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| − | [[File:Demon_Yakshagana.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
| + | #REDIRECT [[Rakshasa]] |
| − | <poem>
| + | {{SanskritTerminology}} |
| − | [[rakṣasa]] ([[羅剎]]). A {{Wiki|demonic}} [[Ghost]] that eats [[human]] flesh. Rakṣasas are said to be the original inhabitants of [[Sri Lanka]].
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| − | In [[Hindu]] Lore
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| − | {{Wiki|Vedic}} / {{Wiki|Puranic}} Stories
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| − | [[Death]] of Hiranyaksha, the son of Diti
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| − | Their origin cannot be traced back to the {{Wiki|vedic}} times. During the {{Wiki|vedic}} times, there were only two [[people]] in question. Those were the [[Asuras]] and the [[Devas]]. It was much later that the {{Wiki|concept}} was re-invented to put the [[Asuras]] in the [[Rakshasa]] group. This is supported by the fact that the [[word]] [[Rakshasa]] was not used until much later times. So only [[Asuras]] may be traced back to the {{Wiki|vedic}} times during which the [[Asuras]] and the [[Devas]] were on nearly {{Wiki|equal}} footing.
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| − | The tracing back to [[Kashyapa]] is a later editing (clearly post {{Wiki|vedic}}). [[Kashyapa]] was married to the thirteen daughters of Daksha, among them were Aditi, Diti and Danu.
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| − | The sons of [[Kashyapa]] with Danu are the Danavas ([[meaning]] of Danu).
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| − | The sons of [[Kashyapa]] with Diti are the Daityas ([[meaning]] of Diti).
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| − | The sons of [[Kashyapa]] with Aditi are the Adityas ([[meaning]] of Aditi). The Adityas are [[Devas]] ([[deities]]), also known by other names such as [[Suras]].
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| − | [[Rakshasa]] were most often depicted as mean, fierce looking, ugly, large as hills, black as soot, with two fangs protruding down from the top of the {{Wiki|mouth}}, having sharp claw-like fingernails, and growling like beasts. They were also depicted as cannibals with an insatiable hunger, who could {{Wiki|smell}} the scent of [[animal]], men or flesh. Some more ferocious ones were shown with flaming red [[Eyes]] and flaming [[Hair]], drinking {{Wiki|blood}} with their palms or from a [[human]] skull(in their such description very much similar to 'Vampires' of {{Wiki|Christian mythology}}). Generally in [[mythical]] tales, they had the [[Power]] to fly, could vanish and also {{Wiki|increase}} or {{Wiki|decrease}} their size at will. They could also take the [[Form]] of any [[animal]], [[human]] or other thing at their will. These [[powers]] were called [[Maya]](some kind of powerful '[[Magic]]').
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| − | In the [[Hindu]] epics
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| − | {{Wiki|Krishna}} orders Mayasura to build a palace for the {{Wiki|Pandavas}}
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| − | In the [[World]] of the {{Wiki|Ramayana}} and {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, [[Rakshasas]] were a populous race of [[supernatural]] humanoids. There were both [[Good and Evil]] [[rakshasas]], and as {{Wiki|warriors}} they fought alongside the armies of both [[Good and Evil]]. They were powerful {{Wiki|warriors}}, expert {{Wiki|magicians}} and illusionists. As shape-changers, they could assume various [[physical]] [[forms]], and it was not always clear whether they had a true or natural [[Form]] . As illusionists, they were capable of creating [[Appearances]] which were {{Wiki|real}} to those who believed in them or who failed to dispel them. Some of the [[rakshasas]] were said to be man-eaters, and made their gleeful appearance when the slaughter on the battlefield was at its worst. Occasionally they serve as rank-and-file soldiers in the service of one or the other warlord.
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| − | [[File:Kabandha_rakshasa.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
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| − | Aside from its treatment of unnamed rank-and-file [[Rakshasas]], the epic tells the stories of certain members of the race who rose to prominence, some of them as heroes, most of them as villains.
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| − | In the {{Wiki|Ramayana}}
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| − | The Battle of Lanka pitted an {{Wiki|army}} of [[Rakshasas]] under {{Wiki|Ravana}} against an {{Wiki|army}} of Vanaras or monkeys under {{Wiki|Rama}} and Sugriva.
