all the wealth of the three Lokas, all the Laksmî went to him and installed him in the position of the Lord of the Daityas.

Source: Devi Bhagavatam Book 8 Chapter 9

Sons of Diti were called as Daityas.

And the sons of Diti (Daityas) being repeatedly defeated in war by the sons of Aditi (celestials) and deprived also of sovereignty and heaven, began to be incarnated on the earth.

Source: Mahabharata Adi Parva: Adivansavatarana Parva: Section LXIV

2. Asuras: Asuras are Daityas itself. According to Vishnu Purana, during the churning of the ocean, the daityas came to be known as Asuras because they rejected Varuni, the goddess of wine, while the devas accepted her and came to be known as Suras. Qualities of Asuras is described by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita as follows:

The demoniac persons think, “I have gained so much wealth today, and I shall now fulfill this desire of mine. This is mine, and tomorrow I shall have even more. That enemy has been destroyed by me, and I shall destroy the others too! I am like God himself, I am the enjoyer, I am powerful, and I am happy. I am wealthy and I have highly placed relatives. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices (to the celestial gods); I shall give alms; I shall rejoice.” In this way, they are deluded by ignorance.

Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 13–15

3. Danavas: Danavas were a race descending from sage Kashyapa and Danu. Asuras and Danavas were half brothers of Devtas. Greek mythology also has a similar story where the demonic brothers of gods were called as Titans.

The offspring of Diti were the Asuras. Danu gave birth to the Danavas having Viprachitti for their foremost. Diti gave birth to all the Asuras of great strength.

Source: Mahabharata Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCVII

4. Rakshasas: According to Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayan, Rakshasas originated from Lord Brahma. Later they grew in large number as the sons of Pulastya (Grandfather of Ravana).

“Formerly Prajapati created the waters, choosing that element as his source and, thereafter, in order to protect it, that lotus-born One generated all creatures.

Then those beings, tormented by hunger and thirst, humbly presented themselves before their author and enquired saying:—

“‘What shall we do?’

“Whereupon Prajapati, smiling, gave this answer to them all:—

‘Protect the waters carefully, O Sons of Manu!’

Then some said:—‘Rakshami’ (we will protect) and others ‘Yakshami’ (we will sacrifice). Thus addressed by those afflicted by hunger and thirst, the Creator said

“‘Those among you who have said “Rakshami” shall be Rakshasas and those among you who have said “Yakshami” shall be Yakshas.’

Source: Valmiki Ramayan translated by by Hari Prasad Shastri Uttara Kanda Chapter