Gayasura

In Hindu mythology, the name of a very
powerful asura (demon). Gayasura performs harsh asceticism (tapas), spurred
by the traditional Indian assumption
that to voluntarily endure physical suffering brings one spiritual and magical
powers. Gayasura’s powers grow so
large that all the gods become concerned that he might become powerful
enough to overthrow them. As the gods’
fears grow, the god Vishnu advises the
god Brahma to convince Gayasura to
allow his body to be sacrificed. Vishnu
promises Gayasura that the place where
he dies will become holier than all the
sacred sites (tirthas) in the world. The
spot where Gayasura’s body lies becomes
the holy place known as Gaya, which by
virtue of Vishnu’s boon is claimed to be
holier than all other places on earth. See
also magic.