Rakshasa

Rākshasas (Sanskrit: राक्षस, IAST: rākṣasa, pronounced [raːkʂɐsɐ] ; Pali: rakkhasa; lit. 'preservers') are a race of usually malevolent beings prominently featured in Hindu mythology. They reside on Earth but possess supernatural powers, which they usually use for evil acts such as disrupting Vedic sacrifices or eating humans.

This article is about the mythological being in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. For other uses, see Rakshasa (disambiguation).

Rakshasa
Rakshasa as depicted in Yakshagana, an art form of Uttara Kannada. Artist: Krishna Hasyagar, Karki
GroupingDemigod
Similar entitiesAsura
Folklore
Other name(s)
  • Nri-chakshas
  • Nishacharas
  • Kravyads
  • Rakshasi
  • Manushya-rakshasi
  • Asura
CountryIndia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia

They are offered a distinction from yakshas, their cousins who are depicted to be forces of destruction. 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.

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