'Asura' is a Sanskrit word.  The Asuras have the blessings of the heaven but are lacking in virtues.  So they, can also be translated as 'Non-heaven' or 'Not upright', because the males are very ugly.  But the females are very pretty.  Asura also means 'Without wine' According to the legend, once upon a time, Asuras tried to pick hundreds of types of flowers to ferment in the sea so as to produce wine." But the flowers were eaten by the fish and prawns.  So they were unsuccessful in fermenting the wine and had to go without wine.

There are many types of Asuras. Some are born from transformation in the Heavenly Human Realm.  There are also those who are born from eggs and become the ghostly asuras. The asuras who are born in the animal realm come into being from dampness.  In their previous life, asuras also cultivated the five precepts and ten good deeds.  But as they are very arrogant and full of suspicion, they fell into the asura path after passing away. The asuras are constantly at war with the Sakra Heavenly King because of their mutual dislike. They are jealous and contentious. Everyday they have to undergo the suffering of being fried in the copper wok or being poked with knives and swords for three hours.  So we people who cultivate the five precepts and ten good deeds must be very careful. People who are contentious, who love to fight, who are suspicious and who love to show off are all belong the human asuras.