Jvarasura

Jvarasura also called Jwarasura (Hindi: ज्वरासुर) in Hindu mythology is the fever-deity and consort of pox-deity goddess, Shitala.

Jvarasura, at Gokarneshwar Mahadev Temple

In Hindu mythology

According to one legend, Jvarasura was born out of sweat of the fore-head of meditating Shiva and was threat to Gods. Once Vishnu was inflicted with fever of Javarasura, when in form of Haya-griva. He killed the fever-demon, Jvarasura.[1][2] by cutting him into three pieces using his cosmic-disk weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra. However, Jvarasura was later revived by Brahma, who joined the three parts. But by that time each three parts had grown head and limbs. Thus Jvarasura is depicted as having three faces, three feet and remarkable ability to move in all directions at once. He was later selected as consort of pox-goddess, Shitala.[1]

The cult of Shitala-Jvarasura is widely popular in Bengali culture. Incidentally, in Bengali, Oriya and Hindi languages, fever is referred to as Jvara.[3] and Asura means demon. The name Jvarasura is combination of these two words - Jvara (meaning fever) and Asura (meaning demon) - Jvarasura. Thus, Jvarasura means the demon of fever. Jvarasura is disguised as a young servant. Shitala, the consort of Jvarasura is widely worshipped by village folk in whole of North India, as a protector of pox and fever diseases.[4]

In Buddhism

In Buddhist culture, Jvarasura is depicted sometimes as consort of Paranasabari, the Buddhist Goddess of diseases. In some images these deities are shown as flying away to escape from wrath of Vajrayogini, the Buddhist Goddess and destroyer of diseases.[2]

References
  1. Hawley, John Stratton; Wulff, Donna Marie (1982). The Divine consort: Rādhā and the goddesses of India By John Stratton Hawley, Harvard University. Center for the Study of World Religions. ISBN 9780895811028.
  2. P. K. Mishra (1999). Studies in Hindu and Buddhist art. ISBN 9788170173687.
  3. Alf Hiltebeitel (1991). On Hindu ritual and the goddess. ISBN 9780226340487.
  4. Nicholas, Ralph W. (2003). Fruits of worship: practical religion in Bengal By Ralph W. Nicholas. ISBN 9788180280061.
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