Rākṣasa, Piśaca, Preta
The main tantric method of liberation is possession. Body is viewed as a vessel or a space to be occupied by divine supernatural beings. They enter body, senses, mind spirit and so on. Anyone learned and wise is possessed be the deity of intellect and wisdom. Or if you follow strict discipline of yoga - you are possessed by yoga powers. It became you essence. But those careless of their inner space invite poor ghosts who feed on uncontrolled emotions, darkness of mind and deformed perception and make their vessels crazy, stupid, ugly. Who are those ghosts?
Rākṣasa
Brahmarākṣasa
origin: In the Hindu epic, Ramayan, it says that they sprang from Brahma's foot. In other epics, they are descended from the sage Pulastya. The Vishnu Purana, one of the most important Hindu religious texts, calls them descendants of Kasyapa and Khasa, through their son Rakshas. Early Sanskrit texts say they are the children of the Vedic goddess of death, Nirriti. And in some legends, they are the reincarnations of extremely wicked humans.
Qualities: shape shifting, changing from huge to small, eating humans and spoiled food. In the great Hindu epics, they are depicted as powerful warriors as well as skilled magicians and illusionists. Their hobbies are disturbing sacrifices, desecrating graves, harassing priests, and possessing humans. Their demonic form is usually described or shown as humanoid, yellow, green, or blue with catlike eyes, potbellies, large fangs, poisonous fingernails, and a reek of rotten meat.Rākṣasa means - a protector. He protects with his powers those who managed to win his respect.
There are 3 types of Rakshasa - servants of Kubera - God of wealth; who live on earth and destroyer pious men and other humans; inhabitors of one of the lower worlds Naraka who are enemies of devas, gods.
Brahmarākṣasa
Rakṣasas who possess Bramins. They are interested in Bramin's intellectual and spiritual power and hunt for it. There are also Kṣatriya rakṣasas who hunt for brevity of warriors, or vaiśya rakṣasa.
Among all Brahmarākṣasa are extremely vicious and consumed with bloodlust, and a hunger for brains.
Their appearance alone is grotesque and terrifying; these vampires would wearintestinesaround their necks from victims they had destroyed. They would also wear intestines around their heads like a crown, showing off its trophies from previous kills. It has a sick pride in its slayings.
The brahmaparusha is also known for carrying around a human skull. When it attacks a new victim, it will pour the blood out of the victim’s neck into the skull. It will then drink the blood from the skull, using the human skull like a cup. After it has drained the victim completely of blood, the vampire will then go on to eat… brains. And then it will go on to rip out the intestines of the poor soul. After the brahmaparush has finished feeding, it will wrap the intestines of its newest victim around its waist and begin a ritual dance around the corpses.
The brahmaparusha is also known for carrying around a human skull. When it attacks a new victim, it will pour the blood out of the victim’s neck into the skull. It will then drink the blood from the skull, using the human skull like a cup. After it has drained the victim completely of blood, the vampire will then go on to eat… brains. And then it will go on to rip out the intestines of the poor soul. After the brahmaparush has finished feeding, it will wrap the intestines of its newest victim around its waist and begin a ritual dance around the corpses.
In spite of all these horrible frightening qualities rakṣasas are recognized as protectors. Lord Narisimha - avatara of Viṣṇu - resmbles in his appearance of Rakṣasa. He protected (rakṣa) the world from a mighty asura by assuming this form - of half man half lion. There is also a cult of one of the most famous rakṣasa Ravana. He is worshiped for his devotion to lord Shiva, for his great religious practices, for his wisdom. I have heard a folk story that Sita was taken to Ravanas kingdom in 'mātārūp' that is respected by Ravana as mother. In one of her previous lives she promised to visit Ravana, that he could worship her as Devi, but she forgot about her promise. That is why Ravana had to still her.
