Raksas
/ˈrʌk.ʃəs/noun
A demon or malevolent supernatural being in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
Did you know?In Vedic literature, Raksasas were portrayed as disruptive beings who attacked sacrifices, polluted sacred spaces, and opposed priests’ ritual power.
Etymological Timeline
Vedic Sanskrit, c. 1500–500 BCE
Sanskrit
rakṣas
“A harmful or malevolent supernatural being; a demon”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
rakṣ-
“A verbal root associated with harming or causing injury; its relationship to the demon noun is debated”
Classical Sanskrit, c. 500 BCE–500 CE
Sanskrit
rākṣasa
“A demon or powerful man-eating supernatural being”
Pali and Buddhist Sanskrit
Pali/Sanskrit
rakkhasa / rākṣasa
“A demonic or predatory spirit encountered in Buddhist stories”
19th Century
English
raksas
“An English borrowing referring to a demon in Indian mythology”
Modern English
English
raksas
“A variant spelling of rakshas, a mythological demon”
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