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| − | {{Wiki|Ravana}}
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| − | Taraka
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| − | {{Wiki|Ravana}}, a [[Rakshasa]] with 10 heads, was the [[King]] of the [[Rakshasas]] and the {{Wiki|mortal}} enemy of {{Wiki|Rama}}, the [[hero]] of the {{Wiki|Ramayana}}. In the {{Wiki|Ramayana}} ([[Book]] III: Vana Parva, Section 271 ff.), the [[Sage]] Markandeya recounts the story of how {{Wiki|Ravana}} kidnapped Rama's wife Sita and whisked her off to his stronghold Lanka, and how {{Wiki|Rama}}, aided by the {{Wiki|monkey}} [[King]] Sugriva and his {{Wiki|army}} of monkeys, laid siege to Lanka, slew {{Wiki|Ravana}}, and rescued Sita.
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| − | Vibhishana, Ravana's younger brother, was a rare good-hearted [[Rakshasa]]; he was [[beautiful]], pious and assiduous in his [[religious]] observances. When [[Brahma]] granted him a boon, he asked never to swerve from the [[Path]] of [[righteousness]] and to be illumined by [[divine]] [[Knowledge]] ([[Book]] III, Vana Parva: Section 273.) Vibhishana joined {{Wiki|Rama}} in his campaign against {{Wiki|Ravana}}, and helped Rama's {{Wiki|army}} to cross the ocean into Lanka (Section 281). When {{Wiki|invisible}} [[Rakshasas]] infiltrated Rama's camp, Vibhishana [[caused]] them to become [[visible]], and Rama's {{Wiki|monkey}} soldiers destroyed them (Section 283). After Rama's final victory over {{Wiki|Ravana}}, the loyal Vibhishana was made [[king]] of Lanka (Section 289).
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| − | Kumbhakarna was another brother of {{Wiki|Ravana}}. A fearsome [[warrior]] and [[master]] of [[Illusion]], he slept through most of the Battle of Lanka (having long before requested and received a gift of long-lasting [[sleep]] from [[Brahma]]), but arose and took the field when {{Wiki|Ravana}} [[Awakened]] him with alarming news about the progression of the conflict. Upon marching out of the city, Kumbhakarna was immediately swarmed by Rama's monkeys, causing him only to laugh and to wreak great mayhem among them. When the {{Wiki|monkey}} [[king]] Sugriva attacked, Kumbhakarna grabbed him and started to drag him off. It was at that point that {{Wiki|Rama}} and his brother Lakshmana used arrows and a secret Brahmastra ("[[Brahma]]'s weapon") to kill Kumbhakarna, dropping the [[Rakshasa]] like a huge [[tree]] cleft in twain by a [[thunderbolt]]. ({{Wiki|Ramayana}}, [[Book]] III: Vana Parva, Section 285.)
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| − | Other [[Rakshasa]] that appear in the {{Wiki|Ramayana}} include Kabandha, Tataka, Surpanakha, Maricha, Subahu, Khara, Indrajit, Prahasta, Akshayakumara and Atikaya.
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| − | In the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}
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| − | [[File:Khaki_rakshas.JPG|thumb|250px|]]
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| − | The {{Wiki|Pandava}} [[hero]] {{Wiki|Bhima}} was the nemesis of forest-dwelling [[Rakshasas]] who dined on [[human]] travellers and terrorized [[human]] settlements.
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| − | Hidimba was a cannibal [[Rakshasa]] who was slain by {{Wiki|Bhima}}. The {{Wiki|Mahabharata}} ([[Book]] I: Adi Parva, Section 154) describes him as a {{Wiki|cruel}} cannibal with sharp, long teeth and [[prodigious]] strength. When Hidimba saw the {{Wiki|Pandavas}} [[sleeping]] in his {{Wiki|forest}}, he decided to eat them. He made the mistake of sending his sister Hidimbi to reconnoiter the situation, and the damsel fell in [[Love]] with the handsome {{Wiki|Bhima}}, whom she warned of the [[danger]]. Infuriated, Hidimba declared himself ready to kill not only the {{Wiki|Pandavas}} but also his sister, but he was thwarted by the {{Wiki|heroism}} of {{Wiki|Bhima}}, who defeated and killed him in a duel.
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| − | Hidimbi - the sister of Hidimba
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| − | Ghatotkacha, was the son of {{Wiki|Bhima}} and Hidimbi. His [[name]] refers to his round bald {{Wiki|head}} with ghata [[meaning]] pot and utkacha [[meaning]] {{Wiki|head}} in [[Sanskrit]].
