The Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads v1.c23.s2.27

v1.c23.s2.27

The meaning of the term is doubtful: the root ‘protect’ is the obvious one, in which case the word must apparently mean that which is to be guarded against, unless we suppose that they are given a good-sounding name, in order to make them good. In the sense ‘injure’, there is little authority for *rakṣ*. Bergaigne⁶ thinks that they are named as guardians of celestial treasure, who being greedy are hated, for which view the parallel of the Gandharvas and the Soma may be cited, as well as the fact that Kubera is their king. Bartholomae connects Rakṣas with the root seen in Greek ἐρεχθεῖν.