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There were some Rakshasas like Vibhishana who were noble. Were there any Asuras/Rakshasas who were initially evil but eventually became good i.e moved to the side of Dharma?

Dr. Vineet Aggarwal
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Bharat
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  • Maareecha is another one. – Say No To Censorship Feb 20 '16 at 02:45
  • Can you count Mahabali, The anonymous bramharakshas of Nampaduvan at Thirukurungudi & Gadodhgajan in it? @sv AFAIK, Mareecha advised the dharmic way, but didn't move as per the question. Just want to learn by asking questions.. – Narayanan Feb 20 '16 at 03:13
  • Well Hidimbi,the wife of Pandava Bhima,is one of them.I heard that due to her penance,she became a goddess.Sachi,wife of Indra,is also another demoness as she was the daughter of Paolouman(I think I spelt the name wrongly),the Asura king.And Mandodari,queen of Rakshasas. –  Feb 20 '16 at 03:18
  • How are Raakshasa evil ay first place? You know that even Devas can produce obstruction in tasks, it is called "Deva Badhaa" (obstruction madr by Devas). All Devas and Asuras are initially Dharmic , or evil, or good or bad or enlighten. Even Asuras practice Yoga and Devas play mischief –  Apr 06 '18 at 15:25
  • @AnuragSingh, if you have ever read Ramayana or Mahabharatha you'll know that Raakshasas often disrupted yajnas & yagas, killed and ate rishis and saadhus. How many Devas indulged in such behavior? Please keep your 'postmodernist' thinking out. – Bharat Apr 06 '18 at 15:27
  • Yes and if you read Scriptures you will see how each time Indra produces obstacles for Munis, Vasus stole KaamaDhenu cow, Brihaspati forced his younger brother wife for intercourse, and then curses the baby in womb to be blind, Chandra abducted Taaraa, Brihaspati fooling the Yoga doing Asuras by becoming Shukracharya @Bharat –  Apr 06 '18 at 15:35

6 Answers6

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1)Vibhishana 2)Mahabali 3)Hidimbi 4)Sachi 5)Mandodari Are there any more?

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Asuras/Rakshasas/Daityas/Danavas who were initially evil but eventually became good i.e moved to the side of Dharma?

  • Hidimva or Hidimbi or Hidimbā

She is mentioned as the female cannibal in The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Hidimva-vadha Parva: Section CLIV.

But after marrying Bhima she became good. As per this wiki, currently there are a few temples dedicated to Hidimbā Devi.

  • Malyavan

Initially, Malyavan (Ravana's maternal grandfather's brother) was king of Lanka. He was not good to the deities, sages, and ascetics. When they complained about Malyavan and other Rakshas to Vishnu, Malyavan attacked on Devas with his brothers Mali and Sumali where Mali was killed by Vishnu and other two left Lanka and started living in Rasatala. Later on Kubera started living in Lanka till Ravana took it from him. -UTTARA KANDA of Valmiki Ramayana

But in Rama-Ravana war, Malyavan preaches Ravana. -Yuddha Kanda - Sarga 35 of Valmiki Ramayana

Asuras/Rakshasas/Daityas/Danavas who were of virtuous nature:

  • Shachi (queen of Indra), the daughter of Asura Pulaman (as per Mahabharata)

  • Bali Maharaj (as per most of the Puranas)

  • Prahlad (as per most of the Puranas)

  • Prahoti (as per Ramayana)

  • Vibhishana (as per Ramayana)

  • Vajrang, Diti's son and TARAKASUR's father (as per Shiva Purana)

  • Mandodari, daughter of Maya Danava (as per Ramayana)

Boovanaes
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YDS
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  • You should add chapter name because links may be dead some day. It happened many times. Don't worry about some comments saying chapter name is inconsistent. Just add the chapter name you found. – Sarvabhouma Jun 03 '18 at 13:53
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http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03273.htm

Brahma then addressed Vibhishana, 'O my son, I am much pleased with thee! Ask any boon thou pleasest!' Thereupon, Vibhishana replied, 'Even in great danger, may I never swerve from the path of righteousness, and though ignorant, may I, O adorable Sire, be illumined with the light of divine knowledge!' And Brahma replied, 'O scourge of thy enemies, as thy soul inclines not to unrighteousness although born in the Rakshasa race, I grant thee immortality!'

Vibhishna asked Brahma that he should always be righteous and have the light of divine knowledge. Brahma was so pleased that in addition, he even bestowed immortality upon him.

Fun life
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The obvious interpretation of the Shiva Purana is Vajrāṅga is an Asura who stopped being evil on his own. However, technically the only verse he is referred to as an Asura could be interpreted as giving up his Asura form.

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226078.html https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-sanskrit/d/doc389737.html

Aupakarana Abhibhaa
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There are many. Some of them are as follows.:

And so on.

I hope this helps. Prd..

Sri Shiva Charañam Dāsa Vishñu
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One must have more patience to hear the answer that follows:

     BAD CANT ADVICE BAD

NEITHER ASURAAS NOR RAAKSHASAAS were/are good. They committed attrocities to such extent that they were driven away from Divine paths in Universe from ages.

Prahlaada or Vibheeshana or others were not ASURA janmaas but MAANAVA janmaas to give last chance to their relatives that "they cannot impact so many living beings on Earth just because they are powerful by unjust ways for which there were no competitors".

To warn Asura, there must be a Maanavas (from whom Manu Dharma originated) to understand Divine qualities & Demonaic bad deeds.

Srinivasan
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