Virochana

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Virochana (Sanskrit: विरोचन), in Hindu mythology, was an asura, son of Prahlada (Sanskrit: प्रहलाद) and father of Bali. In the Atharvaveda (VIII.10.22) he was mentioned as the son of Prahlada.[1] According to the Chandogya Upanishad (VIII.7.2-8.5), he and Indra went to Prajapati to learn about the atman (self) and lived there, practising brahmacharya for thirty-two years. But at the end, he misunderstood Prajapati's teachings and preached the asuras to worship the sharira (body) as the atman. Thus, asuras started adorning the body of a deceased with perfumes, garlands and ornaments.[2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Griffith, Ralph T.H. (1895). "Hymns of the Atharva Veda, Book 8, Hymn 10". The Internet Sacred Text Archive website. Retrieved 2009-11-12. 
  2. ↑ "Chandogya Upanishad". Maharishi University of Management website. pp. 151–2. Retrieved 2009-11-12. 
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