[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879) › c5.1466 # A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1466 A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1466 - **Language:** English ### [c5.1466](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1466) RĀKSHASAS. Goblins or evil spirits. They are not all equally bad, but have been classified as of three sorts—one as a set of beings like the Yakshas, another as a sort of Titans or enemies of the gods, and lastly, in the common acceptation of the term, demons and fiends who haunt cemeteries, disturb sacrifices, harass devout men, animate dead bodies, devour human beings, and vex and afflict mankind in all sorts of ways. These last are the Rākshasas of whom Rāvana was chief, and according to some authorities, they are descended, like Rāvana himself, from the sage Pulastya. According to other authorities, they sprang from Brahmā’s foot. The Vishnu Purāna also makes them descendants of Kasyapa and Khasā, a daughter of Daksha, through their son Rākshas; and the Rāmāyana states that when Brahmā created the waters, he formed certain beings to guard them who were called Rākshasas (from the root raksh, to guard, but the derivation from this root may have suggested the explanation), and the Vishnu Purāna gives a somewhat similar derivation. It is thought that the Rākshasas of the epic poems were the rude barbarian races of India who were subdued by the Āryans. - [Previous: c5.1465](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1465) - [Next: c5.1467](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1467) - [Up: c5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5) ## Linked texts (2) - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1466](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.dowson-1879.c5.1466) · Pramāṇa