I would like to understand more about the Hindu concept of demons. Do you have any information?

Question

I have read quite a few stories of demons that did good things, and it's hard for me to understand why they are called "demons." I come from a Western background, so in my thinking, demons have always been considered all-bad. But this does not seem to be the case in Hinduism.

I'd like to understand this better. Is there a good website or book on the subject? Can you offer an explanation?

Thanks!

Answer 1

RAKSHASAS. - Goblins or evil spirits. They are not all equally bad, but have been classified as of three sorts - one as a set of beings like the Yakshas, another as a sort of Titans or enemies of the gods, and lastly, in the common acceptation of the term, demons and fiends who haunt cemeteries, disturb sacrifices, harass devout men, animate dead bodies, devour human beings, and vex and afflict mankind in all sorts of ways.

These last are the Rakshasas of whom Ravana was chief, and according to some authorities, they are descended, like Ravana himself, from the sage Pulastya. According to other authorities, they sprang from Brahma's foot. The Vishnu Purana also makes them descendants of Kasyapa and Khasa, a daughter of Daksha, through their son Rakshas; and the Ramayana states that when Brahma created the waters, he formed certain beings to guard them who were called Rakshasas (from the root raksh, to guard, but the derivation from this root may have suggested the explanation), and the Vishnu Purana gives a somewhat similar derivation. It is thought that the Rakshasas of the epic poems were the rude barbarian races of India who were subdued by the Aryans.

When Hanuman entered the city of Lanka to reconnoiter in the form of a cat, he saw that "the Rakshasas sleeping in the houses were of every shape and form. Some of them disgusted the eye, while some were beautiful to look upon. Some had long arms and frightful shapes; some were very fat and some were very lean; some were mere dwarfs and some were prodigiously tall. Some had only one eye and others only one ear. Some had monstrous bellies, hanging breasts, long projecting teeth, and crooked thighs; whilst others were exceedingly beautiful to behold and clothed in great splendour. Some had two legs, some three legs, and some four legs. Some had the heads of serpents, some the heads of donkeys, some the heads of horses, and some the heads of elephants." - (Ramayana.)

The Rakshasas have a great many epithets descriptive of their characters and actions. They are called Anusaras, Asaras, and Hanushas, 'killers or hurters;' Ishtipachas, 'stealers of offerings;' Sandhyabalas, 'strong in twilight;' Kshapatas, Naktancharas, Ratricharas, and Samanishadas, 'night-walkers;' Nrijagdas or Nrichakshas, 'cannibals;' Palalas, Paladas, Palankashas, Kravyads, 'carnivorous;' Asrapas, Asrikpas, Kaunapas, Kilalapas, and Raktapas, 'blood-drinkers;' Dandasukas, 'biters;' Praghasas, 'gluttons;' Malinamukhas, 'black-faced;' Karburas, etc. But many of these epithets are not reserved exclusively for Rakshasas.

RAKSHASI. Female rakshasa-

Answer 2

The CULTURE of a place is based on its Geographical conditions. When all the people staying in India and around, where climate is similar, can celebrate ... Sankrant, Holi, Raksha bandhan, Diwali, Bhaiya Duj,... as per the climatic changes, we can say its Hindu Rashtra. This is a Racial identification to unite Indians who are proud of its great Philosophy. This can change our Education system, which is the base, as Analytical like the Vedic times. People from far will again come here for Solace and Intellectual growth. That will be called HINDU RASHTRA.

Answer 3

I hope you get a decent answer to this. You might like to post it onto the India site, instead of USA.
Personally I think they might be projecting that there is good and bad in everything and everybody. I noticed in their story of the triumph of good over evil the demon Warlord who conquers heaven with his demon army actually started out with good motives and only became corrupt after he had absolute power. The Goddess (Durga) who kills him and restores goodness later becomes Kali I think.

Of interest though is the point that the mother goddess Devi gave birth to the demons as well as the heroes and that the demons get special powers by praying to the supreme Hindu trinity.

(only opinion, not knowledge)

Answer 4

Demons = "Rakshasa" in Hindusim:
रा॑क्षसः, rā́kṣasaḥ; alternately, raksasa or rakshas) is a demon or unrighteous spirit in Hindu mythology. Rakshasas were man-eaters ("Nri-chakshas," "Kravyads") or cannibals. The Aryans were always at war with the Rakshasas. However even Rakshasas such as Ravana described himself as a minister of the Aryans. In Rigveda gods Indra and Agni are said to be at war with the Kravyads. 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. 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 and magicians, and often appear in the forms of humans and large birds.

Answer 5

I will explain it to u in a simple way.
In Hinduism , there is no fictional character like devil or satan.The demons which u r refering r called " asuras". These demons r actually those people who had done something wrong or evil in their previous life.Ravana was actually born in to a Brahman family.But his birth n death were all decided by Lord Vishnu only.He n his brother Kumbhkaran were actually gatekeepers of Devlok.But due to some mistake they had to b born n killed in that way.
Similar stories r for other demons.
Hinduism beleives that everything is made up of God. Good people , bad people, everyone n evrything ultimately goes back to God Himself.God is present everywhere.
By getting killed by Lord Rama , Ravana attained Moksha.

Answer 6

sorry i hv no info abt any web-site

However in a nut shell, Hinduism does not believe in a Satan. God is the creator, sustainer and destructor of all.

As per hindu mythology there were two sisters diti and aditi... diti's children and aditi's children went to Brhamaa to learn the truth& god. Brhamaa told them - You are that. didit's children took it as they are gods and became Asuras or demons whereas aditi's children saw that god was inside them and became gods

Hence gods and asuras are cousins/brothers ...only Asura's taking their Ego as the highest and thus interfering into the universe. So any human being too who is egotists is asura....like Ravan was a brahin yet called an asura

There had been great demons aka asuras who were very intelligent, learned and brave....and god taking pity on them gave them Moksha too by killing them or by blessing them.

some such examples are - Kansa, Ravana, Bali, Narkasur, Gayasur, Prahalada, Bhasmasur, pootna, hidimba etc.

Answer 7

I cant explain here - This question is far from answering. Go to the links below and find yourself.

http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Demon_-_In_Hinduism/id/1317700


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_%28Demon%29

http://larryavisbrown.homestead.com/files/xeno.mahabcomm.htm

Answer 8

This isn't an answer to your question, but it is related. Lakota tradition had those called "Heyoka" who were 'contrarians' - sacred clowns.

Answer 9

There are many levels Hindu Scriptures address the issue of demons according to the various levels of comprehension by different ones. Let jk start from the extreme.

God is only One and is 100% Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient without a second, permeating the whole of Cosmos.

Now when God wanted to love and get loved, He himself became many, "Ekohum Bahusyam", the One became Many.

For this God utilised his own "Maya" comprising of three Gunas, Qualities for the purpose of Creation, namely Satvic, Rajasic and Tamasic Qualities. Thus, its called the Evolution of this world, Prakriti of three Gunas, the play field of God of Ultimate Delusion with Maya.

The Maya or Prakriti is given the Concept of Goddess, the female aspect, the Half part of Purusha, in Ardha Nareeswara Sankalpa of Lord Shiva.

As the way Western World and Christanity addressing this issue of Satan, they are referring to the Rajasic and Tamasic aspects qualities of Ultimate Delusion, the Maya. For them the practice of Satvic Quality is of paramount importance to reach the Heaven, Satvic Quality refer to meekness in practice. This is in line with the Vedic thoughts of Sanathana Dharma, or the so called Hindu Philosophy.

Here are some thoughts to it from Bhagavad Gita,

"

The knowers of the three vedas, who by drinking soma are purified of sins, worship me with sacrifices and pray for heaven. Reaching the holy world of the king of gods (Indra), they enjoy in heaven all celestial pleasures.

" - Bhagavad Gita in line with Veda - (chapter 9, verse 17)

- Bhagavad Gita in line with Vedanta - (chapter 2, verses 45 and 46)

"

The Vedas have the three gunas as their subject; be above the three qualities, O Arjuna. Free from the pairs of opposites, be firmly established in purity, and not caring for gain and preservation, be possessed of the Self.

Whatever use a well has in a place flooded with water, that much use there is in the Vedas for an enlightened person.

"

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-xXSjjhg7er9d7VyaCsYH4qyJveacMoF0?p=72&n=28500

This perhaps is the subtle thread to proceed, Now, when these, Rajasic and Tamasic Qualities are analysed further, the six foes appear as demonic qualities as some parts,

Kaama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya ( the 3 + 3 concept like Desire, Anger, Greed, Lust and Attachment, Ego and Competition)

Of course the stories of Diti and Aditi, both the wives of the Rishi (Sage) Kasyap as mothers of Asuras (demons) and Devas or Suras (Angels of Heaven) respectively explain this concepts further into so called realistic terms to suit to our sensory perceptions of Names and Forms.

Now the Devatas (the Suras, or heavenly angels who drink Soma Rasa) are the ones in whom the Satvic Qualities are Dominant. They do their duties as instructed by the Great Lord with meekness and regularity without much complaints and without any expectations in return. The Sun angel / god doing his duty as a routine, the King of these Angels in Heaven Lord Indra is the Rain God giving rains to Earth. These Angels are said to be enjoying the effects of their good deeds in their past birth. Sometimes when they go astray from their meekness, they are cursed to take birth sometimes as Human or sometimes as Demons. Similarly, there is elevation for Men and Demons also if they show meekness and Satvic Qualities.

But to travel beyond these worlds of three qualities, beyond birth and death, it is said to be possible only for Human beings. Even Angels shall have to take birth as human beings to travel beyond the dualities of good and bad into the Ultimate Bliss, the Moksha, the Cessation of All desires.

Sathya Sai Baba say,

Life + Desire = Man

Life - Desire = God

Its said for this purpose of Salvation in this Kali Yuga (Kali Age) only the chanting and rememberance of the Divine Name of the Great Lord is the sole requirement.

May be the Frill Works also add to the beauty. So further explanations for the understanding all are also something to enjoy.

Perhaps that's the reason why "VishnuSahasraNamam" was given to as a solution to all the vexed problems of the World, as narrated in "SriMahaBharatam"

SAI RAM

Answer 10

there are so many demons in reality.