Vedic Mythology c8.s3.2

c8.s3.2

These demons have the form of dogs, vultures, owls, and other birds (7, 104.²⁰⁻²²). Becoming birds they fly about at night (ib. ¹⁸). Assuming the form of a brother, husband, or lover, they approach women and desire to destroy their offspring (10, 162⁵). They also lie in wait for women in the shape of a dog or an ape (AV. 4, 37¹¹). Thus they are dangerous during pregnancy and childbirth (AV. 8, 6). They prowl around the bride at weddings, and little staves are therefore shot into the air to pierce the eye of the Rakṣases (MGS. 1, 10). The AV. gives the most detailed account of the appearance of the Rakṣases. They have mostly human form, their head, eyes, heart, and other parts being mentioned; but they have frequently some kind of monstrous deformity, being three-headed, two-mouthed, bear-necked, four-eyed, five-footed, fingerless, with feet turned backwards, or with horns on their hands (AV. 8, 6; HGS. 2, 3⁷). Blue and yellow or green demons are also spoken of (AV. 19, 22 4. 5)⁴. They are further described as male and female, having families and even kings (AV. 5, 22¹²; HGS. 2, 3⁷); and they are mortal (AV. 6, 32² &c.).