Dairāsada

Dairāsada was the son of the asura Bhasmāsura. Bhasmāsura had received a vara (boon) from Bhagavān Śiva: whatever he touched with his hand would turn to ash. Dairāsada attacked Kāśī while Mahotkaṭa, the Kṛta-yuga avatāra (descent of Bhagavān Gaṇeśa), was in the holy city.

His attack was the occasion for a lasting work. Mahotkaṭa brought forth 56 Vināyakas, fifty-six forms of himself, and placed them in seven rings of eight around Kāśī. He set Ḍhuṇḍhirāja in the centre as the chief guardian. Dairāsada was driven out.

Who he was

Dairāsada’s father was Bhasmāsura. The name means “the ash asura”. He is known for the vara he received from Bhagavān Śiva, the power to reduce to ash whatever he touched with his hand. Bhasmāsura at once tried to use this power on Bhagavān Śiva himself. He was destroyed through the Mohinī form of Bhagavān Viṣṇu. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Krīḍā Khaṇḍa, Chapter 39)

Dairāsada took on his father’s fierce temper. He attacked Kāśī while Mahotkaṭa was there, a bold attack on the field of dharma that the Kṛta-yuga avatāra defended.

The attack on Kāśī

Dairāsada made an assault on Kāśī, and it threatened the holiness and safety of the eternal city. It was one of the many attacks by asuras that Mahotkaṭa met during his years in the city. What set it apart was the way Mahotkaṭa answered it. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Krīḍā Khaṇḍa, Chapters 39 and 40)

Mahotkaṭa’s answer: the 56 Vināyakas

Mahotkaṭa did not simply defeat Dairāsada’s army in battle. He used the moment to give Kāśī a lasting spiritual structure. Out of his own tejas (divine radiance) he brought forth 56 forms of himself. Each was fully Gaṇeśa, and each had full divine authority. He set them in seven rings of eight around the city, with one Vināyaka at each of the eight directions in each ring. This maṇḍala of 56 Vināyakas became the lasting protection of Kāśī. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Krīḍā Khaṇḍa, Chapters 40 and 41)

Ḍhuṇḍhirāja was set at the centre of the maṇḍala as the highest guardian of Kāśī. Dairāsada was driven out. (Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Krīḍā Khaṇḍa, Chapter 42)

His part in the account

Dairāsada’s attack made it necessary for Mahotkaṭa to set up the 56 Vināyakas. This is among the most lasting works of the Kṛta-yuga avatāra. So the asura’s attack became the cause of a great protection for Kāśī.

Sources

• Gaṇeśa Purāṇa, Krīḍā Khaṇḍa, Chapters 39 to 42