Rakshas, Rakṣas: 13 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Hindi
3. Nepali
See also
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Introduction:

Rakshas means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Hindi. 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 Rakṣas can be transliterated into English as Raksas or Rakshas, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)

Source: archive.org: Natya Shastra

Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—Description of a women of rakṣas type;—A woman who has large and broad limbs, red wide eyes, coarse hairs, loves to sleep in day time, speaks loudly, has the habit of hurting one with nails and teeth, is disposed to anger, jealousy and quarrel, and likes to roam at night, is said to possess the nature of a rakṣas (rākṣasa).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—A particular sect of asuras. Yakṣas and Rakṣas were offsprings born to Kaśyapa prajāpati of his wife Muni. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 19).

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.

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: University of Vienna: Sudarśana's Worship at the Royal Court According to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā

Rakṣas (रक्षस्) refers to “Demons”, according to the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, belonging to the Pāñcarātra tradition which deals with theology, rituals, iconography, narrative mythology and others.—Accordingly, “[This rite] should be employed by utterly glorious Sovereigns when they are in distress—[for this rite] removes the three kinds of sorrow which begin with the one relating to oneself; causes the destruction of all afflictions; is marked by auspiciousness; destroys all enemies; pacifies (i.e. removes unwanted consequences of ritual mistakes etc.); is the cause of triumph; kills the Demons (rakṣas-han—rakṣohaṇam); brings about prosperities; subdues all; bestows the longest of lives; is meritorious; [and] was perfomed by ancient Kings”.

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—n. [rakṣyate havirasmāt, rakṣ-asun]

1) An evil spirit, a demon, an imp, a goblin; चतुर्दशसहस्राणि रक्षसां भीमकर्म- णाम् । त्रयश्च दूषणखरत्रिमूर्धानो रणे हताः (caturdaśasahasrāṇi rakṣasāṃ bhīmakarma- ṇām | trayaśca dūṣaṇakharatrimūrdhāno raṇe hatāḥ) || Uttararāmacarita 2.15.

2) Ved. Hurt, injury.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—n.

(-kṣaḥ) Rakshas, an evil spirit, apparently distinguishable into three classes; one sort of Rakshas is of a domi-celestial nature and is ranked with the attendants on Kuvera; another corresponds to a goblin, an imp, or ogre, haunting cemeteries, animating dead bodies, disturbing sacrifices, and ensnaring and devouring human beings; the third kind approaches more to the nature of the Titan, or relentless, and powerful enemy of the gods. E. rakṣ to preserve, (Kuvera'S treasure, &c.) asun aff.; also rākṣasa .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—[rakṣ + as] (perhaps a kind of euphemism, cf. denoting the ), n. A Rākṣasa, or evil spirit, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] 54, 5.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—1. [adjective] protecting, cf. pathirakṣas.

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Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—2. [neuter] harm, injury, damage; harmer, [Name] of a kind of evil beings or demons (also rakṣas).

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Rakṣas (रक्षस्).—v. asurarakṣasa.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Rakṣas (रक्षस्):—[from rakṣ] mfn. guarding, watching (See pathir)

2) [v.s. ...] n. ‘anything to be guarded against or warded off’, harm, injury, damage, [Ṛg-veda]

3) [v.s. ...] (in, [Ṛg-veda] and, [Atharva-veda] also rakṣas, m.) an evil being or demon, a Rākṣasa (q.v.; in [Viṣṇu-purāṇa] identified with Nirṛti or Nairṛta), [Ṛg-veda]; etc.

4) [v.s. ...] [plural] Name of a warlike race [gana] parśv-ādi.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rakṣas (रक्षस्):—(kṣāḥ) 1. m. An evil spirit.

[Sanskrit to German]

Rakshas in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Rakshas in Hindi refers in English to:—(nm) a demon, monster; (a) ruthless, demonic; ~[raja] the king of demons; -[vivaha] one of the various types of marriages, referred to in ancient Indian literature, wherein the groom fought his way to the bride’s hand..—rakshas (राक्षस) is alternatively transliterated as Rākṣasa.

context information

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Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Rakshas is another spelling for राक्षस [rākṣasa].—n. 1. giant; monster; demon; 2. wild and evil race; akin to the Asuras; adj. cruel; evil; wicked;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 74 books and stories containing Rakshas, Rakṣas, Raksas, The rakshas; (plurals include: Rakshases, Rakṣases, Raksases, The rakshases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Chapter XCIII: Ravan’s Lament < [Book VI]

Chapter XLII: The Giants Roused < [Book V]

Chapter IV: The March < [Book VI]

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Praśna 1, Kaṇḍikā 22

Praśna 7, Kaṇḍikā 14

Praśna 12, Kaṇḍikā 13

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The Forces in the Ramayana < [April - June 1972]

Rukmini Devi < [July – September, 2004]

Somapalle Temple < [July – September, 1981]

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