Jawnomicon

Rakshasa

Also called Rākṣasa, Rakshasi.

In Hindu and Jain tradition, the Rakshasa is a shapeshifting demon-ogre, among the most prominent antagonist classes of Indian mythology and the central foes of the Ramayana.

At a glance

Tradition
Indian folklore
Region
South Asia (place of origin)
Trait family
The Impervious

Near this figure

and 8 more
  • Karkadann Impervious hide resists conventional weapons · Invulnerability
  • Nemean Lion Impervious hide resists conventional weapons · Invulnerability
  • Ōmukade Impervious hide resists conventional weapons · Invulnerability
  • Pairika Illusion crafting · Flight
  • Valravn Illusion crafting · Flight
  • Yamata no Orochi Invulnerability · Multi-headed body
  • Ash-hrau Multi-headed body
  • Geryon Multi-headed body

Traits

Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.

Form

  • Shrinks and grows to deceive
    why

    the ability to change size and shape at will

  • Impervious hide resists conventional weapons
    why

    many are granted near-invincibility through boons won by ascetic penance (tapas) to gods such as Brahma or Shiva

  • Shapeshifts human animal
    why

    They are shapeshifters, capable of assuming beautiful or deceptive human forms to seduce, deceive, or infiltrate the households of gods and mortals alike; the demoness Surpanakha and the shapeshifting golden deer Maricha in the Ramayana are cited examples of this deceptive transformation.

  • Multi-headed body
    why

    Rakshasas are typically described as monstrous in their natural form, often depicted with fangs, claws, and dark or ash-colored skin, and in some tellings possessed of multiple heads or arms, as with Ravana's canonical ten heads.

Defensive powers

  • Invulnerability
    why

    Rakshasas are credited with formidable magical powers, including illusion (maya), flight, and the ability to change size and shape at will, and many are granted near-invincibility through boons won by ascetic penance (tapas) to gods such as Brahma or Shiva, as Ravana himself does.

Utility powers

  • Shapeshifting
    why

    Rakshasas are credited with formidable magical powers, including illusion (maya), flight, and the ability to change size and shape at will, and many are granted near-invincibility through boons won by ascetic penance (tapas) to gods such as Brahma or Shiva, as Ravana himself does.

  • Illusion crafting
    why

    Rakshasas are credited with formidable magical powers, including illusion (maya), flight, and the ability to change size and shape at will, and many are granted near-invincibility through boons won by ascetic penance (tapas) to gods such as Brahma or Shiva, as Ravana himself does.

  • Flight
    why

    Rakshasas are credited with formidable magical powers, including illusion (maya), flight, and the ability to change size and shape at will, and many are granted near-invincibility through boons won by ascetic penance (tapas) to gods such as Brahma or Shiva, as Ravana himself does.

  • Shapeshifting size
    why

    Rakshasas are credited with formidable magical powers, including illusion (maya), flight, and the ability to change size and shape at will, and many are granted near-invincibility through boons won by ascetic penance (tapas) to gods such as Brahma or Shiva, as Ravana himself does.

Roles

Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.