Virochana , in
Hindu mythology, was an
asura, grandson of
Hiranyakashipu, son of
Prahlada 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 Bana.