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| − | Ghatotkacha, when he was young, lived with his mother Hidimbi, when one day he had a fight with Abhimanyu, his cousin, without [[knowing]] that Abhimanyu was Arjuna's son.
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| − | Ghatotkacha is considered to be a loyal and humble figure. He made himself and his followers available to his father {{Wiki|Bhima}} at any [[time]]; all {{Wiki|Bhima}} had to do was to think of him and he would appear. Like his father, Ghatotkacha primarily fought with the mace.
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| − | His wife was Ahilawati and his son was Barbarika.
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| − | In the {{Wiki|Mahābhārata}}, Ghatotkacha was summoned by {{Wiki|Bhima}} to fight on the {{Wiki|Pandava}} side in the Kurukshetra battle. Invoking his [[magical]] [[powers]], he wrought great havoc in the Kaurava {{Wiki|army}}. In particular after the [[Death]] of Jayadratha, when the battle continued on past sunset, his [[powers]] were at their most effective (at night).
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| − | [[File:Buddha444.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
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| − | At this point in the battle, the Kaurava leader {{Wiki|Duryodhana}} appealed to his best fighter, Karna, to kill Ghatotkacha as the whole Kaurava {{Wiki|army}} was coming close to [[annihilation]] due to his ceaseless strikes from the [[air]]. Karna possessed a [[divine]] weapon, [[Shakti]], granted by the [[God]] [[Indra]]. It could be used only once, and Karna had been saving it to use on his arch-enemy, the best {{Wiki|Pandava}} fighter, {{Wiki|Arjuna}}.
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| − | Unable to refuse {{Wiki|Duryodhana}}, Karna used the [[Shakti]] against Ghatotkacha, killing him. This is considered to be the turning point of the [[War]]. After his [[Death]], the {{Wiki|Pandava}} counselor {{Wiki|Krishna}} smiled, as he considered the [[War]] to have been won for the {{Wiki|Pandavas}} now that Karna no longer had a [[divine]] weapon to use in fighting {{Wiki|Arjuna}}.
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| − | There is a [[temple]] built in Manali, [[Himachal Pradesh]] for Ghatotkacha near Hidimba [[Devi]] [[Temple]].
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| − | Kamsa was the brother of Devaki. Kamsa was a {{Wiki|cruel}} [[Rakshasa]] who killed his sister's children because he [[Thought]] that his [[Death]] would be [[caused]] by one of her children. Vasudeva, husband of Devaki was able to save one of her children. That child's [[name]] is "{{Wiki|Krishna}}".
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| − | {{Wiki|Bhima}} fighting with Bakasura {{Wiki|color}}
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| − | Bakasura was a cannibalistic forest-dwelling [[Rakshasa]] who terrorized the nearby [[human]] population by forcing them to take turns making him regular deliveries of [[Food]], including [[human]] victims. Unfortunately for Bakasura, the {{Wiki|Pandavas}} travelled into the area and took up residence with a local [[Brahmin]] whose turn had come up to make the delivery. As the [[Brahmin]] and his family debated which one of them would have to be sacrificed, the rugged {{Wiki|Bhima}} volunteered to take care of the [[matter]]. {{Wiki|Bhima}} went into the {{Wiki|forest}} with the [[Food]] delivery (consuming it on the way to annoy Bakasura) and engaged Bakasura in a ferocious wrestling match, which ended with {{Wiki|Bhima}} breaking his opponent's back. The [[human]] townspeople were amazed and grateful, and the local [[Rakshasas]] begged for [[mercy]], which {{Wiki|Bhima}} granted them on the [[condition]] that they give up cannibalism. The [[Rakshasas]] agreed to the proposal, and soon acquired a reputation for {{Wiki|being}} [[peaceful]] towards [[humans]]. ([[Book]] I: Adi Parva, [[Sections]] 159-166.)
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| − | Kirmira, the brother of Bakasura, was a cannibal and [[master]] illusionist. He haunted the wood of Kamyaka, dining on [[human]] travellers. Like his brother before him, Kirmira made the mistake of fighting the {{Wiki|Pandava}} [[hero]] {{Wiki|Bhima}}, who killed him with his bare hands ([[Book]] III: [[Varna]] Parva, Section 11).
