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Maya, the Asura Builder, a MythSource painting
Indian

Maya, the Asura Builder

01Identity

Maya, the Asura Builder in Indian tradition

The Mahabharata introduces Maya as an asura caught in the burning of Khandava. When he sees the fire advancing and Krishna ready to strike, he calls to Arjuna for help. Arjuna promises that he need not fear. The promise is enough to halt the pursuit: Agni does not burn Maya, and the asura survives the forest fire. The text names Maya as Namuchi’s brother, but this episode gives him a story of his own through the craft that follows.

Maya tells Arjuna that he will return with treasures and build a hall for the Pandavas. He travels north to retrieve the jewels and objects he has promised, then constructs a vast assembly house whose surfaces, pillars and pools are described as gleaming with gems. He gives Bhima a powerful club and Arjuna the conch Devadatta. The rescue begins his debt to Arjuna; the hall and its gifts become Maya’s answer.

SourceMahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts): Mahabharata Vol. 2, Khandava-daha Parva and Sabha Parva, Maya’s escape and construction of the Pandavas’ assembly hall

Top questions

The quick answers

02The myths

The myths of Maya, the Asura Builder

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Maya Builds the Pandavas’ Assembly Hall

During the burning of Khandava, Krishna sees the asura Maya trying to escape from Takshaka’s dwelling. Agni drives the fire forward, while Krishna raises his discus. Maya cries out to Arjuna to save him. Arjuna tells him not to fear. After Arjuna’s promise, Krishna no longer wants to kill Maya, and Agni leaves him unharmed.

Later, Krishna and Arjuna introduce Maya to Yudhishthira. Maya says he will return with treasure and build a hall for the Pandavas. He travels north to Mount Mainaka and Lake Bindu, where he retrieves jewels and crystal objects, with help from the rakshasas who serve there. He brings the materials back to the Pandavas.

Maya builds a great assembly hall with golden pillars, jeweled walls, gardens and a clear pool that some visitors mistake for a solid floor. The work takes fourteen months. When it is finished, he gives Bhima a massive club and Arjuna the conch Devadatta. Maya’s hall becomes the Pandavas’ meeting place, and the gifts mark the end of the obligation he took on after Arjuna saved him.

Maya Builds the Pandavas’ Assembly Hall, a MythSource painting of the scene

8 sources· checked 2026-10-03

  1. 1Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  2. 2Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  3. 3Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  4. 4Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  5. 5Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  6. 6Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  7. 7Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1
  8. 8Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts)T1