• Ritwik Chatterjee

Hindu mythology presents a nuanced perspective on divinity and demon-hood, challenging the binary opposition of good versus evil. Unlike in many Western religious traditions, where gods are purely benevolent and demons purely malevolent, Hinduism conceptualizes both as part of a cosmic cycle. The Devas (gods) and Asuras/Rakshasas (demons) are not inherently good or evil; rather, their roles are defined by their adherence to Dharma (cosmic order). Through an analysis of Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, this study argues that gods often embody destructive, wrathful, and chaotic characteristics associated with demons. For example, Shiva as Bhairava beheads Brahma, Kali drinks the blood of her enemies, and Vishnu as Narasimha violently disembowels an Asura. On the other hand, demons such as Mahabali, Prahlada, and even Ravana are depicted as righteous, devoted, and sometimes even more virtuous than the gods. This paradoxical relationship between divine and demonic forces raises critical questions about morality, power, and perception in Hindu philosophy. This research also explores the theological and philosophical implications of these fluid identities. By analysing Hindu scriptures and modern scholarly interpretations, it argues that the boundary between gods and demons is not absolute but shaped by their function, devotion, and cosmic necessity. The study further explores how the notions of good and evil are relative within Hindu thought, emphasizing the importance of Dharma over rigid moral categories. Ultimately, this paper challenges the simplistic classification of gods as good and demons as evil, demonstrating that Hinduism offers a more complex and dynamic vision of divine and demonic identities.

"Every God is A Demon But No Demon is God: A Hindu Perspective", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 4, page no.b6-b22, April-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2504102.pdf

"Every God is A Demon But No Demon is God: A Hindu Perspective", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 4, page no. ppb6-b22, April-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2504102.pdf