Question For Swamiji : Asuras - Demons?

[Guest guest]

Shankari Kali asked:

 

I have a question. I wonder why Swamiji translates the Chandi Path

without using the word, " demon " . He also does not use the names of the

two demon generals that Chandi later fights. One demon she stabs in

the heart and then another demon jumps out of his heart, and she chops

that demon's head off. (I know the scenes are a bit violent.)

 

Did he just wish to avoid the violent vocabulary?

 

Swamiji says:

 

In the last century it was common to translate the wars in Hindu

scriptures as being between Gods and demons. These translations were

mostly prepared by Christian evangelicals, who transported their

battle between good and evil, God and the devil, etc., into Hindu

Philosophy. It is one interpretation, and obviously I don't agree.

 

I translated the Devas, the Shining Ones, as the forces of union, and

the Asuras as the forces of division. I further translated every

proper name in my books, because I believe it gives rise to a greater

understanding of who and what these forces represent.

 

So rather then trying to kill my demons, I am trying to surrender my ego.

 

For me, this is a spiritual scripture of each of our journeys to the

perfection of union, and not a history or chronology of slaying one

demon after another.