Vedic Mythology c8.s3.10

c8.s3.10

As a designation of demons *rakṣas* is both masculine as an oxytone and neuter as paroxytone (in the latter case meaning also ‘injury’). It may be derived from the root *raks* to injure⁸, which occurs in only one verbal form in the AV. (cp. also *ṛkṣa*, ‘injurious’). It is, however, possibly connected with the ordinary root *rakṣ* to protect⁹. In this case it must have meant ‘that which is to be warded off’. Bergaigne, however, thinks it may originally have signified (avaricious) ‘guardian’ of celestial treasure.