Brahmarakshasa, aka: Brahmarākṣasa, Brahma-rakshasa, Brahman-rakshasa; 7 Definition(s)

Introduction

Brahmarakshasa means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Brahmarākṣasa can be transliterated into English as Brahmaraksasa or Brahmarakshasa, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस).—A class of demons: Agastyas and Visvāmitras come under this group;¹ live in the Surabhi forest;² born in the family of Brahmarākṣasis; generally reside in śleṣmātaka trees.³

• 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa X. 63. 11; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa I. 2. 33; III. 7. 100; 8. 59; 41. 29; Vāyu-purāṇa 2. 33.
• 2) Matsya-purāṇa 121. 62.
• 3) Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 134-5.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस) is a Sanskrit name referring to one of the eight manifestations of Kāpāla, who is a form of Bhairava. According to the Rudrayāmala, there are eight main forms of Bhairava who control the eight directions of this universe. Each form (eg., Kāpāla) has a further eight sub-manifestations (eg., Brahmarākṣasa), thus resulting in a total of 64 Bhairavas.

When depicting Brahmarākṣasa according to traditional iconographic rules (śilpaśāstra), one should depcit him (and other forms of Kāpāla) having a yellow color and should carry in their hands the kuṇḍa, the kheṭaka, the parigha (a kind of club) and bhiṇḍipāla. The word Śilpaśāstra refers to an ancient Hindu science of arts and crafts, dealing with subjects such as painting, sculpture and iconography.

context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस) is the name of a class of rākṣasas according to both the Digambara and the Śvetāmbara traditions. The rākṣasas refer to a category of vyantaras gods which represents one of the four classes of celestial beings (devas). The rākṣasas are black and their caitya-vṛkṣas (sacred-tree) is Kaṇṭaka according to the Digambara They are white and have a fierce appearance according to Śvetāmbara.

The deities such as the Brahmarākṣasas are defined in ancient Jain cosmological texts such as the Saṃgrahaṇīratna in the Śvetāmbara tradition or the Tiloyapaṇṇati by Yativṛṣabha (5th century) in the Digambara tradition.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस).—m (S) The ghost of a Brahman that in his life-time possessed high attainments, and indulged a haughty, disdainful spirit. 2 The ghost of a Brahman gen.

brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस).—m The ghost of a Brahman.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस).—a kind of ghost, the ghost of a Brāhmaṇa, who during his life time indulges in a disdainful spirit and carries away the wives of others and the property of Brāhmaṇas; (parasya yoṣitaṃ hṛtvā brahmasvamapahṛtya ca | araṇye nirjale deśe bhavati brahmarākṣasaḥ || Y.3.212; cf. Ms.12.6 also).

Derivable forms: brahmarākṣasaḥ (ब्रह्मराक्षसः).

Brahmarākṣasa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and rākṣasa (राक्षस).

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Brahmarākṣasa (ब्रह्मराक्षस).—See ब्रह्मग्रह (brahmagraha); छिद्रं हि मृगयन्ते स्म विद्वांसो ब्रह्मराक्षसाः (chidraṃ hi mṛgayante sma vidvāṃso brahmarākṣasāḥ) Rām. 1.8.17.

Derivable forms: brahmarākṣasaḥ (ब्रह्मराक्षसः).

Brahmarākṣasa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and rākṣasa (राक्षस).

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