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| − | Jatasura was a cunning [[Rakshasa]] who, disguised as a [[Brahmin]], attempted to steal the {{Wiki|Pandavas}}' [[Weapons]] and to ravish their wife Draupadi. {{Wiki|Bhima}} arrived in [[time]] to intervene, and killed Jatasura in a duel. ([[Book]] III: [[Varna]] Parva, Section 156). Jatasura's son was Alamvusha, who fought on the side of the {{Wiki|Kauravas}} at Kurukshetra.
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| − | [[Rakshasa]] heroes fought on both sides in the Battle of Kurukshetra.
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| − | Ghatotkacha, a [[hero]] fighting on the side of the {{Wiki|Pandavas}}, was the son of {{Wiki|Bhima}} and the [[Rakshasa]] woman, Hidimbi, the sister of a {{Wiki|being}} slain by {{Wiki|Bhima}}. After performing many heroic [[deeds]] on the battlefield and fighting numerous duels with other great {{Wiki|warriors}} (including the [[Rakshasa]] Alamvusha, the elephant-riding [[king]] Bhagadatta, and Aswatthaman, the son of [[Drona]]), Ghatotkacha was himself slain by the [[human]] [[hero]] Karna. In [[order]] to defeat Ghatotkacha, Karna found himself compelled to use a one-time secret weapon that he had been intending to reserve for use against his [[bitter]] rival {{Wiki|Arjuna}}. When {{Wiki|Arjuna}} defeated Karna in battle, it was in no small part because Karna had already expended his secret weapon. ([[Book]] VII: [[Drona]] Parva, Section 179.)
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| − | Alamvusha was a [[Rakshasa]] [[skilled]] at fighting with both {{Wiki|conventional}} [[Weapons]] and the [[powers]] of [[Illusion]]. According to the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}, he fought on the side of the {{Wiki|Kauravas}}. {{Wiki|Arjuna}} defeated him in a duel ([[Book]] VII: [[Drona]] Parva, Section 167), as did Arjuna's son Abhimanyu ([[Book]] VI: Bhishma Parva, Section 101-102). However, Alamvusha was able to kill {{Wiki|Iravan}}, Arjuna's son by a [[Nāga]] {{Wiki|princess}} [[Ulupi]], when the [[Rakshasa]] used his [[powers]] of [[Illusion]] to take on the [[Form]] of [[Garuda]]. Alamvusha was also defeated by {{Wiki|Bhima}} ([[Book]] VII: [[Drona]] Parva, Section 107), and he was slain by above-mentioned [[Rakshasa]] Ghatotkacha ([[Book]] VII: [[Drona]] Parva, Section 108).
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| − | In [[Theravada]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|literature}}
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| − | In the [[Maha]] [[Samaya]] [[Sutta]], the defeated antagonist of The [[Buddha]], [[Mara]] also known as "[[Namuci]]" or the "Dark One" is described as an [[Asura]] whose {{Wiki|army}} consisted of "[[Sensual]] [[passions]], Discontent, Hunger and [[Thirst]], [[Craving]], [[Sloth]] and [[Drowsiness]], Terror, Uncertainty, [[Hypocrisy]] and Stubbornness, Gains, [[Offerings]], [[Fame]] and {{Wiki|Status}} wrongly gained, and whoever would praise [[self]] and disparage others" (Sn 3.2 Padhana [[Sutta]]). The [[Asuras]] try to capture the [[devas]] and bind them.
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| − | The [[Alavaka]] [[Sutta]] (SN 10.12) of the [[Pali]] [[Canon]] details a story where The [[Buddha]] was harassed by a [[Rakshasa]], who asked him to leave and then come back over and over. The [[Buddha]] refused to leave, whereby the [[Rakshasa]] threatened to harm him if he could not answer his questions. The rest of the [[Sutra]] concerns the question and answer dialogue, and at the end, the [[demon]] is then convinced and becomes a follower of The [[Buddha]]. [[Sri Lankan]] ([[Sinhala]]) ancestral legends refer to [[Yakshas]] as well.
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| − | One of [[Buddha]]'s ten titles is "Sasta [[Deva]] manusanam", or the [[Teacher of Gods and Men]].
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| − | In [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|literature}}
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| − | {{Wiki|Ravana}} is mentioned in the famous [[Buddhist]] [[Sutra]], "[[Lankavatara]] [[Sutra]]" as [[paying homage]] to The [[Buddha]].
