Virochana

Virochana (Sanskrit: विरोचन), in Hindu mythology, was an asura, grandson of Hiranyakashipu, son of Prahlada (Sanskrit: प्रह्लाद) and father of Bali. In the Atharvaveda (VIII.10.22) he was mentioned as the son of Prahlada. According to the Chandogya Upanishad (VIII.7.2-8.5), he and Indra went to Prajapati to learn about the atman (self) and lived there, practising brahmacharya for thirty-two years. But at the end, he misunderstood Prajapati's teachings and preached the asuras to worship the sharira (body) as the atman. Thus, asuras started adorning the body of a deceased with perfumes, garlands and ornaments. The son of Virochana was Mahabali.