The Danavas in Vedic mythology were a race of the Asuras.
Origin
The Danavas were the sons of Danu, who in turn was a daughter of Daksha.
Legend
The Danavas revolted against the gods under the leadership of Bali and others, but were defeated. In the Rig Veda, nearly all the demons described as being defeated by the Devas are Danavas.
After their defeat, the Danavas were cast into the deepest oceans and locked there forever by Indra, or sometimes Rudra.
Analysis
Some argue for an historical basis for the Vedic stories, and that the Danavas, and other defeated beings (Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Nagas, et cetera) were non-Aryan tribes. This is supported by non-Vedic legends and mythologies, for example Naga legends.
References
- Rose, Carol (2000) Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA, p. 94, ISBN 0874369886 ;
- Munro, W. D. (1911) Stories of Indian Gods & Heroes Harrap, London;
- Elst, Koenraad (1999) Update on the Aryan Invasion Debate Aditya Prakashan, New Delhi, ISBN 81-86471-77-4 ;
- Chakravarti, Balaram (2000) A cultural history of the North-East India: Assam Self Employment Bureau, Calcutta,
- Frawley, David (1991) Gods, Sages and Kings Passage Press, Salt Lake City, Utah, ISBN 1878423088 ;
- Frawley, David (2001) The Rig Veda and the history of India: Rig Veda Bharata itihasa Aditya Prakashan, New Delhi, ISBN 8177420399 ;
- Faber, George Stanley (1816) The Origin of Pagan Idolatry Ascertained from Historical Testimony and Circumstantial Evidence F. & C. Rivingtons, London, pp. 589-594;