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| − | Chapter 26 of the [[Lotus Sutra]] includes a dialogue between The [[Buddha]] and a group of [[Rakshasa]] daughters, who [[swear]] to uphold and {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Lotus Sutra]]. They also teach [[magical]] [[dharanis]] to {{Wiki|protect}} followers who also uphold the [[Sutra]]. In The [[Lotus]]-Born: The [[Life]] Story of [[Padmasambhava]], recorded by [[Yeshe Tsogyal]], [[Padmasambhava]] receives the nickname of "[[Rakshasa]] [[Demon]]" during one of his [[wrathful]] conquests to subdue [[Buddhist]] heretics.
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| − | In [[Japanese]] [[tradition]] [[Rakshasas]] are known as Rasetsu (羅刹).
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| − | Artistic and folkloric depictions of [[Rakshasas]]
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| − | Depictions of [[Rakshasas]] at [[Angkor]] in [[Cambodia]]
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| − | A bas-relief at Banteay Srei in [[Cambodia]] depicts {{Wiki|Ravana}} shaking Mount Kailasa, the residence of {{Wiki|Siva}}.
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| − | The {{Wiki|artists}} of [[Angkor]] in [[Cambodia]] frequently depicted {{Wiki|Ravana}} in stone {{Wiki|sculpture}} and bas-relief.
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| − | The "[[Nāga]] bridge" at the entrance to the 12th century city of [[Angkor]] Thom is lined with large stone [[statues]] of [[Devas]] and [[Asuras]] engaged in churning the Ocean of Milk. The ten-headed {{Wiki|Ravana}} is shown anchoring the line of [[Asuras]].
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| − | Likewise, a bas-relief at the 12th century [[temple]] of [[Angkor Wat]] that depicts the churning has {{Wiki|Ravana}} anchoring the line of [[Asuras]] that are pulling on the serpent's {{Wiki|head}}. It is speculated that one of the figures in the line of [[Devas]] participating in the churning by pulling on the serpent's tail is Ravana's brother Vibhishana.
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| − | A lintel at the 10th century [[temple]] of Banteay Srei depicts {{Wiki|Ravana}} shaking Mount Kailasa.
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| − | Likewise, a bas-relief at [[Angkor Wat]] shows a 20-armed {{Wiki|Ravana}} shaking Mount Kailasa.
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| − | A bas-relief at [[Preah]] Khan in [[Cambodia]] depicts the Battle of Lanka between [[Rakshasas]] and monkeys.
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| − | The {{Wiki|artists}} of [[Angkor]] also depicted the Battle of Lanka between the [[Rakshasas]] under the command of {{Wiki|Ravana}} and the Vanaras or monkeys under the command of {{Wiki|Rama}} and Sugriva.
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| − | The 12th century Khmer [[temple]] [[Angkor Wat]] contains a dramatic depiction in bas-relief of the Battle of Lanka between Ravana's [[Rakshasas]] and Rama's monkeys. {{Wiki|Ravana}} himself is depicted with ten heads and twenty arms, mounted on a chariot drawn by creatures that look to be a mixture of [[Horse]], [[lion]] and {{Wiki|bird}}. Vibhishana is shown [[standing]] behind and aligned with {{Wiki|Rama}} and his brother Lakshmana. Kumbhakarna, mounted on a chariot similar to that of {{Wiki|Ravana}}, is shown fighting Sugriva.
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| − | Likewise, the battle is depicted in a crude bas-relief at the 12th century [[temple]] of [[Preah]] Khan.
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| − | [[Rakshasas]] in [[Language]]
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| − | In {{Wiki|Indonesian}} and Malaysian, "[[Raksasa]]" simply means "giant", "gigantic" or "huge and strong", or "monster" in common usage. {{Wiki|Indonesian}} and Malaysian are very closely related languages with significant [[Sanskrit]] [[influence]]. In {{Wiki|Bengali}}, "rakhosh" is used as term for a [[person]] who eats incessantly and without [[burden]]. This derivation also occurred in Malay and {{Wiki|Indonesian}} as "rakus", which means "[[greedy]]".
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| − | </poem>
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| − | {{R}}
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| − | [http://www.sutrasmantras.info/glossary.html#faculty www.sutrasmantras.info]
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| − | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]]
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| − | [[Category:Rakshasa]]
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