The sons born of the womb of Danu, daughter of Dakṣa (Daksha), and sired by Kaśyapa (Kasyapa), are known as Dānava (Danava; Demon). Aśva (Aswa) was one of these sons of Danu.

From the Aṃśāvataraṇa parva (Amsavatarana parva) of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), it is known that the demon king Aśva was reincarnated as king Aśoka (Asoka) in Dvāpara (Dwapara) Yuga (Epoch).

In Śāntiparva (Santiparva)of Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), in Vali-Vāsava saṃvāda (Vali-Vasava samvada; the conversation between Vali and Vasava), the demon king Vali, in order to suggest Indra to control his pride, told him that the status of Indra is not permanent. In this context, Vali also mentioned the names of demon-kings who previously conquered heaven. There he had mentioned the name of Aśva or Varāhāśva (Varahaswa) as well.