一切經音義 3.173

3.173

Rākṣasa (Sanskrit for an evil demon or spirit. The upper syllable 'luo' [囉] is pronounced with a rolled tongue and a lengthened sound; next, 'cha' [剎] has the sound 察; the lower syllable [娑] is pronounced 蘇 + 何 fanqie. Spirits of this class mostly dwell on oceanic islands or in sandy deserts; all possess innate supernatural powers to fly through the human realm. They can transform themselves into beautiful and wonderful appearances to bewitch humans, falsely befriending and assisting them, employing expedient tricks to entice and deceive them, and then devouring them. See the detailed accounts in the Mayūrī-rāja-sūtra, the Abhiniṣkramaṇa-sūtra, and elsewhere.)