Rakshasa

Rakshasa
Rakshasa as depicted in Yakshagana, an art form of Uttara Kannada.
Artist: Krishna Hasyagar, Karki
Creature information
Other name(s)
  • Asura
  • Nri-chakshas
  • Nishacharas
  • Kravyads
  • Rakshasi
  • Manushya-rakshasi
GroupingDemigod
Folklore

Rākshasa (Sanskrit: राक्षस, IAST: rākṣasa, pronounced [raːkʂəsᵊ]; Pali: rakkhasa; lit. "preservers") are a race of usually malevolent beings prominently featured in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Folk Islam. They reside on Earth but possess supernatural powers, which they usually use for evil acts such as disrupting Vedic sacrifices or eating humans.

The term is also used to describe asuras, a class of power-seeking beings that oppose the benevolent devas. They are often depicted as antagonists in Hindu scriptures, as well as in Buddhism and Jainism. The female form of rakshasa is rakshasi (rākṣasī, Devanagari: राक्षसी).

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