Pishacha
pishacha [[[毘舎闍]]] (Skt; Jpn bishaja )
A demon that eats human flesh. In some Buddhist scriptures, pishacha appear as retainers of Upholder of the Nation, one of the four heavenly kings, and as protectors of Buddhism.
Another type of ghost from Eastern religions, the Pishacha is the spirit of a person who committed fraud, adultery, rape, or similar criminal acts. Like other entities, they can change shape or become invisible, and they can even possess humans and sicken them physically or mentally.
But where Pishacha get really creepy is in the way that they’re described: according to many texts, they’re humanoids with a deep, obsidian skin tone, red eyes, and bulging veins covering their bodies.
The Pishacha is a demonic ghoul from Hindu mythology. These spirits are known to haunt cremation grounds, and in addition to possessing shapeshifting abilities and being able to become invisible, they are able to possess humans and drive them insane. Also, they are voracious flesh-eaters, caught between Heaven and Hell and unable to redeem themselves. The Pishacha can be killed with a blessed sword, but their spirits will haunt the area forever unless dispelled by certain means.
Pishachas (Devanāgarīपिशाच, IASTPiśāca) are flesh eating demons, according to Hindu mythology. Their origin is obscure, although some believe that they were created by Brahma. Another legend describes them as the sons of either Krodha (a Sanskrit word meaning anger) or of Dakṣa’s daughter Piśāca. They have been described to have a dark complexion with bulging veins and protruding, red eyes. They are believed to have their own language, which is called Paiśāci.
They like darkness and traditionally are depicted as haunting cremation grounds along with other demons like Bhut (meaning ghosts) and Vetālas. Piśācas have the power to assume different forms at will, and may also become invisible. They feed on human energies. Sometimes, they possess human beings and alter their thoughts, and the victims are afflicted with a variety of maladies and abnormalities like insanity. Certain mantras are supposed to cure such afflicted persons, and drive away the Piśāca which may be possessing that particular human being. In order to keep the Piśāca away, they are given their share of offerings during certain religious functions and festivals.
The origin of Piśāca is unknown. It is probably the personification of ignis fatuus. It is also maybe the demonization of some Indian tribes by Aryans who lived in the Piśāca Kingdom. Pāṇini, in his Aṣṭādhyāyi, told us that the Piśāca were a "warrior clan". In Mahābhārata, the "Piśāca people" (equivalent to the modern day Nuristani people) are said to live in northwest India, and they are descendants of Prajāpati Kaśyapa. And there are some Piśāca languages in north India.
Thailand
Although not strictly Thai ghosts the Pishacha are present in some stories of the Thai folklore as Pisat (ปีศาจ) or Phi Pisat (ผี ปีศาจ). They are one of the spirits from the Hindu-Buddhist tradition in Thailand and are represented as well in some paintings of Buddhist temples. Pisaj or Khon Phi Pi sat (คน ผี ปีศาจ) is a movie of Thai cinema based on a Pishacha story.
