Danava (Hinduism)

In Vedic mythology the Danavas (Sanskrit: दानव) were a race descending from Daksha.

The Danavas were the sons of Danu (Dewi Danu in Balinese Hinduism), who in turn was a daughter of Daksha. Danu is connected with the waters of heavens and she is probably associated with the formless, primordial waters that existed prior to the creation. The name is connected with the PIE root *danu, "river" or "any flowing liquid" and is associated with the Danu (Asura). Under the leadership of Bali and others the Danavas revolted against the Devatas (Devas). Despite initial successes, the Danava were defeated by the god Vamana who in dwarf form deceived their leader Bali. The Danavas were not universally considered to be evil, individual Danava could be classified as good or bad.

Superhuman capacities of Danavas

Besides unusual longevity of Danavas they possessed by many "superhuman" capacities. All Indian legends speak they were wise, artful and knew secrets of magic - maya, could take various shape and forms - that to be "people", that to occur "in frightening appearances of enraged elephants, and also lions and tigers"(Mayan, Aztec, Toltec, Indigenous peoples of the Americas)" Rakshasas and to become invisible Nagas( Nāga ). Their descendants possessed by magic art too. The son of the skilful artist and architect Maya Danava, Bala possessed by 96 kinds of mystic forces.The sovereign of daityas Hiranyakashipa thanks to the gift to become invisible to any beings had seized the throne of Indra and had brought a devastation to the ownerships of gods. Using his mystical capacities (siddhis, siddhies), he could destroy all the Universe. The main priest and guru of Daityas Ushanas together with his beloved Dzhanti remained invisible to outside eyes within hundred years.