In the original Vedic conception, Sur and Asura are not mutual opponents but two sides of the One Divine Reality representing Light and Force respectively.
Later, the Asura as force devoid of Light fell. They were poorvadeva as we see in the story of Jaya Vijaya, the gate keepers of Lord Vishnu who fell and became Hrianyaksha and Hiranyakashyapa, Ravana and Kumbhkarna, Kansa and Sishupal respectively.
The Asura is the elder brother because he comes first upon earth and ploughs the soil of earth nature with hard labour. The devas come later to turn the tilled soil with seeds of light. The conversion of the Asura is one of the work of the Avatar. That is why the Asura is dear to Shiva who is the embodiment of Divine Force and he knows the labour of the Rudra forces on the hard ground of earth nature. Ravana prepares the ground for the emergence of the Vanara and the Nara.
Both are needed for the work as we see in the story of samudra manthan. Neither could be spared in the evolution of mankind. Light and Force both are needed, Soumya and Raudra. Light or Wisdom without sufficient Force is powerless to create. Force without Light is dangerous and creates as well as destroys.
Therefore in the New Creation both must be brought together and integrated in the Divine Life of the future.
That is what Sri Aurobindo is doing and has hinted in the Durga Strota, the strength and force of hard work of the Asura, the light of intelligence and the character of the gods. Man needs both, not as opponents but as mutually complementing powers just as they exist in the Divine as One and not Two.
This is the truth that traditional Vedanta missed and Tantra glimpsed and Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga fulfils.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
