Why Westerners Are Called Asuric By Traditional Indian Mindset People?

By Author: Chaitanya Kumari
Total Articles: 186
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The word Asuric has a strong Indian connotation interwoven into Indian philosophy and ancient history or itihasa. To the traditional Indian thinker, when he talks of the West being Asuric he is using symbols and values that have developed over centuries of Indian culture. This article addresses the reasons why the West is referred to as such, how this term originated and its implications as per Indian worldview.
Understanding the term 'Asuric'
The term Asuric derives its origin from the ancient Sanskrit word Asura mentioned in Indian religious and ancient scriptures. The asuras are frequently depicted as a powerful and ethically compromised creature, and are seen attempting to contradict the Devas (gods) who work as the figures of order, right and spiritual direction. Asuras represent certain traits, including selfishness, greed, arrogance and materialistic attitude as opposed to the spiritual and dharmic (righteous) way of Devas. Therefore, the labeling feature of anything as Asuric means that it has these negative aspects.
Historical Roots of the Asura-Deva Dichotomy
The battle of Asuras and Devas is ...
... not mere ancient incidences but an indication of the struggle between two modes of being one based on spiritual harmony and the other, based on ego and material aspiration. This paradox has influenced the Indian culture on how to understand morality and the human condition. These terms developed over the centuries and came to describe real-life attitudes and behaviors. Indian philosophers of the traditional school of thought employed the term Asuric to counter the forces or societies that appeared to value attributes such as power, conquest and material possession over spiritual insight and moral righteousness.
The West Through the Lens of Traditional Indian Thought
Upon exposure to Western societies, and most so in the colonization era, Indian thinkers noticed behaviors that aligned with the Asuric schema. The industrialization, technology, and individualism developed by the west and their aggressive expansionist policies seemed to reflect the Asura qualities of aggressive, dominant, materialistic, and ego-centered behavior. This perception was supported by colonial oppression, cultural imperialism, and breaking the social and spiritual harmony of India. The west was perceived as having a worldview that valued material outward success at the cost of inner peace and dharma.
Materialism and the Asuric Label
One of the most powerful explanations why the West is Asuric has to do with its materialistic spirit. Indian philosophy is dharmic and believes in living a balanced life in terms of spiritual growth and material responsibility. This balance would appear to be sacrificed in the un-limited quest of wealth and power, as we have seen in industrial and capitalist systems found in the west. The Asura archetype is associated with insatiable desire and attachment into worldly gains. In classifying Western society as Asuric, traditional Indians were issuing criticism of what they felt was an unbalanced viewpoint on materialism and disregard of more spiritual and moral aspects.
Ego, Individualism, and Competitive Culture
Ego-driven behavior is another aspect associated with the Asuric concept. The Western culture with its orientation on the self-rights, rivalry, and personal marketing values were contrasted to the Indian vision of a group, modesty, and common good. Asuras according to Indian thinking are characterized by excessive self-importance and pride. The competitive and frequently aggressively adversarial nature of western societies was therefore regarded as an outflow of Asuric power, a power that negates spiritual values such as compassion and unity.
Moral and Spiritual Implications
Calling the West Asuric is not only a culture critique but spiritual warning. It implies that communities that are excessively preoccupied with power and money can lose sight of greater realities and moral behavior. The ancient Indian thought promotes the restoration of equilibrium, cementing people and civilizations to reach beyond Asuric behavior. This criticism has less to do with demonizing the west and more to do with promotion of a comprehensive world view- one that combines material development in the world with spiritual enrichment and conscientious accountability.
Conclusion
Even now, the term Asuric continues to be a strong metaphor to certain western characteristics of the conventional Indian thinkers. When the traditional Indian mindset people use the term Asuric in the context of the West, the term is a sophisticated symbol with roots and wings in ancient history (itihasa) and philosophy. It is a disapproving view of materialism, ego and imbalance, which are perceived to pose a threat to spiritual harmony. Knowing its meaning demonstrates the extent to which culture, history, and values are shaping the views of the East and West. It is not an insult but a challenge to examine what exactly is meant by progress that can benefit humanity the most.

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