PISHACHA
Commentary The ghoulish, flesh-eating Pishachas arise in ancient Hindu mythology. They are first described by the eleventh-century Kashmiri folklorist, Kshemendra Vyasadasa. His translation of an older chronicle of Indian history was described as based on “goblin language” (actually a derogatory term for “low” dialects spoken by North Indian common people). The origin of the name “Pishacha” is obscure, but we find Manvas, Nagas, Pishachas, among others, in the list of ancient Kashmiri tribes. These people were known for exorcising their fields before attempting to cultivate them. Haunters of fields of the dead, these demons eat human flesh, can change shape or become invisible, and are acknowledged masters of possession and insanity among their human victims. Welcome neither in heaven nor in hell, Pishachas can only be killed with a blessed sword, but exorcism rites can dispel them from a given area, if performed correctly. sources: Wikia Education: Pishacha, Early Kashmiri Society & The Challenge of Islam A History of Sanskrit literature (1900).
In the late Vedic literature ("Ahtarva Veda") pishachas appear as one of the three classes of dark demons (together with rakshasas and asuras), withstand to gods, people and light demons. Sometimes they are identifyed with dyeed in gold yellow colour rakshasas and included on the suite of Shiva. They are described as having red, swollen eyes and bulging veins. These creatures are nocturnal, of course. They are said to haunt cremation grounds, like many of the other demonic beings of Hindu lore. Some legends describe the pishacha as being created by Brahma himself. Brahma is one of the Hindu Trimurti, and a Creator god, one of the most powerful gods in the Hindu pantheon. Another legend claims the pishacha were the sons of Krodha. The word Krodha means “anger” or “wrath” in Sanskrit, and may have related to an actual person or deity at some point. Other legends tell of the pishacha being created from Daksha, who was another Creator in Hindu myths, part of the Prajapati; “creator gods.” The pishachas are classified as being a separate race from humanity. Humans do not become pishachas, though they can be possessed and controlled by one. The pishachas are even believed to have their own language called Paishachi. The pishachas can change their form, according to some mythic traditions, and some accounts also say they have the ability to become invisible. Other accounts say that they can enter the body of living humans, and use them to feed on others. Or they can create illnesses in those that they possess, or make their human hosts go insane. Anyone who sees a pishacha is doomed to die within nine months, according to some myths. The Hindu traditions do have beliefs about driving away or ways of protecting against the pishacha. Chanting certain mantras can exorcise a person possessed with a pishacha. Mantras can keep away these demons. Also, giving offerings and participating in religious rites like the puja can keep a household safe from demons
In the late Vedic literature ("Ahtarva Veda") pishachas appear as one of the three classes of dark demons (together with rakshasas and asuras), withstand to gods, people and light demons. Sometimes they are identifyed with dyeed in gold yellow colour rakshasas and included on the suite of Shiva. They are described as having red, swollen eyes and bulging veins. These creatures are nocturnal, of course. They are said to haunt cremation grounds, like many of the other demonic beings of Hindu lore. Some legends describe the pishacha as being created by Brahma himself. Brahma is one of the Hindu Trimurti, and a Creator god, one of the most powerful gods in the Hindu pantheon. Another legend claims the pishacha were the sons of Krodha. The word Krodha means “anger” or “wrath” in Sanskrit, and may have related to an actual person or deity at some point. Other legends tell of the pishacha being created from Daksha, who was another Creator in Hindu myths, part of the Prajapati; “creator gods.” The pishachas are classified as being a separate race from humanity. Humans do not become pishachas, though they can be possessed and controlled by one. The pishachas are even believed to have their own language called Paishachi. The pishachas can change their form, according to some mythic traditions, and some accounts also say they have the ability to become invisible. Other accounts say that they can enter the body of living humans, and use them to feed on others. Or they can create illnesses in those that they possess, or make their human hosts go insane. Anyone who sees a pishacha is doomed to die within nine months, according to some myths. The Hindu traditions do have beliefs about driving away or ways of protecting against the pishacha. Chanting certain mantras can exorcise a person possessed with a pishacha. Mantras can keep away these demons. Also, giving offerings and participating in religious rites like the puja can keep a household safe from demons
Piśaca - pi pi pi - a mouse - Notice that Gaṇeṣa - the lord of Shiva's hosts who include Rakṣasas, piśacas etc. rides a mouse - his mouse could be a piśaca.
Link to Sanskrit text:
http://www.flixya.com/photo/2030549/PISHACHAS-and-MALECHAS-MEANS-HUMANS-WITH-SINFUL-CRIMINAL-DESIRES-PHOTO-gfr
Reading:
Af Frederick M. Smith
PRETA:
