Rakshasa

A Rakshasa (Sanskrit: राक्षसः, rākṣasaḥ; Malay: raksasa, Bangla: rakkhosh, Japanese: 羅刹天, rasetsuten) or alternately rakshas, is a demon or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Rakshasas are also called man-eaters ("Nri-chakshas," "Kravyads") or cannibals. A female Rakshasa is called a Rakshasi, and a female Rakshasa in human form is a Manushya-Rakshasi.

According to the Ramayana, Rakshasas were created from Brahma's foot; other sources claim they are descended from Pulastya, or from Khasa, or from Nirriti and Nirrita. Legend has it that many Rakshasas were particularly wicked humans in previous incarnations. Rakshasas are notorious for disturbing sacrifices, desecrating graves, harassing priests, possessing human beings, and so on. Their fingernails are venomous, and they feed on human flesh and spoiled food. They are shapechangers, illusionists, and magicians.