Asuric mysticism is well documented in Hindu tradition. Ravana, the great enemy of Lord Rama, was not only an Asura but came from a Brahmin background. Other great Asuras like Hiranyakashipu or Bali were defeated by Vishnu, while Prahlad, a noble Asura, became a great devotee of Vishnu.

Asuric mysticism usually occurs when people of Kshatriya or warrior temperament (those who represent rajoguna in society) reject the rule of the Brahmins or those of spiritual knowledge, the true priests, monks and yogis, or when they come to follow false Brahmins, those who have no true spiritual knowledge or only that of a mixed or distorted type.

This split between the Brahmin and Kshatriya elements in humanity can also occur when the Brahmins (forces of knowledge) reject or fail to properly acknowledge the importance of the Kshatriya (force of action) and abandon the Kshatriyas, failing to guide and support them, which causes them to turn against the Brahmins. Such fallen Kshatriyas set themselves up as the highest spiritual law of the land and refuse to honor those who have renounced the world for higher values.

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