Studies in Indian Art c7.s1.5

c7.s1.5

The Devas and the Asuras engaged in an eternal conflict represent another symbol of Vedic thought. As Dr. Coomaraswamy interpreted it: "The Angles and the Titans represent the heavenly powers of light and the subterranean forces of darkness." They are also spoken of as denizens of a non-human world, e.g. Garuḍas representing solar light of the ethereal regions, and Nāgas the crawling forces of the dark under-world.